Daily Inspiration: Meet Errol Petgrave III

Today we’d like to introduce you to Errol Petgrave III.

Hi Errol, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m just a chill guy born and raised in New Jersey, who’s lived in a number of states along the way. As a kid, I loved watching cartoons and shows aimed at young boys my age, that had us begging our parents to buy all the toys we saw on the commercials! That interest developed naturally into drawing the imagery I liked on TV, and I haven’t stopped since. After seeing countless worlds on TV and movies, reading about them in books and comics, I’ve been inspired to do the same as an artist. I chose to pursue a career in animation to fulfill my dream of working in the industry and one day having my own show to create something showcasing awesome story and emotions in work to impact others as well. After high school, I went to SCAD to receive my BFA in Animation. A couple years after that, I joined the USAF and continued to create when I could. Five years later, once I completed my Active Duty term, I left North Dakota and made my journey to the west like Son Goku over eight states in four days. It’s been another four transformative years since then. While here, I’ve been freelance storyboarding and character designing, enjoying my communities, exploring new opportunities, and growing as a person.

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?
It has not been a smooth road. My expectation of coming to California and landing a job in the industry hasn’t quite happened yet. Since I’ve been here the industry has been in a constant state of uncertainty and scarcity of jobs from COVID, strikes and normal competition. I’ve had life show up and challenge me a number of ways over the years, but what are you going to do, but keep going. I can’t see myself possibly stopping. I always manage to find joy and have fun no matter the situation. I feel blessed for the friends and people I’ve met along the way as well the multitude of experiences I’ve have been fortunate to partake in. The journey has challenged me to look within and really hear my own voice and know what I want for my future as a person and creative without needing the industry position to validate my experience.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a freelance storyboard artist, character designer, and illustrator for animation and have done work for independent clients. I specialize drawing in superheroes, monsters, and action genre centered works. I’d say I’m known for doing fan art of series I really like whether through illustrations or storyboard/ clips. Along side that, my friends know I love dad jokes and puns. I’m passionate about select anime like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and other Shonen series with monster transformations and/or great stories with rich worlds like One Piece. I love fitness, so series like Jojo with super muscular characters I resonate with and have studied so I’m really proud of my anatomy and understanding the human form that translates the solid sharpness and weight I give to my designs. What sets me apart is I really focus on my draftsmanship and acting in my storyboards. I’m also really proud and grateful to have contributed to the Indy projects that I have: docu-series on women’s basketball in the DMV area called Can’t Retire From This, independent theme park attraction Kooky Trails, and an animated web series based on the Book of Daniel called What Had Happened Was, coming soon. I’m always soaking up knowledge and inspiration to study, doing what I can to start putting my own original work out there and taking it to the next level.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think I’ve naturally been risk averse, which is normal human behavior. If I can’t see something with my eyes, it’s hard for me to believe it or want to try it out without some sort of proof it will work out. That being said, I have had faith for key moments, like taking the risk moving to California to pursue my dream. It could have gone very wrong, but the chance of trying was worthwhile, even with the challenges along the way. I’ve learned to view taking risks as more beneficial if it’s line with something I desire. If it’s a risk someone else may have projected on me or it doesn’t sit right in my gut, I’m less likely to want to try. I do know from exercising faith more that my perspective on taking risks has changed and I’m more open to them in alignment with my goals.

Pricing:

• If you like my work and want to bring your characters and stories to life, contact me on my socials and let’s work together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.epetgrave3.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eros_ares/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErosxAres
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/errol-petgrave-64b9bb82/
• Twitter: https://x.com/eros_ares_III
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erosares

Image Credits
Personal Photo by Kwesi Mark @ Hubble Studio