Meet Makayla King | Artist

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

Hi Makayla, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career because the pull to create has been following me for as long as I can remember. The creative process being the center of my career is all I could ever want because it’s part of who I am. Putting my emotions and energy into creating has always fueled me, but at the same time is my greatest form of release. It’s like a life force for me and simultaneously what makes me stop breathing. I did not always know my art could be my career, but I have always gravitated towards it in a way I could not run from.
Painting, dancing, singing, writing, playing music, I naturally experimented with any form of creative expression possible, but haven’t stopped drawing since I could hold a pencil. Art became a consistent outlet, a way to translate and let out what I was feeling. At the same time, I was non stop consuming art through music, books, tv, and movies, becoming obsessed with their stories and intrigued by how they tell them.
Growing up, my career goals were always changing, but my love for creating art never did. I would be focused and do well in school, and think that means I should go into an academically centered field, that art would be my passion on the side. Eventually, I realized I would be sitting in those classes getting in trouble for drawing, despite my good grades. Realizing the passion I had for creating was the most consistent part of my life, and that I did not want to suffocate that feeling, I decided to put that focus into building an art career instead. I took an opportunity to study Game and Entertainment Design for my Bachelors, at Otis College of Art and Design. Getting my degree allowed me to build technical skills that help me to create stories and invoke feelings with more precision. All while building a portfolio and being part of a community of artists for the first time, I found my confidence and understanding of how to move into a career.
Over the span of my professional life, my chosen mediums have developed by exploring concept design further, and has pushed me into 3D programs. My digital portfolio consists of my game and entertainment design work. As a 3D generalist and VFX artist, I have concepts that include 3D modeling, sculpting, texturing, and implementation into game engines, particle FX and lighting design, character, environment, prop, and level designs.
I now practice my passion everyday and put everything into pursuing my artistic career, and I would not regret it no matter how difficult it can prove to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Getting to where I am today professionally was a process of learning to trust my own gut, and learning the lesson of perseverance when nothing seemed to be working or going where I thought it would.
It’s the hours and hours in the studio, sometimes with a clear ending, and sometimes chasing myself in circles to redo the same detail ten times, either way, the consistency brought me where I am. Trusting the process is leading somewhere necessary. To follow the intuitive nudges to explore different mediums when pulled to, and different programs within digital art, yet still hold onto my style and the messages I would like to tell. To trust my gut that it’s okay that the feelings invoked from my pieces aren’t always following traditional storytelling, and can push boundaries with what being a digital artist means. I was once called “a fine artist using digital mediums” and it was intended as an insult, to say that my work follows the processes and skills technically that digital artists are taught, but that the underlying messages were more aligned with the nature of a fine artist. I’ve come to realize that that resonates with me in an empowering way, and I did not take it as an insult, but a confirmation that my work is authentic, is connected to my journey as an artist, and any boundaries it pushes just makes it stand out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting LA for a week, I would love to show them as much as possible. For most of the time I would take them to art shows and any events going on, and find food in those areas. As someone who has lived here for over 4 years, street food is a staple for me and easily accessible in most neighborhoods in LA, so I would start by taking them to the local taco truck for some Birria, and then we’d explore that neighborhood’s shops until the event.
We would have to hit the beach while they are here, drive up PCH on a hot summer day with the windows down blasting music, go to Malibu because it’s a must see, and stop by Patrick’s Roadhouse (if they hopefully reopen soon) for good food with a view.
Venice for sightseeing, people watching, walking down the boardwalk, for going to bars/shops and hanging outside all day, Santa Monica for a bike ride and the obligatory night time pier trip, Playa Del Rey if we just want to relax and not be bothered, and because it’s my favorite beach to mind my business on. If they’re feeling a hike I would take them to Griffith park for the views at the observatory, or Malibu creek state park and we’d go for a swim in one of the swimming holes, or for a long walk around the Marina and dinner at La Marina Trattoria, on the water where the seals jump up on the dock. We’d for sure have to go to Little Tokyo for some ramen and sake, but only at night so all the lights are on, and then hop around bars or just drive/walk around downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d give a shout-out to the family and friends who have supported me in my decision and journey in pursuing an art career, and the community of friends who were there with me every step of the way while I was attending school, y’all were my lifeline at my lowest points and I wouldn’t be where I am without that support. I’d also give a shout out to the professors who taught me what I know and helped me build my confidence in my work, specifically Jay Bhaumik, who was there for my entire college experience, who stood up for all the student body and other professors alike, who encouraged me to follow and pour into every interest I have creatively, and who would give extremely detailed crit that was technically helpful, but also personal and professional advice that was genuine and heartfelt.

Website: https://maykingart.com

Instagram: @maykingair

Other: email: makaylakingart@gmail.com

Image Credits
Seiko Guadalupe-Lara