We recently connected with Jered Fykes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jered, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was 16 years old. Being a skateboarder since 10 years of age my creative taste took on much from that culture. The variety of graphics on the bottom of skateboards alone were enough to spark ideas for a lifetime. At 16 I began collecting art magazines and further researching the artist I liked that I found. That later opened me up to modern day mural painting and the vibrant culture with in it. It was then that I knew that making a living and traveling from doing what I wanted to do was possible.

Jered, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Jered Fykes. As an artist I go by Jerro. I’ve had a interest for art starting around 7 years old. The more of the creative world I discovered as a child the more I wanted to grow and learn. As my focus and experience continued to grow, I began selling art on lighters and phone cases to friends with my designs on them. This started on a random day of playing around and making stickers for myself back in late high school. I dressed up some of my personal items with custom 1 of 1 hand made stickers and once friends started to notice they wanted some of their own, so I made more. Eventually creating over 300 lighters each different with original artwork . That was my first time creating my own products and selling them repeatedly. By 2016 I landed a screen printing job. There I was allowed to use some of their equipment for my own projects, or jobs. With that I was able to gain some reliable clients and a small part-time income.

At that time my current job could hardly offer me 20 hours a week. I then knew putting more effort into my own path was a risk worth taking. Making creative pursuits outside of work made me a part of the art community which later gave me a platform to paint small scale murals for free. Slowly I began to land clients and before I knew it I was working full-time, for me! While being freelance has its highs and lows I love it. I’ve gained more life experiences while on the clock as a freelancer than any job I’ve ever had. It has taught me patients and self-discipline, while giving me freedom and providing me with economical tools for my future.

Artistically, I like to create an expression, emotion, or vibe using a combination of organic and surreal elements. In my personal work I prefer to not attach it to any story or life experience. That allows it to be an experience of its own kind, like my own personal oasis. Client work on the other hand usually always has a meaning or message tide to it. While still being its own enjoyable experience, I get to base the creation solely off of something that is representational or tells a story. Over the years of expressing many creative visions in all sorts of atmospheres, I have learned a lot.

Today, I offer a number of creative services on a daily basis. The major categories being, painting and graphic design. I also have an online shop at jerrofyx.com. When painting I enjoy painting murals, commissioned pieces, and commercials signs for clients all over, or for fun for myself. T-shirt design, logos, posters and accessories are also some of the most common projects for others. I have always liked legible and clean work, therefore my slogan is “Bringing creative visions to life with precision and care.” Whether it is my vision or one of someone else’s I love bringing that vision to life to its closest if not ultimate potential.

I have now worked with brands such as Facebook Meta, Walmart, Makers Mark, Washington Commanders, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. None of which would have been possible today without consistent hard work, caring for each project and self belief. While I look forward to build creative connections with others, I am thrilled to dive deeper into my own personal gallery works. I hope my work brings positive energy to those who experience it and find it pleasing to the eye, heart and mind no matter the subject.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Doesn’t feel real and doesn’t feel right.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Influencing viewers and hearing the stories they create and meaning that they put into the artwork I create. Being an artist is almost like having a super power. You are equipped with a set of skills and tools that in often times come in handy in life. I also love the places to takes me and beautiful people I have been lucky to connect with on my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jerrofyx.com
• Instagram: @jerrofyx
• Youtube: @jerrofyx

Image Credits

Jered Fykes
Aspen DeRosa