Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Hendrickson.
Hi Curtis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started showing interest in the arts at a very young age. I’m fortunate to have parents that support me to pursue a career in the arts and have worked towards financial sustainability ever since then. My first love was stop motion animation and as a kid, I dreamed of working at a studio like Aardman Animation. I never got to Aardman, but I did get to help out a small company in Lehi Utah when I was 13. I was given the task of building pottery for set background and applying leafs to a giant tree. The Company has since gone out of business and that was something that spoiled my dreams of working in the stop motion industry. I studied at the University of Utah and received a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in 2019. I went to school for far too long while battling addiction and depression. I was raised Mormon, but I no longer believe in or practice. My family is all active members, and I am one of six kids. I am the only member of the family that left the church. It’s the best decision I’ve made for my own well-being and sanity.
My latest work involves more lighthearted approaches to more serious issues. Mental illness and addiction are a subject I continually think about and struggle with personally. I painted a Wilson’s plover drinking beer and it’s surrounded by piles of trash. To me, the bird is using alcohol to cope with the state of its own environment. Addiction is a response to the individual’s exterior stimulus and not a failing of the individual’s character. The painting is also just a silly drunk bird illustration.
I recently moved to Orlando with my Significant Other while she attends school here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve battled depression and anxiety most of my life. I was diagnosed with ADHD at fifteen.
I struggled academically throughout my education experience.
Addiction is a little monster that I have battled for a long time, I’m ten years free of opiates and that was the substance of choice way back in my early twenties.
I’m California sober nowadays and loving life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m currently working on illustrations of wildlife in Florida. I just started a patreon and work on building a fan base to build up enough money to make a book/graphic novel. For a really long time, I was painting robots. While they will always hold a special place in my heart, I’m taking a break from them.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I loved animals as a little kid and dinosaurs who doesn’t though? I was a high energy impulsive kid who didn’t want to the fun to end.
I was obsessed with Jurassic Park and Star Wars. I found escaping into imaginary worlds was my sanctuary.
Pretty typical kid
Pricing:
- 300 “drunken plover”
- 400 “kingfisher”
- 300 “Mr. Turkey”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chendy.net
- Instagram: instagram.com/chendy
- Other: patreon.com/c_hendy
