Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Leonard
Hi Joshua, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Miami, FL to military family, and the youngest of 3 boys. My childhood was strictly art and sports, and I loved them both. I played football, baseball, basketball, hockey, boxing, and ran track. I have lived in Alaska, Maryland, Mississippi, and currently reside in Atlanta, GA. I had to moved from Miami because of hurricane Andrew, and had to evacuate Biloxi, Mississippi because of hurricane Katrina.
I always wanted to be a professional athlete, and own an animation studio at the same time, but my knee was injured in football, so I just focused on art. I graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta where I earned a degree in Media Arts & Animation, and a professional Character Designer/Concept Artist in the animation and gaming industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some obstacles and challenges that I have faced were being homeless from hurricane Katrina, losing my best friend in 2008, and my older brother, who taught me how to draw in kindergarten, passed in 2020. I understand that life happens, and it is very unfortunate, but we have to keep going. Certain things can become motivation, and a push to want to do better and succeed. We all go through tough times, we just have to make sure the right choices get made moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Being an artist and creative, I’m huge on creating characters and stories that are outside of the box. I like to create diverse, and inclusive characters that show what “being different” looks like. For the most part, I see Hollywood as a copy and paste industry where most stories are the same and so are the characters. It’s time for change, and I’m here to make it.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor is crucial to progression, especially as it pertains to specific industries. I was privileged enough to have a mentor by the name of Cinzia Angelini, who is a big time animation vet who has worked on Prince of Egypt, The Road to Eldorado, Spirit, Spider-Man 2, Bolt, The Minions Movie, Despicable Me 3, The Grinch, Abominable, and Super Pets. She is also the Director of Hitpig, and wrote and directed the award-winning “Mila.”
She has been a big help to my animation success, and I am very grateful for her friendship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joshualeonardart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imjoshualeonard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshualeonard83
- Twitter: https://x.com/IMJ0SHUALE0NARD
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshuaLeonardArt
