Interview with Featured Artist Jerram Harte

We first discovered Jerram Harte's work displayed at The Porch Coffee Space, a volunteer-run community space in Portland, and immediately wanted to share his art with the Weird Lit community. His playful, humorous, and emotional depictions of characters really invite creative narrative. Just the stuff we like to feature in an issue! We caught up with Jerram in a short interview below.

What makes you keep creating, even when it's hard?

I try to keep in mind that when I’m creating regularly I’m a more happy and joyous person who's able to connect with the world and others. I also try to remember that I become the opposite when I don’t. Sometimes the fear of being miserable is enough to keep me going. 

What other creative activities do you like to do?

I like to make music on my computer. I specialize in making chill lofi beats nobody would want to study to. I also make comedy videos from time to time. 

Do you consider yourself an organized or chaotic artist? 

I’m a chaotic artist who is trying his hardest to be organized. As I get more experienced I see the benefits of organization but it still looks like a bomb blew up in my computer's file system. 

Advice on creating that you’ve learned by trial and error?

Develop a habit. It’s so important to incorporate art into your daily routine. I know a lot of artists who aren’t doing their work because they’re waiting to feel inspired and it never comes. I look at creativity as exercise. You should exercise that creative muscle a little bit every day regardless of if you feel inspired or not. If you stick to it then you’ll find it’s way easier to get into the flow and find inspiration because you’ve built that muscle up.

What is one unbelievable thing that happened to you that you can't prove to anyone else?

Someone once chucked a can of tuna at me while I was standing at a bus stop. I haven’t stopped thinking about it ever since. 

Describe your workspace.

I have two desks in my studio. One is the beat laboratory with my laptop and a tiny midi keyboard that I shred all night and day on. The second one is for drawing and writing. On the wall in front of that one is a bunch of inspirational quotes and images. I started writing lessons I’ve learned on sticky notes like “perfect is boring” and covered the wall with them. I thought seeing them every day would help but I still find ways to ignore my own advice.    

What’s the weirdest sound you can make?

I can cough exactly like Gollum. I don’t know why. I’m not a Lord of the Rings fan. All I know is it will crack my friend Macian up every time.  

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done in the name of art research?

I’m not sure. I’m sure I’ve googled some wild shit. I’ll have to ask the data brokers they sold my information to.

Does your day job affect your art topics or approach?

When I draw I like to let whatever is in my subconscious come out and unfortunately Trader Joe’s is all up in there.

How about an underrated artist more people should know about?

I follow this artist on Instagram @Sallustration. She captures everyday life in the nineties with such a charming style. Love love love her work. 

Do you have a favorite book on creating that's been a helpful resource?

Two books changed my life. One is The Artist Way which gives a spiritual guide to creating and the other is The War of Art that helps deal with the negative force or “resistance” that keeps artists from doing their work. 

Where do you go when you need to work out a block? 

Usually when I feel stuck it’s because I haven’t been experiencing life and filling my creative well. Sometimes just walking down a neighborhood I haven’t been to will do the trick but when I’m really stuck I try and travel. Last time I spent a couple nights at the beach and it did just the trick. 

What are your long-term creative goals? 

Simply to make a living doing the work I want to do. It would be amazing to spend the day drawing and still be able to pay the bills without working a soul crushing job. 

Pigs or chickens?

Pigs! Nothing against chickens, I just love pigs. They’re so ugly they’re cute and are as sloppy as I am. I will own a pig someday. Mark my words. YOU’LL SEE!!!

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found lying on the street?

I’m too lost in my own head to ever notice what's lying on the ground. 

Do you believe in free will? Why or why not?

I don’t know and the fact I don’t know gives me a tremendous amount of existential dread. 

If you were a cryptid, what would your name be and what strange habits would people whisper about?

Instead of “Bigfoot” they’d call me “Bald Head” and they would whisper about how shiny my big bulbous head is. They’d say: “Don’t stare into the light or he’ll capture your soul!” but I’m just wandering the woods looking for my toupee. 

Unpopular opinion, go: 

POPCORN IS TOO LOUD FOR MOVIE THEATERS! I can’t tell you how many movies have been ruined by the sound of somebody swirling their greasy little fingers in the bucket and chomping down on those buttery kernels throughout THE WHOLE MOVIE. Then if I tell them to chew quieter I’M THE BAD GUY?! Unbelievable. Thank you for letting me vent.

Jerram Harte (AKA Harte Doodles) is an illustrator whose biggest artistic goal is to make his six-year-old self proud. Every time he sits at his iPad to illustrate he calls upon that snot-nosed, crayon-fisted little boy in hopes of reaching the same unadulterated, purely imaginative creative state that came so effortlessly in the first grade.

Jerram is influenced most by the surrealist movement, who also harnessed their inner kindergartener. He’s fascinated by the subconscious mind and what comes out when you let go of logic and reason. Most of the time he has no idea what he’s going to draw before he draws it. The thrill of discovery and surprise is what keeps him drawing day after day.

You can find Jerram on instagram @Harte.Doodles or at his website Hartedoodles.BigCartel.Com