ABOUT ME
Hello! I'm Sasha, a Bristol-based compositing artist and animator, originally from the Isle of Wight. I moved away from the Island when I was 21 and since then I have lived in many cities across the UK and travelled much of the world too. I have enjoyed many years working freelance and travelling at the same time. People call that being a "digital nomad" nowadays but I called it dossing about with no real aim and no direction. Despite being a lost soul for many years I had an amazing time, seeing the world, volunteering with animal charities, meeting loads of people and hearing the weirdest stories and having many of my own.
During 2020 I was extremely bored and decided impulsively to apply for a Masters Degree (a week before the course started). I got on the course off the back of this very portfolio, although it had practically nothing on it at the time & I built it in a panic the day before my interview.
Since doing that course in the depths of the pandemic, I had got my passion back and reignited my spark and have managed to build a far more impressive (I think) portfolio and have consistent work ever since.
These days I am far more grounded, I have settled in Bristol with an amazing person who I have had my first child with, a little boy. He's given me a real sense of purpose and a reason for everything I do, something I had sorely been missing.
OTHER PASSIONS
Animation aside, I have a deep love for children's book illustration, particularly the Victorian era. Among my greatest sources of illustration inspiration are Ernest Shappard, Molly Brett, Quentin Blake, Thelwell, Beatrix Potter, and Raymond Briggs. Their incredible styles have had a profound influence on both me and my art, shaping the way I approach and create.
I am particularly drawn to illustrations featuring wildlife, the British countryside especially.
In addition to my arty pursuits, I have a love for animals, nature, and wildlife. I find great joy in the company of animals and surrounding myself with nature. I have always been a really keen garden bird watcher and often find myself drawing & painting birds nearly every spring time. I am also very interested in animal welfare and been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity volunteer at the Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand, I worked in behavioural support and rehabilitation. It was tough at times (many bites) but It was an unforgettable experience.
I am traditional animation and classic cartoons fanatic (surprise, surprise) with a keen focus on the "Golden Age" spanning from 1928 to the late 60's. Exploring the relationship between animation and music, particularly classical, ragtime, and jazz, I even dedicated my dissertation to the subject. It's an exciting journey of discovery that continues to enrich my appreciation for the art forms I cherish.
