Meet Övgü Yeles | Visual Development Artist & Background Painter

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

Hi Övgü, why did you pursue a creative career?
I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative career, despite it often being seen as just a hobby by others. I wasn’t sure if it would be in music, art, or cinema, but I believed I found a way to combine all of them.

Growing up, I was in love with animated musicals. I would watch the same movies over and over, never getting bored. I constantly imagined how I could alter the stories or create my own characters to fit into those worlds. I wondered what other realms the fantastical universes might hold.

I pursued art as a career because that passion never faded out. Now, I write and illustrate my own stories more professionally, hoping one day to bring them to life on the big screen.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a Visual Development Artist and Background (Matte) Painter, mostly focused on animation. What sets me apart is my love for working with different styles, whether it’s something stylized or more realistic. I can work with various styles and my main focus is to capture light and emotion to enhance storytelling.

Getting here hasn’t exactly been smooth. There have been plenty of challenges, from dealing with doubts to figuring out how to make art more than a hobby. It’s taken a lot of learning, often on my own, and experimenting,

The key lesson I’ve learned is to keep pushing through, even when things are tough. Being an artist involves constant growth and curiosity. I’m passionate about what I do and hope to inspire others while bringing stories to life through my work.

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.
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d start by hitting up the places they’re most excited to see. We’d definitely explore a local café or restaurant to dive into some delicious local food aside from visiting all the museums in town.

Since my friend is also an artist, we’d find some quirky, oddly designed buildings to check out. I love wandering through unfamiliar streets—there’s something special about discovering hidden beauty in worn facades and unique graffiti. We’d spend time taking photos of interesting finds as we stroll around.

We’d cap off our days with coffee breaks, where we could sketch people and chat over a drink. It’s a great way to relax and capture the vibe of the city while enjoying each other’s company.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to Rise Up Animation. I can’t thank them enough for the mentorship sessions I had with Monica Lago-Kaytis and Kendal Cronkhite. They truly helped me lay the foundation for my art journey, and their guidance has been invaluable.

Website: https://www.ovguyeles.com

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

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

Other: https://linktr.ee/Ovguyeles