Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Estrada.
Alicia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I remember being 9-years-old watching Disney movies on VHS and the “Making of the Film” featurettes or TV documentaries and learning about how they made an animated film, all the drawings involved, etc. I’ve known since then that working in animation is what I want to do!
Specifically, I wanted to draw characters from my favorite animated films. I would grab a paper and a pencil, play the video and hit pause on characters or moments from the film and draw them! I did this for a long time and still have an entire sketchbook with all of that work.
For Christmas one year, I was given the best gift: three huge Disney art books on The Art of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Art of Pocahontas and The Art of The Lion King. I read those books at least ten times each, studying each page and reading all about the process of designing characters, and THAT’S what sparked my great interest in character design.
As I got older, my interests always switched around from learning music, art and dance, but I always knew I wanted a career in the arts. Any other career choice would be unfulfilling to me.
I graduated from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in May 2014 with a B.A in Art, with a focus in Animation. I learned a lot from my instructors, mentors and peers. After a couple of years getting my portfolio ready while applying everywhere, I finally got my first job as a Concept Artist for Quantum Mechanix. I have great years of work experience in studio and in product development.
Now I work freelance as a Character Designer and Concept Artist.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Before landing my first full-time job as an artist, I remember those long days when I would get anxious and sad, wondering why opportunities weren’t coming my way and even questioning if this should have been my career path to begin with. However, I then tried to remind myself that drawing and creating are the only things that make me happy. So I would draw and draw some more, and drew enough that my peers and mentors started to notice an improvement in my work. This gave me hope and keeps me going even to this day.
It’s not to say I don’t have days like this anymore, especially now working freelance. I’ve learned that jobs are not always available as a freelance artist so everyday is different. I love to keep myself busy, working on commissions or updating my portfolio. I always try and find ways to broaden my artistic skill sets.
Please tell us more about your art.
I’m a Character Designer and Concept Artist. I have been commissioned to develop Character Designs for short animated film projects. I have also done freelance work for Spin Master, Inc. as a Jr. Designer on a few animated projects and toy products.
My personal artwork is inspired by things I love: Dance, music and my Mexican culture! I’m proud to be part of my father’s Mexican Folklorico dance group, Grupo Folklorico de West Los Angeles, so I’m greatly inspired by the colorful costumes, music, dance, and history of Mexico. I’m very proud to be a Latina artist working in Animation. I love that I get to express myself through art. It’s very fulfilling.
I’m currently about to open my first online store as Alicia Estrada Art where I will sell my personal artwork as prints with a few traditional art pieces included. Please follow my Instagram at @aliciaestradaart for updates.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’m not sure if I would change anything if I had to start over because I believe everything has its own time of fruition, but if I had to choose one thing, it would’ve been to let go of my fears or insecurities that kept me behind early on! I’m definitely making up for those times now, but that’s ok. I feel good about where I am and now whenever I’m faced with challenges, I try and find solutions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aliciaestradaart.weebly.com
- Phone: 6618026386
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @aliciaestradaart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliciamarie2012
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
