Dan Schoening attended our 2D Animation program from 1999 to 2000, (back when the program's founder Lee Mishkin was our head instructor) and has since done very well in the animation, art and comics industry.

Dan shares with us, "During my time at VanArts, I was really able to hone and define the tools and techniques related to 2D character animation. In everything from life drawing to storyboarding, VanArts covered all the disciplines I needed to create a strong portfolio and obtain work in the animation industry.

Upon graduation, I went on to doing storyboards for local animation houses in Vancouver, including AKA Studios on Cartoon Network's Ed, Edd & Eddy. Afterwards, I moved to Victoria and began working at Inlight Entertainment, on many different IPs for such clients as Disney/Pixar, CBC, Fisher Price and Leap Frog. At that time, I also began to develop my Flash skills and explore the freelancing world.

I currently do full-time freelancing, which has been a great opportunity to push the craft into more challenging areas. My freelance clients now include DC Comics, IDW Comics, Ape Entertainment, Club Penguin, Upperdeck, Random House, Readers Digest and Capstone Publishing.

My experience at VanArts was not only positive, but memorable as one of the highlights of my career."

Visit Dan's Blog @ dapperdans.blogspot.com

(Ghostbusters: Haunted Holidays comic with art by Dan Schoening, courtesy IDW Comics)