mYRON blackstock
‘’Start today if you can’t today
- start tomorrow’’
- start tomorrow’’
Who is Myron Blackstock?
Myron is a young, aspiring, self-taught artist as a graphic designer, illustrator, animator, and the creator of the Pina To My Colada logo. He’s currently building his own brand by turning his passion and hobby into a full-time job.
Connect with the Myron
IG:Visual.Myro YouTube: Myroninja Facebook:MyroNinja |
Why graphic design/ animation?
At a very young age Myron had an interest in exploring his creative side with the tools that were available to him at the time.
‘’I remember the time when I used the camera which came with the PS2 game - EyeToy: Play and connected with my computer at the time and used that to make some StickMotion animations. I just used Play-Doh, Lego’s, and that kind of thing’’
However, during the interview Myron explained that his inspiration truly came at the age of 13, when he found an online community that shared the same dreams and desires. One of these online forums was StickPage, where fellow artists and creators enjoyed and shared animations and artwork ideas. During that time the Stick Figure animation gained huge popularity and Myron admitted himself that he also tried to create his own version and designs of stick figure. He also added that he did really enjoy creating this content and even revealed that he would love to try something like that again.
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Where did the passion came from?
‘’ When passion meets inspiration, an obsession is born’’
/RMV/
/RMV/
In the interview Myron explained that in 2015 YouTube became an incredibly important source of tools as he used the platform as the main resource to learn, share, and follow fellow peers. That’s when his passion and inspiration really grew incredibly strong by witnessing and exploring the industry through the YouTube. Furthermore, the idea of creating content and sharing that with other people truly inspired him. As well as it showed that this passion can be transformed into a profitable and realistic income from career prospect.
What are your proudest Achievements & Memorable Moments?
At the time when Myron was working at Nando’s, he was offered and accepted to participate in a competition where the participants was asked to create an animation based on the company’s values and to then present that at conference in London.
As part of the competition the contestants were only given 7 days to prepare and create an animation based in company’s vision (needs and wants). However, what many people don’t understand is that to create an animation in under 7 days, that it is incredibly hard if not impossible. In the interview Myron admitted that it took a lot from him to create and finish the animation. It must be noted that Myron was the only contest that presented fully finish animation amongst other contestants. |
When asked by the host how much time he would have wanted for the assignment, he quite honestly admitted that by judging the work he created he would have wanted to have another 10 days. Nevertheless, the animation was very well perceived and the feedback that Myron received was positive and inspiring especially coming from another contestant.
Myron also shared that one of his animations has reached currently 81 thousand of views on YouTube. Which has been published 3 years ago, however, the popularity in Myron words come over the night and only recently generated thousands of views. You can check out the animation on Myron’s YouTube channel under'Oney Plays Animated' Short - The Zach Pack.
Myron also shared that one of his animations has reached currently 81 thousand of views on YouTube. Which has been published 3 years ago, however, the popularity in Myron words come over the night and only recently generated thousands of views. You can check out the animation on Myron’s YouTube channel under'Oney Plays Animated' Short - The Zach Pack.
What are the hardest things you have faced in the industry?
When asked this question Myron claimed that one of the hardest things to understand is where to begin and to accept that time is your best friend. As well as confessing his own frustration explaining that before creating his own artwork, he always has a clear vision of the things he wants to achieve and if it cannot be achieved due to the lack of knowledge or skill that it absolutely irritates him.
Acknowledging that by being perfectionist may create disappointment and discouragement time to time. Including motivation and inspiration can play major impact on artists and their works. It’s also can be hard to find your own style and discovering yourself as the nature and the culture of industry is incredibly competitive. Myron advised when you’re facing challenges like this just ‘keep going and stay productive’ whether it’s doing research, creating project, or even looking after yourself as everyone needs a breaks time to time. As he suggests that its important and always okay to accept the time when you need a break. |
How do you keep yourself motivated?
’’In nutshell its other people arts in any form
like cartoons, music, drawings’’.
like cartoons, music, drawings’’.
As this inspires him by looking at other people creativity,
it keeps him to remind himself that he needs to keep going. Friendly competitive as it makes him aspire other artists and motivates him to carry on and better himself. Because no one is born with those with ability to create those masterpieces straightaway.
it keeps him to remind himself that he needs to keep going. Friendly competitive as it makes him aspire other artists and motivates him to carry on and better himself. Because no one is born with those with ability to create those masterpieces straightaway.
How to practise and develop your skills?
He kindly emphasises that everyone is different and will find different ways that are suitable for them. Personally, Myron prefers to be thrown into deep end as this is how he deals with different situations on daily basis. He admits that he never ‘goes into drawing’, thinking that would be easy by being realistic and understanding that process takes time. With every drawing that he drew, he admits that there has always been part that has been challenging for him, but he admitted that has never been intentional but rather his vision / ideas just happened to bring new things to the table.
During the interview you could feel how honest he was with understanding that process takes time and by becoming better you need to try things repeatedly. Because with each time you acquire new knowledge that will help you to improve for the next time. |
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The vision for the future
When asked about his future Myron expressed that he hopes and believes that he will be a fairly well-established artist with several high-profile collaborations with different artists on cool projects. However, one of the biggest goals Myron has is to be involved in some animation project that will be shown on the tv or other large platforms like Cartoon Network.
However, he expressed that there is level of uncertainty as he is a self-taught artist not knowing how far he can get with the advantages and disadvantages he possess. Although, he is excited of his future and things he can and will achieve.
However, he expressed that there is level of uncertainty as he is a self-taught artist not knowing how far he can get with the advantages and disadvantages he possess. Although, he is excited of his future and things he can and will achieve.
What do you think about the industry?
When asked to debunk some of the myths or stereotypes, Myron claimed that there isn’t many, but if he had to pick one, he said: ‘'People always assumes that I’m incredibly great at drawing on paper when looking at my work’'. Explaining that he’s not terrible but much rather prefers to draw digitally as he’s favourite button is ‘undo’. However, Myron also admitted that recently he did a drawing on paper and it was notable that his skills have got a lot better with the time, adding that both do come together hand in hand. |
Advice to fellow colleagues
‘’Start today if you can’t start today start tomorrow,
it doesn’t matter how much ability you have on the day one but it’s about the starting the journey to get better and take you somewhere’’.
it doesn’t matter how much ability you have on the day one but it’s about the starting the journey to get better and take you somewhere’’.
However, Myron emphasised that asking for the feedback is incredibly vital to your own progress, ask as many questions as possible, build and create the network around you. Admitting that some people may feel demotivated after seeing other artist work but encourage to shift that perspective to create it as inspiration and motivation.