Meet Landon Wilson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Landon Wilson.

Landon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Some days it feels like I’m really far ahead from where I started. Others it feels like I have such a long way to get to where I want to be.

Either way, I made it to L.A. and that’s pretty good for me! I am an illustrator learning storyboarding right now. I am hoping to get a job as a production assistant or storyboard revisionist in the animation industry in the next year or two.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have struggled a lot along the way. I am an alcoholic and addict. This led me to a lot of self-destructive behavior between the ages of 15 and 25. Depression and anxiety are something that I work through everyday and am proud to say that I have quite the handle on them now. Usually if something is making me anxious, I can hear a little voice in my head screaming, “NOOOOOOOO!” I used to listen to that voice but now I do what I can to ignore it. Whatever it is that I am scared of I know the worst part is usually just the thoughts in my head.

I’ve been sober for at least ten years now!

Since then, I’ve accomplished a lot. I’ve had many successful relationships, platonic and otherwise. I seized the opportunity to purchase a dilapidated house and renovate it. The market collapsed a few months after I bought the house. That was stressful but I adapted plans to sell and became a landlord/property manager.

I went back to school while working full time and I graduated with a BFA in Illustration at the age of 30. The age gap was tough to deal with. I had to ask my classmates many revealing questions such as “what does SMH mean?” OMG! Soooo many acronyms I have learned.

I’ve also sold my art and services professionally. It’s hard to beat that and the opportunities only keep growing.

I traveled abroad by myself and discovered I was able to conquer many fears if need be. I just moved across the country and it was with the help of so many friends, family, coworkers, and of course, my lovely girlfriend.

The future is bright, literally and figuratively. Everyday I wake up to sunshine in Los Angeles. I truly am living my best life! Whether I fail or succeed here it doesn’t matter. Everything I’ve done to get here and everything I’ve been through, from my perspective I’m already a success.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I do digital illustration. I love space and science-fiction so I just started up an Instagram account called Alien Fair. I will be showcasing space-themed designs available for purchase on clothing, stickers, etc. I am currently working on a series of baseball team logo designs from a future where all of the planets in our solar system are occupied. The first in that series is for the Venus Fly-Traps, hehe.

I am also constantly working on storyboards for television animation. I am taking classes and workshops with professionals and expanding my network to include those in this industry. I think it would be awesome to work with a great group of people and accomplish something that I could never do alone. Learning and growing in a studio environment is my next goal.

I don’t necessarily want to be known for my art. Certainly, I would love for more people to see it and hope that it inspires a sense of wonder. To the friends, family, coworkers and clients I interact with on a daily basis; I hope that my sense of curiosity inspires others to think differently about the world around them. The last thing I hope I am known for is making you laugh uncontrollably every once in awhile!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
So I actually live in Glendale and that will frame my perception a bit. I love Griffith Park. To call it a park and for someone who doesn’t know LA, that is very misleading. It’s a mountain, with hundreds of trails and peaks to explore. It has a planetarium, a zoo, a golf course, picnic tables and open fields, an amphitheatre, and of course, amazing views. You can see DTLA, Hollywood, the ocean, Glendale, Burbank, the Valley, and the surrounding mountain ranges. If I am feeling a bit lost, that is a great place to find myself.

I also love the LA River! Sure, it’s a bit more like a concrete railroad in most places, but near me it’s filled with trees and homeless people.

Oh, and what about the people? We’re all so cool, aren’t we?

The food. I mean come on. Everyday is a culinary adventure out here. Little Tokyo and Koreatown are great places to wander aimlessly until you find a random eatery (The randomness comes easy as the signs are in a foreign language!) I also have a massive list on Google Maps of all the places I see on YouTube that I haven’t been to yet. Soon though, I promise!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.landonrwilson.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @landonrwilson
• Twitter: @landonrwilson
• Other: @thealienfair

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