The Naked Texture Artist - Chris Nichols - Episode 4

25-12-2023 • 1 hr 5 mins

The Naked Texture Artist is a podcast where VFX/animation veterans have deep and honest conversations about their challenges and growth as working artists.

The catastrophe has not been called off. Yet. The Hollywood strikes are resolved, supposedly. But obviously it will take time to rebuild what the drought has destroyed. Hiring has started again as a trickle here and there. But the whole “strikes are over and now everybody go back to work” was of course never going to materialise. So most people out there are still hurting.

This period, in the VFX industry's history, has been a grim reminder that we are living in a house of cards. Many, if not all, artists have had to have some serious reflection on their career, and what their future will look like.

You know I am a huge fan of Chris Nichols. Not only because of his texture work and his passion for our art and craft – but also because he is such a grounded yet thought-provoking person to speak to. This perfectly fits with the times we are living through.

This episode, I count as my most personal yet. Listening, and re-listening to my conversation with Chris has brought a lot of aha-moments and paradigm shifts for me personally. We talk a lot about our experiences being artists, and how that relates to jobs, studios and even hiring other artists.

I hope this can be as instructive and helpful for you too, as it has been for me.

Do yourself a favour, please, and explore and support the amazing work Chris also does on the side:

https://www.artstation.com/porkpiesamurai

Also mentioned in this episode is https://www.allanmckay.com/podcast-list-page/

and https://www.instagram.com/saltyanimators/

The Naked Texture Artist is produced by Marque Pierre Sondergaard.

Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thenakedtextureartist

Music copyright belongs to Tycho for the song Awake - https://tychomusic.com/

Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com