"I was born on Rizal's birthday. My mum's doctor who was an American called it 'Rizal D-ee'. You know how some of them pronounce 'day' as 'dee' - like 'Mon-dee, Tues-dee'. That's how I got my name," artist Rizaldy Valencia laughs.
Not only does Rizaldy epitomise the creativity and uniqueness of his name, he also possesses the virtuosity and dexterity of his namesake.
Rizaldy on the set of 'Making It' Source: 10 Network
Highlights
- Rizaldy got into the arts as a child, drawing cartoons and making sculptures out of softened bubble gum.
- He was once an animator for Disney.
- He will be appearing in the new crafting reality competition, 'Making It'.
Drawings and bubble gum sculptures
"I grew up poor. We were living in the basement of my grandparents' house. The ceiling was so low that my parents were always on their knees," he recalls.
It was when they moved to the second floor of the home that he discovered art.
"My cousin had put up a drawing of a ghost on the wall. I remember seeing it and thinking that I could do that too."
Self-taught, Rizaldy was consumed with drawing cartoons and making bubble gum sculptures.
"My mum collected bubble gum. It was therapeutic for her to add oil to it and mash it in her hands," he shares, adding, "One time, I was playing with it and realised I could turn it into a sculpture. My dad saw this and bought me clay to work with."
The Valencia siblings with their grandfather Source: Rizaldy Valencia
From cartoon drawings and bubble gum sculptures, Rizaldy would expand his skills to drawing the human anatomy so he would be able to sketch "superheroes with muscles".
"My dad saw my work and pushed me to join competitions in school. I wasn't competitive though. I would join and win but it wasn't important for me to be the best. I just wanted to draw."
And drew he did.
Although Rizaldy wanted to be a surgeon, he opted to take up Industrial Design in Fine Arts at the University of Sto. Tomas instead because it was a cheaper endeavour.
"My grandfather said I could draw and it should be encouraged, but that he didn't think art could bring me places. Maybe that was his way of pushing me to work harder."
Although Rizaldy wanted to be a surgeon, he opted to take up Industrial Design in Fine Arts in the University of Sto. Tomas instead because it was cheaper. Source: Rizaldy Valencia
He worked harder and after a few disappointing months, he landed a job in animation.
"After graduating uni, I couldn't find a job; but because I was the only one in my class who could draw figures, I applied for a job in Fil Cartoons, the biggest animation studio in the Philippines back then. We did cartoons for Hanna-Barbera, like the Flintstones and Yogi Bear; and for Warner Bros., like Looney Toons.
"My goal though was to work for Disney."
Disney dreams
"The first Disney movie I ever saw was Pinocchio. I thought the characters were real people," he laughs, adding, "My dad said they were just drawings that came alive. After seeing that movie, Disney became the ultimate dream for me."
The dream became reality in 1992 when Rizaldy met an American expat who was working for Disney Australia. He applied for a job, did a drawing test and a month after, flew to Sydney.
"They welcomed me with a limousine and a nice hotel. That's standard procedure for Disney.
"I applied as an animator, but the company needed more assistant animators that time. Assistant animators are in charge of refining the drawings of the animators. I was able to prove myself and later on, became an animator."
Rizaldy as an animator for Disney Source: Rizaldy Valencia
Rizaldy admits that he enjoyed the prestige that came with working for a big company like Disney.
"Seeing my name in the end credits was enough for me. That was my legacy - even my grandkids and great grandkids will get to see my name in those movies."
Among those movies were sequels for major Disney blockbusters like 'Aladdin', 'Lion King', 'Bambi', 'The Jungle Book', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'The Little Mermaid'.
"Then Disney offered training for digital art. I didn't really like it. I still liked paper because it's the real thing. You can't hold digital," he says, adding, "So I decided to combine traditional and digital art. That's how I became a maker."
As a maker, Rizaldy flourished in sculpting as well as hand-drawn animation.
"I also rendered with ZBrush, a 3D sculpting program. That's what they use in the industry now because it's faster. I still like sculpting with clay though," he admits.
His skill in sculpting was recognised by Disney. Rizaldy was asked to head a class in the art form.
"I realised that out of 20 artists, only one or two could sculpt. The rest could draw but not sculpt. I was one of the few lucky ones who could do both."
Making It
Rizaldy's career took a detour when the Disneytoon Studios in Sydney closed in 2006.
"I then lived in Venice, Italy with my then-girlfriend for a year. I designed bikinis for her business. After that, we lived in Costa Rica. It was paradise, but I had nothing much to do."
"I lived in Venice, Italy [L] with my then-girlfriend for a year. I designed bikinis for her business. After that, we lived in Costa Rica. [R]" Source: Rizaldy Valencia
With nothing much to do and wanting to see a nephew who had fallen ill, Rizaldy and his partner broke up and he flew back to Sydney.
"I've been working for ABC Reading Eggs for 10 years now. I do all the animations along with three other artists.
"I also have kids now - twin boys. And my wife - she's awesome!"
It was his awesome wife and a workmate who pushed him to audition for Channel 10's new crafting reality competition, 'Making It'.
The Valencia family Source: Rizaldy Valencia
"I auditioned by showing my work...leather, wood, jewellery, making toys, making instruments...different mediums! And then out of 7,000 applicants, I became one of the chosen few!"
Previously working behind the scenes, Rizaldy admits that being in front of the camera was a different experience.
"I was in a skate park and some family recognised me from TV. We took selfies and I said it was good practice to feel like a celebrity," he laughs.
Joking aside, Rizaldy shares that the 'Making It' experience felt reminiscent of days passed.
Rizaldy on the set of 'Making It' Source: Rizaldy Valencia
"The cast and crew were amazing. It felt like I was back in Disney, surrounded by amazing artists. They helped me become an even better artist. I felt at home.
"Art is a way of expressing yourself. Art is an outlet. It's an important part of life. The world needs it."
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