Leonard The Lion Pillow: Production Process

I explored creating products that incorporated my illustration work and typography. My first exploration was taking Lenard the Lion from sketch to final product. I started with a pen and ink sketch I had illustrated on water color paper. I completed final edits on the design and color in photoshop. This process was different than my usual illustration techniques. I had to keep the color and design simple so it could translate on a three dimensional object.

I enjoyed thinking about how to create a happy product geared towards the baby market. This pillow was made for my son. Hopefully, he will enjoy drooling and spitting up on this pillow in his play area!

I know that I have only started thinking about products geared towards baby. There are many elements I still need to research like, dyes, color on fabric, sustainability, shape and quality of product, and eventually cost and pricing! This first creation was a great experience. Perhaps baby blankets could be on the horizon.

Happy Thanksgiving: Ode to Godzilla

I was inspired by vintage Godzilla posters. I have many many many things to be thankful for this year! A great new studio space (thanks to my husband for all his hard work) and great family and friends! 

With out the support of my friends and family, I would not be able to continue illustrating and creating. They support me with love, positivity and encouragement. Thank you!!

QUESTIONS OVER COFFEE: With the Exuberant Goro Fujita!

When you first have a conversation with Goro, the first thing you notice about him is his energy not just for art but for life. He was raised with both German and Japanese cultures. This might give you a hint to where he gets his intimidating work ethic and  great loyalty to friends and family. We first met at the work, I worked as his Art Coordinator on Merry Madagascar. But where we really started our friendship was at the gym! Imagine running three miles while lifting a BOSU balance trainer above your head or in my case on my head. We would work out with a group at the gym every morning at 7am before work. Goro would arrive at 6am and practice breakdancing before our workouts. I found that Goro attacks every challenge creative or not in this same way...intense practice and patience. When I sometimes succumb to some of the negative creative doubts in my head, I often find inspiration in Goro's creative practices and his work philosophy. 

Goro is a very accomplished artist. He worked at PDI DreamWorks for over 7 years and was there until it recently closed it's doors this year. He has contributed as an artist on films like Megamind, Madagascar 3 and Penguins of Madagascar. He has also illustrated children's books and even created his own gaming app called Monsta Bounce (it is a really fun game!).

copyright DreamWorks Animation

But all these facts you can find on his IMDB. It is the details in his website that really tell you about the depth of his character and his artistic talent. He helps others with painting tutorials and tips. He also mentors beginning painters. But do not be fooled that is not the extend of his work, Goro currently has a full schedule working with Oculus (one of the world's leaders of VR technology). With all this on his plate he even had time to answer some Questions Over Coffee. I hope you get as inspired as I did after reading his answers to my 6 questions!

NWF: How do you take your coffee?

GF: "I'm not really a coffee drinker. I actually started drinking it after working at Oculus. I mainly drink it to stay awake so I wouldn't consider myself a coffee drinker. I usually drink green tea or water."

NWF: "What is your favorite thing to paint?"

GF: "Robots! I like the idea of giving technology a personality. The robots in my paintings show human emotions. I find the juxtaposition an interesting concept to explore."

NWF: "What is your least favorite thing to paint?

GF: "Probably traditional Sci-Fi urban environments. A lot of post apocalyptic environments have already been explored. I want to create something unique and new to me. I try to paint a different take on Sci-Fi."

NWF: "When you are first asked to design a character, how do you first approach finding a creative solution?" 

GF: "I first try to understand the character as a real person. From there, I can start to design details like what type of glasses he would be wearing. When I designed characters in the past, I would use a physical character sheet with questions. I would answer the questions so I could view the character as a real person. I do not really consider myself a character designer though. I think my strength is color, light, and storytelling. When I paint, the story is a very important element. I want the audience to see that there is a story in this one image that I have created." 

NWF: "What advice would you give your younger self?"

GF: "I should have taken Japanese School more seriously! I can speak but if I had a job interview in Japanese and they asked me to read something, I wouldn't be able to. 

I would also tell myself to not get stressed out about obstacles in life because stressing about it doesn't help to change it. Just try to overcome it. 

Anger is also a waste of energy. If you hit people with negativity you will most likely get neutral or negative responses back. But if you approach the issue with positivity then you are more likely to get a positive response back. Respond to issues when you can be rational about it. I try and resolve conflicts that way now."

NWF: "What is one of the best creative projects you've worked on and why?"

GF: "I guess the best creative projects for me have resulted in the most memorable moments in my creative career so far.

Merry Madagascar (DreamWorks TV short film 2009) was a milestone because the project was my way of working in the US. It was also my first project with a big company. 

Agent Omicron (personal short film) was also a special project for me because it represented a time where everything ran smoothly with the pipeline and it was a project with perfect teamwork!

Penguins of Madagascar (DreamWorks 2014) has a special place because even through the ups and downs, I learned a lot from the process and a lot of After Effects! It was the only project where I was the first artist on the team in vis dev and the last artist to leave because I created the credits for the film. This film was very special for me. 

Henry (Oculus short film 2015) was also special because working on it made me feel like I participated in a new era of technology. Currently, It feels like we are building something in a garage but this new technology is something big!"

BOOK INSPIRATION: Craft Books!

Inspired by my friend Megan McDonald and her tip on how to break through creative blocks, I decided to pick up these two craft books! 

Creative, Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco & Joy Deangdeelert Cho is a wonderful resource on how to build a business as a freelance artist. I struggled to find a road map on how to succeed as a freelance artist and reading this book helped me to organize my goals. It also helped to answer questions about agents and relationships with clients. This book resonated with me because it not only helped to answer industry questions but it also interviewed freelance artists that were traveling a similar road. In other words it made me feel less alone and neurotic! 

Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic is like spending time with a personal friend who is inspiring you with antidotes of her own creative journey. Her explanation of inspiration makes this creative process less painful and self destructive. You maybe scraping by or on the brink of giving up your creative dreams but once you read this book you will be motivated to stay the course just a little bit longer hopefully to see the sun on the other side. 

QUESTIONS OVER COFFEE: Masterly Megan McDonald

I had the great fortune to sit down with my friend and past co-worker Megan McDonald. We ironically drank nothing but tea during our chat. Megan has worked at companies like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Machine Zone (to name a few). She has worked on films such as, A Bug's Life, Monsters Inc., and How to Train Your Dragon. Our paths first crossed when we both worked on Merry Madagascar. We were in the trenches of production at the time. Now six years later we are both pursuing our creative passions. 

Megan has a gift with words and storytelling. She is currently working on her novel, children's book and poetry (check out her work here). Megan has a bright spirit and her strong work ethic is contagious. Often when I have hit a creative block, I plead with her to grab coffee so we can chat. I always leave more inspired and motivated. One thing that Megan said which resonated with me was how she uses research as a way to get through a problem. It is something I have heard echoed in the halls of Pixar. Researching and finding out more about your subject or topic opens up solutions you might not have thought about, sounds simple enough! Megan also happily answered these 6 questions. Hope you leave as inspired as I was after our discussion! 

NWF: "How do you take your coffee?"

MM: "Strong! With lots of half and half," she says with a giggle. 

NWF: "What is your favorite thing to write about?"

MM: "I like to write about the human condition and relationships. I like putting a character into a situation they never thought that they would be in and see how they react."

NWF: "What is your least favorite thing to write about?"

MM: "Because I was trained as a screen writer, I find writing about interior thoughts difficult. If a character acts the way they should, I shouldn't have to physically describe what they are thinking. Their actions speak louder than words. But in a novel the writer has to describe this to the reader."

NWF: "If you are asked to create or develop a character, how would you first approach this creative project?"

MM: "Read. Reading always expands the horizons. For me reading breaks through the log jam. I am currently reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I usually have a few books going at the same time. One fiction, one non-fiction, and one craft book."

NWF: "What advice would you give your younger self?"

MM: "I would reassure myself that taking the time to find my voice was worth it."

NWF: "What is one of the best creative projects you have worked on and why?"

MM: "How to Train Your Dragon was one of the best! It was an example of how a creative project should be run both in production and on the creative side. The Directors  (Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders) had an exquisite vision. And the Producer (Bonnie Arnold) gave them the elements to realize that vision. Watching how they created this film, you could tell that something special was happening. I was in the Lighting Department at the time and I really saw how lighting can tell a story. The crew gift for the movie was a single lit frame of Toothless dipping his nose in the water by Ronman Ng. It was just beautiful," she said with a reflective smile.  

STUDIO TOUR: ELLIOTT OTTO

The smell of freshly cut wood and sandpaper filled my nose two weeks ago. That day, I had the great opportunity to peer into the studio space of local craftsman, Elliott Otto at Berkeley Mills. Elliott is one of the wood workers at the studio who creates custom furniture that uses a mix of craftsman and japanese style. The unique pairing inspires gorgeous one of a kind furniture pieces.  

The tactile tools and the flow of the studio inspired me. The studio was one big floor space with large machinery woven through out work benches. Frames of soon to be pieces of furniture are lined neatly in place and large pieces of sandpaper hang from the ceiling. 

I left feeling re-energized with creativity. I am now looking for textural inspiration pieces to hang in my own studio space. 

Inspiration, Please!

I do not always go to my sketch pad inspired. Sometimes I avoid my sketch pad because I am not even remotely inspired. I recently went to an SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) event where I listened to the awesome Lisa Brown talk about how she finds inspiration. Please check out more of Lisa Brown's work on her blog American Chickens, it is full of inspiration!

Here are just a few of the places where Lisa finds inspiration for her picture book making. 

• Library of Congress (it's free!)
• Vintage book stores
• Postcards
• Murals in her community (Mission District in SF)

Lisa has a wall of inspiration in her home studio. I also have a cork board full of inspiration in front of my desk. One key thing that resonated with me when Lisa was speaking was that everything she was inspired by she's seen with her own eyes. She illustrates using inspiration but always filters it through her own voice.  Hope you find some new places to dig up some inspiration! 

FOLLOW MY CREATIVE JOURNEY

Navigating this creative journey has been full of ups and downs. Follow the adventure here:

facebook@nicholewongforti, instagram@nicwongf, twitter@nicwongforti

The best advice given to me about social media is to update CONSISTENTLY. Social Media has become a very useful tool (when used consciously) for making my work visible to my friends, colleagues, and art followers. It is free to use and a great way to let people know what you are working on. I try to make an update at least once a week. My updates include, sketches, artist interviews, finished art work and up coming events. 

I love DesignSponge's "Social Media 101" article. It really details how to get started and stay organized because managing social media can be overwhelming. 

QUESTIONS OVER COFFEE: Talented Ken Pak

It was an honor to sip coffee and chat with Kenard Pak. A remarkably successful illustrator in film and in publishing, he has worked at companies such as Disney, DreamWorks Animation and Laika Films. He has illustrated wonderful children's books like, Have You Heard The Nesting Bird? and The Dinner That Cooked Itself (check out more at www.pandagun.com).

Ken has a wonderful sense of humor as well as a down to earth quality that makes you feel at ease. When asking him advice on the world of picture book making he made it clear that having confidence in your work is very important. This confidence comes through in the shape language, colors and composition that you create. It's the type of confidence that comes through your own voice. Here are six quick questions Ken graciously answered. Hope you leave as inspired as I was after talking with him!

NWF: "Where do you like grabbing coffee and how do you like it prepared?"

KP: "I like to go to Philz, they make great coffee. I drink my coffee black. I like my coffee light and airy but not acidic."

NWF: "What is your favorite thing to illustrate?"

KP: "Nature, flowers plants and open fields. Anything that reminds me of my mom's life in Maryland."

NWF: "What is your least favorite thing to illustrate?"

KP: "Fan Art. I'm just not into Wizards, swords and dragons."

NWF: "If someone asked you to illustrate an animal character, how would you approach this creative project?"

KP: "I would think about my mother. I'd like to look through the world through her eyes. She was an immigrant so she saw things in a unique way."

NWF: "What advice would you give your "younger" self?"

KP: "I would tell my 10 year old self to keep doing what you're doing. I would tell my 18 year old self to look both ways before you cross the street. And I would tell my 25 year old self to stop working so hard. Live a little and everything is going to be fine. "

APE EXPO: The Alternative Press Expo in San Jose

Thank you to everyone who came out to support local artists like me at APE 2015. It was a far trek to San Jose but so worth it.

I worked hard these past two months to come up with completely new and original illustrations for the show. We met a lot of great educators, artists and supports of art. And we sold some prints as well!

This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone. Talking in front of large groups of people makes my palms and arm pits sweat in a very unattractive way. But it was invaluable talking to people face to face. It proved to me that positively challenging myself made me grow in ways I did not expect.  

C.Fox Communications: FUND RUN

C.Fox Communications supported Race for Every Child this year. The fundraising run helps Children's National, a hospital dedicated to children's medicine. I was lucky enough to contribute by creating C.Fox team t-shirts. The race takes place at the end of October. Please find out more about this wonderful cause here:

https://twitter.com/CFoxComm

http://childrensnational.donordrive.com

Happy Holidays San Francisco

The colors of San Francisco in the winter inspire colorful paintings and more iphone photography!