Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Bear.
Mike, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Stanwood, WA and went to college at SCAD in Savannah, GA. Since college, I’ve lived in several cities across the US, moving for career opportunities as a concept artist in games. I finally made it close to home when I moved to Seattle in 2013. After a few years in the Northwest, the animation industry in LA started to offer opportunities and I made the move down, with my brother. I’ve been here for nearly four years and it’s been busy.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Currently, I’m an art director at an animation studio in Glendale. I’m an illustrator who helps design the look and feel of projects whether it be an animated show or a VR experience or a video game. It really depends on the needs of the project. I’m not sure if my work has a message. It’s just trying to capture the appeal or feeling of a place you’d want to visit. Or it’s something I find funny, that may be started from a great conversation with friends at lunch. And I love to realize that idea and share it with others.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
I think it’s important to make work for yourself if you can manage it. It definitely helped me get to work on projects that felt more like myself than just being a person who can get the job done. Initially, you may find yourself on projects that are very different from your personal work but eventually, opportunities can open up if you share it with the community.
A lesson I wish I had known earlier is to maybe just be more patient. And not so hard on myself.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can see my latest work and sketches on Instagram at bearmantooth. Or on my website at bearmantooth.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: bearmantooth.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: bearmantooth
Image Credit:
Mike Bear
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