Meet Valor Aguilar: Visual Development Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valor Aguilar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valor, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
In the simplest terms, my main professional goal is to pay it forward. Stories are powerful tools for emotional work, and everyone has a story or two that really impacted them. I know for me, they saved my life. So if just one person comes to me at the end of my career, and tells me that my work made them feel less alone, then it was all worth it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think every artist is capable of a vision unique only to themselves. Nobody lives the same life; nobody can make the same art. We are all simultaneously utterly ordinary, but also one of a kind. The work I offer is filtered specifically through my experience as a person. Being biracial, neurodivergent and queer are all part of that experience.

I think it’s a great accomplishment to still be here. That I’m happy, healthy, and pursuing what I love. These things were only possible through dedication, a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Not just mine, but every person along the way who stopped to help me on my journey.

If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that being kind is an active choice you have to make every day. I also think there’s a definite difference between “niceness” and “kindness”. You can lie about being nice, but genuine kindness is born from a place of real empathy and honesty. As I get older, it’s gotten harder not to become jaded, cynical and apathetic; but I’ve realized these things never help me or those around me in the long term, so be kind.

There are stories that change you. I believe every story changes you a little bit, really, but there are certain stories in your life that are the molds from which you form your identity. This is why animation is so powerful. Who you are is a narrative, constantly changing, and always in dialogue with the world around you. Why not tell a story that lifts people up, makes them feel heard and seen. Hopefully I manage to do so in my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m more of a homebody myself, but I will say that I adore the Huntington Gardens! It full of beautiful things- both man made and natural- and it just makes me happy. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is dedicated to everyone who has ever helped me along the way. My friends, my family, my teachers, and therapists. Thank you.

Website: https://valor.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valor.rola/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/valor-aguilar-964664139