Not a powerhouse artist, but a Pyawakit!
As a student studying art, and taking Graphic Design focused courses, I've been researching the various career options that would be open to me upon developing a more professional skill level. As part of this exploration, I've been a member of DeviantArt and I make a habit of asking more developed artists questions about their work. I managed to catch Ashleigh Firth, otherwise known as Py, or Pyawakit online, sometime after the rush to deal with finals and the scramble of the Christmas holidays for a bit of an interview. She somehow managed to fit in time in her own busy schedule as a woman in the fast paced animation field to be interviewed for our schools' little newspaper, The Communicator.
Arnold: Please introduce yourself, and tell folks where you're from.
Ashleigh: Hey, I'm Ashleigh Firth, but you can call me Py. I actually was born and raised in Northern CA in a small town called Lakeport.
Arnold: Last I knew you were a recently graduated animation student, how long have you been involved in animation?
Ashleigh: Actually I graduated from Collins College when I was 19, long before I hit DeviantArt.com. I've been working in animation for only a few months now, but I've been in love with is since I could hold a crayon
Arnold: You graduated from Collins College? I'm sure I'm not the first to mention this, but I've never heard of them. Can you tell the readers anything about them and your experiences with the program you received your degree through?
Ashleigh: Ah yes, Well Collins College is located in Tempe, AZ. It's a design and tech school, were you have to put 200% of yourself to actually gather everything you can. Classes are only 5 weeks long, 4 days of the week, at 5 hours a day. So yeah it's a lot of work to do in a short time period.
Arnold: Sounds like a very demanding course structure. Did you have any previous college level art instruction before attending Collins College?
Ashleigh: Nope. I started Collins when I was only 17 so I didn't have time to.
Arnold: Out of curiosity, did you receive any awards or scholarships as an animation student either during college or before?
Ashleigh: Yeah I sure did, I received the Jamie Farris artist of the Year Scholarships. It was truly an honor.
Arnold: How important was the search for scholarships for you when you were attending college?
Ashleigh: I think its really important, because every artist can tell you that art school isn't cheep.
Arnold: What were the things you learned at Collins College?
Ashleigh: Wow, there were so many things. From the 12 principles of animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, modeling, composting, flash, web design, and color theory. Just the stuff you need to get started in animation.
Arnold: How well do you feel your education prepare you for the professional world of animation?
Ashleigh: Very well, it's one of the schools where you have to put 200% of your self to become anything out of it, so I tried to do that and it got me pretty ready I'd say.
Arnold: Was there any remarkable development in your work, skill, or speed after graduating?
Ashleigh: Yeah, but more so in the last year, I finally found something that comes natural to me. Things are beginning to click easier it seems.
Arnold: When you were in college, what were some of the obstacles you encountered when studying to become an animator?
Ashleigh: Well of course they are many, one I was really young. I started when I was only 17 so it was a lot of stress for someone so young. The other is being a female in a male dominated field. I was told many times I have the talent, but because I was a "cute little girl" that I would have trouble being taken seriously. Sadly they were right
Arnold: I read mixed stories of families being supportive, passive, or non-supportive of family members going into visual arts based professions, was that the case within your own family?
Ashleigh: Well I've got to say I'm blessed with an amazing family. Even when things do get rough there for me, they stick by my side 100%
Arnold: Do you have any younger siblings or family members that have taken steps to follow in the bigger sisters footsteps?
Ashleigh: Nope, I do have an older sister that's an amazing writer, so one day you'll more than likely see something from her and I.
Arnold: Are either of your parents involved in the arts in anyway?
Ashleigh: Nope, my dad likes to mess with things though. He plays with 3d programs and PaintShop Pro. He comes up with some awesome stuff
Arnold: Who or what were the reasons that you decided to get into animation?
Ashleigh: For as long as I could remember I've wanted to be an animator. Animation is my passion. The ability to control the illusion of life is really humbling.
Arnold: Some people are able to retell of some pivotal moment, or some experience where they decided to pursue the career they're in, do you have a similar story behind your love for animation? Something that reached out to you in such a way that made you feel no doubt that you were going to become an animator?
Ashleigh: Oh yeah, I remember the exact second. I was about 3 or 4, when I went to see Disney's The Little Mermaid. The scene where Ariel is in her cavern singing "Part of Your World" where she looks up at the camera, the hair is twirling around her, well yeah I got this ache in my chest and got teary eyed and I knew right then that I had to one day make something like that. I needed to be an animator. As I grew older it obviously just got more intense. I would do research on animation history and nothing interested me more than things about animation.
Arnold: I see that animation is a very male dominated career field, but I'm sure there are other female animators you've come across. Have you ladies had the time to share stories and experiences to find some commonality with each other?
Ashleigh: I've talked to a few, and a lot of them have had similar experiences. I think that kind of goes for any woman in male dominated fields, but I feel that this generations' artists are totally going change that.
Arnold: What other killer female artists have you seen that you'd suggest people look in on?
Ashleigh: Wow, there are tons, lets see some of my favorites from DeviantArt are StabStabStab, Shortfury, Yamiza, Blueraptor77, Goblinqueen, Animatrixie, Ayanimeya. Please everyone check their work out
.
Arnold: Would the problems be different if you weren't "a cute little girl"?
Ashleigh: Honestly, I don't think I would have as many problems, I mean I still get even on DA "WOW YOU'RE A GIRL AND YOU DRAW GOOD?" as have many other killer female artists.
Arnold: What jobs have you held so far that you feel allowed you to develop yourself as a young professional artist/animator?
Ashleigh: I currently do work for Project 450 Studios. The guy I work for, Steve Valdez, has opened so many doors for me. I think not only has my skill has improved my confidence in myself has grown. So I'm very thankful to him and any opportunities that may come my way.
Arnold: I know very little myself about Project 450 Studios other then a few of the things I've seen over the last few years on online forums. What's your role with them, how long have you been involved, and what's it like in comparison to previous studios you've worked for?
Ashleigh: Well, the other art jobs I have were like Graphic Design so there's that difference for one, but yeah Project 450 is one of those studios that's still small so everyone does a little of everything. It's a great experience for someone just starting in the industry. We've done work for Spike TV, NFL, FedEx, and even worked on an independent film called Beach party on the Threshold of Hell. LOL as you can see, we're an open little studio.
Arnold: What advice do you have right now for the other young artists coming up the ladders right now?
Ashleigh: First off don't ever get discouraged and be positive! Only you can make your dreams happen and if you're always looking on the negative side of things you're just shooting your self in the foot. OH and gosh draw from life!!
Arnold: Any words of wisdom you'd give to the young ladies specifically?
Ashleigh: Same advice, keep positive and keep drawing.
Arnold: I just wanted to drop you a big thank you for your time with the interview. I'm still putting everything together, but it's looking pretty good so far. As of yet, I don't know what the publishing deadlines are for the paper on my campus, but as soon as I find out I'll be sure to let you know when this interview hits the stands. If you've got any input on how the interview went I'd really appreciate it. By the way, anyone you think I should interview next?
Ashleigh: The interview was fantastic, I had a blast with it man, and honestly totally an honor. You should check out Stephen Hetrick. He's a great artist who's also up and coming. Oh and my Fiancee
. Once again, thank you so much the time and picking me for the interview
. Take care!
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