Life & Work with Cynthia Osaseri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Osaseri.

Cynthia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like many others, I started drawing as a child. My favorite canvas was lined notebook paper, even when there were perfectly available blank sheets of paper. Even today, I reach for my notebook if I need to problem-solve. I lived on cartoons and knew as a child I wanted to work in art and animation. I just didn’t know how to get there. It was difficult explaining my goal to others. No one in my family had pursued a career in art, let alone fathom what a career in animation meant. I, understandably, faced discouragement and pushback. I am the first of my immediate family to attend and graduate college, besides my father, and if the memory serves the first female on my mother’s side on the family and the second on my father’s. I thankfully had my siblings and various adults act as my confidants, champions, and occasional chauffeur, and I can never repay them enough.

After obtaining my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I continued freelancing, taking courses and workshops, attending work sessions, all while working full time. Some time ago, I met some wonderful people online through a group called Warrior Painters, who lent me their time and encouragement, eventually pushing my artwork to new levels and I am eternally grateful to them. Now, I work as a background and concept artist for animation and games. I am still constantly learning and trying to improve my skills as an artist and a storyteller overall.

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?
It has not been a smooth road. It has been many incidents of trial and error. Much of time was spent trying to figure things out on my own and hoping I was on the right track. There was a long period time where I was quite morose about my art. There is always a lot of anxiety and doubt that comes with making art that can stop you from even getting started. You must constantly remember that not every work has to be your best work and that even your bad pieces, the ones your embarrassed by, that you may absolutely hate, are stepping stones to some of your proudest pieces.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an illustrator originally. I currently specialize in complex, intricate background designs with planned-out concepts. My design sense lends towards creating layered, detail-rich environments that feel lived in, with their own stories. I’m most proud of projects where I get to lean into old vintage styles and surrealism. I relish in diving into the details after figuring out larger parts of a design, whether it be environments, paintings, or characters.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you leave me in a library or bookstore, you may never hear from me for several weeks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cynicaldrawings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynical.drawings
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cynicaldrawings