Source: Our Town
From pink elephants to portfolios, Jacob Hottle has evolved as a commercial artist. His passion for drawing has manifested from drawing animals on walls in his mother’s house to becoming a finalist in the Red Stick International Animation Festival.
This festival allows hopefuls to present ideas, network, and possibly break into the industry. The winner recieves a small red baton, bragging rights, along with their idea being pitched to executives in the industry.
Unlike many other artists, Hottle’s unique comedic approach has made him stand out amongst the seriousness associated with much of today’s art and animation.
“I like to make people laugh with my drawings,” said Hottle. He admits that people usually laugh at the humor held by his art.
Like many of his other humorous creations, Hottle inspired an idea for a character he designed entitled, “The Adventures of Stupid-Man” a TV series. Although the pitch did not grant him first place in the competition, he still enjoys the craft of being an artist.
“I love so many aspects of the major I’m in,” said Hottle, an animation/media arts major at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. There Hottle has learned new techniques and is being exposed to different graphic design methods such as creating 3-D and character models.
“You almost want to be hidden, you want the audience taken into another world,” Hottle said. “Art should be strait forward, where people can understand.”
Much of Hottle’s artwork and drawings are characters inspired by his observation of everyday life. Cartooning, Hottle feels is only one aspect of his work. He admits experimenting with the design of mechanical figures, but often has difficulties considering his comical personality.
Despite not making it past being a finalist, Hottle feels honored to have had the experience and exposure of the event.
“It was great to get critiques on my work, they gave me a lot of helpful advice I can use next time,” he said.
After graduation, Hottle plans on eventually moving to California in hopes of employment in a major film studio. There he plans to finally make a name for himself, his career, and all his created characters.
Publish Date:
07-01-2009
