Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Mills.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
A New York City native, I was raised by my grandmother in the gritty and colorful Spanish Harlem. I’ve always had an air of defiance and will about me. So much so, that I’m sure my Grandma would have loved to throw my stubborn little butt out a window. I say that laughing… but it’s THAT stubbornness that has me on such a fiery journey. Plenty of people told me what I was incapable of, but my nature told me differently.
When I first started animating, I hated it… because it was homework. I went to the High School of Art and Design in the lower east side of NYC. Even though I hated the tediousness of animation, I decided to pursue it in college. Unfortunately, I wasn’t accepted into the animation program. That is where that homebred defiance stepped in. I spent every free minute I had learning more animation techniques and perfecting a flow that would steadily bring a passion for production out of me.
Unfortunately, while I was over trying to become the next Walt Disney, I was also not doing actual homework. I was forced to drop out, but i didn’t let that stop me. I began animating for commission and I started gaining notice from major studios and ended up working on TV shows like Star Wars Rebels, Black Dynamite, Spiderman and more. Now that I’ve reached this tier, I figured the only next step was to launch my own company, so I created ‘SodaMonkey Entertainment’, where we produce original content. That is where I stand now. Thanks to my defiance, I am currently directing my first animated short film, BoomTagX: Deli’s Race 2 Paradise.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a professional TV storyboard artist, but I do all sorts of things that make up my body of work, everything from game design to animation. I am currently designing, writing, 3D modeling, animating, branding, merchandising, publishing music for my brand and directing. My work is inspired by Spanish Harlem, anime, graffiti and music. I hope that my work can inspire people to feel. I really want
people to get fired up… fly… I believe in the power of art. It has a wonderful ability to send us to places we have only dreamt of.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think that the biggest challenge for me personally, is staying inspired in today’s world. It’s daunting and can sometimes drown a sensitive artist like myself. It’s important to take time away from things and remember why you (the artist) is here.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Visit SodaMonkeyEnt.com for more on my company. You can also check out BoomTagX.com for more on the short film I am producing. And look out for an upcoming Kickstarter campaign if you would like to support. The Rewards are going to be amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sodamonkeyent.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boomtagx/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoomTagX/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialBoomTag?lang=en
Image Credit:
Shawna Mills, Rita Bastian
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