Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ari Espada. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ari, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
For a long time I was definitely a very quiet and reserved person. There’s a lot of reasons why but I think it can basically be summed up as having a lot of bad experiences and letting that shape my perspective in a negative way. It was easier to be closed off from everyone than to let myself be vulnerable. I stopped really trying anything new and life became sort of stagnant. Doing this got me through the day- but I wasn’t happy. Then, I got closer to the end of high school and knew soon I’d have to go off to college somewhere- and that was a big change I couldn’t avoid. I decided to apply for a precollege program first and it gave me a chance to see if maybe things could be different- and it was. I was away from home, in a new place with new people, but it turned out being such a fun and amazing experience where I made so many friends and actually felt comfortable being more of myself. It was only for a month but it was a small start that helped me realize I actually want to take risks! From there it kind of just went on without me even really noticing. Now I go to school in New York City for animation, I go out and find weird events, see new things, went to my first party- I feel like I’m finally starting to really live life. It doesn’t all have to be big changes too. I actually just traveled outside the country for the first time ever for a convention, and went in alone to meet up with people I’ve never seen in person before- which turned out wonderful and I had a great time and made so many new friends! During that day, I also tried dancing for the first time ever (which actually felt more scary than anything else I did on that trip!). To be perfectly honest, I was horrible at it- but I tried and had fun anyways! I think it’s important in developing your ability to take risks that you find communities to support you. At the end of the day it’s you who has to take the risks, but good friends that are really there for you can help you feel braver to make those leaps, and won’t laugh when you fall. Sometimes I’m still going to have bad experiences, and I definitely still get afraid to take risks, but now I won’t let that stop me because I know whatever the outcome is, good or bad, I’m going to get back up and be okay!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Currently I attend school in New York City as an Animation student at SVA. As a student, I’m still figuring out my path in life but I know I love to make characters and tell stories. I’ve always been mesmerized by the way animation as a medium has the ability to connect with people of all ages and bring characters to life. Before I chose a major and even now, I enjoyed to make art in all kinds of different mediums- clay, felt, painting, glass, etc. One of my professors helped me realize that even in animation I can still utilize these other types of art that I really enjoy for fun with the career I’m most passionate about. So for now I will continue experimenting with bringing a unique mixed media look into my animations, and telling stories I hope people can connect with. I hope to soon finish working on my first student film and share that online for people to enjoy! When I do it will be on my youtube channel KipMonstr.
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?
It’s hard to narrow it down but I think I would have to say curiosity, passion and the ability to embrace imperfection. I think in any field, art or otherwise, and even for just life in general curiosity is an important quality to possess. Being curious, asking questions, and talking to people can open so many opportunities and connections to you that you otherwise wouldn’t know were there. Curiosity in the sense of being eager to learn and try new things helps you gain a lot more skills to have at your disposal as well, and there’s not really downside to acquiring new knowledge. Passion I feel might be the most important out of any of the three, especially as an artist. It’s easy to get burnt out and have creative blocks, but when you really love what you do it really helps you bounce back. Not only that but others will be able to see that heart in your work as well. The best creations come from a genuine place, where the love for your work shines through – and others will see that and love it too. Last but certainly not least, embracing imperfection, because everyone’s their own worst critic- particularly artists. It can be hard to let go a little bit when you see all these little mistakes and want to just keep working and working at something because you know it’s- not perfect. But that’s how you burn yourself out. Sometimes you have to just do the best you can in the moment and let yourself say ‘this is okay’. It’s such a hard thing to do but, it’s better to put something out into the world that has flaws than work away at something for so long that never gets shared because it’ll never be good enough, never be ‘perfect’. There’s no such thing as perfect, and sometimes the flaws are what give our work beauty.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Being overwhelmed is really the worst… Usually the advice you hear is to take a break- which does really help- but unfortunately sometimes you’re in a situation where you doing have the luxury of being able to do so. In those situations I really think the best thing to do is make sure you’re still taking care of yourself, maintaining a schedule and reach out for those around you for support! When I get really overwhelmed during finals or anything like that, it helps so much to call my mom or my friends to talk to for a bit as I work. Also instead of thinking of it all as one big goal, make smaller goals for yourself to reach throughout whatever you’re working on and give yourself a reward after!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kipmonstr.neocities.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kipmonstr?igsh=MXZqZXV2cGE5cHI5bA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kipmonstr?si=tEM0zAUKM3OlXM2t
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