Bright colours and quirky creatures we're in love! Henri Campeã knows how to create a little bit of magic and we're all for it! Henri tells us all about how he got started and the low down on his home town São Paulo!
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
Can you hold the door please? Thanks!
Hi, I’m Henri Campeã, a freelance illustrator (and animation enthusiast) based in São Paulo, Brazil. My work is all about vibrant colors, gritty textures, unique plants and quirky creatures. I love drag queens, cartoons, Haruki Murakami and Gal Gosta.
What are some of your earliest creative memories and what lead you into design?
Since I have memories, drawing always was a part of my life. I remember other creative memories like building with lego bricks, playing with play dough, cutting images of magazines, drawing on the walls etc. I loved creating sets and characters and living in my own fantasy world (I am a Pisces).
It was always clear to me that I would work with something related to visual arts or espionage. Now I see how great my parents were allowing me to express myself in my own way.
How did you develop your style as an illustrator and what tips would you have for others?
Being true to myself. Finding my style is like knowing who I am and what I like. I don’t think my style is already set, it is something fluid witch is evolving and following my life. Keeping a record of your creations gives you a great view of your evolution, like seeing old pics.
To draw themes and things that I like helps me a lot. Everything can be used as reference, and experiences overall helps to shape us and reflects on our identity. In my case (and many Brazilian kids born in 93) I loved Pokemon, tamagotchis and Turma da Mônica (a Brazilian comic). Cartoons like Rocko’s Modern Life, Real Monsters, Hey Arnold!, Dexter’s Laboratory and Powderpuff Girls influenced me a lot too.
What career advice would you give your 16yr old self?
Keep trusting in you. Yes, you can afford living by drawing. Keep listening to your intuition and be open to new things always.
I don’t think my style is already set, it is something fluid witch is evolving and following my life. Keeping a record of your creations gives you a great view of your evolution, like seeing old pics.
What is the design landscape like on your city and where do you fit in?
São Paulo is the biggest city of Latin America and the global city of Brazil. São Paulo is a melting pot city, with different nationalities everywhere. There are many design events and the independent publication scene is strong here. I live near by Paulista Avenue, witch is a cultural spot with six museums. It is a very inspiring city to live with great food (you have to eat pastel de feira and coxinha if you come here!).
