Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison McKenzie.
Hi Allison, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Well, I’m a little goblin creature from North Idaho. Born in Portland, OR, but dragged into the pits of hell because my parents said, “It was so pretty.” I grew up in a small, close-minded, conservative town where Judeo-Christian values reigned. So naturally, I turned out to be a socially awkward queer artist. I also had a very enthusiastic interest in all things video games, especially of the Japanese variety (JRPG’s). I was very open about my interests and drew characters all over my papers in school (and wore a lot of shirts with said characters), which resulted in me being relentlessly bullied from 5th grade all the way to my senior year of high school. It was so cliché! They would pick me up and toss me in the lunchroom trash cans and I was tiny enough to fit in the lockers, so I’d get stuck in those from time to time. Very cool and normal behavior. All that said, I was super miserable, sure, but that sure didn’t stop me from drawing. It’s all I knew, all I wanted, and all I cared about. So I kept on.
I ended up going to Digipen Institute of Technology for college in 2010. It was a video game-focused school that had a new (and incredibly shitty) art department. I didn’t realize that until it was too late. That school ruined my life for the next decade. I walked away from that place with zero self-esteem, sexual trauma, and incredibly unhealthy work habits.
I dropped out in 2012 and came back to ole’ Idaho since mom and dad were happy to help me get back on my feet. I spent the next decade recovering from an eating disorder and a nasty dose of anxiety and depression. During that time, I was bound and determined to make it as an artist, so I started doing digital commissions on the side and after a while, was able to make ends meet on those alone. So I quit my retail gig at Big Lots and rode onward.
This eventually led to me selling at comic and anime conventions! I hand-sewed my own art books to sell at CTNx Animation Expo in Burbank, which felt like such a leap from my little life in the country. Touching down in LA for the first time was the planting of a seed that would sprout over the next few years.
My solo business venture was a success and I got to work at home all day working on private commissions, contract gigs, and making my own things! It was so rewarding to finally be able to prove to my parents, after everything, that I could make a comfortable living for myself. That didn’t fix everything though – there was still a big void in my life.
I entered into rehab for my eating disorder in 2018 and spent a week trying to figure out how to get back to a state of normalcy, as it was really out of my hands by that point. It was a week that saved me though! After that, it was time to take a big risk for my long-term happiness- and that was moving out of Idaho for good.
I remembered how much I loved Burbank and decided- “that’s where I’m going.” I got introduced to someone with rooms for rent and next thing you know I packed a bedroll and a computer into my Chevy and hit the ol’ dusty. I’ll never forget my first morning waking up in my new (very empty) room- a view from my window was a palm tree. Which, for me, are a symbol for change. All I ever knew were pine trees. Life was suddenly fresh, new, and exciting. I was surrounded by my art peers that I had previously met online and to top it off, I met a handsome lad named Dan on Tinder (lol). Suddenly, wanting to die was a thought that simply evaporated- for the first time in 20 years. I was happy??? Now I know where I belong- it’s Los Angeles. This is the feeling of home I’ve always hoped for.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life has dealt me some wild hands, for sure. Rough time in public school, grew up in a bigoted town, toxic college environment, depression/anxiety/ED, rehab-!? I think that’s the worst of it.
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 specialize in stylized/cartoon character illustrations and costume design. I’m known for my video game fan art and crossover projects. I’m proud of my overall body of work- I’ve made a lot of stuff and in turn made a lot of friends from the fandoms I participate in. I’m very proud of my work in the charity zine scene! I’m on three projects right now, all Final Fantasy related. It’s meaningful for me to collaborate with other die-hard fans and create something by-fans-for-fans and raise money for a good cause! I suppose my ability to create something out of mashing unlikely things together is noteworthy. A lot of people have enjoyed my designs and handmade their own cosplays to wear to conventions – which is VERY surreal!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I stick to trying my best to never let anyone down, even if the stress is monumental, life is throwing curve balls, time moves by too quickly- just try to do right by everyone and let them know you care about them and the quality of what you’re delivering. Treat clients as you would treat your friends- hell, most of my clients are my friends now. I use my art as a bat signal to find others just like me. I really enjoy talking to people, especially when I’m boothing at conventions. It’s not all about making sales- like, obviously making back costs and profiting is great, but just getting to see people excited about my art and talk to me about Final Fantasy and The Elder Scrolls is what gets me excited about life, honestly.
Pricing:
- Art Prints: $6-$18 ea
- Stickers: $2-$4 ea
- Digital Commissions: $50-$800+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skirtzzzshop.ecwid.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skirtzzz_art_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skirtzzz/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/skirtzzzart
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/skirtzzz
