Check Out Gabbs Presto’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabbs Presto.

Hi Gabbs, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a marker. I grew up as an only child, so I usually had to either find or create my own entertainment. If I wasn’t drawing, I planted myself in front of a TV and immediately searched for the cartoons. I was so fascinated and enchanted by all the different stories, characters, and worlds I got to experience that it made me want to create stories of my own. My love for animation continued to grow into adulthood to the point where I decided that my career will be in animation in some shape or form. 

One year after I graduated college, I took a leap of faith and made the move from Virginia to Southern California in the summer of 2020. Despite the pandemic and the many unknown risks I’d be facing, my love for animation and stubbornness have kept me going even on the hard days. On the hard days, I have to remind myself how far I’ve come. My skills have grown exponentially. I have genuine good friends in the animation industry, I live and work in Downtown Los Angeles. I did all of that on my own. Even though I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, I’m closer than I ever thought I would be, and younger me would be floored with the person I am today. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh no, absolutely not. The journey to where I am today has been challenging. 

My first job in California was at Whole Foods, which I thought would only last a year at the most. Then I blinked and it was 3 years later, still working the same job. I was grateful to have a job where I could make my own money, but I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do. There’s a quote I found that said, “A day job ruins the creative’s spirit.” I was so exhausted from the days that I worked where I plopped onto my bed as soon as I got home. On my off days where I could work on a project, my body wouldn’t let me work. 

There were some good days where I would work on a project and feel a sense of satisfaction that I created something I was proud of. There were also times where I couldn’t even pick up a pencil. I would go about my day and feel the urge to create something, even if it was something so simple. But at some point, making art felt more like a chore or work rather than something that brought me joy, and I didn’t want to do it anymore. 

I still struggle with days like that, but now I’m at a point in my life where I can manage the blocks better. I’m surrounded creative people all the time that constantly inspire to make art. I live in a city that never ceases to amaze me, and I am grateful for its crazy creative energy every day. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a character and prop designer. Although my resume will say that’s what I do, I’m not limited to those specific jobs. 

I primarily work in Adobe Photoshop because that’s one of the chief programs animation studios use for their projects, among others. 

My work and style are more geared towards television animation. I’m most known for my line work with a lot of variation in the line weight. This works well for television animation because a lot of the shows have a lot of line-heavy styles. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I always like to add in my own little easter eggs or inside jokes that people in my life may know. My friends and family are big inspirations in my life, so as a way to show them I love them, I put a little bit of them into my art. 

One example is when incorporated the number 105 into some of my pieces a couple of years ago. That was the room number for my high school art class. Similar to how Pixar movies have “A115” popping up in their projects, I have my own with “105”. 

Pricing:

• Portraits – $75 w/ color $85
• Portrait with Torso – $100 w/ color $110
• Full Body $175 w/ color $185
• Additional character $75 (subject to change)
• Simple background $50

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gabbyprestoart.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/gabbyprestoart
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/gabbyprestoart