Animations
I have found a love for this particular medium because of its effectiveness in storytelling. I use Maya, After Effects, and Photoshop to animate and often use Procreate or Photoshop to make my assets.
Animation Demo Reel
2021
I work in After Effects primarily to achieve a papercraft style, but I have also worked in Maya for 3D animation. I have only recently dabbled with frame-by-frame animation, but I hope to develop my skills in it further over these next few years. I have a strange love for the tediousness of it and feel rewarded when things move just right. It’s as if I am creating life. For any assets, I primarily use Procreate but have been working to make the switch to Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. I hope you enjoy this sampling of my abilities! I’ve been focusing on expanding my skills in other artistic areas over 2022-23, so this reel was made at the end of 2021.
“Coronach”
2021
A small addition to the “Bystander” series, “Coronach” looks into the future, touching on subjects such as loss and trauma. It also serves as an evaluation of my animation skills thus far. A previous addition to this series, “Love in the Whispering Wood: I am a Bystander” looks back into the past of the two fantasy-inspired characters seen here, and has an emphasis on the season of spring. It touches on love and new beginnings. This piece serves as a preview of what I’d like to do with the winter-focused video in the future. See “Love in the Whispering Wood: I am a Bystander” here!
Artworks- Universal Safety Video
2021
I had the privilege to intern for Artworks, a local non-profit that works with kids in the community to create murals and artistic works throughout the greater Cincinnati area. I was charged with the responsibility to take the safety handbook and translate it into a medium that could be easily absorbed by the apprentices and streamline the orientation process. This was my first educational animation, and i am quite pleased with how it turned out! From the concept art to the final animation, I did it all. Enjoy! Below is a gallery of the work-in-progress images from the animation process.
Early concepts of a potential pig mascot
Concept art of a raccoon side character
Polishing two pig designs
Final raccoon design
Final room designs
Asset Design
“Love in the Whispering Wood: I am a Bystander”
2021
Dungeons and Dragons has a sordid history of exclusivity towards white cis men. Now, it has shifted into a safe space, particularly for the lgbtq+ community, in how it allows for self-development and empowerment in a nebulous fantasy space. Love in the Whispering Wood: I am a Bystander is the first of my “Bystander” series, which explores D&D’s ties with the white male gaze, fantasy stereotypes, happily-ever-afters, and romanticism from the gaze of myself as the artist trying to make sense of her identity amidst the chaos of current world events. By taking control of the space and the narrative, I place queer characters into these fantastical, naturalistic settings that allude to peace and love, with a focus on intimate, non-sexual experiences. These moments pertain more to my experiences and how I see love in my personal life.
“Everything Stays”
2020
This animation was a meditation on the state of events of early 2020 from the perspective of a small, imaginary friend. During this time (at the height of the pandemic) I had returned home and found myself struggling to adapt my college life to my childhood home and the memories associated with it. I found a sense of restlessness as the days blurred together and sought for a way to bring a little magic into my routine. Argo, the animated plush shown here, has been a core part of my life, being one of the first characters I designed all the way back in 2013.
The song is "Everything Stays", written and performed by Rebecca Sugar, with additional vocals by Olivia Olson. All animation and video clips were filmed and brought to life by yours truly.
Art Fight 2020
Every year, I participate in an exciting competitive event called “Art Fight”. Art Fight is an annual art game that lasts for 1 month. Users can register on the site to join in. Each year, participants are split into two teams to which they are assigned randomly. Players "attack" people of the opposing team by making art of original characters you choose belonging to members of the other team. Your team receives points based on what you create for the other team with each attack. In 2020, I challenged myself to create only animated Art Fight attacks to practice my skills in After Effects.
Here are some of the other animations I’ve made! Select the image to watch the video!
"Yucca Plains"
"Opus's Magic Show"
"Hydroflask"
"Pinball... Bowling Ball?"
"Animated Artbook"
"The Catawompus"
"Study Break"
"Guard Duty"