We recently connected with Evan Tortorelli and have shared our conversation below.

Evan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I’ve always been very happy to be an artist. Being able to bring all of my ideas into reality is unparalleled. It’s something I’ve known to have always been, and can’t imagine my life without being able to create.

Regarding having a regular job, I do think about it sometimes and what it would be like. The stability and predictability can be appealing, especially during uncertain times in the creative industry or breaks in between gigs. However, like with a lot of other creative careers there will always be challenges, but being able to do art and express my creative vision outweighed the allure of a regular job.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey! My name is Evan Tortorelli, I am a 3D Modeler / Concept artist based in New Jersey working in the Video Game and Collectibles industries as well as operating my own small business. With my LLC “Catalyst 19 Studios” I not only provide 3D design, 3D printing and conceptual art services, I also sell my own merchandise of my original creatures and designs. I’ve always had a huge passion for horror and creature/monster design as long back as I can remember. Filling up copious amounts of sketch books, printer paper and slabs of cardboard with ink illustrations even back when I was a child.
My popular “Fosskulls” line encapsulates a piece of this passion by envisioning prehistoric and present day animals bearing a skull; the unmistakable symbol of human mortality. “Fosskulls” serve not only as sculptural representations of present and past animals, and a beautiful addition to anyone’s collection of curiosities, but as a reminder that nothing is forever, Momento Mori.
Art has always been a huge part of my life but the progression from 2D to 3D came a little later in my education.

My time in university allowed me to utilizing clay, plaster, wood, and cardboard, in a variety of projects pushing what I could create with my hands but also on a digital screen.
Heavily leaning into digital art, my ambitions to work in Film, VFXs or Video games pushed me towards 3D modeling and digital sculpting. Which as a result got me to start investigating 3D printing, so that I could bring my digital works into the physical world.
I was devoting a lot of time to 3D printing towards the end of college every chance I could once I had learned of a 3D printing lab available to students on campus. From that point on, I’ve utilized 3D printing for my personal work which later led to the formation of my LLC.
Having background in creature in character design, toy product design as well as experience in both FDM and SLA printers allowed me to utilize the limitations and benefits of both printing technologies. I pass that expertise onto my clients when it comes to helping them design and prototype their own toys/collectibles. Being the ‘catalyst’ to help them realize their vision has been so rewarding, reinforcing my contentment with the choices I’ve made in my career!

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

Honestly, being able to collaborate and work with other creatives. Collaborations help build up everyone involved, but also give more voices to bounce ideas off of, as well as help explore outside of one’s own artistic vision and combine it with others. It’s so rewarding to see what a group of people can come up with when ideas come together!

How did you build your audience on social media?

As obvious as it may sound, share what you really love and just being social! Consistently being active on so many platforms is very intimidating, but being there to check out your fellow artists work supporting others really makes a difference. Sharing a really exciting project you’re working, expressing how you’re looking forward to an upcoming convention, asking questions, or even sharing your advice and resources with other creators, the engagement makes a difference. Keeping up with other creators allowed me to make friends from all around the world and as a result introduced me to even more likeminded artists and creators to support!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evantortorelli.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanmtortorelli/
• Twitter: @evanmtortorelli
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evanmtortorelli Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalyst19studios Business Site: https://catalyst19studios.com/ Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Catalyst19Studios

Image Credits
Malique Lewis