Today we’d like to introduce you to Kei Kelly.
Hi Kei , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started drawing when I was really young. At the time, I was mainly interested in comics. I knew I liked to draw, and I knew I had a passion for story telling. I used to create silly characters and silly scenarios that would then become a 20 page long (unfinished comic) I’d forced my siblings to read. By the time high school rolled around, I started to become more interested in 2D animation. I grew up watching anime, so I had a special fondness for Japanese animation in particular. That interest lead me to study four years of 2D animation at SCAD Atlanta. The more I learned about 2D animation and the process of it’s production, the more I started to fall in love with it. Working on many productions with close friends made me realize I really enjoyed collaborating on large scale projects. I found joy in creating alongside those whose company I enjoyed. This lead me to create a film of my own by the time senior year rolled around. There were many ups and downs to that process, but it’s an experience I would not trade for anything. It’s what made me truly fall in love with the art, as cheesy as that sounds. The first time I watched something I made on a big screen was at the school’s animation showcase. That night, to my surprise, we got an award. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I teared up that night as well. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if this were a larger project. What if the theater were bigger? What if there were more people? That was something I wanted to experience. That was when I decided that this profession was where I truly felt like I belonged. Film making and collaboration gave me something solo comic making could not, and I can’t wait to see what else there is to create. Being a part of something bigger truly is a great feeling.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely not been smooth and it certainly won’t be moving forward. This is a pretty generic answer, but I think my biggest struggle has been feeling like I’m not enough. Looking at the art of artists who are much better make me realize all the areas in which I’m weak. It’s a very empty feeling. Chasing perfection is like being on a hamster wheel. However, it’s something that many artists in this profession fall victim to. I’ve definitely fallen victim to it time and time again, and it will continue to be something I struggle with. It certainly doesn’t go away, but it helps to know you’re not alone. I think, for me, remembering that even all of my uber talented friends have bad days reminds me we are all human. We all have our shortcomings, but we never stop growing. There isn’t a cap to this, just levels. Then, of course, there’s struggle to find stable work in addition to this.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a 2D animator that specializes in anything character related. I love character design and character animation. I think I’m known for drawing 25/8 and really liking JRPGs. Right now, I’m most proud of how far I’ve come as an animator. I’m happy I can animate many things, and I hope my capability only continues to expand. I take lots of inspiration from Japanese animation, and I believe it’s very apparent in my work. In particular, I look a lot at studios like Gainax, Trigger, and Chizu. I also really like 90s and 2000s fashion subcultures as well as 90s anime concept art. So, that definitely has an influence on my work as well. Hopefully looking at my work gives people a feeling of nostalgia.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think risk taking is great. I’m pro risk taking. I firmly believe that it’s better to take a risk from something you truly want than to stay complacent with something that doesn’t satisfy you. Of course, it’s easier said than done. However, there will always be many ways to get to where you want, but there’s also a possibility that it’s a lot more simple than you’d think. Risk taking takes lots of careful planning and out of the box thinking despite the name. I’ve learned that we often do the most growing when we’re pushed far outside of our comfort zone. Regardless of how things might pan out, you never really know how far taking that first step might take you. I have not taken any major risks yet, but I’m working on being able to work and study abroad, so there’s a risk for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cadencek564.wixsite.com/keikelly
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candle.sensei/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kei-kelly-327274295/
- Twitter: https://x.com/CandleSensei
