Meet Katie Marks | Artist/Animator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Marks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I think I have factored in more time to enjoy my life, especially since the pandemic began. I used to work 24/7, but realized that in order to maintain creative and personal growth, I have to regroup every so often. While the time put into any project or development is vital, so is the time to step away and take a break. I also find it helps me develop almost a second set of eyes on any issues that I”m having, as I’m able to take enough time away to have a fresh perspective upon returning.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think stop-motion animation in itself is something that sets me apart from a lot of people. There are several incredibly talented stop-motion animators, however the amount of them pales in comparison to digital 2D animators. From there, my ability to craft my 2D puppets to the likeness of a person and bring them to life is something that definitely sets me apart from other animators.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Usually, my go-to’s are a band I’m interested in seeing or any place that serves a good bowl of Ramen. I always go to a history museum in any city I’m touring as every area has a unique story that contributes one way or another to our society as a whole. When I’m home in Lexington, Zundo Ramen is my favorite. When I visit my hometown Dayton, The Barrel House is one of my favorite stops.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I always give credit to anyone who has ever hired me for a project. It takes a great deal of trust and belief in someone to enshrine their vision and bring it to life, so anyone who has ever used me to bring their visuals to fruition gets all the credit. Aside from that, I do have to thank Clyde Petersen for showing me the doors to so many opportunities that I did not know were available to explore. I feel incredibly lucky for the journey that my art has taken me on so far, and it’s only by the people who believed in me that I’ve made it here.

Website: www.katieannmarks.gay

Instagram: www.instagram.com/i_am_katie_marks

Image Credits
Katie Ann Marks, Logan Lynn/Kill Rock Stars