Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoine Couttolenc Camacho.
Hi Antoine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Antoine Couttolenc Camacho. I grew up in a wildlife conservation park in Puebla, Mexico, with both my parents and my younger brother. I’ve always been drawn to stories and characters since I was very young, and my big family and nature were always my greatest sources of inspiration. I always knew I would end up doing something in the arts for a living, but for the longest time, I thought I wanted to go into music. It wasn’t until my sophomore year in high school that I rediscovered my love for drawing and the fact that you could create artwork for animation (and for a living). I immediately knew that was the path I wanted to go down. It held so many of the things I loved doing, and the more I learned about the craft, the more I wanted to create my own stories and be a part of that world. After researching into some of my favorite artists, I saw Cal Arts was common for many as a steppingstone into the industry. I kept working on my characters and stories, applied, got rejected, applied again and that brings us to the present day. I am super grateful that I can say I’m currently in my second year of the Character Animation program at Cal Arts!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been easy. Mexico doesn’t have a lot of opportunities in the field of filmmaking or art. Having to move away from my home and my family was a really difficult choice! Getting into Cal Arts was another big challenge for me. It is a very competitive program, and the acceptance rate is very low. I applied my first time with a bit of an ego, thinking I’d immediately get in. Getting the rejection letter was a bitter pill to swallow, especially since a lot of friends of mine got in that year that I was rejected. I really thought Cal Arts would be very beneficial to my development as an artist, so I thought to apply one more time before looking for other options. I’m very glad I applied again and got in, but I am also very grateful for that rejection letter. I think it helped me mature and re-focus my priorities. Being surrounded by so many incredible artists at Cal Arts is humbling and a great opportunity to learn from them, but there’s always that nasty little comparison bug I have to remember to squash every now and then. I think as artists, we tend to be our greatest obstacle. It takes a lot of time, perseverance, patience, motivation, and effort, but I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and support I’ve had from my friends and family.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a character designer and visual development artist. I love storytelling through worlds and characters and there’s something wonderful about being able to connect with a design on a personal level and for them to feel alive. You might have seen my work online. I love creating whimsical and colorful characters with fun shapes! I’m proud of not sticking to one thing; I love to explore and grow, and I hope my work never stagnates in terms of what I draw and how I draw it. I want it to grow as I do! What sets me apart is, I think, me. I try to reflect the world I see through my work. I hope it communicates wonder, whimsy, fun, and a whole lot of heart!
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
I think risk-taking is essential for everyone, especially artists! I am here today because of risk-takers like my grandfather, Carlos Camacho, my aunts and uncles, and my parents. Pursuing art can be considered a risky thing to take, especially with the current state of the industry. I think moving to LA has been a pretty big recent risk that I took. There was no path set before me, no instruction manual. I have grown so much in a very short amount of time, world view expanded, and I have met so many incredible people I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet if I had stayed home in my comfort zone. Some of the best choices in terms of design arise from exploring the unknown, going a bit farther, reaching a bit higher than you think you can! Some of the best things our waiting for us just outside of that comfort, and the only way to get to them is by taking a leap of faith. I think it’s always worth it, and even if it doesn’t work out exactly the way I’d hoped at first, nothing is wasted!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://antoinecouttolenc.weebly.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ant1.draws/
- Linkedin: https://mx.linkedin.com/in/antoine-couttolenc-a0211974
- Twitter: twitter.com/Ant1Draws
Image Credits
Antoine Couttolenc Camacho
