Brynn Metheney puts the “dragons” in Dungeons & Dragons.
While many of her animals come from imaginary worlds, they look like they could exist in this one…
In part one of our interview, we talk about Brynn’s childhood in the desert, how her father’s job as an engineer helped her understand creature design, and how she makes her animals feel so real…
Spoiler alert: it does not involve sitting still.
Ejiwa Ebenebe – now a producer on The ArtCast – joins me as co-host.
Listen To Part 1 Of Our Interview With Brynn Metheney:
[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]
Awesome Links:
Music by Storybook Steve and Kangaralien
Please Share Your Thoughts…
Today Brynn talked about finding the similarities in animals and using those “blueprints” to engineer imaginary creatures.
Have you ever found a new idea by closely observing reality?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
As a lover of animals and monsters, Brynn is one of my top inspirations 🙂 It’s so great to listen to how she got to the point of mastery she is today. So much curiosity and love!
“Curiosity and love” << That's a perfect description of Brynn, Charlotta. So cool to know that she's an inspiration to you.
Yeah, she’s even more inspiring now that I’ve gotten to hear about her life and work in her own words 🙂 fantastic episode! Can’t wait for part 2.
Hi Charlotta!
Yes!! Brynn is an amazing person – so full of wisdom and insight! I really admire her endless curiosity and dedication.
Super happy that you enjoyed this episode 😀
I especially liked what she said at the end, something like: “Even if you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, keep making work, because at least then you’ve made work!”
It’s very encouraging to hear that despite having doubts and struggling, you can still become a fantastic artist 🙂
Yes that’s exactly right! And I love love love that statement – it’s such an actionable piece of advice 🙂
I agree, Charlotta. So inspiring! Zinged me straight to the core.
Hey Neru!
YESSSS!! So happy this was so impactful for you! Brynn’s insight was definitely mindblowing for me too 😀
And omg, comparative anatomy would be such an awesome class to take!
“When you’ve no idea what you’re doing, make some work because at least you’re making work” Needed to hear this. Thank you.
So good! Thanks for commenting, Ramya!
Woo! Hey Ramya! So glad this was helpful for you 😀
This was awesome to listen to. I was not aware of Brynn’s work before this interivew but I’m so happy to know it now! Her story really resonnantes with aspects of my own, especially as a kid. Her geekness is my geekness (yet X10!!) so it was awesome to listen to her go off on animal anatomy and what she loves to do. Really great advice for anyone who wants to dig deep in anatomy.. it makes me want to do more! 😀 So inspiring! Thank you so much.
That’s a great point, Melanie. The most successful professional artists I know are also total geeks about their specializations (among other things). Passion is key.
Hey Melanie!
Yay!! Thanks for your comment 😀 And right there with you on the geekiness – it’s always a blast hearing people discuss things that resonate with them!
Chris, I teach junior high art in the public school. We are making creatures out of clay, and listened to this podcast while we worked. Thank you for keeping it clean so that I can share with them! Maybe one day, I will pass on one of my students to you!
That is a delight to hear, Brittany. Thank you for sharing and for investing in the kiddos! Would be great to have your students join OA in the future.
Wow, that was awesome! I LOVE how she talked bout moving and feeling what it would feel like to that animal. Like in a tree, or landing on the ground…that would make SUCH a difference. Thanks!!
Crystal
Makes you want to walk around like a sabre-toothed tiger or something, doesn’t it? Thanks for posting, Crystal!
Such a great interview! You could really feel her enthusiasm for drawing and painting animals through the audio! I loved the part where she was super honest about being an introvert and the need to be alone and recharge, I could really relate to that feeling.
Brynn has such a nice relationship with her old art, looking back at it to see how much she has improved, I think is it very encouraging to do this once in a while and I am definitely going to do the same soon!
Thank you for this amazing interview, so many great lessons in this one. Now I am going to listen to it 10000 times more 😀
Thanks, Nienke! I’m happy to hear that you got so much out of the interview! Love it!
It was a lovely interview.. Is so good to listen to her speak about her work and stories, I cal feel the happyness… I wouldn’t describe her as an introverted person at all, but I am so glad she explained this part of her personality, it makes me feel more calm about my own. I do believe we should always try to improve ous selves, but its good to know that all kind of people found their way to work with what they want.
Thanks for your comment, Nevitiv! Yes, it definitely helps our artistic growth to know we’re working toward a goal that brings us creative fulfillment.
SO many jewels in here. Finding your “thing” through what you doodle, daydream about, pay attention to, spend your money on, is a good inner voice to listen to. I couldn’t help but giggle and relate, when she talked about “alone time” when she was a kid. I’m also now totally inspired to study animal skeletons to see how “we are all the same”, and how that make sense as a part of how we relate to animals. Such a great interview!
Thanks, Elinore! Yeah that doodles thing is sUUUper-helpful. And I’m curious about how many listeners had to get up and move around like an animal while listening to this interview 😉
Hi all! I am totally addicted to ArtCast and PaperWings podcasts. I really love them and I am so glad you are all here doing what you do.
There are so many quirks about myself as an artist that I’ve heard repeated by the artists on these podcasts. I didn’t even realize I was so isolated.
I once had an ex that told me I should stop drawing pretty women and only do other stuff because everyone draws pretty women and I wouldn’t stand out. Not realizing that drawing pretty women was a connection I had with other artists and the hint to my own inclinations as an artist, I got scared of “blending into the crowd” and followed his advice. That’s bad advice combined with another bad decision. I was working 10 hour shifts as a veterinary assistant and so I decided that I couldn’t waste time with movies or anything that wasn’t DRAWING. It lead to the WORST artist’s block I have ever experienced in my life. I dried up of inspiration and motivation and my own inclinations were chained by this idea that common=wrong.
I’ve since broken free… I’ll defend my right to watch a movie to anyone. I’ll wear a lab coat while I do it and write it off my taxes as research, because I feel it’s so vital to nurturing myself as an artist.
The echoes of that damage that still remains, gives me a hesitancy to draw the pretty women that once we’re the bread and butter of my personal expression and love of drawing. They were what brought me to the table to learn all the other things.
Brynn has such a wonderful natural inclination for her animals that was nurtured by her father and mentors. Was there ever a hiccup for her or any of you? A doubt in your own inclinations as an artist that was fueled by someone else’s fear and turned into a block? How did you recover?
Thank you so much for all the great conversation, it’s been so healing for me overall.
Huge fan,
Mia
Hi, Mia. I know too many artists who got the wind knocked out of them because of a thoughtless criticism from someone else. You are the captain of your own ship. Life is way too short to let anyone steal your happiness from you. Keep us posted on your growth. Stay strong and stay close. HUGZ
Thank you Chris <3
Hey Mia! I’m sorry someone (once) close to you threw such a stumbling block in your path, and I’m glad to hear you’ve managed to move past it.
It’s been implied in my family all my life that art–while a good hobby–is not a “real” career, and I was consciously and subconsciously pushed away from pursuing it for years. Only recently is it sinking in that yes, I could do this for a living, and yes, it is a worthy use of my time, energy, and efforts. I still have days where I feel guilty for choosing this over the more profitable/reliable/whatever things my parents hoped I would do, but they’re getting fewer and further between, and I’m more and more confident that I can “make it” with my work.
Basically the thing that helps me feel better about my work is just making my art and sharing it. I have a day job, and I freelance, but I also always make sure I work on MY art–my passion project, which is a series of illustrated short stories about sentient songbirds in a magic-wielding society. I love doing it with all my heart, and people seem to enjoy it. Just make the work you love to make, stay humble and keep learning, and let the world’s reaction prove you detractors wrong.
Thanks for sharing, and wishing you the best!
Thanks Neru! I think I would definitely be described as a character lol. Is a 24 hr comic something specific? Do you mean like of a day in my life?
Funnily enough, I first saw Brynn’s work via stumbling upon her “Shark Cats” series. Now I’ve become acquainted with more of her work, and realized I’ve also seen her RPG stuff! I love to see how all these people come together and connect under the OA sphere.
I especially liked the part about “acting out” your stuff–beyond just shooting reference poses, actually acting it out. …I’m glad I’m not the only one who does this…
The “just make work” bit at the end was the perfect note to end on too. Lately this idea has been pushing my art making. Looking forward to the next part!
Awesome, Connor! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Brynn, for your wonderful contribution to this Podcast!
PS: “Official Creature Teacher” XD Hahaha!
Thanks, Neru! Chris’s podcast has certainly influenced my teaching to equip them early with skills and motivation. So many people don’t realize the reality of art careers, and how often those professionals began their career in junior high!
Thanks so much for this! I loved hearing Brynn’s story, especially from her childhood in the desert and her preoccupation with making sure her creatures “work”. You can tell just by looking at them that they are engineered as much as they are designed–very inspiring.
I grew up outside also, running around with and observing animals (and pretending to be one)–though in East Coast forests and creeks rather than deserts–and have turned a love of animals and understanding how they work into a career in science illustration. I’ve always loved making monsters as well, and have dabbled in creature design, though I’ve been hesitant to try making a career out of it. Hearing this–especially the bit about just having fun with your work!–makes me want to tackle it seriously.
I also appreciated the discussion of social media’s constant fib that no one ever struggles with their work. Thank you for the reminder that all of us draw crap we don’t want anyone else seeing sometimes.
Looking forward to part 2! 🙂
Great interview guys! Brynn’s work is awesome and inspiring as well. I love animals and drawing them as well, so i can so relate to many of the things she spoke of. The volume and structure is amazing and it will sure fuel my 5:30am daily drawing sessions. One thing Ive learned is to get up and get busy while everyone else is sleeping. 🙂 Also if anyone is interested there is a book “Force Animal Drawing” By Mike Mattesi that talks about comparative anatomy between humans and animals. Its a great book on the subject!
It’s possible for all do do what they love, it takes courage to go do it.
Look forward to more inspiring conversation! keep it up guys!