Meet Grace Hayes-Dineen | 2D Animator & Fantasy Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace Hayes-Dineen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
No matter where my life took me, I think I always would have wanted to be an artist. I feel that expressing ourselves creatively is one of the few ways we humans can capture our feelings with as much accuracy and nuance as possible, and by showing that captured feeling to other people, we can understand each other more deeply.

So for me, art is all about forging a connection with other human beings. When I was very young, I initially wanted to be a writer, after I was so inspired by all the fantasy books I voraciously consumed at every opportunity. I even used to get in trouble for reading under my desk when the teacher wasn’t looking! It felt like true magic, being able to get a glimpse of other people’s imaginations. All art, no matter the medium, feels that way to me – a glimpse of someone’s soul.

Over time, my desire to write morphed into an interest in illustration, which morphed into a journey studying animation in art school. And now here I am! I’ve been working as a professional animator for almost 4 and a half years now. And by making art every day, I get the chance to be part of that cycle of inspiration and creation that got me started on this path!

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Many artists find that having experience in multiple disciplines can always help fuel their creative endeavors, and I am no exception! I grew up heavily involved in theater, and at one point even considered studying it in college. I still use all the creative skills I gained from theater every day in order to do things such as convey convincing character acting or find the best composition and framing for shots. It’s the animator’s job to make sure the audience can connect to what’s on screen, and actors do the same thing while on stage. As an animator, I’m always acting and drawing simultaneously.

It hasn’t always been easy. Especially with the current state of the entertainment industry, it’s easy to attach your entire self worth to your professional artistic endeavors. But over the years, I’ve tried to be incredibly mindful about separating my work and my personal art, taking care to carve out a space in my mind that is just for things that I make for fun. In turn, that helps me manage my time more effectively so I can make sure I take time both for myself and my own creative outlets outside of work. I feel it’s super important for every creative to be able to do art that’s also just for leisure!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love taking my friends to breakfast at Flying Biscuit whenever they come to visit, so we’d start the day there, or grab coffee or tea at one of the many amazing coffee shops in the city! I always try to go to the local Botanical Gardens at least once a year, so I frequently take any visiting friends and family there too. The blooms are especially beautiful in the spring! Afterwards, if we want to enjoy a picnic in nature, we could pack food or get take out around one of the city’s many beautiful parks. If it’s the weekend, we could even pick up delicious fresh veggies and fruit from one of the farmers markets.
Choosing a spot for dinner can be tough because everyone wants something different, and Atlanta has so many amazing places to offer. But going to either Krog Street or Ponce City Market is a surefire way to please everyone, because of their wide variety of eateries to choose from!
In the evening we could go to a music venue for a performance, catch a movie at one of the many amazing theaters here, or go for an evening stroll down the Beltline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without the love and support of my best friends Skipper Stow, Luca Africa, and Louis Lee, as well as my parents and all my siblings, I wouldn’t be the person or artist I am today. I am so incredibly lucky to have such an abundance of wonderful, inspiring, and creative people in my life who always have cheered me on and been in my corner. To all my friends and family, a million thank yous!

I also have to give special thanks to Anna Malatinszky and Eli Orth. We became friends when I moved to Atlanta for my first job out of college, and they welcomed me into life here with open arms, helping me feel like I could get my footing in this new and exciting place. I am forever grateful!

Website: https://www.ghayesdineen.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-hayes-dineen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_GraceHD