Claudia Pompeya Almanza
Claudia Pompeya Almanza
Illustrator | Designer | Performance Artist
Cincinnati, Ohio
https://cicool.cool
instagram: @claudiapompoms
pinterest: @claudiaisntcool
society6: @claudiaisntcool
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I illustrate, design, write, and perform comedy. I love making people feel good via whatever medium I choose. Making people laugh, and myself laugh, is the most fun.”
This can manifest in my illustrations, though a bit subtle at times. My style oscillates from clean, corporate, or freaky. Just whatever voice may be needed for the project.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
As it usually goes, it all started in my childhood. I’d haul all my favorite books everywhere with me, stare at the illustrations, re-read the stories, read the author’s bio, study said author’s picture, and study the typefaces and colors. I’d compare all the versions of Cinderella I had! As a teenager I taught myself to screen print because I wanted my own custom band and film t-shirts.
So, I went to design school. Worked in the industry a bit and then took some time off to train in physical comedy and clown. Now, I’m an illustrator and designer more aware of her silly clown comedic self and excited to emotionally move my audiences.
HOW DO YOU STAND OUT IN YOUR FIELD?
Foremost, I believe in being a kind and respectful person ALWAYS. And empathy is everything. This is the foundation, if it’s lacking then I don’t know how well our creative project can succeed.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Writing comedy material and synthesizing past successful numbers into a show. I’m getting back into animation. I take on a lot of infographic design and stationery projects lately. And regularly chipping away at personal illustration projects.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
It’s tricky to pinpoint – my tastes vary. Lately, I’ve taken to labeling some of the work I do “neon sadness”. I love understated absurdity too. And intense color palettes. Tragicomedy inspires me. But a professional aesthetic is always a priority.
WE ALL HAVE MULTIPLE SKILLS OR WORK IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD FOCUS ON MORE?
I’m excited about getting back into animation. With my comedy background, it feeds into the necessary skill of comedic timing in animating. To visually communicate more in this medium would be wonderful.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Healing from knee surgery and recovering from some trauma from a car accident. I recently drove for the first time in over a year. This has changed how I normally find creative work and grow as an artist!! But I’m keeping up the fight.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Find leads on great projects and marketing and analysis. Also, someone to brainstorm ambitious projects with.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
When I was younger I fought my innate artistic self, I deemed life in the arts unrealistic and senseless. So, I’d go back and tell younger Claudia to own and be proud of her artistic sensibilities. And to believe she can, and will, make a living from them.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Streamlining, workflow, and business relationships. These are the skills I often research and try to take up several notches.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Would be thrilled to work on music, festival, or film branding and illustration work. Also, to develop comedic writing, illustration, and animation for a comedy series. But truly, anyone who wants to make great and emotionally moving work.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love to know all the constraints (e.g. budget, timelines, styles, target audiences, mediums, etc.) at the beginning. Good communication between us the whole entire time is imperative. The icing on the cake would be someone who bounces off ideas with me and values my creative instincts.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Depending on scope and size, the rates vary. What the project's timeline is, what the artwork is used for, and usage rights determine pricing. But I’m able to negotiate according to the client's budget.
WHO IS A CREATIVE THAT HAS HELPED YOU ELEVATE YOUR WORK?
Adam Elliot is everything to me, I hang on to his every detail in his clayographies. I don’t know him personally, but he offered to give me a tour of his studio which I was really touched by.
I also don’t know Jens Lekman personally – but his melodic and sampling abilities and the way he makes the mundane beautiful and interesting inspire my artistic choices.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
You can email me at sup@cicool.cool or DM on IG @claudiapompoms. Scope of projects and inspiration details are helpful, sense of humor and silliness is encouraged.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Nature, if I don’t feel connected to the earth, then what’s the point of anything?
This member profile was originally published in July 2019.