Meet Fiona McMahon | 3D Environment Artist

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

Hi Fiona, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I knew early on that I wanted to be an artist and as I got older I knew for a fact I was meant to be one. Growing up I looked for other passions that I enjoyed, and I found I loved nothing more than art. I couldn’t help myself from creating. The only reason I have for becoming an artist is I believe I was meant to be one. I can’t imagine myself in any other position. When I was deciding on my career path, there were moments where I doubted if I should pursue art, but those doubts mainly came from my thoughts of not being good enough. Like most other artists I had many people in my life tell me becoming an artist was a foolish idea. They told me I would struggle, starve, and that there’s no work for artists. Thankfully, I knew those people had no idea what they were talking about. I knew there was an artist or designer behind basically everything we see day to day. I knew movies weren’t just made up of actors, there’s a lot of people behind the screen that you never see. So I ignored what most people cautioned, and went all in on pursuing my career. And I’m so happy I did, I worked day and night practicing my craft. Once I got accepted to Gnomon, I knew that dream of becoming an artist was true! I finally had other artists, other real industry artists look at me and believe in me. I’ve never regretted my decision to go into the arts, there’s been scary moments and moments of doubt but through it all, and at the end of the day I’m doing what little me dreamed of doing, and I love it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work has always been inspired by story telling and my love for nature, hence why I became an environment artist! I love both 2d and 3d art, I can’t really say which I enjoy more since I create different things with them. I create 3D Environments professionally and then I illustrate creatures and characters on the side for my personal projects. Doing both helps me fulfill both my goals and passions! Working on a professional licensed project means you don’t always get to make exactly what you want, for some people that’s a surprise. I’ve met a good handful of people who are surprised when they hear that as an artist you don’t just make your own ideas. Most of the time working on a project, you’re making someone else’s idea! As a 3D environment artist I am more times than not tasked with taking a 2D concept and making it in 3D and…I love it! It’s something I enjoy, I love working with others to create something I couldn’t on my own. Making video games is labor intensive in ways that most consumers don’t see or even realize and I wouldn’t want to do it all on my own! When I’m not working on a video game I’m working on my own ideas and concepts. I’m currently working on a personal project involving my creature concepts. I’m really excited about it and can’t wait to see it all done!

I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned since entering the industry is…learning how to rest. It’s also been the hardest lesson to learn haha. When I’m done with work and I clock out, I start working on my personal projects! Doing this day in and day out is draining, all of my creative energy would be gone by the end of it. I struggle with the issue that I know a lot of other artists do as well, I feel like I constantly have to create. I have correlated my self worth to my creative output. It’s not a good thing, and for a while I didn’t understand why I felt so stressed when I would try to take a break. I felt this constant need to work, as if I didn’t I would be seen as lazy. Thanks to my amazing husband, I’ve learned that purposeful resting isn’t being lazy, it’s necessary! Resting and taking time to recharge is necessary to working hard. Learning the work life balance has been hard but I’m in a much better place than when I was in school. I’m still learning but I don’t see my self worth as something that’s measured by my productivity anymore. Living life and spending time with family and friends is the most important thing and since I’ve learned that I actually do better work!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I grew up in Arcadia so of course we should start there. I’m always down for some Pho so we gotta eat first, shoutout to Golden Deli, it’s amazing. I grew up going there, they really fed me though high school and college. Go to the Santa Anita Mall, I know malls have been dying within recent times but not this one. The Santa Anita mall was the place to be back in high school and still is. We’d go to a movie, din tai fung is there, they even got a mini Ikea in that mall (I love Ikea, we can also go to the one in Burbank). The Santa Anita Race Track is next to the mall as well, I love it. If it’s summer and the 626 night market is happening I’d go there for a fun evening, its held in the race track’s parking lot. Then across the way is the Arboretum if you wanna see some cool plants and peacocks! After that if they want to go see some art, Pasadena has some amazing museums and history. I love the Norton Simon Museum, the Huntington Library is also not that far. My husband and I are also big theater fans so we gotta stop by the Pasadena Playhouse and catch a show. My favorite restaurant in the area at the moment is MIYA in Altadena, it’s not far. It’s the best Thai food, hands down. I could go on and on but I also like to have some rest days to just chill.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so thankful for are the amazing friends I have, The ones I’ve kept since childhood and the ones I’ve met from college. The list is too many to say but they know who they are! They are some of my favorite people in the world. They have supported me and believed in me, they have pushed me to be who I am today. Not just artistically but as a person.

The amazing people at Gnomon, the instructors I’ve had the joy to study under. Anton Napireala, Sukru Gilman, Beau Jansen, Nate Stephens and many others. They helped me find my niche in the 3D art world and pushed me to improve.

My amazing husband, he has been such a rock for me as I’ve navigated the industry. He is the most patient, supportive, and loving person I’ve met. He is such a blessing in my life.

Finally, my parents most of all, my first supporters and fans. I drew on their walls, couch, and floor with sharpie and they never scolded me for it. They saw I wanted to draw and encouraged me to (on paper of course). My parents believed in me from the start and supported me in ways I didn’t even know at the time. I am so thankful for the parents I have and I love them beyond words. Their sacrifices and love for me is why I’m able to do what I do.

I also of course have to give credit to the real reason why I’m able to do anything in life, Christ. I do it all for his glory and I know I wouldn’t be anything without God. I could never explain the full weight of it here but He is the one responsible for all of the good things in my life. (1Cor 10:31)

Website: https://www.artstation.com/fi_lu

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionagl_art?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-luebbers-mcmahon-667469133/

Other: https://linktr.ee/Luckycrane

Image Credits
Portrait photo taken by – Adam Bialik Photography