Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Gardner
Hi Robert, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For me, I’ve been drawing since I was a child. I began around the age of four and it was something that really stuck with me. I’ve always had quite a vivid imagination so it was fun to come up with different things to draw. Characters, animals, whatever I could think of. As I got a little older, my father took notice of my hobby and encouraged me by signing me up for a summer art class. I believe I was around twelve at the time, and I was probably more surprised than the rest of the class because this was an actual college course at the Memphis College of Art. It was a course on cartooning and they actually let me stay in the class. This is one of my most fondest memories in regards to my creative beginnings. I’d say it set the tone for my art style. I was one of those cartoon and comic book kids, combing over the styles and techniques, patchworking those elements into my own. Calvin and Hobbes held a large influence on me as well. Out of that grew a desire to write stories for my own characters. I kept with it, taking creative writing classes as well as continuing my artistic pursuit. The ultimate goal was to have my own animation. but the technology wasn’t there at that time. A graphic design major in college introduced me to the world of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. While also introducing me to the disdain and learning curve of the dreaded pen tool. I’d say all of these experiences had led me to where I am today, on a creative level as well as a professional one.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say that this journey has been about as smooth as Poplar Ave. It’s my belief that things are never as easy as they may seem. We all face challenges and adversity and I would add that one of my biggest obstacles would be myself. Maybe it comes in the form of a lack of motivation. Maybe it’s a mental block, but those are issues I try to push through. Outside of myself, however, I would point to, perhaps, finding the right audience. Of course, not everyone will like what I create. There was a time when my creative endeavors overshadowed my budget. Primarily, the majority of my artwork is digital and the price point to enter that lane wasn’t exactly beginner friendly.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would consider myself a freelance graphic artist. I specialize it custom artwork, graphics and motion art. At the core of it all, I would probably be best known for just my artwork. I’m old school as it pertains to opting to use paper and pencil when begining a project. I never liked the mess made from pastels and acrylics. I would find myself ruining another drawing because there would be paint on the underside of my hand. All of my work is colored digitally, which works in my favor and saves a small fortune in supplies. What I’m most proud of would have to be the first animation I created, “The Handsome Devil”. Just to finally achieve something that I had fantasized about so much in my youth and having the means to do so. Style is everything and I feel like my style is what sets me apart from the field. I do all my creative work, from line art to editing on my own, with assistance from a few talented individuals every once in a while.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I wish I had the space to name them all! Good friends, in particular Darren Crawford, who assists in the writing, Elliott Smith, who composes the majority of the music for my animations. Of course family and friends who have witnessed the improvement over the years as I’ve walked along this creative path. Most recently, Queela Graham of www.quedaveggie.com, simply for providing encouraging words and the makeup of her website really inspired me to improve my own. Lastly, I would say anyone who’s taken the time out to view my art, read the stories, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rlelandarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlelandarts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdX61hlbf1Ur42zLhAgF1Q
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM3R30znnkJUg7hVqB3x1Mw
