@grace_anim

Instagram: @grace_anim
Website: www.gracecasasportfolio.com

1. What’s your story? Where are you from?

I was born and raised in central Florida, (shoutout to Orlando!) to a family who just immigrated to America from Venezuela. I really loved growing up in the area I did because I grew up 5 minutes away from Disney and it's a tropical paradise all year round so it definitely inspired me in my artistic endeavours. 

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I like to label my aesthetic as tropical retro-futurism, taking in concepts from the 60's space-age and marrying them to a beach-town vibe. I think the best way to summarise it is "what if Miami was on mars?".

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

Definitely 3D. I use 3D art every single day and I love it because it is such a versatile tool, you can literally recreate anything from reality and make it look as real as you want or as surreal as you want it to be, you can even create 2D styles in 3D and have a lot more control over it than you would traditionally.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I typically start off with a rough sketch after an idea pops into my head, nothing fancy at all. Then I dive straight into 3D. This is where a lot of experimenting goes on and nothing is perfectly streamlined although I do use the same techniques to keep it sort of structured and not looking totally different to what I've made last. Some of my best work is a result of happy accidents and me learning new tricks to aid what I already know.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work? 

Miami art deco architecture/60's space-age/Pierre Cardin/other artists on Instagram/Vaporwave

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art's always been a part of what I am and what I do and it feels like it's playing the role of a parent where it gives me unconditional love, different perspectives, consistent learning, sometimes tough lessons. It helps me visualize the world more realistically and beautifully. 

7. Where did you study?

I studied at Full Sail University for Character animation, It's where I gained a solid foundation for my 3D skills and hard work ethic. 

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself continuing doing what I'm doing but maybe on a bigger scale (at least I hope so hahaha) the grind never stops! and I love doing it. 

9. What about in ten?

In ten years, I'll be 33, and I'd like to imagine that in that time I've continued learning and keeping up with trends, staying true to myself so that not only I as a person have improved but that my art has fully nurtured into something much better. 

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I hope it sets a new trend for an age that we can look forward to. A lot of the time growing up so many movies were focused on the apocalyptic aesthetic and I really thought, is this what we have to look forward to? It was so negative and in my work, I try to do the opposite. I want people to get excited about what's to come -we have the power to change our future.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Ok so breakfast food, in general, is elite to me. Waffles, hash browns, eggs, toast, cheese, black beans -can you blame me?! 

12. Favourite book?

I'd have to say Emma by Jane Austin. I'm a big fan of 19th-century English romance and that book, in particular, is my comfort read. 

13. Favourite genre of music? 

I can't narrow it down so I'll name my top 3: Reggaeton, Trip-hop, and 60's 

14. What are your hobbies? 

I love to watch movies, play video games, and I'm currently learning to roller skate!

15. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Probably a director, my love for movies is huge and I've had many ideas in the past. As a visual person, I can almost see these ideas in great detail -maybe someday?