We recently connected with Geoff Munn and have shared our conversation below.
Geoff, appreciate you joining 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?
Being a freelance artist is like riding a roller coaster. There are highs a lows and twists and turns, and sometimes you feel like you’ve been thrown upside down. There are many times during my career that I have been able to make a full time living from my creative work. There are times where I’ve struggled. I have had full time jobs in the creative field, and I have had to hustle my way through other times. Being able to roll with the punches, and execute backup plans is a pretty big part of freelancing, or being a creative in general.
Geoff, 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?
When I first graduated college with an associates degree, I wasn’t ready for the animation field. As soon as I was able, I returned to school and really applied myself, and earned my bachelors. I then immediately entered the video game industry, working as an artist on computer games, and games for the Nintendo advance and DS systems. After a couple years in gaming, I set my sights on my true passion, 2D animation. After working for a company for about three years as a 2D animator, and freelancing on the side, I went full time freelance. This allowed me to run my own schedule, and get my feet wet running my own business. I still would take on full time gigs here and there, usually with a local start up company, but I always seemed to find myself back as a freelancer. I have run my own animation/illustration studio for over fifteen years now, specializing in 2D animation and cartoon art. The skills and lessons that I have learned along the way, have allowed me to pivot my career into a teaching position with a local university. This allows me to pass my knowledge down to the next generation of animators.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
At this point in my career, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is sharing my knowledge and skillset with the younger generation. Watching them take the things you show them, and add that to their toolbox, and then seeing them grow and flourish as artists themselves is amazing. Creating things is its own reward, but helping people get to where they can create the things that they want to create is another level.
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 think non-creatives don’t quite grasp that being an artist is ingrained in us. It’s a part of who we are. Often I have been told that I need to just “get a job, any job” and that is kind of damaging in a way. It’s like being told that who you are isn’t good enough, and you need to pack that part of your life up and forget about it. It’s impossible. Yes, sometimes you need to get something that will pay the bills, but don’t ever let go of that creative spirit that lives within. Always find an outlet for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.geoffmunn.com
- Instagram: @geoffmunn
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/geoffreymunn
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@geoffreymunn?si=ywK44pw-_wMlQkku
