We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jerm V. (Dweeb Kil.) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jerm V., appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Escalating both my creative performance (operating “Dweeb Kil.” as a creative fashion & streetwoven collection, since October 2020) + incentivizing a revolving showcase of worthwhile prizes, tokens, & environmentally conscious items has been the latest & super meaningful set of projects entering into orbit (here on Earth, in 2024)! Between March – July of 2023, Dweeb Kil. & I decided to led a pronounced mission to adopt more Earth friendly eco-consciousness towards the creative performance & display table setup; launched as early as Spring of 2021! The reason being is due to the continuous rise in warmth & warming climates that became visible in recorded oceanic & atmospheric temperatures worldwide (Summer 2023)! This is when triple digit degree numbers had cultivated in rapid succession this year across the warmer months – This trend began to irk me, so I decided to screenprint teal colored reusable/recyclable water bottles – made to bring awareness to heat prevention & climate action : ) This endeavor shortly caught more chance for myself to provide evolving relief & advocacy for the clients + distinct patrons I had made consistent interactions with. Following a chance I had to study & advocate for an upcoming brand of retail solar (brand ambassador), I used 5-6 months to gather better ideas that would bring worthwhile attention to environmental & seaborne influence people of various walks of life could interact with! This led to Dweeb Kil. brandishing “Beach Made” Seashell Necklaces (in April 2024, “ready made” seashells sourced from Fernandina Beach) + the climate conscious Navy Blue “Sunnyside” Dweeb Kil. Bucket Hats (April 2024 ) made to help reduce heat exposure for “beachy city” folks; in need of necessary wardrobe adjustment – drawn to a cute Sun Girl illustration I designed! The fun & incentives never stopped – Because I found myself creating new Royal Blue 3″ “Health & Wellness” Stress Balls – acting to provide an increase in physical wellness (mobility) towards the creative collectible assortment Dweeb Kil offers (in May of 2024)!

Jerm V., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m totally a graduating graphic design artist, illustrative creative, marketing vendor, display table enthusiast, streetwear hunter, & leading operator of one of the most distinctly cool streetwoven phenomenons available for interaction! Dweeb Kil. (as a creative endeavor) is honestly made to house my artwork/illustrations + streetwear I can screenprint/fashion into existence. This big catalog of escalating prizes & creative collectibles I’ve made to ready to purchase at various vending markets and community-style events is my livelihood. My care towards environmentally conscious efforts is made to breach environmental awareness with this new line of inventory (created season by season). For example, since March of 2023’s recognizable climate change & warming of climates helped me to start showcasing 1) new safe-to-use reusable water bottles for bikers, citygoers, exercise fanatics, hikers, & beach lovers all around! Then we have 2) Dweeb Kil.’s “Dog Pendant Necklaces” I sell – These tokens outline the need for people to mind rising sea levels here on Earth; while enlivening my target audience to represent “recycling & invested sentiments” everywhere they go! I gather tons of excitement with these tokens : ) It becomes a timely treat for patrons willing to check out what fresh accent Dweeb Kil. is offering season to season (seen with the Green “Halloween Treat Monster Mint” Chocolate Chip Cookies I introduced to the display stand October of 2023)!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Stirring insight in devotion, I’d supremely advise newfound creative minds to 1) consistently understand their unique creative process while 2) learning to guide themselves amidst an outside influence they’ve recognized to be working guidance. Whether you jot down a simple list of objectives you’re hoping to accomplish by the end of a given day, or are seeking refinement within your select projects, the easiest way to develop or improve is to habitually shape your methods of interaction (within yourself, your timing, & your environments). This can include the resources you’re attaining reasonably, the open availability you’ve amounted to unravel your creative nature, & even the choices you take time to make as your lifepath builds upon the initial foundation you’re refurbishing. Knowing exactly when you could or can attend to various needs usually results in a sense of priority or urgency: For aspiring artists, this agency acts to help categorize your intentions, interests, and incentives – all while inhabiting spaces that bring a passionate wind of vitality to your revolving decisions/initiatives worth venturing across. You never know until you try – I think that simple sentiment could get people ruminating about the pool of ideas they can streamline effectively + channel more devoutly as the artistry they’re building unfolds : )

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A lovely & impactful quality that rose to resonate on my creative journey (& Dweeb Kil.’s ascension) has been the resilience or blooming nature seen flourishing evermore; as my performance began attaining goals set to be achieved. My ambitious direction & determination led me to where I am today! I am overly attentive + tend to make the effort to see my artwork showcased through more than one installation. This overjoyed attitude (when constructing my works of art) is what uplifts my hopes that I can create from a space of true wonder for the history books to make mind of! I want to be distinct & heard – Taking a worthy step & carving an impression for the decades is totally in reach for me. Newly crafted collectibles & the people that love to chat or adopt my clothes into their sense of fashion is a golden mission of mine (2024). My willingness to maintain, strive, & retain a surge of rad momentum for myself is always a fortune I afford my environment! I draw better attention to events/opportunities that align well with my resolve: Curating a wonderful time that could serve me better – Totally inclined & driven to succeed. In 2024, I declared myself as “an idea gatherer”: Due to the collection of insights, ideologies, & poetry-bound philosophies I use to help strengthen my artsy passion! It helps to label my artist style + maps out a directional path my heart knows is potentially going to fulfill or enliven my inner & external worlds dually!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/dweebkiljerm
• Instagram: @dweebkil
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jermaine-valentine-169mtv
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dweebkiljerm
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dweebkiljerm
• Other: https://dweebkiljermmerch.bigcartel.com/
  https://dweebkiljerm.bandcamp.com/
  https://www.behance.net/jermainvalenti

Image Credits

All Images/Links: Sourced by Jerm V. (Dweeb Kil., VHSA).