Blog |
The PVS Virtual Internship ProgramIn today’s industry landscape many art students are hard-pressed to find opportunities to gain real world experience and training to supplement their higher education and career development. Prime Vice Studios has established its Virtual Internship Program to give opportunity to talented students who wish to gain valuable experience and/ or earn academic credit for their efforts. This interview series seeks to highlight our interns, share their testimonials and assist them on their creative journey.  About The CreatorLily Newton is an illustrator and visual development artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her work plays with themes of nature, fantasy, and nostalgia. She is a lover of all things whimsical and loves to showcase the magic in the mundane in her art. As she prepares to graduate from Kennesaw State University with a BFA in Illustration in the fall of 2025, she is excited to bring her unique perspective to the industry. PVS Internship ExperienceThank you for providing your internship testimony. Please share why you did an internship with PVS? I wanted to do this internship with PVS to experience a professional setting which could reflect the industries I want to work in. The freedom the program lends to students allowed me to create work for my portfolio while developing my professional skills and collaborating with other talented artists and professionals. Can you share the most interesting story/ stories that happened to you since you began the internship with PVS? The Discord group for the internship was always a good time. It was nice to see how my fellow interns were progressing in the program. Sharing my feedback with them and hearing their feedback for my work created a very positive and encouraging environment. Pivotal Moments of the InternshipWe often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share one that you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned? One mistake I made was with a concept art piece I created where I neglected to add textures to some of the surfaces in the environment. When I received feedback about this from Mr. Perez, I wanted to be finished and not have to fix my error, but knew that the input would improve my work. I worked hard to make sure that I effectively implemented his feedback and the painting was greatly improved due to this! Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized that the internship was actually making a significant impact in your life? As I added my work from the internship to my portfolio, I realized that it had allowed me to finally start creating visual development work that I had been scared to start. The VIP (Virtual Internship Program) gave me the boost I needed to start work that can lead me to a career in animation in addition to illustration. Skills Acquired, Skills Gained & Connections MadeLily, please share what skills you've acquired through your experience with our internship In the VIP, I gained design skills in the context of IP creation, as well as strengthened my time management skills and professional communication skills. How about knowledge you gained? I strengthened my knowledge of character design, world-building and story writing, as well as IP development and copyright. Thank you. Tell us about the connections that you’ve made while working with us? I am happy to have connected with PVS and the network of interns and artists within their community who I can continue to connect with in the future. Vision For The FutureImagine we’re sitting down together two years from now or further looking back. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress? I would love to have received opportunities in the animation or illustration industry from the work I made in the VIP. If the pieces I made during my time here, or ones I make following the program relating to the story I developed, I would be ecstatic! What do you hope your art/IPs will do in the world? I want my art to inspire others to look around and recognize that despite the gloom we are increasingly seeing, wonderful things are everywhere if you know where to look. Connection is everything, and often a little magical. I want to give people a sense of that with my work. Advice For Creators & Future InternsFrom your perspective who should do this internship? Who would you recommend for this internship? The VIP is especially beneficial for students who are interested in selling products using their original artwork such as comics, stickers, apparel, or other merchandise. The program specifically focuses on sequential art but can be attuned to other industries such as animation in my case. What advice would you give to interested students? Have specific goals in mind even before you start the internship as it is highly self-directed. What career are you interested in, and how can you complete the program in a way that can help you get there? What kind of products would you be interested in creating? Most importantly, use the time and resources given to you to make what you want to create. People can see your voice in your work and that is what makes your work stand out and ultimately successful. Final ThoughtsWhat type of clients, audience do you want to connect with or work for? I would love to work on tv or film animation, picture books, and freelance illustration projects. If you also love the whimsical things in life, I am happy to work with you! This was great. Thanks for taking time for us to learn more about you and your art. We wish you continued success! Creator Contact InfoReach out to Lily via the following links and contacts! Website: lilynewton.myportfolio.com Social Media: @berryhourz (Instagram, Twitter) Email: [email protected] Creator Art Gallery If you or someone you know would like to apply to be a PVS intern, apprentice, or volunteer fill out an application by clicking the button below.
0 Comments
The PVS Virtual Internship ProgramIn today’s industry landscape many art students are hard-pressed to find opportunities to gain real world experience and training to supplement their higher education and career development. Prime Vice Studios has established its Virtual Internship Program to give opportunity to talented students who wish to gain valuable experience and/ or earn academic credit for their efforts. This interview series seeks to highlight our interns, share their testimonials and assist them on their creative journey. Johnathan Jackson About The CreatorJohnathan is currently studying Digital Animation and striving to give life to his characters and stories to make an impact on the world. His goal is to work with an animation studio such as Sony Pictures, DreamWorks, or LionForge Entertainment while working as a freelance artist immersing himself in various mediums and careers. Art has always been a source for him to thrive, express himself, and have fun whenever he needs to. He is interested in and works with concepts, illustrations, animations, and creating comics. When it comes to his style, it involves dynamism, realism, quirkyness, and an aesthetic feeling. This not only fuels his creativity but also adds on to the way he likes to depict himself and others in his art. Hope, diversity, and adapting is a strong source of motivation for him as he loves to take on challenges and adapt to them as he advances in his journey to create a great story featuring many unique aspects. Johnathan is a 2D traditional and digital artist, animator, illustrator and comic artist currently residing in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area. InterviewThank you so much for providing your testimonial. Our readers want to know you a bit better. Please tell us your Origin Story. I was born and raised in Conyers, GA with an interest in art ever since I was four years old. I never had much guidance or classes to help me along my journey and was more of a self-taught artist. However, this did not stop me from pursuing art and exploring my talent and interest in what it had to offer. I never understood many things related to art and mostly practiced drawing the characters I liked such as Sonic, Mario, Pokemon, and other cartoons. I looked at more animated shows growing up and finally gained an art teacher in high school who allowed me to test my abilities. This allowed me to understand what I was capable of and helped me recognize that creating animations and concepts was something that I wanted to do in the future. After considering many things in my life and gaining acceptance in Kennesaw State University’s art program, I have made it to where I am now. I am trying and striving to represent the importance of art while influencing others through hope, perseverance, my art and story. PVS Internship ExperienceWhy did you do an internship with PVS? I wanted to build my own intellectual property while enhancing my animation, conceptual development, storytelling, marketing, and copyrighting skills. On top of improving my brand, becoming a professional, gaining a diverse network, and working with and assisting clients through commissions. What was your experience like in the internship? Can you share the most interesting stories that happened to you since you began the internship with PVS? My experience with Prime Vice Studios was great and I love going to their workshops which are held at the Syndicate Comic Shop. They have helped me feel included, understood, and have been nothing but inspiration to expand my perspective and story. What really helped me see the benefits and importance of connecting was when I went to one of the workshops and got a commission on the spot. It was from the comic shop owner, John Cirami, where he wanted me to work on a variant blank comic cover for him. This allowed me to understand what it felt like to take opportunities when given and interacting with the community around me. Pivotal Moments of the InternshipWe often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share one that you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned? Before starting the internship, I had already been going to the Prime Vice Studios workshops at the Syndicate Comic Shop. In one of these workshops, one of the employees mentioned that there were variant blank comic covers I could work on if interested. I was hesitant at first but didn’t want to let this chance go as I wanted to immerse myself in more. After taking a few, I thought of ideas and started working on one of them which happened to be a completely black cover. This means that it is not easy to apply pencil or much of anything since it will fade due to the material and color. As a result, I asked the owners of PVS for help and they advised me to use certain materials and try my best to let colors like white pop out more. Even with the advice it was still a challenge to work on the commission due to a limited budget, needing light to shine on the pencil I applied, and carefully working around what I could see. This wasn’t the only thing that I struggled on, I also had to learn about pricing my work, how to talk to my client about what they truly want, and having to eventually add color. Something I gained was confidence and more professionalism when I talked to the owner and asked them as much as I could to ultimately help them with the work they gave me. On top of this, there were even other professional artists in the shop that I personally interacted with to help me with the black cover. Once I got as much confirmation as I could, I knew that it was my job to take my time and do the work without waiting too long. The more I wait, the more I become unsure and start second guessing which is something I did not want to do. In the end, the colors came out just as I wanted and expected but like previously mentioned, it was difficult to truly make them pop without the proper materials. Additionally, they even bled through the other side of the cover. This mistake and saying yes to certain opportunities has helped me value time, myself, and that as long as I prioritize patience, consideration, and communication that I can make it through any obstacle. Even today, I am happy with the piece since I was able to sell it and am glad that I was tasked with such a challenge. Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized that the internship was actually making a significant impact in your life? Something that opened my eyes was when I about halfway through the workbook Prime Vice Studios provided us interns with to conceptualize ideas, create characters, and learn about storytelling. I was in a section specifically for world building and I was able to see how great it was to look at things from a different perspective compared to everything being the same. For example, I would think of my story as a whole, mixing all the characters, stories, themes, and locations. However, when I cleared my mind and viewed my project in a more simpler way, it helped me learn how to focus on every aspect on its own. They all have their own significance so it's nice to separate and create my story through even the smallest of ideas. Once I had expanded these smaller ideas, it turned into a network of many others that could tell its own story without characters or anything special. Overall, this intrigued me to further look into the little and seemingly not as important aspects that allowed me to learn more about myself, my story, techniques such as starting small and taking time, along with many other things about life in itself. Can you tell us more about your experience at events you’ve attended? The most that I did when attending events was going to the in-person workshops at the Syndicate Comics Shop. They were always great and I have already been going to them since January 2025. The community is great at the Syndicate Comics Shop and it was nice to see how to make more connections with people. I have learned a lot and am confident to say that I have successfully started making my comic after a couple of months. It took some time but it was needed so that my characters, story, and style could improve into what I have now. If anyone is interested, then make sure to attend one of these workshops because PVS are certified teachers and are here to help. Thanks! You also participated in additional activities. Please share about that experience. One night, Carlos, the owner of PVS, started a livestream showcasing his artwork and one of the commissions he was working on. I joined this livestream and made sure to let myself be known through the chat and talking to him about it during one our meetings. It was pretty interesting seeing how the livestreams work and what it takes to be a professional artist. I liked watching him do his work and learning a few things about the colors he uses and how he approaches certain parts of the piece. Knowledge & Skills AcquiredJohnathan, please share about new skills you’ve gained during the internship. I now have a new style of exaggeration and dynamism. After using the resources PVS gave me and doing exercises, I have been able to visually express my art in a way that tells the story or idea more effectively. This can mean warping my design to help my audience feel the pull of something or exaggerating a character’s walking pose to get a better idea of how they are moving. I have seen this new style progress over time and I really love knowing how the body twists and turns with different actions. It is great knowing these new ways to represent my work and how to evolve as an artist. How any new knowledge you gained? I now know that I have what it takes to do pre-production work. For example, I can create characters, provide reference sheets, and make helpful facial expression sheets for any artists or writers to make use of. I also learned about the setup, hit, aftermath formula which is finding out how the scene is set up, what is the conflict or main thing that happens, and how things are resolved. It is great for storyboarding, creating scripts, and providing a good workflow with a summary of the story. Wow! It’s great to see you’ve gained so much from the Prime Vice Studios VIP experience. You also have made new connections as well. This internship has helped me gain valuable connections like having a new community to go to when I want to talk about comics, art, or just chill. This community is at Syndicate Comics and I love the fact that I was accepted and respected immediately. I got a commission from the store owner, John Cirami, and I was even able to ask some professional artists, like Kevin Stokes, about how to approach my commission. It’s a great feeling to know that they are happy to help, talk, and even remember me whenever I go back. Vision For The FutureImagine we’re sitting down together two years from now or further looking back. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress? I would want my comic to be published or at least known about to the world. That is one of the main goals that I have and I would want it to be recognized by an animation studio or all made by myself so that I can have a moving visual of my story. Something else that would be great is to become an artist and individual that people can rely on and come to for help. PVS has turned me into a better professional artist and I want to continue growing even more than where I am at now. My other goal is to make others happy and leave an impact on this world through messages and cultures so I really want to make that dream come true. What do you hope your art/IPs will do in the world? My main goal is to inspire others and have my work give people motivation, knowledge, excitement, and a chance to think deeply about topics and themselves. Above all, I want to help people, show the importance of art, and keep them happy since we all need to have some type of happiness within our lives. Advice For Creators & Future InternsWho should do this internship? Who would you recommend for this internship? For those interested in creating characters, stories, concepts, art, or even wanting to learn how to become a professional, this internship is a great opportunity to acquire these skills and more. Prime Vice Studios may seem to be more catered towards art, but there are many other aspects to them such as providing knowledge and lessons on copyright, marketing, different industries, and how to promote yourself or your brand. Overall, it is a fun experience and the workshops are open to anyone interested in comics, art, or just wanting to gain connections with others. The virtual aspect makes it even more flexible for those that have a job, need to go on vacation, or needing time to focus on themselves. There are meetings and although they are to check on your progress and answer any questions, they can still be used to practice with someone respectful, the owner of PVS, Carlos Perez, who will give advice on how to become more professional and mindful with others. What advice would you give to interested students? This internship will be advantageous to those that have a goal in mind. PVS works to help you, the intern, and any goals you want to pursue to help in future success and professionalism. Also, be open to take some of the resources and, in a way, homework into consideration. It will take time and feel like a lot to do, but I guarantee that it will be worth it in the end. I am reluctant to learn from the basics and take time on things that I feel I understand well enough. So when I did have the patience to learn, various answers and skills came to me. It is a great feeling and naturally I would want anyone else to feel the same way interning with PVS. Final Thoughts & Follow UpHow can our readers further follow your work online? I have a website, LinkedIn, and other social media outlets that anyone can follow me and my work. Feel free to take a look and connect with me if you have any questions or simply want to talk. What type of clients, audience do you want to connect with or work for? I want to work with a variety of clients willing to promote their brand, business, story, characters, and concepts. There is no end to who I want to connect with since I want to hear from anyone that has a story to share and wants to learn more about aspects of the world themselves. Regarding my audience, I want to reach as many people as I can. Naturally, I will have certain work for a specific audience especially for those that are able to and want something to share their experiences and mindset on. This was great. Thanks for taking time for us to learn more about you and your art. We wish you continued success! Contact Johnathan via the following links: Website: https://johnathanttn65.wixsite.com/jc-portfolio Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathan-jackson79/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jc.adaptations Email: [email protected] Creator Art Gallery If you or someone you know would like to apply to be a PVS intern, apprentice, or volunteer fill out an application by clicking the button below.
Creating Comics in The CommunityLast month PVS hosted it’s first comic creation workshop of 2025 at Syndicate Comics & Collectibles. It’s a great opportunity for creative folks in our community to come out and learn how to tell their stories and bring their characters to life within the fine confines of Marietta’s hidden gem of comics and fandom collectibles. The owner, John always has a warm welcome for everyone who comes through and we just have a good time there with all the different talent that comes through. The PVS & Syndicate connection all started when our very own co-founder Ananya brought Lung Girl comics to the shop. Lung Girl comic sales are used to raise funds for The Sid Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for lung transplant patients and research which Ananya is also the president of. PVS were co-creators of Lung Girl and the comics so when we had the opportunity to do our workshops there we were happy to hop onboard! All proceeds from our community workshops at Syndicate go towards supporting The Sid Foundation. So it’s been nothing short of a blessing to be able to build community through comics and creativity. All our workshops are based on our signature curriculum based on the Fresh Voices Comic Creation Workbook. At our workshops we feature our long time partner Plasq, creators of the Comic Draw App to teach and do demos with. We hope to continue the momentum of these funtastic workshops. Our next one will be on Saturday, February 15 at 2PM. Register through the button below. Hope to see more friendly faces! Peace, Loso Pérez Creators featured in photo: Ananya Vahal Morgan Eaves Leo Nonchalant Kaylah Fraser Jason Herring Johnathan Jackson Links to mentioned entities: The Sid Foundation Comic Draw App Syndicate Comics & Collectibles  The PVS Virtual Internship Program In today’s industry landscape many students, especially in creative fields, are hard-pressed to find opportunities to gain real-world experience and training to supplement their higher education and career development. Prime Vice Studios has established its Virtual Internship Program to give opportunities to talented students who wish to gain valuable experience and earn academic credit for their efforts. This interview series seeks to highlight our interns, share their testimonials, and assist them on their creative journey. This interview highlights the wonderful Linh Nguyen. Linh Nguyen About The CreatorLinh Nguyen is an artist originally from Hanoi, Vietnam with a passion for art that began in childhood. Despite growing up in a financially challenging environment, Linh’s talent and determination led them to study animation in Tokyo, Japan. Currently based in Georgia, Linh is expanding their career by focusing on concept building and illustration while continually honing their creative skills. Always eager to learn, Linh embraces new opportunities to grow as an artist and contribute to the ever-evolving world of art and design. InterviewThank you for doing this interview Linh. Please share a bit about yourself and why you chose to do an internship with PVS. I decided to do an internship with PVS because I wanted to gain real-world experience in creating original intellectual properties and developing professional art skills. The PVS internship offered the perfect opportunity to work on projects that aligned with my creative goals, while also providing the flexibility of a virtual format. I was excited about the possibility of learning from professionals and connecting with other like-minded artists. PVS Internship ExperienceWhat was your experience with PVS like? My experience with PVS has been incredibly rewarding. The internship provided me with a structured yet flexible environment that encouraged both creativity and professionalism. I had the chance to work on developing characters, world-building, and storytelling, all while receiving constructive feedback from mentors and fellow interns. The virtual nature of the program allowed me to balance it with my other commitments, which was a major plus. Knowledge & Skills AcquiredI learned the importance of researching references for both character design and world-building. By exploring different styles, cultures, and mythologies, I was able to bring more authenticity and creativity to my work. I also gained insights into how to structure my creative process to stay organized and focused. I developed skills in character design, world-building, and storytelling. I learned how to design characters that are not only visually interesting but also have depth in terms of backstory and motivation. I also gained a solid understanding of how to create immersive worlds that feel alive and consistent. Pivotal Moments of The InternshipPlease share a story highlighting a pivotal moment of the internship. A pivotal moment for me was when I completed a world building activity I was particularly proud of during the internship. Before the internship, I often felt frustrated with my progress, but this time I was able to push my creative limits and really enjoy the process. It felt like I was rediscovering the fun and excitement of creating art again, something I had lost touch with during the hustle of earlier projects. During feedback sessions, I was able to see how my work resonated with others, and that recognition really boosted my confidence. It was at that moment that I realized the internship was not just helping me improve my technical skills but also reigniting my passion for creating. It was the perfect blend of challenge and inspiration, and that’s when I understood the true value of this experience in my life. Some highlights of my internship include: Workshops and Events: Attending a character design workshop was especially valuable. It gave me new techniques and a deeper understanding of how to create compelling characters. Discord Activities: Engaging with other interns on Discord was a highlight. We shared ideas, gave each other feedback, and formed connections that made the experience feel like a true community. Personal Growth: Developing my IP (intellectual property) and characters from scratch was a challenge, but it felt incredibly fulfilling to see my ideas take shape. I gained confidence in my creative abilities and professional skills. We often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share a mistake you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned? One of the biggest mistakes I made was not setting clear boundaries between work and personal life early on. In the beginning, I found myself overcommitting to tasks and staying up late to meet deadlines, which led to burnout. I realized that in order to maintain the quality of my work and my creativity, I needed to establish a better work-life balance. This meant setting realistic deadlines and giving myself time to recharge. Professionally, I learned the importance of communication—not only about deadlines but also about managing expectations with mentors and colleagues. By communicating clearly and upfront, I was able to prevent misunderstandings and maintain a healthier balance. This lesson has helped me stay productive without sacrificing my well-being or the quality of my work. Vision For The FutureImagine us sitting down together two years from now or further looking back. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress? What do you hope your comics and IP will do in the world? In two years, I would be happy if I’ve successfully developed several original intellectual properties that I can take to market, either through self-publishing or by collaborating with other creators. I’d also love to have a portfolio of work that showcases my progress and abilities. Ideally, I would be working as a professional artist or creator, having built a reputation in the industry and made meaningful connections with clients and collaborators. I hope my art and intellectual properties will inspire others, create immersive worlds that people can escape into, and spark important conversations about themes like identity, culture, and community. Ultimately, I want my work to resonate with people on a personal level, while also contributing to the broader landscape of creative media Advice For Creators & Future InternsWho should do this internship? Who would you recommend for this internship? I would recommend this internship to anyone who is serious about developing their artistic skills and creating original intellectual properties. It’s perfect for those who are self-motivated and looking for a flexible, yet structured, environment to grow their craft. This internship would also be great for those interested in networking, learning about the business side of art, and seeking mentorship in their creative journey. Some key benefits of the internship include:
Advice For Creators & Future InternsWhat advice would you give to interested students? My advice would be to take full advantage of the resources offered including workshops, feedback, and mentorship opportunities. Stay committed, even if the process feels challenging at times because growth comes from pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Also, don’t be afraid to collaborate and connect with others—building relationships with fellow artists can be just as valuable as developing your craft. Final Thoughts & Follow Upwww.instagram.com/moos0138/ What type of clients and audience do you want to connect with or work for? I’m interested in working with clients who are passionate about storytelling and character-driven projects. Whether it’s in animation, video games, or comic books, I would love to connect with those who appreciate unique, immersive worlds and thoughtful character design. My goal is to build relationships with creative agencies, independent studios, and entertainment brands that align with my vision. This was great. Thanks for taking the time for us to learn more about you and your art. We wish you continued success! Get in touch with Linh here:
Check out Linh’s work: Creator Art Gallery If you or someone you know would like to apply to be a PVS intern, apprentice, or volunteer fill out the application by clicking the button below.
 On Saturday, November 16 PVS was part of the second annual Lung Girl Day. A fundraiser collaboration with long time partner The Sid Foundation. The Sid Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for lung transplant research and patients. The president and our editor-in-chief Ananya Vahal coordinated this event. The event was graciously hosted at Syndicate Comics & Collectibles. We were joined by local creators Jorge Santiago Jr. & Jermaine “Jay The Artist” Mims. We sold TSF merchandise, took on commissions, donated art and our time towards raising some money for the Sid Foundation cause. It was a fun event, with a generous donation of yummy treats from Trader Joe’s. Feel free to follow up with any and all of our collaborators. We’re an awesome bunch doing great things. The Sid Foundation: https://www.thesidfoundation.org/ Syndicate Comics and Collectibles: https://www.syndicatecomicshop.com/ Jorge Santiago Jr. http://www.jorgesantiagojr.com/ Jermaine "Jay The Artist” Mims: https://jaytheartist26.wixsite.com/jaytheartist26 Event snapshotsEvent vids
Playing on Pictionary on TVYour friendly founders here at PVS had the opportunity to put our drawing skills to the test for cash and a vacation. Ananya & I were contestants on the televised Pictionary game show. It was a great experience. We got to meet and play with Corbin Bleu and hosted by Jerry O’Connell. A funtastic time to remember. Checkout the full episode on their YouTube channel below! The PVS Virtual Internship Program In today’s industry landscape many students, especially in creative fields, are hard-pressed to find opportunities to gain real world experience and training to supplement their higher education and career development. Prime Vice Studios has established its Virtual Internship Program to give opportunity to talented students who wish to gain valuable experience and earn academic credit for their efforts. This interview series seeks to highlight our interns, share their testimonials and assist them on their creative journey. This interview highlights the creative Celestina Carrillo. Celestina Carrillo About The Creator Celestina is a graphic designer and illustrator based out of Georgia. She is graduating from Kennesaw State University December 2024 with a BFA in Graphic Communications. Her passion lies between multiple avenues of art which create her own unique style. InterviewThank you for doing this interview Celestina. Please share a bit about yourself and why you chose to do an internship with PVS. Hey! I’m a graphic designer and illustrator based out in Dallas, Georgia. I was born in Wisconsin but I’ve lived in Georgia since I was 4 years old. I’ve always had a deep passion for art ever since I was a kid. My mom would always give me gifts with markers, crayons, and construction paper. There are many things that I gather inspiration from for instance, I have a deep passion for classical art. There are so many fine art painters that really inspire me with their works. My favorites are Caravaggio, John Van Eyck, and Monet. I’m also heavily inspired by cute comics from creators on Instagram and children's book illustrators. I’m currently reworking my comic “Tiny Chefs” that will be coming out in December. When I’m not creating, I love hanging out with friends and family, spending time with my dogs, reading, and playing Magic: The Gathering. I decided to do an internship with PVS because I had never had an internship before. But having Mr. Perez as a professor, I thought this would be a great opportunity to know what it would be like and to see what extra ‘golden nuggets’ I could gather from outside the classroom. PVS Internship ExperienceWhat was your experience with PVS like? Can you share the most interesting story/ stories that happened to you since you began the internship with PVS? Definitely the most interesting experience was participating in the Comic Fiesta at Syndicate Comics for the first time. I didn’t realize just how UNPREPARED I was for setting myself up not only as an artist, but as a brand. Thankfully, after the experience and talking with Professor Perez a lot more about what I wanted to represent, how I can improve, my strengths and weaknesses, I was able to really mold myself into a professional artist. Pivotal Moments of The InternshipPlease share a story highlighting a pivotal moment of the internship. The most pivotal moment was definitely when I realized I wasn’t afraid to draw anymore. I know, sounds crazy, but honestly, just taking out my sketchbook to look at it would fill me with so much dread because I just felt like I couldn’t make anything that I really loved or felt like was worth sharing. After expressing my concerns, Professor Perez showed me some ways that I could get over my fear and address my concerns with my art. One thing Professor Perez said that really stuck with me was, “Why are you scared of your dreams?” It sounds like an easy question when you say it out loud, but after getting time to ponder it, I was able to figure out myself and who I was as an artist which helped build my confidence. I got to hear from some big named professionals thanks to him, that also inspired me to overcome my doubts. After a while, with applying what I learned, I started taking my sketchbook out with ease. I’ve finished 3 sketchbooks during the course of the internship! The joy to be able to say that is just unfathomable because I really didn’t know if I would make it this far. Knowledge & Skills AcquiredWe often learn the most from our mistakes. Can you share a mistake you made that turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned? I think one of the most valuable lessons I learned through my mistakes was time management skills. I’ve always been a natural procrastinator, which needless to say, does not help in the art field. I wasn’t able to put my best foot forward with a lot of my work but the more I went through the exercises and warm-ups, like creating characters out of random shapes and key techniques like focusing on silhouettes of the characters I’d create, the more I was able to really understand myself better and make key decisions that helped me improve as an artist everyday. These were skills that Professor Perez presented during the internship and inside the classroom. Vision For The FutureImagine us sitting down together two years from now or further looking back. What specific accomplishments would have to happen for you to be happy with your progress? Before I would say what would make me happy would be making sales at an art market, but it'sdefinitely a lot more than that now. Now what would make me happy would just be to see my works in places that I wouldn’t have thought possible, even on a stranger’s sketchbook cover. What do you hope your comics and IPs will do in the world? My biggest hope is that my artwork will inspire others not only creatively but inspire others emotionally as well. I feel like we live in a world that's so hard and cold already, why should we make ourselves feel that way too? I think it is important to express yourself emotionally so that way your soul will feel free. Advice For Creators & Future InternsWho would you recommend should do this internship and what advice would you give them? I feel like any artist would benefit from this internship regardless of the art concentration. There is a lot of material that can be used to hone your skills or better yourself as a professional. The PVS Fresh Voices Comic Creation workbook that is provided with the internship is a literal step-by-step guide on how to flesh out your ideas and build that connection between ideas and artwork. With the help of PVS, you’ll be able to learn about your strengths and weaknesses as an artist and how to improve further while still perfecting your personal style. Final Thoughts & Follow UpWhat type of clients or audience do you want to connect with or work for? I would love to connect with anyone wanting or looking for cute illustrations, a colorist for comics, logo or branding designs, and packaging designs. Thank you again for providing this wonderful testimonial Celestina. You’re an amazing talent well on your way to achieving all of the success you deserve. Get in touch with Celestina here:
Check out Celestina’s work: Creator Art Gallery If you or someone you know would like to apply to be a PVS intern, apprentice, or volunteer fill out the application by clicking the button below.
|
Archives
August 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
