Today we’d like to introduce you to Pally Zhang.
Pally, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am a concept artist working in the Games, Film and Animation Industry. I specialize in mechanical and environment concept designs. Since an early age, I have always had a fascination with stories. My mother gifted me with a large illustrated History textbook when I was seven years old. Filled with illustrations of ancient civilizations and fierce warriors from bygone times. This book told many stories of people’s lives long before – who they were, what they did, what they feared and what they celebrated. A spark was set ablaze in me – from then on I would hang around the school library, just to flip through the many illustrated history books, where many were published by DK (Dorling Kindersley). As I grew older, films and video games inspired my love for storytelling. Eventually, I pursued art and design as a career as I always adored using imagery to tell stories.
In the first year of college at the Rhode Island School of Design, I signed up for a course that analyzed science-fiction films for philosophical and psychological themes.
For the first time, I was introduced to films like Mamoru Oshii’s “Ghost in the Shell” and Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” – it fundamentally changed my direction in what I want to do with my pursuit of art and design. I was captivated by the aesthetic, the philosophical intrigue and the masterful direction of the creator. I always remind myself what inspired me to clarify where I am going. Another piece of media that fundamentally changed who I was – was a clip of a Star Wars Episode 3 featurette, where there was an interview of the art department at Lucas Films. An animated character designer named Iain McCaig explains into the camera what a Concept Artist was – in the video a group of artists sat around the table throwing ideas at each other, brainstorming how to design the villain of the film. When I watched the video, all I could think about was I wish I was right there in the group of artists having the time of their lives designing awesome imaginary things. I wanted to become a Concept Artist – one that told amazing stories of bygone civilizations far in space or in the near future through imagery. Many people have helped me on my journey, but a very significant person that made me believe I can become a Concept Artist was my mentor John J. Park. I actually found him by accident, through my friend Giby Joseph, who asked me to stay to study one more semester at this school called Brainstorm in Burbank. Now I’m still a Concept Artist, still trying to pursue storytelling through imagery.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a Concept Artist that specializes in mechanical design and environment design. I create art that is mostly science-fiction and exploration. I usually want to create something that feels like a scene from a film I have seen growing up. Many of my concepts are on the side of hard science-fiction as I am a big believer in “form follows function”. When I design I want to always think through my work and explain as much as I can in my drawings. This is also true in my professional work, as I do a great deal of explaining in production work. Overall I want people to enjoy my paintings and designs and hope they can see a fantastical world from my images.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
I think success is in the eye of the beholder. Anything can be a success! Art and design like life is subjective. One person can be a show creator and have a big name product under his name, while another can be drawing an ink drawing a day and find satisfaction in his or her creation – they all equal to success. I have met many artists on my journey, many have various ways to create, so to say there’s a formula to this is not my place to say. I have my way of producing and it might not be for everyone, but I do find interest in how other artists create because I borrow different working habits from many artists to formulate my own way of creating.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see my work here:
Website: https://pallyzhang.artstation.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pallyzhang/
Hope you enjoy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pallyzhang.artstation.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pallyzhang/
Image Credit:
photo taken by: Paul Chang
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