Brazilian illustrator and visual artist Gui Soares has built a distinctive career blending portraiture, symbolism, and contemporary myth-making. From drawing comic books at just 13, including a brief stint with Marvel, to working across advertising and freelance projects, his journey reflects both early talent and a lifelong commitment to evolving his craft. Now based in São Paulo, Gui continues to collaborate remotely with clients worldwide, bringing layered, narrative-rich visuals to life.

Deeply influenced by comic art, sacred iconography, and music, Gui’s work is driven by instinct, curiosity, and a relentless pursuit of originality. His process, rooted in sketching, exploration, and refinement, mirrors his philosophy: creativity thrives when you step away from noise and stay true to your own voice. In this interview, he shares insights on inspiration, the importance of individuality, and why saying no can sometimes be the most powerful creative decision.

How did you first get into the industry?

At a very young age. At 13, I started drawing comic books and did so for Marvel Comics for a short while. After that experience, I worked for advertising agencies and eventually got my Graphic Design bachelor's degree.

Where are you based now and who do you work for?

I'm from Rio de Janeiro /BR and I'm based in São Paulo / BR. I work freelance remotely for different companies. 

What is your personal background and what role did it play in your career?

I was born in Rio de Janeiro to amazing parents that were both in the advertising industry. They'd noticed I had talent for arts and drawing since a very  young age and encouraged me ever since. My earliest memory is of me doodling on the living room wall. After I was in my early teens, they would assign me illustration and art jobs for their company and that informed my career.

If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?

I love music. I'd probably be a professional percussionist.

Can you explain your creative process? What makes it unique?

It usually starts with a seed of an idea. Something I heard or saw somewhere. A spark. Something inspiring. Then I usually listen to a lot of music, go outside, take a walk at a park or somewhere with a lot of nature and a lot of green. I start sketching a lot of clean rough compositions and when I'm satisfied, I move on to the computer,I digitalize it and start layering it. I usually overlay the composition with a lot of elements that speak to that original seed and polish it and remove anything that creates noise on the illustration. I dress it up and then dress it down. Music is always playing during the whole process. I wouldn't call it unique per se, but it's an interesting process.

How would you describe your style?

My work sits somewhere between portrait illustration and modern iconography. I like to take real people and portray them as contemporary myths, surrounding them with symbols that represent their energy, influences, and story. Visually it draws from comic art, sacred iconography, and psychedelic linework.

Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?

I have lots of them. Mostly comic book illustrators. Here are a few key inspirational figures in my life: Alex Raymond, Jack Kirby, The Buscemas, Walt Simonson, The Romitas, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Moebius, Sergio Toppi, George Perez, Mike Mignola, Bill Watterson, Al Hirschfeld, Brian Bolland, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave McKean, Sergio Aragones, Robert Crumb, Art Spiegelman and Jim Steranko.

What tips would you give to aspiring creatives looking for work?

Don't draw for likes. Don't stop drawing for nothing in this world. Find your voice. Find your style. It takes time, but it will be the best investment you'll make.

What tips would you give to other professionals to get more clients?

Find your niche. Invest in that. Everybody is different and it should be that way. Be different.

Can you share a memorable experience from your career journey that shaped your approach to creativity?

No moment in particular, but when I started saying no to things that don't match my values and principles, everything made sense.

What kind of tools/kit/software could you not do without?

Paper, Pencil and Vector software (My preferred is Corel Draw)

What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?

The anticipation to catch that next balloon. For me, ideas are like loose balloons that are floating nearby. The rush to catch one (or two, or three) and play with it, is a big motivation. I love ideas. And I love materialzing them. My late parents, my daughter and my wife are a huge source of inspiration for me as well. :)

What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?

I don't think I got there yet, but the Nike collaborations I did and my surface design projects are awesome. And with my album cover projects I had the opportunity to meet some of my musical inspirations.

As someone with experience in the industry, what trends do you foresee shaping the future of creativity?

I think human artisanship, hand made projects, stuff done by actual people will be trending a lot more in the coming years. People will go back to admireing and purchasing actual hand made art.

What do you think sets apart truly exceptional creatives from the rest of the pack?

Going against the grain. Being different. Thinking different. Being true to their own values and beliefs.

How do you think technology has influenced the creative industries and how have you adapted to these changes?

Technology accelerates as well as optimizes processes. If you're quick to try new things and filter what works for you, that's a great start. That's what I've been doing all these years.

What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?

I'd eliminate the social media aspect of it. Likes and engagement don't mean anything. It disrupts creativity rather than fuel it.

Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?

Not really. Everybody has their own source of inspiration. Reading is essential to any objective. But I definitely recommend leaving the house, going outside, talking to people, going to a play, a movie theater, museum, park. Just, get out of your comfort zone and absorb the world around you. Phones, computers and the interned are great tools, but nothing beats living life.