'Speaking of Art': Chris Alvarez

July 29th, 2022

Chris Alvarez is an Atlanta cartoon animator and muralist. (Photo courtesy of Chris Alvarez)

Chris Alvarez is a cartoon animator and muralist living in Atlanta. He considers himself an experimenter, constantly shifting his areas of interest.

Lately, Alvarez has explored what he calls “cartoon-driven cubism,” using strong, angular shapes and bold colors. Growing up, he was a cartoon-loving kid, so enthusiastic he would draw on any surface available, including the walls.

Alvarez went to the Art Institute of Atlanta focusing on animation and afterward entered a professional art career working mainly in mural creation. Now, a participant in the booming Atlanta film industry, Alvarez has achieved his dream job making cartoons for television for the last ten years.

His artwork is often seen in animations on the FX channel and Hulu, including the show “Poorly Drawn Lines,” which Alvarez art directed. Inspired by the city he calls his home, Alvarez particularly enjoys taking in the many stretches of murals adorning Cabbagetown, produced with the collaboration of local artists in annual Forward Warrior events. Murals by Chris Alvarez are visible at the Atlanta airport, Studioplex, the BeltLine, Old Fourth Ward, and several other locations, with his latest work decorating the new Distillery of Modern Art recently opened in Chamblee.

More artwork can be seen at https://alvarezanimates.com.