The Art of Fabian Molina from The Endangered Species Clothing on Vimeo.
T.E.S.: Whats going on these days Fabian?
FM: The question should be “What isnt Going on these days?” Hehe… Actually This year has been a GREAT year!! I feel blessed for all that has come my way. To be honest though this has been a big year for me as an artist. Things have really started to pick up. To name a few things; I released a new book titled Sketch or Die and have been going to various conventions around California selling it to the masses. I also just wrapped up a music video that I directed and co-produced with a long-time friend Darryl Kirchner under our production company Noon 30 Productions. Its a great song by my good friend Brandon Hassur and his band, Crazy Famous. I couldn’t be happier with the way it came out. Its actually going to make its public release within the next couple weeks. So keep an eye out! Other than these big things, I have been steadily trying increasing my skills an animator and character designer. And of COURSE…Enjoying Life!
T.E.S.: Tell us about how you got into animation?
FM: Well I have always known that I wanted to be an artist. I didn’t know what kind when I was younger, I just knew I wanted to create. I was very creative through out my childhood but the thing that brought me to animation was a small family vacation to Los Angeles. During the trip down south my mother needed to go to a huge computer graphics convention Called Siggraph for work. She brought me along to enjoy the sights and pretty much used it as a baby sitter. But I didn’t care! There was so much to see and do. I remember walking into the Electronic theater where they were screening the making of “Toy Story” . For a young kid to see that people actually made these toys move and gave them a personality of their own; I was blown away! Ever since then, I have always known what I wanted to do. It just clicked. So From then on it has been a challenge to be the best artist and animator I can be. Since then, I have also become more close to hand drawn animation than CG animation because I love to draw and I hate how stupid the computer makes me feel. Hehe.
T.E.S.: Inspirations? Other animators/artists that you aspire to be like?
FM: Well I truly get my Inspiration form everywhere. Life, books, movies, nature, and the wonderful city I live in.. San Francisco! There’s really something interesting going on around every corner in this place. But as far as artists and animators I have a huge sot in my heart for the originators of the art form of Animation, Walt Disney, Frank and Ollie, Fred Moore, Chuck Jones, and even the more modern, Glen Keane, Andreas Deja and A million more people. As an artist and designer, I tend to lean towards the animation worlds as a source of direction. I love things with great graphic shapes and lots of juicy story! Did I mention GOOD STORIES?
T.E.S.: What are some of your pieces you are MOST proud of? Why?
FM: I’m usually proud of pieces for only a short period before I realize their faults. But I am actually proud of the Music video we just turned out. Its a mix of Live action and Tradigital animation (Traditional animation done digitally). We worked on it for about 4 months with a team of 3. Darryl, Trung Lac, and I. Aside from that there has been a few art pieces that I have finished recently that I can say I still like. They are on the video..So check it out!
T.E.S.: How did you get involved with The Endangered Species Clothing Co.?
FM: I got involved with T.E.S. while I was working at Banana Republic with my boy Khang. Man I hated that Job!! But one of the main reasons I kept going back to it for work was the people. Everyone who worked their always had great things to share. I mean… I even got my first art related job doing caricatures at Great America through someone at Banana! Like I said, always good people. And Khang was no different, Ever since I met him over a year ago he had been telling me about his clothing line T.E.S. just as I had been telling him about my upcoming book at the time. Haha Good times…All while folding clothes!
T.E.S.: The new year is coming up….What can we look forward to in 2010 for Fabian Molina?
FM: Well, there’s a long and narrow road, but I’m willing to make the hike. So, as for my animation and art, I just started working at Idle Games, a social game company here on Market street in San Francisco. Its a great place with so much opportunity. Were really getting into some great stuff. I’ll also be traveling around with my book. I’ll hit up all the usual spots but Im also going to Calgary Canada this April for a comic convention out there and I’ll even be at this years Comic Con in San Diego. Hmmm…what else? Oh… Some great students form the Academy of Art University in S.F. are putting together a compilation of graphic novels/illustrated stories, and I can happily say that I will be making a contribution to “The Leftovers Lounge”! Like I said, tons of great things. Glorious. As far as life goes… I want to dominate the world! Nuff said!
Spread peace and Love!
Fabes
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Check out Fabian’s blog at: http://www.fabianmolina.com/