Meet Michelle!

In high school, I built a portfolio to get into CalArts’s Character Animation program where I focused on storyboarding as my primary skill upon graduation. I spent time building connections in school via other students, the staff, and the internships I eventually got. After graduation, I shared my work online and maintained an online presence to keep myself easily discoverable. Because I wanted to do story, I kept the primary focus of my work to narrative art and story driven art.

When I was in the midst of working in the animation industry as a storyboard artist, an editor from a publishing house saw my work in my portfolio for animation, as well as my social media. She reached out to me and asked if I would ever be interested in publishing a book, in which I eventually said yes. I found a literary agent to represent me and started pitching various ideas until one of them landed (which turned out to be MEESH the BAD DEMON). At the end of the day, I truly think keeping myself easily discoverable online via my portfolio and social media is what made me more accessible to editors searching for new authors and artists.

After working in the animation industry for a few years, work became more limited after the pandemic. When my last storyboard artist job ended, I couldn’t find work, and was left with the seeds of all the projects I started. I knew that if I found a job again, I would be put back into the cycle of working a full time job, while wanting to “do my own thing.” I knew I always wanted to “do my own thing” at the end of the day, so I decided to take the leap of faith to double down on my pre-existing projects (graphic novels and social media) and start a business in art retreats, where I can guide other creatives on their journeys in a way that feels authentic to me.

I’ve come to learn that at the end of the day, teaching others can be an incredibly valuable experience. However, I’ve always been apprehensive to “teach” via traditional methods like opening a course, teaching online, or making tutorials. I personally have always loved learning through real life experiences and expanding my mind through travel and forming a community. I would rather teach my community in a way that I feel passionate about, than do things as they’ve always been done.

At the end of the day, focus on what you love. Some people may tell you to focus on one thing, others may say to cast a wide net. If focusing on one thing is what you love, focus on one thing. If bouncing around different ideas is what you love, and you are capable of maintaining them all at once, do that. I don’t think it matters how you approach your career as along as you find enjoyment in doing it everyday. Always be open to change and flexibility for the future. Don’t worry too much on job titles or positions, and focus on what the fundamental tasks of what you’re doing are, and ask yourself if those are the things you love doing.