Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Victoria Cruell

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Victoria Cruell. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think that with everything going on in the world, especially at this time, a lot of people are struggling privately with their mental health. Since the pandemic, we have been living in more isolated ways, and even though we are engaging more and more online, it can be difficult to connect with one another in person. This is probably even more so the case if you work from home, or if you’re an introvert like I am. It isn’t considered flashy or attractive to show people when you are having a hard time on social media. Most people want to show their successes or their best sides. It is still a little taboo to talk about publicly, especially if you’re talking about yourself. This is part of why media and art that showcases mental health struggles really interests me. I strive to reveal some of these inner-emotional issues within my art, and I think that doing so can incite healing and catharsis within people.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a 2D artist who specializes in drawing and painting characters, through concept art and illustration. I am currently pursuing a career as a concept artist within the video game industry.

I like to create diverse characters and work on stories which explore the depths of emotion and personal experiences. My academic background is in 2D animation, which I studied in both college and graduate school. My master thesis film from the University of Southern California, titled “true_self.exe”, is currently airing on television and won several awards in the festival circuit. It is also publicly available online now, at the following link: https://youtu.be/awfigjUYc4w.

The film follows a young woman who must face her perfect alter ego inside of her computer, and battle with her personal insecurities. I think that it is very topical, and it connects to a lot of my thoughts regarding the previous question. I am really proud of this project because all the art and animation for it was done on my own.

More recently I have been taking art classes and revising my concept art portfolio from scratch. I just completed this new portfolio, so I have a ton of new artwork to share. It is rewarding to see all that I have accomplished since graduation, and how far I have come as an artist in such a short amount of time.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Many people, including myself, struggle with imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Therefore, it’s helpful to have people in your life who can clearly see you for who you are. I am fortunate that I have many people in my life who see me as a great person and who help to uplift me. I would like to recognize the first people to do so, my parents. I am very grateful to them. Even though they are both doctors and have a medical background, they have always supported my artistic hopes and dreams. More than anything, they want me to be happy. They love seeing my art and are very encouraging of it. They fully believe in me and my abilities and think that the art I make is needed in the world and that it’s going to make a big impact someday. Thank you, Mom and Dad!

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I find myself wanting to tell my younger self a couple of things. First, to believe in my own talent and capabilities, and second, to relax more. I have always been a bit of a worrier, but unfortunately, worry doesn’t make for better work. I have learned that anxiety is essentially your brain trying to protect itself from harm, which is horribly ironic because often the anxiety itself is what ends up being harmful in the end. Thus, I think that whenever I can take a moment to breathe and be calm, it’s extremely valuable, because life is stressful! Every moment of happiness matters, and happiness can come from calming the inner fears.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I think that I am ultimately committed to my goal of “making it big” and making an impact within the entertainment industry. Despite my struggles with self-doubt at times, there must be a small (or large) part of me who believes that I can make it. That part of myself seems to continue driving me forward, even when things are hard. I love making art and I truly can’t imagine myself doing anything else. It can be challenging when there are so many people wanting to break into the industry. It’s very competitive, and usually social media algorithms don’t work like you want them to. However, my drive to create and succeed has kept me pushing towards making this a career since I was 11 years old. My heart is set on this goal, and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
This is a hard question to answer since life is quite hectic these days! It is a very important one though. I think it goes back to finding little moments of happiness and calm wherever you can. I feel lucky to have a romantic partner who supports and understands me well. This may be a cheesy answer, but I feel comfortable and at peace when I am spending time with him. We don’t have to be doing anything in particular, but just being close and spending time together is meaningful and relaxing. It’s even more relaxing if we are lying out in nature on a bright sunny day. Sunlight and warm weather do a lot to lift my mood. I consider my partner to be my best friend, but I don’t think you have to have a romantic connection with someone in order to experience similar feelings of peace and comfort. I also treasure the happy times I spend with friends and family. Anything that you can do to get out of the house and spend real meaningful time with people in person, can do a lot to change your perspective and help you to get out of your head.

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