Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristin Cole.
Hi Tristin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love of drawing led me to pursue two creative careers as both an animation artist and a children’s book author/illustrator.
As a kid, I loved drawing and painting so much it was a part of life. I not only grew up watching plenty of cartoons, I was around the people that were responsible for making them. I had a unique behind-the-scenes look at how animation was created, my father an artist for Hanna-Barbera and Disney. It became my dream to be one of those creators.
Taught to paint by my father and inspired by the entertainment professionals I was surrounded with, I carved out a successful animation career through hard work and perseverance. I started working at Warner Bros. in 1995 and became a designer and painter for many well-known shows such as Scooby-Doo, Batman, Tom & Jerry, and Spongebob just to name a few. I have since worked on many famous franchises for major companies such as Nickelodeon, Disney, Hasbro, and Paramount. My most recent work can be seen on the reboot of Steven Spielberg’s “Animaniacs”, which has won multiple Emmy awards and has a season 3 release coming February 2023. I have a new children’s book out this year called “Into The Night”, and a handmade jewelry business called Kynd Designs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has always been a challenge being a female in a male-dominated industry. It has definitely been even more challenging as a single mother with two children. After my divorce, I focused on yoga and meditation in order not to spiral into a dark place. It was the most enlightening time of my life. I found an inner strength and love for myself I had not known. I started painting for myself more, and I learned that there is power in imagination. It can be a force of healing and perseverance. Imagination allows us to move through times that are challenging. There is freedom when we see the beauty, even when it is challenging. Acknowledging our own beauty within ourselves and within our world, even when it is difficult to see, and holding the love. It gives us hope.
While at Warner Bros., I was offered the opportunity to work on some book illustrations for DC Comics and Scholastic. I had always loved kid’s books, so I jumped at the chance. I set about learning all I could about writing and publishing children’s books. In 2019 when I was working on the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? series I would sketch ideas on my lunch breaks and share my doodles with some of my colleagues. They encouraged me to do something with the drawings. The idea of doing a children’s book had always been something I was interested in, but timing-wise it was difficult with my commute to work and responsibilities as a parent. Then the pandemic was announced, and I found myself working from home. The story started to come together. Amid so much uncertainty the stars were aligning to make it happen.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Working in animation on big productions for studios and creating my own picture books is fulfilling in different ways. I love having a creative outlet that gives me the freedom to tell my own stories. “Into the Night” is the first book in a series of seven books that are currently in the works. Each book will vary in color and style and are based on the universal principles of the chakras.
My most recent book “Into the Night” is a story about a boy and his dog that go on a dreamlike journey into the starry night with curiosity and wonder and find the key to everything.
I felt like my book “Into the Night” would be very cinematic. I pictured a journey into the unknown, much like what we were facing in the real world. The whole story is really a metaphor for diving deep within and finding the light inside that connects us all. The starry night is our intuition, the water is our emotions. The dog is the boy’s spirit animal that is always with him and a symbol of unconditional love. The story is told simply, and the color pallet of indigo blues reinforces the sixth chakra energy. Through tough times, staying in a positive vibration of love, the highest vibration of all, will get us through.
Because of my background, I have a natural tendency to want to see things move, so I created an animated e-book. I approached animator Tony Mora to help me with the animation using Adobe Animate. I envisioned simple, limited movements like paper cut-outs to give life to the pages. It needed some ambiance, so I asked musician Brett Davis to compose something that would fit the mood of the images. He wrote an original score on guitar that really supports the emotions of the story. Each of their contributions helped to create something greater and more beautiful that what I could manage alone.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Creating picture books and animation are fulfilling in different ways. I like adding movement to the characters and music to the story. I have a new love for writing and directing and plan to do more of it in the future. I also learned that the publishing process takes a long time. In animation, feedback on a revision comes back almost immediately, whereas in publishing waiting for weeks or months is not uncommon. With my books, I have more creative freedom because I can tell my own stories.
In life, there will always be ups and downs. When we intentionally decide to see the beauty in experiences, there is true freedom in that, and if we hold love, we will always be ok.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tristincoleart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebodhidoodles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TristinColeArt
- Other: https://a.co/d/2yllRJ5
