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Melissa Nichols Flores says she’s a die-hard cartoon fan. And there’s nothing Mickey Mouse about the college degree she’s pursuing.
The 23-year-old wants to be a professional animator and is earning a degree in animation and visual effects at Expression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville.
“I dream of making 3-D animated movies, hopefully for DreamWorks or Pixar,” Flores said. “That’s a five- or 10-year goal — and to get as much experience in the industry as I can.”
Flores took the saying “Do what you love” to heart in choosing her career.
“Everybody loves cartoons growing up,” she said. “I just never grew out of it. In my sophomore year of high school, I was watching Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel. And growing into adulthood, (cartoons) were more of a passion than just an obsession.”
Flores, a Davis High School graduate who spent a year in the Navy, rarely leaves home without her sketchbook and Hacky Sack. She and her husband, Anthony Flores Jr., will celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary this fall. The couple enjoy fishing and spending time with their dog, Foxy, a Chihuahua-corgi mix. Q: When did your love of cartoons begin?
A: I was always fascinated by them. “Peter Pan” was my favorite cartoon growing up, then it was “The Little Mermaid.” I had VHS tapes of “Mighty Mouse” and some other older cartoons.
Q: What’s your favorite animated film, and why? A: There are so many. I might need to do this in categories. “Peter Pan” was my favorite as a kid. My favorite 3-D animated film is “Kung Fu Panda.” It was an amazing animated film. I loved it for all kinds of reasons — its color, texture, the dynamics. It was visually stunning film. I also have to give a special (shout out) for “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.” Q: What are your earliest memories of wanting to draw?
A: I was raised by my grandmother Wanda Nichols. Growing up, I was an only child. My earliest memories are actually my grandma’s memories. I’m left-handed, and when she’d see me drawing or coloring when I was little, she’d put the crayon in my right hand. I remember thinking about art in the seventh grade. But I was drawing before that. I’d color and draw and doodle around. Q: Is there a style of animation you gravitate toward?
A: 3-D because of the amazing things you can do with it. You can make it look so real and work with in so many different ways. You can make your own cartoons or work for NASA creating 3-D images of space shuttles or use it in architecture. There are all kinds of things my major can lead to.
Q: You also do freehand art. Is it difficult to switch between that and using a computer?
A: It goes in and out. Some days, I’ll be really into the computer, and some days, I’ll go outside and draw. It depends on my mood. Drawing is a passion of mine, but the computer is the tool I use more.
Q: What artists inspire you?
A: Don Bluth. He was an animator at Disney who did “The Secret of NIHM” and “The Rescuers.” I had the opportunity to meet him when he came to my school to talk. He was an inspirational speaker. Most of the speakers tell us about the industry. Don just started talking about life, being a good person and how much he loved drawing. I’d also like to pick the brain of Brad Bird (director of “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille”). In my industry, that is who I’d love to meet. But I also love works by Jackson Pollock and Salvador Dalí. Q: What do you like doing when you have free time?
A: A bunch of things. I love to play video games like “Rock Band” and I like to go the marina in Martinez and fish. And I’m taking up kayaking. I like watching movies. I’m a film buff.
Q: You’ve amassed a collection of tattoos. How many do you have, and did you design them yourself?
A: I have seven tattoos and I designed or adjusted five of the seven, like the San Jose Sharks tattoo. The tattoo is the team’s logo, but I revamped it a little. Q: What does your lion tattoo symbolize?
A: Lions are at the top of the food chain. They’re dominant but also graceful and wise. I try to take on those characteristics. Q: Do you have any personal heroes?
A: My grandma. She raised three kids on her own and then raised me. She’s a very strong-willed and caring person. I dream to be like her, minus the worry.
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