We recently connected with Connor Kurtz and have shared our conversation below.

Connor, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was a kid, I got to experience lots of comics like Calvin & Hobbes, Captain Underpants, and the Sonic the Hedgehog comics by Archie. I was amazed by all of them and it was so cool to see how different stories could be told across comic types and genres. Using them as inspiration (Captain Underpants especially), I began making my own silly comics by stapling together big stacks of paper and drawing until I ran out of pages. The art and stories were pretty bad, but I really admire how I was able to take an idea from start to finish with such intense passion. One time I came up with an idea while on a trip and worked on it nonstop until it was time to leave. I made gag comics on loose leaf paper and used my sketchbooks to do comics with overarching narratives that continued between books, which really sparked my love for developing characters. This burst of creating momentum was the spark that made me want to pursue art and animation as a career. I knew that no matter what, I HAD to work with characters and make something truly creative and unique.

That passion for comic making has continued to this day. I have an abundance of stories I’m working on at all times, and I have plenty of goofy comics in the pipeline that I’m hoping to finish soon!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Connor Kurtz (she/her), and I am an artist/animator at DePaul University! Aside from art, I love spending time with friends, playing games, collecting Sonic figures, and making videos!

I make 2D digital art and comics of my characters, as well as lots of fanart for things I enjoy like Sonic the Hedgehog! I’ve also done professional visual design and artwork for nonprofits and ad agencies. At any job I’ve been at, I’ve loved getting creative with assignments and seeing how I can push them to be as exciting and fun as possible. I try to bring this attitude to any project I’m working on, so I’m always doing things with passion!

I’m really proud of my ability to think outside the box and take a project to extremely creative heights. I am social, reliable, quick thinking and hard working. I’ve had to overcome a lot to get to where I am, and I’m proud of all that I’ve been able to do!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was first diagnosed with epilepsy when I was around 10 years old. We discovered a tumor in my head that was causing it for the most part, and I had to get brain surgery to remove it. It was a deeply scary time that still really affects me today due to how traumatic the whole thing was. Recovery post-surgery was a very long process and it was really hard to keep up a positive attitude as removing the tumor didn’t erase all traces of epilepsy as I thought it would. Regardless, I have continued to push through and keep fostering my creative spark. I have made plenty of art about my epilepsy and its effects on me, and thanks to my friends and family I continue to fight back against it. My surgery left me with a number of learning disabilities that I had to learn how to work around, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. Although it still affects me sometimes, I am stronger and more resilient than I ever was before.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the act of creation itself. Every sketch I draw or video I make is comprised of a million minuscule decisions that led to it looking exactly how I want it to. I adore getting to really sit with whatever I’m making and adjust things until I can look at the final piece with wonder and amazement. It is extremely rewarding getting to look at a piece I’ve done and know everything that went into making it what it is. Modern tools like Generative AI have been slowly creeping their way through the industry, and I truly do not understand what the appeal of tools like that would be for any creative. Brainstorming ideas, making concept art, sketching out and rendering a piece IS the fun part. Why would I want to skip that?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://connorkurtz.myportfolio.com/artwork
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cungleart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-kurtz-9405172a3/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CungleArt/videos