Interview with WasiWorks Founder and Artist: Odalo

2011-01-31T14:18:00.000-08:00

We caught up with WasiWorks Studios founder and artist, Odalo Wasikhongo, and asked him a few questions about his art, the direction he is taking WasiWorks Studios, and the world of entertainment production. Here's what he had to say...

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Odalo, I am an artist, also founder of WasiWorks Studios, where I do animation, film and children’s literature.

Why do you do what you do?

I do children’s literature and art (animation/film/illustration) as a means of educational entertainment. I aim to stimulate people through my works by creating thought provoking content in my art. I strive to ignite positive thinking and actions in the youth (children and young adults) with my works, in hopes of adding to the creation of a more positively influenced world in which we all can live and thrive.

When did you decide to become an artist?

I have always been an artist. I come from a long line of history of artists. I believe that artists are born, and then develop over time…some emerge early on the scene, while others meanwhile bud and bloom later in life.

Where did you train (and how did it influence you & your work)?

My mother, actually, was my first teacher and my greatest influence as an artist. She helped guide me to finding my own voice as an artist. As for training in animation I began my studies at CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) and continued developing through hands on experience while working production professionally in Hollywood. I learned a great deal about the animated world working with Creators and Producers Bruce Smith and Ralph Farquhar while working with Hyperion Pictures, Jambalaya Studio and Disney Channel on the hit series The Proud Family. It was there, working with the producers and the production team that I was introduced to the depths of the animation industry. I learned the tricks and gained much insight from the layout artists & color coordinators, timers, character and prop designers, writers, actors, and producers while working on the show. From there I took what I learned with me to every production set and continued to add on to my creative knowledge base. Working with the creators of the Proud Family, as well as production in general, I learned the importance of following your own creative ability and imagination. Honestly, I am very grateful for working with the people and studios I have, because at every corner I was encouraged to pursue my own creative ambitions, which led me to eventually starting up WasiWorks Studios.

Where do you get your ideas?

Honestly, a lot of my projects come from dreams or personal experiences that I have encountered. Some of the encounters were first hand while others I observed taking place in someone else’s life situations. It’s an amazing thing the mind…its like a whole nation of images in there waiting to expand out into the material world. Its those that take the time to give the creative mind its voice that are rewarded with the glorious title of being an artist.

What’s integral (essential) to the work of an artist?

Experience…without it our works seem incomplete. Its almost like asking a person who is blind ‘what color is the sky, right now’…though the blind person may be able to tell you ‘the sky is blue’, however without the experience of sight to see the sky at that specific moment, all the blind person can draw from is there own memory of the past of what the sky looked like when they did have sight and make a scientific judgment (based on time, geography, and climate) or otherwise, depend on someone else’s vision and conveyance of what it looks like but no real authentic input to contribute of their own. The artist’s experience will be shown and highlighted in the little tiny details of their work…as they say “its the little things that make the greatest difference.”

What role does the artist have in society?

I see the artist as the voice and reflecting image of society…almost like that of a reporter, or a mirror, and at their best a sage. Artist show society, and collectively humanity, where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going and have the potential to go. Artists mentally tap into a frequency that is experienced (on a physical level) by much of society, however the artists’ mental attachment to that frequency enables them to creatively perceive and give voice to the thoughts, values, and ideas of that frequency relative to humanity.

What work do you most enjoying doing?

That’s tough, man, I don’t really know…all of it honestly, the animation, the books, the music and film… It’s all relative, man. It’s all the same, one leads into the next. I’ve always been illustrating and writing poems and short stories, I could never just choose one, so I took the time to develop them all (animation, film, and children’s books). As a message to the youth and young adults everywhere, ‘you can be anything!’

What’s your favorite art work?

(Laughing) with cutout animation, which I love to do, it was actually a film my friend, and CalArts classmate, Max Weinthraup produced while attending CalArts which was a cutout animation featuring Michael Jackson in a dance-off against Jamiroquai…(laughing).

Who won the dance contest?

(Laughing) surprisingly Jamiroquai! He had Michael Jackson down to a tee though!

Is the life of an artist lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Wow, really…well…I guess it can be at times. Working all hours of the day and night, living by the impulse of creativity and inspiration, always searching ways to give life to that vision you see so clear in your mind, yet complex in its production. Yes it can be lonely so its good to have a good network of friends you can create with and share your art with so you can balance each other out. Your friends can give you feed back on your work and keep you informed of the social scene, who’s having a show, what’s coming up, who’s coming to town, as well as what opportunities are available up your alley. But if you’re searching for understanding, “i.e. someone understanding you AND your work,” you’ll be searching for a trillion years for someone to understand it like you (laughing)…that’s what YOU are for!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Follow your dreams, not the scene! You have to be you…nobody else can be that, nor be that for you. If you don’t be yourself and do your work you’ve cheated yourself and robbed your own self out of your own true life experience! We all have given talents and gifts were born with, its up to us to learn and nurture them…if we do (learn to nurture our gifts & talents) and take care of them, we’ll see that they’ll do the same for us as we continue to grow and develop them (our talents & gifts).

How Do You Feel About WasiWorks?

2010-11-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

WasiWorks welcomes and appreciates all comments and perspectives on our works and products. Please let us know how you feel! We appreciate your response!

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Interview with WasiWorks Founder and Artist: Odalo

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