California based artist Dennis Salvatier produces some extremely charming and appealing art. His portfolio is filled with distinct takes on characters from pop culture. Combining a strong eye for design with some really appealing character designs, it’s easy to see why his work is so popular. Browse his portfolio to see the diverse set of skills he brings to his illustration, logos and design work. We thought he’d bring a great perspective to the world of Pixar and he certainly didn’t disappoint. We’re thrilled with his adorable tribute to some of Pixar’s biggest films. Our thanks to Dennis for contributing this fantastic piece. Read on for more about Dennis in his own words.
Name: Dennis Tanoshiboy Salvatier
Website/Blog/Portfolio
I currently live in…
Pasadena, CA…yep, where the Tournament Of Roses Parade happens every year.
I consider my hometown to be…
Montebello, CA… it’s not a place most would want to visit, but it holds a special place in my heart. I met a few people there that absolutely changed my life.
My Favorite Pixar Movie is…
As a fan of storytelling, it has to be Monsters Inc. It’s absolutely perfect from beginning to end. It goes to show that solid storytelling can make you fall in love. The scene where Sulley says goodbye to Boo, and his eyes start to well up, gets me every single time.
My Favorite Pixar character is…
This is a tough one for me, because there are so many great characters. But if I had to pick one I’d go with Buzz. He’s the guy you’d love to go on an adventure with.
Tell us about your piece:
When I think of memorable stories, I think of those that get an emotional response from me. So I decided to create a scene of pure happiness starring Sulley, Mike, my favorite Pixar kids and few special guests. If I can make someone smile upon viewing my piece, I’ve done my job.
Who/What inspires you?
My father (who passed) continues to inspire me. He always said that you’re not truly living unless you’re taking risks and putting yourself out there. Most importantly he taught me that failure is okay – you only truly fail if you decide not to try again. But I’m also big on movies and music. The list is long, but there are lots of artists out there that I admire for their film making abilities or their ability to touch our souls with their music. Writers like Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Mark Waid also pump me up. And how can you go wrong with classic cartoons by Chuck Jones and Tex Avery?
Recommend something, anything to our readers:
I recommend everyone read Scott Belsky’s Making Ideas Happen. Then, you should look up the work of illustrators Winsor McCay, Moebius and Jack Kirby. Not only were these men incredible illustrators, but they created entire worlds. Plus, I love the fact that they rocked it without the use of computers. We’re so dependent on technology these days that we forget to pick up a pencil and just have fun. And if you’d like some of my own first-hand experience, here are some of my blog posts:
http://blog.salvatierstudios.com/2011/04/failure-is-option_26.html
http://blog.salvatierstudios.com/2011/10/10-musts-for-thriving-design-business.html
http://blog.salvatierstudios.com/2014/03/an-open-letter-to-young-artists.html
Shameless self-promotion:
If you’re in the Seattle area, I do lots of group shows with the Ltd Art Gallery, so keep an eye out. If you’re local to Southern California, I also do local shows and post about them on my Instagram (@tanoshiboy) and Facebook page along with doodles and works in progress. You can also visit my store for all sorts of prints and original artwork at tanoshiboy.com
www.dribbble.com/SalvatierDesign
If you’d like to be considered for a PixArt feature, send us a link to your portfolio for consideration. Contact Us today!
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