Artist acts with pencil

By Jessica McDonald

mcdo0361@algonquincollege.com

An animator is an actor with a pencil, and for Marc Christie, giving illusion to life with drawings is more than an occupation – it’s self-expression.

“I just draw what I like. When I’m sad, I’ll draw something sad. When I’m happy, I’ll draw something happy,” said Christie.

When going through hard times, he can turn to his sketch book and draw something to feel better.

Graduate of the animation program at Algonquin, Christie began working as an animator immediately after completing his three year program in April 2008. 

 Before he began the animation program, he took a pre-animation program at the college, which he said helped him build his portfolio.

“I did things I would’ve never thought to do on my own. The program gave me a good base, I made a portfolio and got me into first year,” he said.

According to Christie, not everyone in the program was guaranteed a job, but by working hard, doing the work, and being passionate, the small industry of animation has a lot to offer.

“Teachers warned me it’s hard work, when there’s work they told me to work. The industry is cyclical, sometimes there’s a lot of work, and sometimes there’s no work,” said Christie.

In five years from now, he would like to submit illustrations to magazines.

“Animation is you’re taking a character and moving it, creating the illusion of life ... illustration is static and beautiful,” said Christie.

Friends have asked him to draw their tattoos, and although it’s not something he would consider as an occupation, he enjoyed doing it.

Christie suggested that artists find what they love to do, but also create something that is in demand.

“Find whatever art is being asked for,” he said.

Regardless of what art is high in demand, Christie enjoys his job as an animator and aspires to see his name on a comic book that he has drawn.

“It’s the only job I’ve looked forward to going to because I love what I do and I learn something new every day,” said Christie.

For other artists, Christie suggested people be certain it’s what they want to do.