Wes D. Buchanan
Artist and Creator
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ARTIST STATEMENT
I am the single curator to a science fair of the most extraordinary minds in the universe. I am an offshoot, a humanizing element to the reach of the cosmos. My work translates the science and data of the space industry into the language of color and abstraction. I use schematics, images and information that are beyond my language to understand my inhuman family. Simply enough, though, I’m a passionate third grader vying to grab the stars and bring them down to Earth.
Work Experience
October 2023 - Present
June 2022 - December 2022
November 2021 - May 2022
2015 - Current
ANIMATOR/ILLUSTRATOR I • NASA's Conceptual Image Lab
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Create and complete a vast assortment of animations and illustrations for various NASA missions, clients, and departments, utilizing industry standard software.
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Communicate directly with agency clients to discuss, revise, and implement comments made on different animation and illustration projects. Assess ways to actively and accurately represent science.
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Deliver finished projects in coordination with clients to meet deadlines and mission requirements.
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Multiple published projects with high visibility.
STRATEGIC DESIGN ANALYST • Freedom Information Systems
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Worked directly with NASA clientele to assess design needs within the Artemis program. Created a variety of design work and implemented branding guidelines to various projects
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Served as Artemis Lead for NASA Creatives, representing the program and its creative vision.
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Completed illustrations for online exhibition ’10 Things You Didn’t Know Are Flying Aboard Artemis I’, located on Google Arts & Culture.
FRONT DESK ASSOCIATE & TEACHING ASSISTANT • Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
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Secondary instructor for children ages four to sixteen
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Primary interface to students, customers, and visitors at front desk, managing calls, emails and inquiries to ensure workday is smooth and productive
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Responsible for art party scheduling/coordination as well as arranging student/artist mentorships as required.
COMMISSIONED ARTIST • Wes D. Buchanan Art & Studio
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Leveraging my professional qualities as an artist
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Experience in a range of mediums
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Wide range of clientele requires skill set of customer service, communication, negotiation and commitment to quality
A Bit About Me
I am a multi-disciplinary artist: an animator, an illustrator, a digital designer, and a painter at my core. My background as a studio artist has given me a foundation that allows me to jump into a new art form at will, with all of my basics mastered and applicable across different formats. I’ve explored a wide variety of subject matters over the course of my career, including conceptual animation, character design, hero artwork for presentations, sublime oil paintings, digital illustrations, and much more.
I have 10 years of experience as a digital artist, using programs such as Procreate, Nomad Sculpt, ZBrush, and the Adobe Creative Suite - particularly strong skills include Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere. My experience has allowed me to curate a skill set that can be used in different environments; I have worked in vastly different artistic spaces for my entire career, with a diverse array of freelance clients. My professional career has involved a variety of roles that require strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for discussing art in its many forms.
My strongest experience as a creative is within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I have held two roles in this industry as a creative. My current role is at NASA's Conceptual Image Lab (CI Lab) as an Animator/Illustrator, creating conceptual animations and artworks for a variety of NASA missions and departments. My previous role was with the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) as a supporting artist for the Artemis I mission.
I am constantly searching for new roles that will push the boundaries of what I can do as an artist.
