Meet Fin Handel | Animator & Illustrator

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

Hi Fin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I could not see myself doing anything else other than art. It is strange coming to terms with saying that you want to be a full-time, career-driven artist. It still seems out of reach even though I am presently doing that.

I figured out I was going to follow a creative path when I was pretty young. I was just drawing on everything all the time; walls, schoolwork, homework, my skin. Whatever I could find. And I had a really difficult time staying focused in school. I just never believed in myself in an academic standing. My peers also considered me an artist, so I think that influenced my direction, as well.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I can’t really explain my art too well. I think it mostly comes from a place of feeling and emotion. I usually let my train of thought put down on paper what it needs to; I try not to force it too much. Although as an animator, when I think of a story I do my best to keep the same idea of feeling over narrative. I am proud of my short films and animated productions, but I do feel I can take this energy even further. Regarding that, I am definitely most excited for my future endeavors to be closer to that goal.

Instead of saying it was challenging to get to where I am, I would like to say that it is still so challenging. I have so much privilege for where I stand now, but it is always a challenge finding ways to overcome obstacles. College was particularly difficult and draining. I kind of had a mentality to eat or be eaten, like I was fighting to survive. It felt like a proving grounds somehow and I did not like feeling that way. I’ve relaxed a lot when it comes to that artistic competitiveness, but I won’t deny saying that it pushes me forward.

Since I graduated, the art world has kind of opened it’s curtain for me. I recognize that art is a vulnerable venture in this society; I congratulate anyone who tries to open themselves up in that way. There is so much to learn from one other, so I don’t take fellow artists for granted.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly, I love doing simple things. Instead of having the days packed full of places to go, I would probably ask them to just get some coffee with me in the mornings, then go for a walk. I would definitely take them somewhere nice to walk.

I might take them to the Angelika one evening, though. They always have some good independent movies playing there. Or we could go to some other theater, like Film Forum or Williamsburg cinema.

I love biking through the city, it’s so dangerous and adrenaline rushing sometimes.

I probably wouldn’t make much of a weekly plan, instead of just figuring out what to do day by day. I don’t want to turn my friend off by rushing them around from point A to B everyday. We’ll take the trip in stride and with grace.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe my success and accomplishments to so many different things! I consider many of my college professors at SVA as influences, like Dan Riccuito, Frank Gresham and Stephen Gaffney. Especially through Dan I felt as though I could investigate art in a more abstracted light. It felt authentic and extremely open. I would also like to thank the editors at Soup Can Magazine for encouraging me to publish my art and show it to the world! They made sure I knew that I was good enough to play with the “big boys” (artistically speaking). My parents also deserve most of the credit. For some reason they had confidence in me to succeed, so I never really doubted my direction.

Website: finhandel.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finhandel/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFBf-kuL5HGMHHRjrXwJ1A

Other: https://vimeo.com/finhandel email: finhandel09@gmail.com