We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carly Fraser. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carly below.

Carly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I have worked on so far in my creative career has been completing my capstone film “The Cryptid and the Crawdad.” This story is more than just the grand finale of my college experience, it’s also how I have come to honor and mourn my grandfather, who was the core inspiration for this film.

He passed away during my junior year, and I wasn’t sure what to do with myself for a while. Art and storytelling have always been what grounds me, and during that time when the wound was still fresh it was my silly little doodles that helped me process how I felt. The next year, when it was time for me to start brainstorming ideas, I realized that I wanted to focus on a project dedicated to sharing the joy he brought to my life.

“The Cryptid and the Crawdad” celebrates the comfort of company when you need it most.

Carly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a storyboard artist and animator, originally from Arizona. I recently graduated from DePaul University in Chicago, and I am currently pursuing a career in the animation industry! I have loved animation and art all my life, and I decided in high school that I wanted to take the leap and make a living off what I love.

Currently, I am focusing on commissions and freelance work while I continue to build my portfolio. I work with clients to develop character designs for concepts, and I tailor each project to fit their vision. I enjoy digging deep to find the right look and adding just enough detail that there is a visual story being told. I also have plans for my next short film, as I am eager to enter the indie animation industry.

I creatively solve problems by utilizing a skill I learned while in school, which was to sketch out as many ideas as possible, as quickly as possible. This might sound odd, but this method helps to combat the reoccurring obstacle of art block. By removing the pressure of creating a perfect design in every pass, you open yourself up to trying things you might not think of or would hesitate to try. It is a very loose and fluid way of approaching art that makes it less stressful and more adventurous!

I am most proud of my short film “The Cryptid and the Crawdad,” and I am excited at having received the news that it is one of the nominations for best animated film at DePaul’s Premiere Film Showcase! I remember being stressed about whether the project would turn out the way I wanted, but I am so happy to have completed it.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is how the process of creation allows you to experience a healthy dose of escapism. When we go to watch a movie or read a book, we are looking for a world to explore that removes us from reality. The creation of art involves that same process of exploration, with the added satisfaction of having constructed something that brings you joy.

I would also say that it is just human nature to crave expression; we want to express how we feel, we want to share our experiences with others and learn. Art is human expression at its core, and I think deep down we all want to make something worth sharing with our community.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way to support artists is to support indie projects, commission artists, and condemn AI.

I think unfortunately there is a misconception that many non-artists may have in their view of artists, which is the idea that we are just “naturally talented,” or that we can do what we do without effort. Art is like any other craft or skill; you have to work hard to be good at it, regardless of how talented you may be starting out. It feels very frustrating and upsetting to have people dismiss the years of commitment and practice it takes to be even semi-decent at something.

I know many people would disagree with this, but I do strongly believe that any tool that discourages the actual human act of creation is not a tool that has our best interests in mind. Any tool that encourages anti-intellectualism and discourages originality and effort is not a tool that was made for societal enrichment.

Please value the arts in your community and choose artists over algorithms!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cfraserportfolio.wixsite.com/cf-portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goose.gremlin/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-fraser-6339701b0/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@goose.gremlin