Meet RAHA DABIRI | Storyboard Artist/Revisionist

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

Hi RAHA, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by other artists whose work makes me feel things!

Hayao Miyazaki is one of my favorite masters, his work is so charming and loose. I study his boards from his films and I feel like they influence my style.

I’m very inspired by filmmakers like Brad Bird, Genndy Tartakovsky, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino. I love the style of films they direct and produce. Ratatouille and Iron Giant are two of my favorite animated films, Primal is one of the best shows, I love the visual storytelling, and the art style. I also love the show Steven Universe, I really get inspired by the soft, pastel, dreamy backgrounds in the show.

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 love telling stories through my drawings! I enjoy making art that looks loose and effortless. I hope my art makes people feel things! I’m very proud and excited for my growth as an artist, and looking forward to seeing how my style will adapt and change in the future. I feel like my exuberance and positive energy shows through my work and sets me apart from others.

As cliché as it sounds, I got to where I am today by drawing as much as I could, and never giving up! Taking inspiration from my favorite artists and filmmakers, copying their styles, and understanding their techniques. I would set aside non negotiable time to learn these things and study to help my growth as an artist. It’s never easy! Takes a lot of failure, persistence, determination, and passion! I kept applying to whatever storyboard job was available at any studio. No matter the number of rejections, my only option was to keep going! I couldn’t give up, and I had to find a way to become a part of the animation industry.

I’ve learned self discipline, the ability to have pride and confidence in my style and art as a storyteller, and I can’t wait to grow more and get even better! Never give up, because you’re the most important person in your life, and you can do whatever you like, just stick to it and don’t be afraid to fail, because thats one step closer to your inevitable success.

I would love to be a beacon of positivity, joy, and inspiration through my art and storytelling as an artist and filmmaker!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s so much to explore in Los Angeles!

I’m a huge foodie, so I love taking friends to stellar food spots. Joy on York in Highland Park is one of my particular go-to spots; it’s delicious, and its such a warm vibe when you dine in. The Grand Central Market in Downtown is a blast too, tons of great food options, cool food stall style spot, and awesome neon lights/art all over the market. Golden Deli in San Gabriel has the best egg rolls ever on this planet, I will die on this hill, it’s so yummy. Night and Market Song in Silverlake always has a bit of a wait, but VERY delicious Thai food. Those are just a few of the food spots that are my go-to for friends visiting!

I would also love to take friends to the Griffith Observatory, it’s just beautiful and such a refreshing spot in LA. Any kind of museum is a must visit for me or my friends visiting, I love the Getty, and the Getty Villa for an outdoor museum experience. LACMA is a fun one too, and the Academy Museum.

Going to parks and having a picnic is also a must, I love going to Griffith Park, Lake Hollywood Park, LA Historic Park, and Brand Park in Glendale.

My favorite places to go shopping are in Highland Park at Big Bud Press, The Quiet Life, and Vintage stores. The Americana on Brand in Glendale is also one of the best outdoor malls, it has all the shops, some sweet food spots, and a nice movie theater!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to give a shoutout to my closest friends, Laura Norris, Hannah Benson, and Valerie Montgomery! They are incredibly talented artists/leaders in production who inspire me every day. We motivate each other, and always share resources for growth as artists! I don’t know where I’d be in my career without them.

Website: https://www.rahadabiri.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drawhaa/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raha-dabiri-7334b292

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drawhaa?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raha.dabiri

Image Credits
All images property of Raha Dabiri.