Daily Inspiration: Meet Dante Davison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante Davison.

Hi Dante, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story starts with being a curious young dreamer, I’ve always had a unique imagination that kept me entertained. Eventually, I started drawing people and places around me. This was the gateway into the arts for me. I incorporated storytelling early into my drawings, creating comics and bios for my characters. I loved stapling pages together to create my own little books. I still have a few till this day. A few years later I noticed my mom’s passion for taking photos of her children. She even set up her own little studio at our home. She did it out of love, but I was secretly inspired by her! And so, I received my first Pokemon camera when I was eight years old and cherished taking photos of everything. Family vacations, nature, siblings and so much more. Anything I could shoot I did. These two mediums, drawing and photography, always led back to storytelling. It wasn’t just about the image but yet the past present and future of the piece. These pushed me further, I knew with enough practice, one day I could be a filmmaker. All three mediums kept me going throughout high school. I was the kid who drew in school and I uploaded my photos and videos online. I was dedicated and knew I belonged in this space. I even gave up things like basketball just to pursue my dream. My school thought I was crazy, but I had a vision. An so I graduated, Created DANTES CRAFT, and never turned back ever since. From 2015 until now, DANTES CRAFT has been about telling stories through photography, animation, and film. Whether it’s my creation or someone’s story that must be told, I find joy and satisfaction in crafting timeless art.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am now has been so enjoyable. Every few months I can look back and can be proud of my work and how I’ve grown. If my company ever slowed down it was my own doing and choices. I firmly believe in failing to rise up stronger and more confident. We’ve all had a few moments of uncertainty, or where to put our efforts next, but ultimately, these trials help artists like myself grow into who we want to become! I am proud of my company, I want it to reflect who I am and the endless possibilities that humans are capable of.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a child, I would get goosebumps watching films, and always thought if I could give this feelings to others I would have fulfilled my artist duty. I want to make people, happy, confident and inspire them to follow their path. From the start, craft has told meaningful stories in the community through photography, interviews and cinematography. Now, I’m very excited to show the world a new kind of story. Characters with cartoon and anime backgrounds. My first cartoon creation “Sheppy” and my second anime tv show “OUTLAW” both have really made a name for themselves around the Twin Cities already, it’s a great thing to see unfold organically. I feel like Im really doing everything I’ve dreamed about doing as a kid. I’m very proud to have a platform where I can give people a voice, while also giving my characters a voice and persona on screen. Film will never go out of style and animation grows by the day!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
In entrepreneurship, failure is a great mentor. Once you understand that you become a little more fearless and eager to be yourself and face the outcome whatever it might be. To keep it simple, You either win or you learn. Not trying will always be a grave mistake in this entrepreneurial journey.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Dantescraft.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dantescraft/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftbydante