FEATURED ARTIST: Interview with Los Angeles Artist, Noelle Davidson

How long have you been an artist? What is your specialty? Where do u find inspiration?
I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember, but I have decided to pursue art as a career in middle school. My specialty is character designs and storyboarding, but I can also animate. I primarily draw digitally. So the program I use that I also love is Adobe Photoshop and I draw on a Cintiq Pro HD (which was my dream tablet that I got last year).

Do you have a job in the art industry? If So, what’s one thing you don’t like about it? If no, where would your dream job be?
My main goal is to become a storyboard artist or character designer for a major animation studio. Maybe even direct my own animated feature. I currently have not worked in the animation industry yet because I am a 2nd-year student in college but I hope to be once I graduate.

Do you have a favorite Artist?
I find a lot of my inspiration from a lot of artists in the industry like Shiyoon Kim and Griz & Norm to name a few (all have Instagram accounts that I recommend checking out). Natalie Nourigat (@Tallychyck), Michael Herrera (@papertiki), Samantha Vilfort (@samstyle), & Mckenna Harris (@kennnajean) are all fantastic storyboard artists that I look up to. All of these people, as well as the top Disney animators (like Glen Keane), have inspired me.

What is one accomplishment you’ve had in your life? Does not need to be art related.
One accomplishment that I had in my life was going to Marvel Studios for a fundraiser workshop last summer. I was selected with 19 other talented artists from a program called Ryman Arts (@rymanarts ). I was an alumnus to this program and they are a nonprofit arts education program that helps support and teach arts. They gave me this wonderful opportunity to visit the studio and create a piece for the company. I learned a lot and couldn’t have been more grateful to be a part of this experience.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
In 5 years, I hope to be working in the animation industry after I graduate. In 10 years, I hope to be a part of a major animation studio and be successful at my job. In 20 years, I hope to successfully pitch and possibly direct either an animated short or feature-length film.

If you could meet and talk to any person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could meet anyone (dead or alive), I would want to meet of course Walt Disney. I just have so my questions for him and his legacy has inspired so many people like myself to keep moving forward and achieve our dreams.

How is one way you make money with your art?
As a college student, the best and most convenient way to make money as an artist is doing art commissions. I am currently doing those right now. There are also options like creating online stores and selling artwork at local art conventions. I am going to table at my first convention with another amazing artist (@kiyomitsoo).

If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I would want to go to Tokyo, Japan. I have always wanted to try the food and go to the Toyko Disneyland.

Any advice for young artists?
My advice for younger artists (especially those who want to go into the animation industry) is to always draw every day and to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Drawing every day helps tremendously and you will get better at things you thought you would never be good at. Drawing from life is crucial as well. Draw your friends, your pets, and objects. Literally ANYTHING. Trust me it helps. Watching a lot of films and tv too is great and helps you get inspired. Post your art and reach out to your favorite artists too. If you start off doing these things you will be on the right track.