Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabella Martinez Luna.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Isabella Martinez Luna, but I go by Bella. My hometown is Bogotá, Colombia.
I fell in love with the animation and games industry when I was a child and watched The Lion King on VHS, played Mario on my mother’s NES, and drew with Crayolas everywhere I could in Colombia. Since then, I have devoted myself to pursuing the art that enthralled me as a child.
I immigrated to the United States and enrolled at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, thanks to the support of my family for my aspirations to become an artist. During this period, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to the improvement of my art, spending countless early mornings and sleepless nights pursuing this goal. At the time, I was being mentored by Vaughn Smith, an AAU instructor. I can’t thank him enough for everything he taught me during and after my time at the academy. But there are always ups and downs in life. During a few years, I encountered significant financial difficulties that I believed would force me to return home in 2018. But I pursued my career, obtained a position as a school cafe barista, and kept going until I graduated.
I was selected to participate in Women In Animation’s mentorship program in 2019, where I was mentored by Mariana Galindo, a TD at Pixar Animation Studios. I was mentored in a group of two amazing women, where I learned a great deal about career advancement and portfolio advice. This mentorship holds a special place in my heart because it bridged the gap between my final months in college and my transition into the workforce.
In December of 2019, I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Visual Effects with a specialization in 3D Modeling. Here, I encountered another daunting obstacle. Despite promising opportunities in VFX and games, COVID-19 appeared a few weeks after graduation. Sending shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry and instantly overthrowing each and every possibility.
I was living in a dorm, sharing a tiny room with three other individuals. When I think back on that moment, all I remember is that I had to make it happen. It was a frightening time, but I knew only how to keep going in the face of adversity. So, I continued my journey.
With limited time and opportunity, I went freelance and created characters and environments for a variety of VFX shorts, games, and fashion shows. I worked for a number of smaller companies. From Photogrammetry to Creating 3D Mobile Game Characters. I also began attending a number of conferences, such as Lightbox Expo and Zbrush Summit, which provided me with an understanding of the people and work done in our field. It’s been a long road, but I’ve learned a great deal throughout my career, and despite the ups and downs, I wouldn’t change anything.
This incremental accumulation of experience eventually led me to work as an Associate Artist on Overwatch 2 for Blizzard. It is thrilling, humbling, and everything in between to work with a world-class team of game designers every day. I’ve enjoyed my journey with the Overwatch 2 team and am excited to see where this leads.
Go after what brings YOU happiness and trust your gut.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a part of a competitive industry, let alone specializing in a somewhat particular profession such as 3D Modeling and creating Stylized 3D Art, is a significant undertaking. Along with the Pandemic and financial issues, I felt as though the entire world had collapsed on me.
I have definitely experienced periods of self-doubt and artistic exhaustion. My support system and actually listening to my body were the only things that helped me get back on my feet. Taking breaks and caring for my health.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work as a 3D Character Artist. I make 3D stylized art, primarily of characters, but I also make environments from time to time. I love creating bright, vibrant art. What I think makes my art unique is that I always strive to create a character with interesting shapes language and designs telling a story; depending on the atmosphere of the artwork, I want to portray its essence and what it means to me when I see it. What I’m most proud of is what I’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. I graduated three years ago and have been working in animation and games for three years. It’s hard to believe!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
To trust my gut, take care of my health, and go do what makes ME happy. While my journey may not be one I would recommend for anyone to emulate, I believe one of the most pivotal lessons I can impart is to persevere, especially when luck isn’t on your side.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artstation.com/bellacgart
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellacgart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellamartinez/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheArtofBella
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/theartofbella
Image Credits
Raven concept by Julio Cesar Young Prince concept by Pablo Leon Punk Girl concept by Umaimah Damakka Subway Skate Park concept by Tommy Kinnerup
