FLYING HIGH WITH HIS ART

Keeping busy Time is important to this concept and vis-dev artist. Learn how he makes the most of his day

Between working at 9B Collective, the art studio he co-founded that comprises mainly BIPOC artists, and working out, Michael Uwandi’s day is packed!

“I wake up at 6:30am and then I work out for an hour. After I come back, I’ll set up my computer and start working around 8am. I’ll usually turn off my phone and just do art until noon. Once 12pm hits, that’s when all the phone calls flood in. Generally, I take an hour-long lunch break and talk with my best friend the whole time.

At 1pm, I get back to work, but I’m a bit more open with my phone, so if I have any emails, or things that pertain to 9B Collective then I’ll be able to answer those. I work until 11pm with a couple of short breaks for walks and then start over the next day.

I work for something like 15, sometimes 16 hours a day. I’m very much about trying to do the best

I can. One of the big things with me is that I always wish I had more time, so I’ll look at what I’ve done in the past and say that I can do better. I think knowing yourself and analysing when you’re the most productive and forming your routine around that is a good way to maximise your workload and opportunities.

Up until now at Marvel, every time I’ve been at a company there’s been only one black artist or one female artist, so my 9B Collective partners, Phillip Boutté Jr., Aldis Hodge and myself, wanted to create a community of artists that can work on projects

We wanted to create a community of artists that can work on projects together and give them a voice

together and give them a voice. Our goal is to provide a shift in the entertainment landscape by working towards true inclusivity both in front of and behind the camera.”

Michael is from South Central Los Angeles. Before Marvel and starting 9B Collective, he freelanced at Lucasfilm, HBO and Paramount. His previous work includes such titles as The Mandalorian, Star Trek: Picard and Moonlight. You can see more of Michael’s art at www.michael-uwandi.com.

Concept Art Association is an organisation committed to elevating and raising the profile of concept artists, their art and their involvement in the entertainment industries. Its annual Concept Art Awards Show showcases and recognises behind-the-scenes individuals working in entertainment concept art. www.conceptart association.com. Michael worked with costume designer Victoria Auth and associate creative director Robin Kennedy to develop Supergirl’s sleek outfit.

An example of the artwork Michael created for a character design course he taught at Brainstorm concept art school.

Michael co-founded 9B Collective, the first Blackowned concept art studio made up primarily of BIPOC artists.

Michael helped develop the look of Hugh, a former Borg drone who appears in Star Trek: Picard.