By Kyle R. Willis

If you are a fan of the Adult Swim hit show The Boondocks and you ever bothered to watch the credits, you would definitely have recognized the name LeSean Thomas. This South Bronx native is a quick rising star in the world of animation. Currently working in Seoul, Korea at JM Animation, LeSean is the FIRST American on staff artist. His works include the opening artwork for the movie Ultra Violet, assistant animator and key storyboard artist for such shows as Lizzie McGuire and Kim Possible on The Disney Channel, and in the comic book world working on such titles as Arkanium, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Having what would appear to most to be a ‘Midas Touch’; it seems that everything this cat touches turns to gold. We wanted to get an interview with LeSean, but he’s fifteen time zones away, thank Heaven for the internet. We hit LeSean with a few questions; check out what he had to say:
What do you like and dislike most about your artwork?

What I like most about my art is that my art has inspired many young, aspiring artists and students and have helped them want to pursue this profession as well. I think one of the greatest gifts you can get in this profession is to inspire others to want to do better than what you’ve done.  What I dislike most about my work is that when I think I’m doing a great job, the flaws rear their ugly head when I’m complete.

Who is the most inspiring mind you were ever able to work with?

I would have to say Aaron McGruder, creator of The Boondocks, has probably been the most inspiring mind I’ve worked with in the last decade of my career.

Who are some of the other inspiring minds you come into contact on a day to day basis. Anyone I would have heard of?

There’s many of the staff here at JM ANIMATION STUDIOS in South Korea that are just amazing and inspire me to be a better artist and animator. You’ve probably never heard of them. Outside of them, there are my friends and comrades back home in the states covering various areas of the field of art: Boondocks producer, Carl Jones, Brandon Graham (King City), Manga-ka Felipe Smith, character designer Philly Baroussa , Directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Seung Kim  (Boondocks supervising director) Kih Yun Ryu (Boondocks Co -Director).

You have made quite a place for yourself in the industry. Any regrets?

Not really. I regret not doing more. There’s clearly not enough hours in the day.

How close to target did you land compared to what you wanted to be as a child?

Pretty close. I went from being a kid, admiring Saturday morning cartoons, to actually contributing to making them.  But creating my own Saturday morning cartoon, that would be a full-circle realization for me. It’s something that-as a creative-I aspire to greatly. I feel it’s inevitable. Just a matter of time.

I found some familiarities between your story and my own. You are the second oldest of five kids, I was the last of five in my household growing up. Much like you I was inspired to draw by my older brother, who put down the pencil when he went into the military.

Does your brother still draw? Am I right to assume that he no longer overshadows you as an artist?

My older brother does not draw anymore.  Like most kids our age then, we drew pictures.  I just kept going.

If you were asked for advice by an artist just starting to realize that they had talent, what direction would you offer them?

I’d tell them to figure out what exactly it is they enjoy doing. Figure out what exactly do they want to do.  Then study really hard at that.  Build a portfolio and send it to studios who are looking for someone like them. Also, to surround themselves with like-minded people in those early stages. School is a great outlet for these types of circles. Get knowledge and learn everything there is about the craft and the business of the craft. And most of all, be professional and be represented by council. Having a lawyer goes a long way. Longer than your talent.

Do you consider yourself a traditional comic nerd?

In that I’m currently writing and illustrating a graphic novel?  Yes. But I don’t read comic books. I haven’t read a monthly comic book in over a decade. I couldn’t tell you what’s the new hot series out or who’s drawing it today.  So I would gather I’m a “comic book nerd with swagger”. 

All comic nerds have a holy grail. Being guilty myself, my most sought after comic is framed in my living room. What is your holy grail and have you obtained it yet?

No holy grail. Ironically, I enjoy the art of making comics far more than reading them. And since I don’t collect comics, I dont have any bagged and framed.  Instead, when I’m done with one I happen to like, I hand it off to someone else to read.  I think that is show the medium should be preserved.

To some, being hired on at JM Animation would be considered a HUGE deal. That coupled with the fact that you are the first on staff American artist is just mind blowing. How does it feel?

Exhausting. We work really hard out here!  I’m really tired right now, actually, haha. I think I dozed off a couple times responding to this question. It’s a great feeling, but a lot of pressure. Being the first means there’s a lot of expectations. Koreans work hard. I’ve never seen a work ethic quite like it.  So you know, you gotta show them you can last in the trenches along with them. It is very rewarding, however….

What are some of your favorite instruments of the trade?

2H Pencil, paper, Col-erase blue pencil and my trusty g5 Mac.

And finally, what does the future hold for LeSean Thomas?

Another good 15 years of creativity and my own TV show. It’s gonna happen! Keep your eyes peeled!

Tell us where we can see some of your work and/or purchase something of yours.

http://www.leseanthomas.blogspot.com
http://www.lesean.deviantart.com