We were lucky to catch up with Austen Marr recently and have shared our conversation below.

Austen, appreciate you joining us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

When I started to pursue a professional artistic career in earnest, I knew that I needed to work very hard. I threw myself into my work completely for many years and made a lot of sacrifices. I think this paid off in growing my skills and acumen as an artist, but I didn’t allow myself to be anything OTHER than a hard worker. This led to issues surrounding balance in my life. Family, friends, health, and leisure took a backseat to my work, which led to repetitive stress injuries and isolation.

This was one of my biggest unexpected problems because I thought that through hard work alone I would be able to find satisfaction and success in my life. I think this was a mistake and led me to have unhealthy work/life boundaries. Rediscovering and learning what it means to live a balanced life has been the biggest resolution to this issue. Giving myself time to be away from art, work, and study has allowed me to spend more time with friends and family as well as focus on my physical and mental health. I’m not perfect at this yet, but I feel like I’m living a richer life because of it! Who knew hobbies and downtime could be so restorative?

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Getting to where I am today has been a journey! Growing up, I was really interested in science and art. Lots of curiosity for both! My mom was always taking me to museums and art festivals, and I’d be totally affected by the canvases in front of me. I always wondered how paintings could carry so much energy. I was also prone to getting lost in science video rabbit holes on YouTube, so I was super captivated by the world of physics and chemistry as well. In high school, both of these interests really bloomed, and when it came time to choose a career path, I stood at a crossroads: art or science. Encouraged by my parents, I pursued science and enrolled as a physics major at San Jose State University.

It was there that things took a turn. I got close to a tight-knit group of friends in the school’s Animation and Illustration program—a department known for its rigor and success in preparing artists for the animation industry. For the first time, I saw a tangible way to transform my love for art into a fulfilling, long-term career. That realization inspired me to pivot.

I transferred to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and dedicated myself to earning a BFA in Visual Development. During my my time in SF, I pushed myself to absorb as much as possible, and after graduating, I continued to sharpen my skills by taking a background design course with the incredible Angela Sung. All of that training really paid off, helping me land my first animation job as a freelance Location Designer for DisneyTV/Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working as a background and location designer on Jessica’s Big Little World for Cartoon Network and DisneyTV’s The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Alongside my professional work, I also teach a digital painting and color fundamentals class through Warrior Art Camp.

I think what sets me apart as an artist is my ability to pick up on a lot of the subtle nuances of daily life that are often overlooked and channel that perception into my work. I think it really helps with my world-building abilities— being able to pick up on things others may miss. Whether it’s with color scripts, backgrounds, or concept art, my goal (or service I provide) is bridging the gap between storyboard and what the audience sees and making it connect with maximum impact. I think that extra sensitive perception helps create work that connects with people a little bit further.

One of my greatest strengths is my intuition with color and composition. I’m always pushing myself to infuse every piece with emotion and authenticity, using out of the box palettes to offer a fresh take on things. I believe that art is at its most powerful when it reflects the artist’s spirit, and I take pride in pouring my heart and soul into every project. My goal is for anyone who encounters my work to feel the passion and care that went into it!

Looking back on my journey, I’m most proud of the trust I’ve placed in myself— the risks I’ve taken and the dedication I’ve shown to this career path and craft. Art is more than a profession to me; it’s a way to celebrate the beauty, wonder, and mystery of life, and I’m honored to share that personal vision with the world.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Something that’s really rewarding about this line of work is that through your paintings, designs, and drawings you get to see a part of your inner self reflected outwardly into the world. Each piece is always going to be a product of YOU in some way, and seeing your imagination manifest on the page in front of you can be a really powerful and validating thing. I absolutely feel so thankful and privileged to get to do this as a career because it provides me with a sense of purpose and meaning in this world.

Another rewarding aspect of this line of work is that it never really gets stale. Each task and design feels like its own unique and interesting puzzle. While you can develop a workflow and approach that applies across projects, no two assignments are exactly alike. Being a designer means being a problem-solver first and foremost. You’re constantly coming up with creative solutions, and achieving a satisfying or successful result is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, you get to see the fruits of your labor right away, which feels pretty sweet!

Also I have to add that this line of work has some of the most humble and hard-working individuals I have ever met. It’s so inspiring and uplifting. It feels like one big supportive community. There’s no shortage of amazing people in this line of work!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I often encounter the idea that creativity is something you’re born with, which is something I balk at frequently. Creativity, like any technical skill, can be taught and developed through focus and consistency. Anyone can be creative in some capacity if they dedicate time and energy to it. Sometimes all it takes is 5 minutes a day. It’s like tending to a garden—with care and effort, it will grow. As the late Bob Ross said, “Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.”

Creativity is one big exercise and practice in trusting yourself and trusting that the journey you’re on will land you in the right spot. Trusting your intuition, trusting your taste, and trusting your ability to execute. That’s one of the most important things to lean on when you’re in this field.

I think something that some of those in non-creative fields don’t realize is that in order to get to a certain level of proficiency in art, you have to fail over and over again. What you see on social media or on any portfolio website is the product of thousands of failures. With failure comes learning. Artists rarely just sit down and produce their masterpieces on the first try. You have to draft, plan, and repeat until it feels right. The only exception to this principle is the late Kim Jung Gi.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.austendraws.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austendraws/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austen-marr-draws/
• Twitter: https://x.com/austendraws