I'm Junior Beckley, born and raised in Grenoble, France, with origins from Chad and Sierra Leone. 2D and 3D Character Designer and creator of Muntu Warriors. I am a huge believer that talent does not exist. Or at least, it becomes talent through hard work and perseverance. I'm the pure example of that because for ten plus years, I got rejected from every art school I did and every career I adventure myself into. I wanted first to be a professional in basketball. For 3 years I was a top athlete. But every year I was rejected from my team because I wasn't good enough. Then I started my art career. I got rejected from my first art school, where they clearly made me understand that I have no future as an artist. My second art school, I survived two years before being rejected the third year, dead last of my class. I was getting rejection after rejection for 10 years, and all of them were simply because according to them, I was not good enough. But everything changed for me in my last art school New 3Dge, with whom I got my degree and every tools I need to work in the industry. During and after that school, I managed to create a children book, to work at Ubisoft, to have my artworks known all around the world, to be a Next-Gen Gaming finalist in the Rookies 2017 and to have my own brand in Muntu Warriors. I think that the key to success is to be passionate first. Because it is the passion that will allow you to go ahead and face the difficulties and the storms when they come. But being passionate is not enough. We must also work hard at our passion. A person who relies only on his talent will sooner or later be beaten by a passionate person who works hard. Also, it is necessary to believe in oneself, be patient, persevere and never give up. Something really worth having will always be difficult to achieve. But the most important thing, is to take action. The cavalry ain't coming. Or at least it will be waiting for you along the way. But it's up to you to go on the adventure. As far as my art is concerned, when I create something, it’s not just about me. It's about bringing something valuable to my audience. Something they want to see as much as I want. Somehow, my art must make their life better. And I recognized a profound need (that I also have) of African fiction. In African culture, we have a lot of legends, kings, deities, treasures. Some unbelievable facts from the golden Stool of the Asante to the Journey to Mecca of Mansa Musa, or creatures like the Ninki Nanka or the Impundulu. This is why I use my art and knowledge to help people discover the cultural achievements of Africa, as well as its core values and traditions, through art.