Ep. 240 Toys on Tap: From Avocados to Animation: Tony Mora’s Creative Grind

In this episode, we sit down with artist and creator Tony Mora to unpack his remarkable journey across animation, web design, 3D modeling, and toy making. From his childhood in Bell Gardens, where anime and Godzilla shaped his imagination, to carving out a career in a turbulent creative industry, Tony shares how resilience and adaptability have guided him through uncertainty.Tony opens up about the pressure of constant production, the anxiety that comes with freelancing, and the importance of staying grounded in kindness and connection. He takes us behind the scenes of the animation grind, the shock of clients seeing the rapid pace of production, and the lonely yet rewarding pursuit of art.We dive into his leap into 3D printing and toy design, inspired by bootleg collecting and fueled by years of daily practice with Blender. From selling avocados door to door as a kid to sculpting figures that appear at conventions like Designer Con and Kaiju Fornia, Tony’s story reflects grit, curiosity, and a deep love for creation.On Instagram: @TonymoraThis Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!Want to become a sponsor? Email: [email protected] the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontapThanks to Our Supporters: @dketoys | @massiveminihorse | @dimensionxtoys @bootlegtoyco | @pocket_salsa | @dirtyyetti @dan_overdorff_art | @zimotco | @barbarian_rage @mannycartoonstudios | @pickmansvinyls Shaun C. Downey | @richiemanic | @recollectiontoys @rubbercitytoys | @acid9toys | @teneki_toys @angryhedgehogRate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!