Don
Dixon was born 1978 in Raleigh North Carolina. His father
created robotics during a time where technology was booming. This
career brought Don to California where his father got his first
big job at Atari. Always surrounded by creativity Don knew he
had it in him to create works that could ignite the flame of imagination
of the youth. It was when his father taught him to draw Popeye
that the dream was set into motion.
Drawing has always been a passion for Don, With his father’s career
moving him into the realm of robotic toys, Don was even more surrounded
by creativity. Focusing on his art and paying attention to the
many surroundings and environments, he was brought into from moving
around so much to states like California, Colorado, New Jersey,
and Michigan.
It
was when he moved to Michigan at the age of 15 that he heard about
an arts school way up north in Interlochen Michigan. This school,
the Interlochen Arts Academy awarded Don the Skillman Scholarship
which was a scholarship for minority students in the Detroit area.
Don was given full tuition as a visual arts student. It was at
this school that Don truly began teaching himself the fundamentals
of fine art.
After
his graduation from IAA, Don headed south to the Savannah College
of Art and Design. He attended for two years and continued
his studies back in Michigan at the College for Creative Studies
after hard work and dedication he received his BFA in Animation
and Digital Media. Now out of school for one year, Don has created
his own website to showcase his talents, and has worked on various
freelance projects, for various small animation houses. New to
a competitive industry Don’s passion for what he does is truly
an inspiration. He does it for the mere love of doing it and although
finished with school, he feels that his road to learning art and
animation are just beginning.
Don's
thoughts on Production:
It has always been my belief that production is a process in which
the artist must be strict yet be willing to throw that strictness
out the door when necessary. The fun factor is a must when I work,
I have to be able to think creatively and if that means acting
a little crazy at times to get the final product then that’s what
I do. I feel it’s also very important to have all the conceptual
work at hand. It just makes the process flow. That’s the key to
everything in animation is flow. It is something that I have yet
to master, but I will dedicate my entire life to getting there.
As a talented traditional artist, drawing has always been the
back bone to what I do. With a good drawing anything is possible.
It’s the drawing that’s the foundation to what your entire work
will look and feel like. The animation industry is a new world
to me, one that I grow to understand more and more each day. Because
the animation industry is so new to me I haven’t much more to
say except that good art comes from well thought out ideas. Learning
this is taking me to new levels. To do what others out there do
is truly a gift. You have the key to the golden city and have
unlocked the doors to a world that inspires. I feel as though
I have just stepped to the door. I hope to one day walk on in!
