Hello, my name is Melanie Ornelas. I am a Chicana artist, an undergraduate student majoring in animation and minoring in illustration at Otis College of Art and Design. I enjoy using a variety of media, mainly for digital projects, to complete them more efficiently. By the end of college, I hope I will have the chance to professionally pursue a career in 2D animation. I have wanted to pursue an art career, specifically animation, since I was small. 

 

 I remember as a child being fascinated while watching the animated films and coming to the conclusion that they were very small universes within VHS tapes. Even though I learned that they were drawings, I still carry my fascination with animation and art. As I have grown, I realized why I was fascinated and persistent with art in the first place. The idea of escapism and safety is why I have chosen to pursue illustration, video games, animation, and children’s books. I have come to this conclusion as a result of many unfortunate events, and I will always lack a feeling of safety. If I can’t ever reach that feeling, I hope that through my art I can give a feeling of safety and reassurance to someone else. 

 

 As an artist, I work in a variety of mediums. Although I never had a set style, I lean towards fantastical and mundane combinations that are vibrant, organic, and illustrative. I focus on clean lines and vibrant color palettes. I am against AI in the creative process, such as in executing animated projects and illustrations. I am against art theft. Being an artist to me is being able to develop your idea and execute it with intention, thoughtfulness, and care. I hope to bring empathy, safety, and reassurance through my art. 

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 My skill set includes drawing, animation, and proficiency in software such as Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. Additionally, I am bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English. Since 2021, I have collaborated on several animation projects with Film 2 Future, a film company based in Los Angeles. While I enjoy being part of animation teams, I currently work as a freelance illustrator. This experience has enhanced my storytelling and communication skills, allowing me to tailor my work to different audiences and expand my skill set in animation.