We recently connected with Derek Ortega and have shared our conversation below.

Derek, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

So far I have been blessed to make a full-time living through my artwork only. During college I was given an opportunity to work freelance on the Looney Tunes shorts working as a layout artist. From there it really has been a journey. I’ve worked at Laika, then Netflix Animation, back to Laika, and working freelance all in between. I currently am taking some time to work on my own personal passion projects, one being Sickasfolk. Sickasfolk is a design based brand where I sell handcrafted wooden sculptures. If I can share any advice, I’d say learning how to evolve as an artist. Allow the different seasons as an artist to come but stay consistent and open minded to what it means to be an artist. It’s also very easy to isolate as an artist and be focused on your work, but taking time attending social events is a nice way to get to meet other artist within the community.

Derek, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a visual development artist within animation. I have worked on a vast range of project and styles from preschool series GheeHappy, to my most recent project I worked on Wildwood at Laika Studio. I do take pride in my ability to work in an array of styles and find learning new styles and design aesthetic is a challenge I like to dig deep into. I feel being a versatile artist has helped open my mind as what it is to be an artist. Recently I started designing and carving wooden sculptures. I think within these sculptures you see a history of my past. My work tends to have more of a simplified shape language with a clear sense of color and design. My fascination with stop motion has also had an influence with the physical aspect of hand carving, and even in my Instagram @sickasfolk I often post displaying my sculptures with some type of stop motion element.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

During this point in my life my goal is to be happy with the work I’m creating. Whether it be my main job or something I work on after my full-time job I want to do it because it’s fulling and brings me peace and joy above all else.

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

For me I think there are two major moments that are most fulfilling as an artist. First would be being a part of the creative process. To create something from nothing and bring life into something that would not exist without the help of the artist is beautiful in and of its self. Second would be having the opportunity to share that with others! Being able to connect with others over art and bring joy, questioning, or curiosity through an art piece is always a special moment as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.derekortega.com
• Instagram: @derekortega @sickasfolk