Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nate Fakes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nate, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
As a cartoonist and artist, I’m constantly pivoting my work. There are areas of my job I never thought I’d be a part of, such as being a storyboard artist for advertising, a greeting card creator, a graphic novelist — and much more. Exploring different areas which I can share my work keeps creativity alive and well. It’s best not to stay static as a creative. Explore other avenues where your work can shine, and you never know…You might find that it’s better than what you originally had mapped out in your head of what you wanted to do.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a syndicated cartoonist and writer. My feature, Break of Day, is published daily with King Features and appears in newspapers and online. Beyond that, I’m a published graphic novelist. Plus, I’m a writer. I work on editorials and enjoy copywriting for advertising. You may have seen my comics or greeting cards on various social media platforms.
I work in the Los Angeles area, which has opened up new opportunities. For example, I’ve been a storyboard artist for the Red Bull cartoons you see in ads. Plus, I’m taking advantage of learning new animation technology by being enrolled at the Los Angeles Film School for a BS in Animation.
Currently, I’m focused on Break of Day, new books, and working in advertising while I pursue my degree. I’d eventually like to be a showrunner for the animated series that I’m working on.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
To be a cartoonist, it takes patience, persistence, and practice. Rarely does a cartooning career happen quickly. Many cartoonists don’t find success until their 40s or 50s (or later). It’s a weird industry. Plus, you have to be persistent. Look for ways you can make a living and adjust accordingly. Don’t just focus on one area. For example, I always wanted to be JUST a syndicated cartoonist. However, I’ve worked in many other areas to thrive as a cartoonist. Also, you must get into a routine and practice writing and drawing daily. It’s the only way to get better and keep the juices flowing.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Returning to school and getting my syndicated feature into more newspapers have been my most significant accomplishments in the past year. The school takes the stress off me on trying to figure out an animation industry I knew nothing about. They provide the tech, knowledge, connections, and insight on how it works. It’s an area I’ve always wanted to know more about and participate in, so it’s cool to make this happen. As for Break of Day, my syndicated feature, it’s starting to get picked up in more and more newspapers. Though the newspaper market isn’t what it once was, it’s still a remarkable achievement since it was my childhood dream to be in newspapers with my comics.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nfakes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nate_fakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natefakescartoons/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natefakes/
Image Credits
I copywrite all.
