Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madison Banks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Madison, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Sometimes I wonder if I should have started sooner myself. I didn’t go to college until I was 21. I felt leagues behind everyone else, especially since I hadn’t really touched digital mediums before. I was always a traditional artist.

But then, once I got to school, I realized everyone there was not only trying to learn their craft, but also how to live on their own, figure out who they were, and adjust to new environments. It made me realize that I was very fortunate to not have to juggle all of that. I was older. I was settled with myself. I had been independent, and didn’t have to figure out who I was or wanted to be on top of tackling mountains of homework. I could focus on my future and not worry too much about my past.

I think that’s why I love art. You can be from anywhere, be anyone, and still succeed in this industry. So many people switch from being engineers, pharmacists, or otherwise to pursue their dreams. So in the end, no. I don’t wish I had started sooner. I started at exactly the right time for me.

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?

My name is Madison Banks. I’m an artist in animation based in Ohio, currently working as a 2D animator on freelance projects. I grew up in Colorado, and moved to Ohio for college before settling there in 2023. I aspire to teach animation and drawing and be a mentor to those who love this industry as much as I do.

I spent a lot of my time in college getting to know people. Professors, peers, and professionals in the industry; I talked to them endlessly. Honestly, I focused on that more than my homework sometimes. Getting to know those people is how I got started in my career, not my degree. Jobs are always more about the people you know than you would expect.

As a career, I focus on 2D frame-by-frame character and VFX animation. As an artist as a whole, I love traditional life drawing and graphite illustration. My traditional background often comes in handy during meetings with clients, since I can just whip out a pen and scribble on a napkin for them. Clients are often drawn to my work through my life drawings, since they have energy and are organic and full of life.

I’m most proud of my journey. My determination to graduate college not just with a degree, but with a career. I pride myself on my hard work ethic, and carry that through every gig. I am always proving myself, learning and growing and developing my craft.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

People who don’t work in creative industries often struggle to understand why I want to be a creative in the first place. Artists are often overlooked as professionals. We are treated as if our skills are less than those in STEM, or other fields that are viewed as “more productive.” But what many people don’t recognize is that art is everywhere. And yes, I work, in animation, but outlets like TV and movie are essential to those who work long days and just want to relax and do nothing but be entertained when they get home. Artists, animators, and creatives have to put time and effort into those things. I love to entertain and help people, which is why the entertainment industry is where I’ve decided to spend my days. I hope one day artists will be taken more seriously. The world couldn’t run without us.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Oh so many! But I wish I had known about my local library’s culture passes. They help people go see symphonies and ballets and get into gardens for free, which is amazing! It would have helped me experience more things that could either fuel my creativity, or provide a release from it for a time. So check your local libraries to see if they have similar programs, and go experience life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://madisonbanks-portfolio.weebly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caravean/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/banksm1/