Meet Elyse McLeod | 2D Animator and Illustrator

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

Hi Elyse, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
The most important habit I’ve learned is to continue creating every day, even if it’s something small, such as doing a daily drawing in a sketchbook. It keeps the gears turning. Otherwise, it can be jarring to jump into a project when I haven’t touched a pencil for days. Even if it’s just a funky little doodle, that doodle can always spark inspiration for something bigger and better later—or, at least, it can help make a blank page feel less intimidating.

Additionally, doing warm-ups before starting on a project is a game-changer. I had an awesome instructor, Francis Vallejo, who said that warm-ups help to “get the demons out of your pencil.” It loosens you up, gets you in the right mindset, and gets all the “bad drawings” out first in order to make way for the better ones.

I also make sure I get outside at least a few times a week. Walking through calm neighborhoods, parks, and trails is therapeutic for me. Stepping outside definitely helps me step out of my head for a little while. Taking the time to wander and just observe–gazing up at the towering trees, or staring extra-close at an inchworm or a crinkly dead leaf–is a great way to chill out.

These habits may seem small, but they have become an integral part of my workflow that I can’t do without. They keep the creative juices flowing so I don’t get stuck.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In my work, I juxtapose spooky subject matter with vivid colors and cuteness.

I like to think that each of my illustrations depicts some sort of dark fairytale. I sometimes wonder where my sketchbooks will end up after I’m gone. I don’t think anything grand will come of them, but I do like to think they’d wind up in a dusty corner of a thrift shop, many years from now, for someone to stumble upon them and be freaked out by the bizarre old sketches.
As for my 2D animation work, I love the noodle-like fluidity of 1930’s cartoons, so I aim to capture that same essence in my own animated characters. I get a little spark of joy every time I remember that animation is practically witchcraft–so I try to carry some of that energy through as well.

I know a lot of artists who would agree, that the creative process can be maddening at times. If I’m ever stuck, I’m fortunate enough to know a lot of encouraging creative folks who have been in similar positions before. Some great advice that I’ve heard from pretty much everyone, (perhaps in different words, but all with the same meaning,) is that: “You can only do your best. Even if something doesn’t work out, you learn and life continues. You’ll be okay.”

For me, it’s always been a kind of a love-hate relationship with art. Ultimately, though, I can’t imagine my life without being able to make the silly things I make. As frustrating as creating can be at times, artists are inevitably drawn back to art.

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 would take my friend around to my favorite places: -The Detroit Institute of Arts Museum
-Stony Creek Metropark
-Rochester Cider Mill
-South Street Skateshop
-Bangkok Cuisine
-Old Stoney Creek Cemetery
-Rochester Hills Public Library
-Mackinac Island
-Mystery Spot
-Probably IKEA too

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?
I’m incredibly lucky to know so many spectacular creative people! Here are a few I’d like to shout out to:

Selena (IG – @selenaalva_illustration)
Rachel (IG – @crispyrings)
Kirsten (IG – @kiamle.create)
Elsa (IG – @doekitty_art)

I have these folks to thank for their infectious motivation and endless inspiration. Their work definitely deserves more recognition.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetbonemarrow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sweetbonemarrow

Other: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/sweetbonemarrow/ (Prints)