Words of Wisdom

Posted by Alina Bradford Jun 24, 2007

Below is part of the interview with artist Charlie Athanas that didn’t make the article, but I loved it so much I had to share!

Alina: Do you have a story you would like to tell about being an artist?

Charlie Athanas: When I left school I made a decision to try everything I always wanted to do as an artist until I was 30. Then I would look at what I learned and focus on what I liked best. Of course, at the time my wild lifestyle led me to believe that I wouldn't live to 30, but I didn't want to have any regrets later in life that I had not explored an artistic avenue while I was able

to. This path allowed me to meet many diverse artists in many mediums, which have all contributed to my art and to getting work. In those ten years, I was a musician, comic book artist, animator, actor, graphic designer, silk screener, laser animator, and a writer, among other things. At 30 I became part of a small three-person company that created the first animated John Madden Football game for the PC. I was able to use all of my skills for game design, concept art, animation, sound, packaging, etc. Somehow the plan had worked and I was able to put all of these experiences to work on some very exciting projects.

The price to be paid for these adventures was many years of minimal income and the inability to be an expert at any one thing, but I have no regrets and I have met many fantastic people along the way. What it has done in the long run has given me an artistic philosophy that hasn't failed me yet - "Do cool things, with cool people."