Charlie McCoy III and his Controlled Chaos in Motion

Charlie McCoy III

For Virginia-based artist and animator Charlie McCoy III, art isn’t just a creative outlet; it’s a language. Working across mediums like traditional pencil and ink, digital illustration, animation, and script writing, McCoy fuses raw inspiration with studied technique to tell stories that feel both nostalgic and urgent. “My sketchbook is my stomping ground,” he says. “It’s where I can mess up, build ideas, and push through mistakes.”

McCoy’s creative journey began in childhood with sketchbooks gifted by his parents. But it wasn’t until about five years ago that he decided to take art seriously. A former college student with a short-lived clothing brand and a current firefighter, McCoy’s path to becoming a full-fledged creator has been unconventional. Built on curiosity, repetition, and what he proudly calls his attendance at “YouTube University.” He taught himself the foundations of anatomy, perspective, and visual storytelling by studying comics, film, and hip-hop album art.

“Nothing to Worry About” (c. 2022)

One look at McCoy’s work and you’ll understand what makes it special: there’s a balance of chaos and control, a visceral energy anchored by detailed intention. Whether it’s an animated short or a pen-on-paper illustration, his pieces hold weight. “I want the passion to bleed through,” McCoy says. “This isn’t just something I do, it’s something I live.”

That cinematic flair isn’t an accident, though. Charlie begins many mornings watching movies from directors like Stanley Kubrick or Paul Thomas Anderson. “You can tell when a director loved making something. I want people to feel that when they see my art too,” manifests McCoy by describing a film like Dawn of the Dead. 

Despite his growing body of work, McCoy’s success isn’t measured by likes or gallery spots; it’s about impact. “It’s when people stop and feel something,” he says. Critics may misunderstand his layered pieces as chaotic, but he embraces that. “Controlled chaos,” he says, smiling. “That’s me.”

“Movies” (c. 2025)

As he continues to evolve his practice, balancing his firefighting career with storytelling, McCoy has his eyes set on something bigger. “It’s not if I’ll build something lasting, it’s when.”

And if his journey so far is any indication, when might be closer than we think.