Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tim Hodge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tim, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I love drawing and painting, and telling stories. I count myself very lucky to be able to have had a 40 year career following a childhood obsession. But there are days, many days, where artistic insecurity invades my head. We all have periods when we are unsure of ourselves. I question whether I know what I’m doing at all. It can be an extremely powerful emotion, especially when I was working in film and TV, you don’t know if it will be good for months when an audience sees your work. The cure is to just trust your gut. Remember your successes. You know what you’re doing. And remember your failures – they didn’t kill you. Yeah, I still have days I would rather have a manual labor job, like loading boxes on a truck. I could fill a quota and know I did it right. I made the world a better place for people. There’s a mental security in that. But I also know I would suck at that job. I would get distracted, stuff would get lost. No, I am where I should be. If I mess up, no one gets hurt. When I succeed, people smile.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil. I also loved cartoons and animation, and when I realized people got paid to make cartoons, my career path was revealed. I started working on TV commercials, then after years of applying, I got into Disney Feature Animation where I worked on The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan and Brother Bear (mostly as a storyboard artist). I’ve also worked on VeggieTales, Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, DC Super Hero Girls, Masha & the Bear, and more. As an illustrator I had Netflix DVD as a longtime client. Remember when they used to send DVDs in the mail? Well, I did illustrations for some of their seasonal mailers for about 10 years. That was an extremely fun gig. They gave me a lot of latitude and creative freedom. Everyone needs a client like that.
As I am getting older and easing toward retirement, I find myself gravitating back to some of my fine art training. I’ve been painting more and more, and getting many portrait commissions, mostly pets. I love it. Dogs are the best thing on this planet, and I absolutely love painting them. It’s gotten to be a good side gig that’s becoming a substantial revenue stream for me!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I’ve often told people I’m not qualified to do anything else. And while it comes off as a joke, there’s a lot of truth to it. I just need to create; to create images and stories. As an animator/storyboard artist/illustrator that’s a very literal task. I take a script and turn it into images that make an entertaining narrative. As a painter, it’s entirely subjective. Art is a Rorschach test, isn’t it? Everyone who looks at a painting brings their own baggage and the art elicits very different reactions and feelings. And whatever that reaction is, that’s the connection I have with the viewer. I need that connection. And art, painting, whatever is the most effective way for me to achieve that. I’m an introvert. Interacting with people drains my energy. So my art is my envoy.
These days I am often asked how A.I. will affect me. I don’t know all the ramifications, but I do know that I will continue to paint. It’s what brings me joy.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’ve dealt with rejection a lot. I first applied to Disney in 1982 when I was 19. Looking back, my portfolio stank. But I thought I was ready. I got a very nice rejection letter on Fox & the Hound letterhead. But it did not stop me. I kept improving my skills. I got work at small studios. And I got rejections from other studios. But after ten years of practice and determination, I finally got accepted at Disney. I still have that rejection letter, and I use it with students to remind them that getting shot down isn’t the end. You have to get back up. I think I have to remind myself of that, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://timhodgeart.com
- Instagram: @BaldMelon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hodge-8b51522/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PalookaWhale
Image Credits
All paintings and illustrations and photos are by me, Tim Hodge