Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Eisenberg.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been drawn to art ever since I was a kid, and I’ve always felt the need for some kind of abstract way to express myself. I think for most kids, it’s pretty hard to find that thing that helps you express who you are—but I grew up with two artists as parents, so finding that outlet came pretty naturally.
My mom, a hyper-realistic oil painter, would always display her work around the house, subtly pushing me toward an appreciation for art. Meanwhile, my dad—professionally a website designer, but artistically a sculptor and cartoonist—really helped me discover the kind of creative expressionism that defines my art today.
He’d always bring a pen and pad to dinner and let me draw until the pages were full. When we got home, he’d show me cartoons that most parents wouldn’t even think to show their kids—stuff like Superjail!, The Simpsons, Metalocalypse, and more.
That mix of artistic influence from my parents and my own need to express myself sparked a deep love for creatively weird animation. And ever since I found out that making cartoons could actually be a job, it’s been all I’ve ever wanted to do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Generally, it’s been pretty good. With artists for parents, I’ve always been supported in my endeavors because I think they understand what it’s like to want to do work that makes you happy.
But on the flip side, you also see a lot of the struggles that may lie ahead for you as an artist, just by watching your parents—things like trying to pay bills and support a family while you’re simply trying to create inspiring and passionate work.
On top of that, there are plenty of warning signs from the rest of your family about how being an artist is, in itself, a struggle. You start to hear that sometimes choosing happiness in your work over financial stability can lead to sadness—simply because you have no money.
But when you see your parents still doing what they love after creating art for over 40 years, you realize that all you really want is to have that same kind of passion in your own work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned earlier, my main specializations are in 2D animation and character/environment design. In addition to that, I also work as a storyboard artist and 3D modeler.
Out of all the work I do, I’m most proud of my character and environment design, since it’s the skill I’ve been developing the longest. I try to diversify my art as much as possible so that when I enter the professional world, I’m prepared to handle any part of the creative pipeline that’s needed.
I think this versatility sets me apart from a lot of more single-track artists who tend to stick to one specific role. Every position and career path in the art world genuinely interests me, and I hope that one day I’ll be able to say I’ve worked in all of them.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I feel like as an artist I’ve spent most of my young life being inspired, and now that I’m growing up all I wanna do is inspire the next generation. So if you wanna become an artist and you’re not sure why or don’t think there’s a point; the point is to inspire someone the same way you’re inspired now and become the inspiration for the artists who haven’t found it yet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maxeisenberganimat.wixsite.com/max-eisenberg-animat
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shapesfrommax/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-eisenberg-992b002ab
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maxeisenberganimation
