Life & Work with Bill Cleveland of South Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Cleveland

Hi Bill, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a comic artist, animator, and illustrator who came out to California to work in the animation industry as a background designer . It is a constant struggle to balance personal and professional art, and the only upside of AI destroying our industry is not having carpal tunnel syndrome any more. I’ve worked on Beavis and Butthead, Big Mouth, Exploding Kittens, Centaurworld, and the upcoming animated version of Everyone Hates Chris.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Going from my art being a personal pursuit to my daily job has caused all sorts of daily existential fissures. Challenges in the animation industry around AI and unrealistic production schedules/industry shrinkage is a very clear and present threat to the profession. I suppose I can go back to being a security guard. I got to draw so much!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think the main focus of my work is a challenge to identity. I like to twist notions of branding, gender, or a structured orthodoxy into new and (hopefully) entertaining shapes. I’ve often felt like odd person out most of my life and artwork was a way to self comfort and communicate what I have trouble saying.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Be really goddamn nice to people. Remember people’s names.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://billcleveland.carbonmade.com/
• Instagram: Biological_grandson