Meet Gabi O. Fernandes | 3D Character Animator, 3D Generalist and Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabi O. Fernandes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabi O., we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think that risk taking is a very big part of life. Without it, we accommodate and settle for less than what we are meant to do, or are able to achieve! Fear, most of the time, keeps us from being the best possible version of ourselves and paralyzes us of going after the things that will bring us the most success and satisfaction. My whole path in Animation started with an enormous risk: Leaving a relationship, a job, my family and friends, in order to pursue a career as a 3D Artist in the United States. As hard as taking that leap of faith was, for the first time in my life I feel I am doing what I am meant to be doing and working on something that gives me a lot of meaning and fulfillment!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has been based on my main artistic ideal: the portrayal of human emotions. I realized that my biggest inspirations came from the films, and books that explore human psychology and through them, I saw how an artist can connect to the public on a very deep and personal level. My art revolves around personal, deep feelings, and the struggles we all face in this madness that we call living. No, my career path has not been easy! And it still isn’t! Rejection, fear, insecurities, and long hours of work all play a part in the path to success. Furthermore, my coping mechanism are still a work in progress! Sometimes we end up relying too much on our loved ones, sometimes we want to give up and just go do something that will be easier on us! But doing something that matters, telling stories that can inspire other people, knowing that we have a chance to contribute to a better and healthier society, are the biggest things that I hold onto in order to cope with the difficulties of it all. I think the biggest lesson I have learned so far is perseverance. Believing in ourselves, believing in our dreams and believing that we are here to make a difference. Even when it feels tiny, small or insignificant, be sure that it never is. One of the strongest quotes I have read that I never forgot is, “If your dreams can’t handle a ‘no’, how big is your dream?”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, my best friend from Brazil, Fernanda Passos, asked me the same question two days ago! Here, in Atlanta, I would definitely take her to amazing outdoor locations, to see waterfalls and a lot of nature. Definitely a tour of Ponce City Market and afterwards to grab a beer at local bars such as The Independent, The Local or Smiths’ Olde. We would also spend a lot of time at Target, just to be amazed on a store that has everything in one! My favorite places to eat are The Farm Burger and Thaicoon Sushi Bar. We would also definitely take a look at the Brazilian Marietta scene, just so I could show her that I can also get all of our local food here to! Furthermore, I would also take her to Five Little Points, for some different restaurants and a bunch of amazing murals. Last but not least, the Martin Luther King Museum, which has amazing historical facts and where I loved to be at, and then maybe the Coca-Cola Museum? I have never been and a lot of people say it was an amazing experience!

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?
First and foremost, I wouldn’t be where I am without the help and support of my family. While coming from a Brazilian/Italian heritage, family always meant being together, sharing a meal and supporting each other through thick and thin. Especially during Quarantine, when I was unable to come home to Holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, my entire family, especially my mom, stepdad, stepmom and my sisters, where the biggest support system I could hope for. Furthermore, my father, a very successful man that came from very humble origins, was the one who pushed me — and still does –to be the better and most successful version of myself, encouraging me to take risks, watching cartoons with me as a kid and who is always teaching me the most valuable life lessons. Secondly, my friends, from the United States and Brazil, without them I wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much as I have today! And finally, the SCAD Atlanta community. The amazing teachers at the Animation department taught me the basics of everything I know today, believed in me, taught me how to enhance my skills and never settle for less, and who gave me the biggest network of success. I am so grateful to have been able to study at this amazing campus!

Website: https://www.gabiofernandes.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabi_o_fernandes/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabi-o-fernandes-762521b7/

Image Credits
Crossing Over Film Animated Shots: Gabi O. Fernandes and Nick Manning Lighting: Amber Patel Textures: Neivy Martinez, Gabi O Fernandes and Teresa Nguyen Rigging: Trent Bellet Modeling: Gabi O. Fernandes Art Direction: Denise Anger and Tammy Lee