Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Dodd.
Dominique, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m currently working as a Background Artist at Six Point Harness in Los Angeles. I grew up in the small town of Liberty outside of Kansas City, Missouri. I spent a lot of my early childhood playing outside and drawing whenever I could. I always saw drawing as an extension of myself; imagining characters and world-building was natural. As I got older, art became therapy for me. I had gotten pretty sick in High school, and I started painting to gain some relief. I originally was planning to stay close to home after high school. I thought it was a safer call, but after a couple of trips to the ER, I was finally able to have surgery to fix my long-term illness. I thought that I was given a second chance to do something in my life that would provide me with purpose. So I made a last-minute decision to go to art school. I was accepted and moved to Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles six months later. I worked ridiculously hard those fours year, and they definitely had their ups and downs. But in the end, I’d say it was all worth it as I couldn’t be happier for where I am today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I definitely think graduating during 2020 was not only hard for me but everyone else. I was worried that this huge pause would affect the momentum I had before we all had to stay home. I also didn’t realize the burnout from college and didn’t draw for a couple of months later. I was scared that I wasn’t going to be able to pick up a pencil again and that all that hard work went to waste. About a year in the pandemic, I really had to bite the bullet and get myself working and putting myself out there to keep myself on track. If I had any advice to any other artist, don’t beat yourself up about taking breaks or not finding that dream job the right way. Just don’t give up. The right opportunity will be waiting for you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’d say I specialize in Character and Visual development for comics and animation, anything with a story. I love building up characters and seeing the world they interact with change throughout the process. You can see how everyone’s creativity helps one another and making something real can be as fun as enjoying the final product. I always want to put a little of myself in everything I do, even if that means more work on my end.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I had some very close mentors in college, Gary Gareth, Candice Lavin (aka Candy), and Barb Cimity. I own a lot of who I am to them. Gary always pushed me to my best abilities and to never stop learning about anything and everything. Candy was excited about my ideas and talent. She introduced me to many opportunities that changed me and how I viewed myself as an artist. Barb helped me gather myself and put my best foot into the world. Not to be afraid and that I was worth it. My advice is to find a mentor who naturally connects with you, who sees potential, and is unapologetic proud of you.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.ddoddart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddoddart/
