Meet Isabelle ‘Belle’ Singleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle ‘Belle’ Singleton.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up watching a ton of animation, my dad introduced me to things like Dragon Ball, Robotech, Voltron, Satoshi Kon, and of course, Studio Ghibli. I played lots of video games too, I had a DS and always carried it with me, and at the time I had yet to develop a fascination with art.

Initially, I thought I was going to be a writer when I grew up. I loved the stories Miyazaki would tell in his movies, and I loved the thought of seeing my ideas on film one day, but I was perplexed with the idea of putting something on paper and letting someone else do all that animation for me. I felt like if that happened my idea wouldn’t be conveyed the way I wanted it to.

These emotions followed me all throughout my elementary and middle school years, I’d write stories, but my mind would always drift closer to the visual aspect of them rather than the literary, but I didn’t know how I could make art into a fruitful career other than what I’d seen my parents do (they’re both graphic designers).

It wasn’t until I was finally allowed to use YouTube (I had very technologically strict parents, both a blessing and a curse) that I realized that drawing and art could be so much more, I actually remember the name of the YouTube channel that started it all, he still makes process videos to this day, but the channel was called LucisChannel, and all he did was draw anime characters from popular shows (this actually got me into the classic anime we all know and love today too!). I all the sudden felt an overwhelming need to draw, and draw, and draw and map my progress.

I all the sudden went from the writer to the art kid and continued to progress to the point that I had the seriously ask myself if I wanted this to be my career. It wasn’t until I saw a Square Enix YouTube video detailing the process of making a Final Fantasy game that I decided that I wanted to have my hand at making video games, more specifically the story and characters that take place in them. I’ve let those goals and motivations guide me to where I am today.

It was a very gratifying feeling seeing my first time-lapse process video up on my Instagram, it reminded me of the kid who would lay down on the couch and watch some faceless man draw Naruto on a sheet of paper with gentle music in the background. I was suddenly that person, and I couldn’t have been happier.

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t at all. I’ve always struggled with confidence in my art, even when I was in high school and had firmly decided I wanted to pursue art as a career I shyed away from telling people about it, and continued to list it as a hobby.

Because of this I refrained from sharing my art with anyone, and it stippled my growth, it often would send me into artistic ruts often known as, ‘art block,’ because I had no one to push me forward, to work with me and bounce ideas off of. I never entered any contest or volunteered myself for artistic projects because I always felt like I wasn’t good enough, that there was always someone better suited for the job.

Overcoming those struggles is still a daily occurrence, with social media it’s so easy to look at someone else’s work and feel deflated because ‘I’m not as good as they are,’ or ‘I’m older then they are, and they’re doing so much more’ and of course, ‘they have more followers than me.’

The important thing I need to remember is that I won’t get any better if I don’t try. I’ll never know if I’m good enough unless I apply. It’s taking these fears by the hand and bounding forward in spite of their weight, if I can’t walk past these things then I’m going to take them with me on my journey; never staying stagnant, always moving forward.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in 2D work primarily, I’m proficient in a 3D software such as Blender, and I’ve dabbled in Unity, but my heart will always lie in 2D. I’m a lover of graphic novels and details in linework. Most of my images start off black and white and develop into something colorful, but I always establish that strong stroked groundwork, even my 3D work has an illustrative touch to it, anything else would feel odd and unlike me.

I definitely think I’m known for my linework and lots of friends and family have told me I establish a strong color scheme too. I think what really sets me apart from others however is my film like finish to every digital piece, I love film and television, and I do my best to emulate that cinematic look to all my pieces.

And while I still have a long way to go, I think I’m most proud of my persistence, I feel like my constant need and willingness to keep creating, no matter how many times I have failed has led me to progress at a quick and steady rate, and seeing my art a few months ago compared to now is such a satisfying feeling, because there is often times so much progress in between each piece.

Is there anyone, in particular, you would like to recognize? Mentors, etc.?
I have a lot of people I could give a heartfelt shout out to, but I think four specifically come to mind. Definitely, my mom and dad, they’re both graphic designers and are very open-minded because of that, most parents when they hear their kid wants to make art for a living will break their crayons and hide the printer paper.

My parents put the printer paper on the bottom shelf and bought me a new set of crayons twice a year. They’re just very supportive of my creative endeavors, always have been, and I’m extremely grateful for them. The other two are my two art teachers that were basically my school mom and dad. I had the same computer animation teacher for all four years of, and we’re still in contact to this day.

His name is Richard Kaczynski, and he’s seriously the greatest, most supportive person I’ve met aside from my parents. He’s basically taught me everything I know in terms of computer skills and convinced me to take his animation class my sophomore year, frankly had he not convinced me to take his class the next year, I don’t think I would have made it as far as I have to this day.

I may still call him Mr. K, but he’s definitely one of my best friends and like my second dad, so damn grateful for him. And lastly Brandi Moore, my senior art teacher is definitely the final big one. She is equally as supportive as her predecessors and is an amazing fiery and refreshing soul to be around. She pushed me to push myself more, she helped me push back my biggest fears in art and never let me stay stagnant.

I think without her my traditional art, and my thought process behind every piece would not have progressed to this point. Thanks to all of them, they’ve all played such a big role in my life.

Pricing:

• Small definitive pieces can range anywhere from $15-$60
• More detailed and collaborative pieces (such as logos and tattoo designs) have an hourly fee of $20

Contact Info:

• Website: ringalittlebelle.threadless.com
• Email: ringalittlebelle@gmail.com
• Instagram: @ringalittlebelle
• Facebook: @Isabelle Singleton
• Other: Tumblr: @ringalittlbellethings

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.