Today we’d like to introduce you to Salvador Hernandez Jr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Salvador. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up I was a quiet child, very emotional as my 2nd-grade teacher would put it, and kept to myself most of the time. I mostly played my Nintendo 64 to pass the time. At some point early on my Dad told me that he drew a bit, mostly batman related I recall, really inspired me to take drawing more seriously. Which looking back on I’m pretty sure it was just an off-hand comment he made about my doodles, but six-year old me took it and ran to the moon with it. Since then my parents have been supportive of my endeavors, my mom early on providing comics like Scrooge McDuck and Shonen Jump Magazines she would get from Goodwill.
Thus for all of my early schooling, I was just drawing, getting a lot of encouragement from my peers and teachers to just keep on going at it. Around halfway through high school I decided to make art my career and dove headfirst into The Art Institute of California, the only art-related college that was nearby to where I lived, and luckily I found a really good group of friends, who share the same passion in this field like I do. They pushed me to keep improving and going forward to where I’m at now.
Has it been a smooth road?
So far no…currently out from college trying to find work but I’m finding myself in a bit of lull right now. Making projects for myself to keep myself busy in the meantime, while also trying to move up to LA where more of the animation industry is. Currently, I’m working on Itchtaka an upcoming webcomic that I am inking on with other people.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a freelance 2-D animator, and illustrator. I specialize in wild action, heavy inks, and an old school painterly style. Super inspired by French comic books and Mecha anime, like Moebius and Hiroyuki Imaishi. While I always see the area for improvement, I’m proud of the quality of my work I can I do in a small time frame.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Right now, No. Unless you mean to have a self-made career, The animation industry is firmly planted in upper the LA area. while there is a trickle coming down due to rent cost, and space limitations, I feel like the notable companies won’t be here for a least a fat minute. Thus I can’t recommend this city as a starting point. As always I recommend most people to involve themselves in local events and networking with close peers, and making a name for yourself on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.salvadorhernandezart.com/
- Email: shernandezjr747@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.chromonaut/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_Chromonaut
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvador-hernandez-jr-a2a73b150/
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