Hi everyone, my name Juan Carlos Valdez I am an artist/animator that specializes in animation, illustration, CG modeling, character design and concept art. I am originally from Homestead, Fl which about 30 minutes south of Miami. All my life I have studied and practiced all forms of art and at a very early age I gained a love for animation that would lead into my career. In 2004, I graduated from AI Miami International University of Art and Design with a BFA in computer animation and later 2008 an MFA in computer animation. I began his career as a freelance artist. I worked for different companies local to Miami, where I created content for commercials and corporate videos. For the past 8 years, I have been a professor of computer animation at Digital Media Arts College located in Boca Raton, FL. And now I will be teaching at the MAGIC animation program at Miami Dade College. 

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I could go on about my resume. But this is what's really about me.

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My parents are from Guatemala and moved to Florida where my sisters and I were born. I am a Florida boy! And I love it here!

I grew up in a loving home and with the best family I could ask for.  We are very close and I was blessed with parents that encourage my talents and education. 

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Later I was blessed to meet the woman of my dreams, Jessica.

She and I were married in 2005 and we were then blessed to have

two wonderful children. My family is the most important thing in

my life and I thank God everyday for the best parents,

the best sisters, the best wife, and the kids that he has given me. 

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As I mentioned before I began my passion for animation began when I was really young. My earliest memory of being amazed by animation was when I was a kid and my dad was watching the news show 20/20. They showed the making of Disney's The Little Mermaid. I have always watched cartoons.... I still do. And I always thought they were so cool. They had cool characters, they were funny. My biggest influences has been and still are Disney, comic books, cartoons, and classic art. But when my dad called me over to watch this special 20/20 episode. They were giving a behind the scenes view of a making of a Disney animated film. I then learned how animated films were made. That was it, I was hooked! All I ever wanted to be from then on was an animator. I began to study everything I can find about art, drawing, film making, and especially animation. I spent a lot of time in the library. This was in the 80's.... before the internet. But in my teens, during the 90's, the internet was more available in school and I was able to get a lot more information about my future profession. 
 

I am big film buff. I love going to the theaters to watch a great film. Some of my favorite films are Tombstone, Goodfellas, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Coming to America, and Singing in the Rain. I could name more of my favorite movies, but the list would be huge! 

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I hope this little information about me helps you understand where I am coming from. And I hope that my work makes you happy! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thanks and enjoy!

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