A long-running feature of Heavy Metal magazine includes highlighting artists and creatives. A part of that legacy involves interviews with these creators. This time around, we focus on artist Josh Freydkis!

Chet Reams: First off, thanks for taking time to do this interview, Josh! can we get a quick self-bio for those who may not know yet who you are?

Josh Freydkis: My name is Josh Freydkis. I was born and raised in San Francisco and have lived in Los Angeles for the past twelve years with my wife and two dogs.‍

Reams: And when did you start with illustration, artwork, animation, the whole shebang?

Freydkis: I’ve loved art and illustration since I was young. I was an only child, and my parents quickly realized that all I needed to keep myself entertained was a pencil and paper. As a kid, I would spend hours in my room filling sketchbooks with drawings of mutants, skulls, ninjas, monster trucks—all the typical stuff. 
My first full-time creative job was in 2014, when I joined a small animation studio called Fox ADHD. It was an incredible place that took a chance on a lot of young artists and served as a great introduction to the creative community in Los Angeles.
 After the studio closed in 2016, I bounced around between various full-time and freelance positions. Since 2021, I’ve been fully freelance and focused on making my own art.

Reams: You collaborated with Wizards Of The Coast on “Magic the Gathering” card artwork - - how did that come together? I know you’re a huge MtG guy, so that must have been a wonderful accomplishment for you..

Freydkis: I’ve been playing Magic since I was about 10 years old—over 25 years. It was one of my primary introductions to fantasy art and has been a constant presence in my life ever since. I always dreamed of contributing art to the game, but for a long time I didn’t feel like my work fit within the modern aesthetic of the game. 
With the introduction of Secret Lair, though, I started seeing artists whose work more closely resembled my own. Jacob Covey, Art Director of Secret Lair, reached out to me back in 2024, and I’ve been working on cards ever since. I currently have six cards that have been released, with a few more coming down the pipeline.

Reams: Looking at some of your artwork, it seems like a cross between Richard Corben and Virgil Finlay. But what would YOU describe your own style as?
Freydkis: Wow, what a great compliment—thank you! I’d describe my art as a blend of traditional fantasy art and psychedelia. Someone once told me that my art reminded them of taking too much acid and getting trapped inside of a blacklight poster. I think that’s pretty accurate.

Reams: Who are some contemporary creators you’ve been eyeing recently?

Freydkis: There are so many illustrators absolutely killing it right now. A few of my favorites would be Tom and Devin Toye, Hayden Hall (Sick Slice), James Bousema, Skinner, Quentin Gomzé, Ben Marra, Justine Jones, Matt Bellosi, Lee Guentert, John Malta, and Natalie Andrewson, to name a few. ‍

Reams: What is the work that you would say you’re most proud of creating? Explain the particular choice..

Freydkis: As mentioned previously, working with Wizards of the Coast has definitely been a career highlight. These days, though, I’m just proud to have reached a point in my career where I can exclusively take on the projects that interest me.

Reams: ...You also teach illustration at Laguna College Of Art and Design (LCAD) as an adjunct professor- what does that entail?

Freydkis: I began teaching at LCAD as an adjunct professor in the illustration department about two years ago. I’m currently teaching two classes—one focused on preparing graduating seniors for the professional realities of life as a working illustrator, and another centered around print and apparel design. 
LCAD is a wonderful community and the students are incredibly talented. Many thanks to my friend, colleague, and fellow illustrator John F. Malta for the opportunity!

Reams: Adult Swim had you do work to promote some of their programming; In parrticular "Rick And Morty" and "Mr. Pickles" - how did that come about? In addition, where do you see adult-targeted animation going in the next couple years?

Freydkis: I’ve had the pleasure of working with Adult Swim on a variety of projects over the years. A few highlights include animating stage graphics and key art for various Adult Swim festivals, working on Rick and Morty pinball machines with Spooky Pinball, creating the Rick and Morty seek-and-find book with Dark Horse Comics, and designing art for the Mr. Pickles Thrashtacular tour with Exodus and Municipal Waste. 
I honestly can’t remember how the relationship initially started. Much like working with Magic: The Gathering, it’s been pretty surreal to collaborate with a company that was so influential to me as a young artist. 
A huge shout-out and many thanks to all of the amazing people on their team over the years—Brandon Lively in particular.

Reams: Some of the animation you have done was for GIPHY Studios ; What is the contrast between animation for tv/film, and animating for the GIF file format?

Freydkis: GIF animation is all about finding the perfect loop and figuring out what action will have the most impact in the fewest frames possible. GIFs were actually what kickstarted my career in animation and served as a great crash course in animation fundamentals. 
Unlike short-form or TV animation, GIFs can be produced relatively quickly. At my peak, I was making two or three a day, which allowed for a lot of experimentation with both style and technique.

Reams: While we are on the topic of animation: Which cartoons did you watch growing up? What ‘toons are you enjoying these days?

Freydkis: I grew up during a golden era of animation—the ’90s. My parents recognized that I loved to draw from an early age and, thankfully, never seemed to have an issue with me watching cartoons. There were so many incredible shows on at the time that listing them all would take days. 
A few favorites were TMNT, Street Sharks, Biker Mice from Mars, X-Men: The Animated Series, Mighty Max, Gargoyles, and pretty much all of the classic Nickelodeon shows—Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rocko’s Modern Life... the list goes on and on. 
My grandpa (RIP) also loved cartoons and got me hooked on a lot of the classics—Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, etc. Then, as a teenager, I got really into the first wave of Adult Swim shows—Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Venture Bros., Robot Chicken—as well as everything on Toonami. 
These days, I almost always have an episode of The Simpsons playing in the background. Smiling Friends is also incredible.

Reams: Been taking in any comics or ‘zines recently?
Freydkis: Berserk! I just finished the fifth hardcover collection.‍

Reams: I am sure you have specific people,  who have been, well, “influential” on you - name those names!

Freydkis: Way too many to name, but here are a few of my favorites: Keith Parkinson, Larry Elmore, Clyde Caldwell, Richard Corben, John Blanche, Wayne England, Julie Bell, Mark Tedin, Ron Spencer, Kristian Wåhlin (Necrolord), Dan Seagrave, and Chris Moyen. 
Other non-visual artists who have influenced me include Joseph Goldstein, Alan Watts, Tolkien, Gene Wolf, Frank Herbert, the Campbell Brothers (surfboards), George Greenough, Jerry Garcia, and DJ Screw.

Reams: Where can folks find you at on the ‘web? 

Freydkis: The best place to follow along with current projects and new work is on Instagram: @josh_freydkis. ‍

Reams: Thanks for the opportunity to chat with you, Josh!!!!
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