Nate Powell - Cartoonist Survey #253

Graphic novelist, writer, publisher and musician Nate Powell was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1978. He began self-publishing comics with friends Mike Lierly and Nathan Wilson when he was only 14. In 1994 he started publishing zines and also started a record label. Nate would go to punk shows and sell comics, zines, tapes and records. After graduating from North Little Rock High School in 1996 he spent a short while at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He then attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City and graduated in 2000. While at SVA he received the Outstanding Cartooning Student award and the Shakespeare & Company Books Self-Publishing Grant.

Nate used some of the grant money to self-publish his 2001 comic series “Walkie Talkie.” From 1999 to 2009, in addition to cartooning, Nate worked full-time providing support for adults with developmental disabilities. He was also an actor and skit writer for the North Little Rock sketch comedy show Fun And Games for six years between 1997 and 2002.

“Tiny Giants” is Nate’s debut anthology of work. Released in 2003 and published by Soft Skull, “Tiny Giants” contains work that spans the years 1998 to 2001. His next release was 2004’s graphic novel “It Disappears” that tells the tale about a journey of self-discovery resulting in the realization that everything eventually disappears. In 2006 “Sounds of Your Name”, another collection of his work was printed, including comics, zines and his first two books “Tiny Giants” and “It Disappears”. Nate’s collection of four autobiographical stories, “Please Release” also came out in 2006.

Nate’s next effort, “Swallow Me Whole”, spotlights the effects mental illness has on families. In 2008 “Swallow Me Whole” was awarded the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Debut. The next year it received the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Artist and the Eisner Award for Best Original Graphic Novel. “Swallow Me Whole” was also a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist for Young Adult Fiction in 2009.

“Any Empire” is his latest graphic novel. Debuting last September, “Any Empire” looks at the damage that war and violence causes middle American children by shattering their innocence. Nate recently finished illustrating Mark Long and Jim Demonakos’ semi-autobiographical tale about civil rights struggle in 1967 Texas, “The Silence of Our Friends.” He is presently drawing “The Year of the Beasts” which is written by Cecil Castellucci and is scheduled to come out in May 2012.

On top of all of the above, Nate also managed the DIY punk record label Harlan Records for 16 years and has performed with numerous bands including Universe, Divorce Chord, Soophie Nun Squad, Wait, and Boomfancy. He’s also a fill-in writer/artist for DC’s Vertigo Comics series "Sweet Tooth" (by Jeff Lemire) and was a contributor to the acclaimed fundraising anthology "What You Wish For: A Book for Darfur." He lives in Bloomington, Indiana with his wife Rachel, their two pets and their brand new baby girl, Harper. Visit Nate’s blog here where you can see much more of his work and purchase comics, books and CDs.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I do about 50/50 work in Hunt 102 crowquill and Windsor & Newton 7 Series #2 brush.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Until a couple of months ago, I just used a regular HB pencil, but have recently rediscovered the joy of a mechanical pencil after watching my friend work with one.


Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
By hand.


If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
I color with FW Acrylic Artists Ink and a brush, directly on the line art.

What type of paper do you use?
Strathmore 400 Smooth Finish Bristol.


What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
I feel that I’m weak at drawing feet, cars, and sleeves because I’m lazy at observing them. Also, horse anatomy and babies.


Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I split my orders between Dick Blick and my local shop, Pygmalion’s.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
My entire daily life is one big routine. It’s the only way to keep discipline. A typical morning (before my new baby arrived) was this: wake up at about 8, drink water and eat breakfast while checking email, reading news and Cracked.com; spend about 45 minutes gently waking my wife up at 10-minute intervals, then taking my dog on a walk through the cemetery next door. The whole ordeal takes about 2 hours.


Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
This last year I’ve listened a lot to Genesis, ^(Arc), La Roux, V Manuscript, Bernard Herman, Fat Shadow, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, New Order, Please Inform The Captain This Is A Hijack, Tammar, Dreamers Of The Ghetto, Morrow, Moby, Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Anthrax, Megadeth, Neurosis, Black Sabbath, Portraits Of Past, Yes, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Antelope, and lots of 1980’s DC hardcore.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Of course! I started reading comics when I was 3, thanks to a steady diet of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Wonder Woman. Until I was in about fifth grade, I loved G.I.Joe, Transformers (the comics shop in Alabama even carried totally separate British versions of both series, which were awesome and brutal), and The ‘Nam. Once I actually started coming into my true self, I devoured all X-Men related books, Daredevil, the original TMNT run, Appleseed, Orion, and Akira.


What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Calvin & Hobbes, of course.


What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Hands down, it would be "Bunnicula", and I still have my old copy at the ready.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I got a BFA in Cartooning from School Of Visual Arts in New York City, Class of 2000.


Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
It’s the Internet.


Did either of your parents draw?
My dad and both of his parents are/were pretty skilled at drawing, though none of them spent too much time focusing on it. My dad’s mom, Elaine Powell, began painting in 1980 for something to focus on while recovering from cancer, and lo and behold was quite good at it. From a very early age, I have strong memories of watching Bob Ross programs, smelling oil paint, and collaborating with her on paintings, adding snakes and dinosaurs to her rural Southern landscape paintings.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife Rachel Bormann is a huge support in every facet of my life, and provides crucial feedback and insight to my comics (and we’re known to crank out a few stories together like “Cakewalk”), and my best friend and collaborator Erin Tobey is a direct and constant presence with the work I do, from concept and editorial phases to art production assistance to website management. The journey would be so much harder without these two peeps!

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I have kept a sketchbook/journal fairly consistently since 1995, and have probably filled up 20 or so journals along the way. Throughout my twenties, I relied more and more on my sketchbook work to make sense of an increasingly messy and unpredictable life. As things have grounded themselves a bit more, and as projects are more long-term, I’ve virtually stopped my journal entries and simply thumbnail my books in them. I’ve never actually kept a sketchbook of life drawing, or kept in practice with it.


Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I’ve done a variety of presentations and workshops in several public libraries throughout the land, and during 1999-2002 I was an art teacher at a skills center for adults with developmental disabilities in my hometown of North Little Rock, AR. Any presentations about comics had much more to do with opening up the field for folks’ specific questions—pulling back the curtain—than teaching drawing, semiotics, or the technical side of comics.


Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
I feel that focus is more important than either, but if I had to pick one, it would maybe be talent—which seems kinda lame. But I think that part of talent in this sense can also be the developing skill set that focus brings forth in a person’s drawing, harnessing the passion and intuition that drives you to observe and create.


Do you collect anything and if so what?
I have 2,000 records, but I don’t think I would consider those a “collection” any more than my library of books or comics—maybe the difference is that these collections are constantly used and referenced. I mean, I do put all my records in little plastic baggies and stuff, but that’s because I plan to keep using them throughout my lifetime.


If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
I’ll go transgender (and transspecies) on this one, as one of my cartoon heroes is Mrs. Brisby/Frisby from The Secret Of Nimh.

Are you a righty or lefty?
I follow the right hand path.


If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
If I couldn’t make a living drawing comics, I would still gladly be doing support work for adults with developmental disabilities, a career I had from 1999 to 2009. My brother has high-functioning autism and some other disabilities and lives a very independent, functional, highly social life. Growing up with and through him gave me a natural inclination to work and communicate well with folks with disabilities, and to see the urgency of providing advocacy for folks who our society consistently wants to sweep under the couch.


In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
A lifetime’s detritus, stuffed into rows and shelves as if my studio were the final shot of Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I play bass decently, and play guitar, keyboard, and percussion most indecently. Over the years I’ve been in the bands Soophie Nun Squad (1992-2007), Gioteens (1999-2001), Boomfancy (2000-01), Wait (2005-2007), Divorce Chord (2008), and Universe (2008-2010).

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
More essential than anything else is developing and maintaining true discipline. “Draw comics every day” is a nice gesture, but it won’t cut it. After drawing comics full-time while working my job full-time for 9 years, I finally had a brief window to take a chance on full-time cartooning, but the only way I can stay afloat is working about 9 hours a day, 6 days a week, 50 weeks a year. And it’s essential to factor in several hours a day doing email/communications/media/promotion/pitch stuff on the computer. It’s a rough ride, but then again, you do get to listen to music and draw all day. It’s just that it’s ALL day.


Who is your favorite artist?
My all-time favorite mainstream comics artists are Arthur Adams and Michael Golden. These days, my very favorite cartoonist peers are Gabby Schulz, Erin Tobey, Gabriella Giandelli, Genivieve Elvrum/Castree, Dash Shaw, Becky Cloonan, Farel Dalrymple, Anders Nilsen, John Porcellino, Vanessa Davis, and Lisa Hanawalt, to name a few. It’s a great community.


Thank you very much Nate and a big congratulations on the new addition!

Evan Dorkin - Cartoonist Survey #246

Evan Dorkin is a multi-Eisner Award winning cartoonist, artist and writer who was born in April of 1965. He started drawing at a young age, copying ‘Peanuts’ characters from the newspaper. He is mostly self-taught aside from a couple of artist’s anatomy classes and an animation drawing class while he was attending film school at New York University. Evan is probably best known for his alternative comic 'Milk and Cheese', the adventures of an anthropomorphic milk carton and wedge of cheese. Both characters were created and drawn on cocktail napkins while he was under the influence of adult beverages in the wee hours of the morning back in the mid-80s.



He continued to draw the characters and the first ‘Milk and Cheese’ strip ran in the final issue of Greed Magazine in 1988. ‘Milk and Cheese’ strips continued to be printed in various magazines and comics until the early 90s when Slave Labor Graphics started collecting them and printing them in ‘Milk and Cheese’ comic books. Numerous issues of the comics were released including a trade paperback that collected the first four issues in 1994.



In addition to ‘Milk and Cheese’ comics, he created the anthology comics ‘Dork!’ The ‘Dork!’ comics consist of random comics and strips that are a mix of new material and reprints from other sources. Other early comics works by Evan include ‘Pirate Corp$’ and ‘Hectic Planet’. He has also worked for the major comic companies including; ‘The Goon’ and ‘Predator’ for Dark Horse, ‘World’s Funnest Comics’ and MAD Magazine for DC and a ‘Thing’ miniseries, ‘Agent X’, and ‘Bill and Ted’ comics for Marvel. Lately he’s been writing and drawing for Bongo’s ‘Simpsons’ comics including the recent ‘Bart Simpson’ #63 for which he wrote and drew a 10-page story that was colored by his wife, Sarah Dyer.



Evan and Sarah have written for television and animation. Together they worked on Cartoon Network’s “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” for seven years, writing scripts for more than a dozen shows. Evan and his wife have written and designed costumes for the children’s show “Yo Gabba Gabba!” including the show’s Super Martian Robot Girl segments. The writing team of Dorkin and Dyer also wrote some episodes of “Superman: The Animated Series”, “Batman Beyond” and “Batman: The Animated Series.”



Evan teamed up with comic book writer and illustrator Jill Thompson for the supernatural pet epic ‘Beasts of Burden’ for Dark Horse Press. ‘Beasts of Burden’ features a heroic gang of dogs and a cat who protect the town of Burden Hill from evil forces such as canine zombies, cannibal frogs and a secret rat society. The ‘Beasts of Burden’ comics were collected into a hardcover edition last July. Speaking of hardcover editions, this coming January Dark Horse Comics will be releasing a deluxe hardcover edition of ‘Milk and Cheese’ that will contain almost every strip from 1989 to 2010.



To learn more about Evan and see more of his work, visit his and Sarah’s The House of Fun website and his blog. You can also purchase original artwork by Evan here.



What is your favorite pen to use?

These days it's a Hunt 22 nib.



Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?

I pencil everything out pretty tightly because I'm a very hesitant inker, I can't draw in ink, at least not to my satisfaction. I use standard pencils, 2H, 2B, 3B, 4B, sometimes plain old Ticonderoga #2's.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?

Any color comics I do are colored on the computer by my wife and partner, Sarah Dyer. I can't use Photoshop; I'm not very handy with a computer.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?

If I color a piece or a commission drawing I use colored pencils and/or markers.

What type of paper do you use?

Strathmore bristol board, usually a 400 or 500 series. I switch around a lot and sometimes buy sheets of bristol when I can afford it because the pads vary in quality and I can't seem to find anything I'm satisfied with. Paper, as with art supplies and manufactured goods in general, seems to be declining more and more in quality every year. For a long time I was able to work with a cache of Marvel and DC board that I managed to acquire (editors and publishers were much more generous with paper back in the 1990's), I really got used to that paper and haven't found anything I've liked as much since the sad day my stash ran out.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Animals, cars, people, buildings, nature, computer keyboards, furniture...anything with a deadline. I could make a long list of things I don't enjoy drawing because to a large degree I don't actually enjoy drawing. I find it difficult and am always fighting the page and what I'm trying to draw. I'm compelled to draw because I do enjoy telling stories in comics form, but most of the time I find the actual act of drawing stressful. I don't think I draw anything particularly well, sometimes I find myself hitching even when drawing my own characters, even characters I've drawn for many years. I enjoy having drawn more than drawing, if you get me. The same goes for writing, as well. I like working out the material in my head and in my notebook, executing the material is usually an exercise in anxiety. Sometimes the work flows and it feels organic and 'right" like it did back when I was young and didn't know how bad my work was, when I just did it and had fun.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?

Both, but the local art supply stores where I live are terrible and unreliable. I only go there if I need something basic that they will most likely have, although they can surprise you. No kneaded erasers, or 3B pencils, or Rapidograph ink, I've been stymied plenty of times going local.



Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?

I worry.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?

I listen to all sorts of music, usually I just listen to WFMU.org, a free-form radio station whose various deejays play pretty much anything and everything you can name -- punk, power pop, new wave, hip-hop, doo-wop, garage, electronic, hillbilly, country, western swing, big-bands, standards, black metal, soundtracks, classical, experimental, the list goes on. I like all sorts of genres and sometimes pick what I'm listening to based on what I'm working on. Sunday nights at 8 pm I listen to the Big Broadcast on WFUV.org, a four-hour show of mostly 20's and 30's big band music I enjoy working to. I also often like to draw while listening to old radio shows, all kinds, but usually horror and crime stuff, as well as some comedy shows. Years ago I used to only work with the television on, Jack Kirby-style, but I stopped and don't even know if I could do it again if I had to. It was good company but too distracting.



Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

I followed newspaper strips, Tintin reprints in Children's Digest magazine and Marvel Comics. My sister read Harvey and Archie comics and when I was done with my Marvel comics I'd read those, as well. My favorites were Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four and The Avengers. The Tintin translations made a lasting impression. Of my sister's comics I liked anything with Spooky the Ghost and Hot Stuff.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?

Growing up it was Peanuts, my favorite current strip is Cul De Sac. I like a lot of old strips, Barnaby, Wash Tubbs and Captain Easy, Terry and the Pirates, Dick Tracy, Gasoline Alley, Prince Valiant, King Aroo, The Little King, The list goes on and on.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?

“The Curious Clubhouse”, if I had to pick one. I have a copy of it although it's not the one I had as a kid. I still have my kidhood copy of “Alice in Wonderland”, that was a cherished book. It's always hard for me to pick a favorite anything.



Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?

I took two artist's anatomy courses at New York University, where I also took an animation drawing class. That's pretty much it. I'm largely self-taught and had a bad teacher in myself. It's a reason I believe I've always been at least ten years behind where I should be as far as my craft goes.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?

Both.

Did either of your parents draw?

No.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?

My wife, Sarah.



Do you keep a sketchbook?

I keep several but I only sporadically work in them. I get discouraged because drawing doesn't really come easily for me, and I'm often disappointed by the results. I also don't have a lot of spare time to draw stuff that isn't for a concrete project. I tend to use my sketchbooks like notebooks, pragmatically working out ideas, dialogue, character designs, and images for a project.



Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?

I've spoken to classes and groups about making comics, but I've never formally taught anyone anything. I could never teach an actual drawing class, I don't have a good enough grasp of the fundamentals, I know about as much about draftsmanship as I do quantum mechanics. I do enjoy giving talks about comics and cartooning, I don't know if I could actually teach a class, though. The talks I've done have gone over pretty well, but I don't know if I could translate that into a sustained course that students can take anything away from.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?

For me it's the latter, even if the passion is tempered these days. I have a modicum of talent, there are legions of people out there who draw better than I do, but the energy and honesty and personality I try to bring to my comics helps set them apart. I think. I hope. Passion will come across on the page even if the chops aren't always there, passion can overcome some wobbly drawing and staging. I don't believe in dismissing craft, but I'd rather listen to a compelling, messy punk band than a group of technically-proficient musicians who bring nothing to their music but immaculate playing. That being said, true talent plus real passion is ideal, I'd think. Something to aspire to.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

I used to collect a lot of things, too many things, I'm in the process of getting rid of a lot of stuff. These days I really only collect comics, almost exclusively comics with a spine, a lot of strip and old comic reprints, some manga collections, pretty much everything Tezuka-related. I get most of them for free or trade. If I had to pay for the bulk of the comics I pick up, I wouldn't be picking them up.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?

What a weird question. Felix the Cat? The original, grumpy version of the character, not the television version.



Are you a righty or lefty?

Righty. Politically, I lean left.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?

Stand-up comedy or professional wrestler, something miserable like that where you're putting yourself out there and entertaining people and the actual business is miserable and there's an element of personal self-destruction involved. Like comics, only with an audience, and a lot more substance abuse.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

A pretty nice, large room with a cheap drawing table up against one wall in-between two windows overlooking the street. The table has a battered old lightbox on it, a lamp that's almost twenty years old and not working properly, and it's covered with comic pages, layouts and reference for a strip I'm working on.

Do you play any musical instruments?

No.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?

Persevere. Keep going. Work creates work, and improves the work.

Who is your favorite artist?

If we're talking comics, probably Jaime Hernandez. With a lot of folks just beneath him on the list, Jack Kirby, Yves Chaland, Tezuka, Will Elder....yet another long list.


Thank you very much Evan!

Steve Rude - Cartoonist Survey #238

Born in Madison, Wisconsin in December of 1956, Steve “The Dude” Rude is an award-winning comic book artist, illustrator and fine artist. His career path in art started after finding the how-to-draw books of Andrew Loomis in the 5th grade. He graduated from high school in Escanaba, Michigan and took a year off before studying at the Milwaukee School of Art and Design for two years. Steve returned to Madison and furthered his training at the University of Wisconsin and Madison Area Technical College. In 1981 his career took off when together with writer Mike Baron he created the groundbreaking “Nexus” science fiction comic book series. The “Nexus” series, set 500 years in the future, featured over a dozen alien races that were designed by Steve and often dealt with themes like addiction, guilt and justice. Lasting over 100 issues “Nexus” was first published by Capital Comics; was later continued at First Comics, Dark Horse Comics and finally his own Rude Dude Productions. Steve has also worked for Marvel Comics and DC Comics where he has drawn most of the major characters including Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Thor, The Fantastic Four and many others. In his many years as a comic book artist he has earned a Russ Manning Award a Kirby Award and numerous Eisner Awards.


Steve became disillusioned with the “Modern Age” of comic books in the mid 2000’s stating that it seemed like the fun had been taken out of them. He found that he enjoyed painting models so he pursued something that was more fun for him, fine art. As a fine artist he is comfortable with many mediums such as oils, watercolor, gouache, pastel, and others. Recently he was bitten by the comic book bug again and looks to get back into the industry. In 2007 the book “Steve Rude: Artist in Motion” was released which covers his comics, illustration work, life-drawings and sketchbooks. The book also includes a how-to section showing a painting project from start to finish. Presently there is also a documentary on Steve’s life and career that is in the works by Ian Fischer.

Steve lives in Peoria, Arizona, with his wife, Jaynelle and their two children You can see much more of his work on his website and you can follow him on his facebook page and blog. To purchase books, comic art, fine art and prints, visit the Steve Rude store and also check out his auctions on eBay.


What is your favorite pen to use?

There's a certain marker that I use to ink-in commissions drawings. It's not waterproof, but I like its effects. I cut the tip with a razor blade to get a bevel effect that gives me thick and thin lines. Too bad they stopped manufacturing them.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?

Yes, I draw in pencil first.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?

I've tried both methods, preferring to use a computer to color the interiors of my books, but everything else is hand-done with actual paints and brushes, and always will be.

What type of paper do you use?

That depends on the job. For comics, it's the standard 2 ply, I guess.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Research on things I know nothing about is always a pain. The first issue of The Moth had custom-built motorcycles everywhere. I've never even driven a motorcycle. Thankfully, once you're into it, it's not that bad, but it does take a proper amount of time.


Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?

I used to buy everything from art stores in the area, but some things are always out of stock. Now, I'm finding the usefulness of mail-order catalogues.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?

I usually like to warm-up on various things in my sketchbook before I begin working, but it's not a set pattern. This can be anything from feet or hands, heads and ears, or other difficult things that may be nagging at me. Also, I enjoy drawing and studying the work of any other artist I admire, usually the old illustrators or vintage comic artists. Anything that catches my eye is game for my sketchbook.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?

Yes, I'll usually listen to Talk radio, books on tape, or CD's. They help pass the time and keep me company.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

I read comics since the age of about 10. Always the old Stan and Jack comics from Marvel. I still think they're the best!

What is or was your favorite comic strip?

My favorite strips as a kid were the humor strips, like Family Circus or Blondie. Early on, I use to draw Charlie Brown characters at the dinner table all the time. Nowadays it would be Prince Valiant, Rip Kirby, or any of the Roy Crane strips.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?

Most kids seem to have read at least one of the classics when they were young. Me--all I remember was Rikki-Tikki-Tavi from the Jungle Book. I always preferred reading comics, which always struck more exciting, creative heights with me, or watching my cartoons on TV. During the day I would always be out playing with my friends (often talking about the cool comics or TV shows).

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?

I've had degrees of formal art training since I graduated from High School. But yet---no actual degree. Once I learned what I could from one teacher, it was on to the next one who could teach me something new. I still attend life-drawing classes and painting workshops to learn from the many great teachers out there.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?

The Internet is progress. Some use it, some abuse it.

Did either of your parents draw?

Yes, I use to having drawing sessions with my Dad, whom I called "Douses". I never used to call him "Dad", since I always had different than usual names for everything. "Douses" and I use to draw animals all the time, since I had my sights fixed on being a zoologist someday.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?

Most everyone I met seemed to be supportive. Comics were the cool thing in art college and everyone loved them. The cool people were always part of the comic’s crowd.

Do you keep a sketchbook?

At present, I'm up to number 28.


Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?

Yes, I've taught anyone who's ever inquired about how to learn, and enjoy passing on what I know to those eager to fill in their "missing gaps". Several single-session workshops have been taught in many places over the globe.


Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?

It sure helps.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

I haven't collected actual comics in probably 20 years, but I still find an old Marvel or work by Jack Kirby that still provides a missing section in my collection. Kirby's canon of work seems limitless.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?

Well, in comics, the character I most wanted to be was Spider-Man. He could beat up thugs with or without a costume and had a gorgeous blonde girlfriend around his arm.

Are you a righty or lefty?

I'm right-handed. Always have been.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?

Hmmm...I'm currently drawing a blank on that. Something unconventional or non-conformist, I suppose.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

In the early days, it just consisted of a small desk and a table lamp. Now I have a whole large room to myself, with all the required necessities for "finger-tip access", as I call it.

Do you play any musical instruments?

Nope. But I've always fancied the drums were I to play in a band.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?

My advice: Perseverance--and know that you yourself are always the final arbitrator of your path.

Who is your favorite artist?

Jack Kirby in comics, with John Gannam, Harry Anderson, and several others from that school, in Illustration.


Thanks again for your time Steve!

A thank you also goes out to Mike over at The Comic Archive for posting the tour of Steve's studio.

Terry Beatty - Cartoonist Survey #234

Born in Muscatine, Iowa in January of 1958, Terry Beatty is a cartoonist, illustrator, teacher and a sculptor. He teamed up as co-creator and artist with writer Max Allan Collins (“Road to Perdition”) in 1979 to create 'The Comics Page', which was a weekly syndicated comics page containing jokes, activities and a puzzle-comic starring private eye Mike Mist. Though the feature was short-lived, the character Mike Mist carried on, appearing in issues of Mystery Magazine and as a back-up feature in the 'E-Man' comic book. With Collins, Terry also co-created and drew ‘Ms. Tree’, which went on to become the longest-running private eye series in American comic books. ‘Ms. Tree’ got her start in 1981 in Eclipse Magazine and soon spun off into her own comic book. First published by Eclipse; ‘Ms. Tree’ was then published by Aardvark-Vanaheim, Renegade Press and finally DC Comics, who published ten quarterly 48-page issues that ran into the early 90’s. Terry’s other work with Max Allan Collins includes the detective/horror four-issue series ‘Johnny Dynamite’ for Dark Horse, and a graphic novel sequel to “Road to Perdition” called “Return to Perdition”, for DC's Vertigo Crime line that is scheduled to be released August of this year.

Terry spent over a decade inking various “animated-style” Batman comic book series for DC including: ‘Batman Adventures’, ‘The Batman Strikes’, ‘Batman and Robin Adventures’, ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’, ‘Batman Beyond’, ‘Batman Gotham Adventures’ and more. During this time he was awarded two Will Eisner Awards. The first one was in 1998 for Best Graphic Album-New for ‘Batman & Superman Adventures: World’s Finest’ and the second one was in 1999 for Best Title for a Younger Audience with ‘Batman: The Gotham Adventures’.


The works from Terry that I am most familiar with and really love are his cover paintings for Dennis Druktenis’ Scary Monsters and Monster Memories magazines. These wrap-around covers are just beautiful to look at and apparently I’m not the only one who feels this way as he won the Rondo Award in 2007 for Best Cover Illustration. A big fan of monsters, he created artwork for Monsterwax’s Shock Stories trading cards which were released in 2009. As a sculptor Terry has created numerous resin kits including his “Beatty’s Beauties” series, a sideshow freak series and many more. He recently designed a Green Lantern model kit for Moebius Models and created the box illustration for it. As if all of the above isn’t enough, Terry also taught in the comic art program at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design from 2005 to 2009.


He recently moved to the Kansas City area with his wife Erika and their son Kirby. Terry is also a proud grandfather with grandsons, Dawson and Tristin who were born to his daughter from a previous marriage, Elizabeth. Visit his website where you can see more of his work and also purchase original artwork. Follow him here on his Scary Terry's World blog. You can purchase the Shock Story trading cards through Monsterwax and you will soon be able to purchase the Green Lantern model kit here at Moebius Models.


What is your favorite pen to use?

Lately I've been using the digital pen tools in Manga Studio. Otherwise I'm more of a brush guy.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?

Yes -- if working on paper -- usually a mechanical pencil. If digital, I'll do blue "pencil" preliminaries.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?

For commissions -- by hand. For printed work -- Photoshop.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?

Colored inks.

What type of paper do you use?

Strathmore bristol -- smooth surface.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Traditional telephones (with the curly cord) are a pain -- as are motorcycles and drawing someone getting in or out of a car.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?

In Minneapolis I shopped at Dick Blick, PenCo, Art Materials and the Art Cellar at MCAD -- just moved to the Kansas City area and haven't sought out a shop yet. Will likely be doing some mail order.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?

No.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?

Often. Rockabilly, hillbilly, early rock and roll, exotica, swing, surf guitar, roots country, British invasion, punk, garage band...

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

Yes. I read 'em ALL. Probably would have to choose Lee/Kirby Fantastic Four -- though Lee/Ditko Spider-Man might be my answer on another day.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?

Tough one. I think it's a tie. Foster's Prince Valiant and Segar's Popeye.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?

As a child? Probably "Jungle Tales of Tarzan." And yes -- I still own a copy. Along with many other E. R. Burroughs books.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?

Self-taught.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?

A blessing in that it is allowing artists to reach their audience directly, without the interference of publishers/editors.

Did either of your parents draw?

No.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?

My mother, I suppose. Though she never really "got it".

Do you keep a sketchbook?

I do -- but have slacked off from working in it lately.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?

Yes, I was Visiting Artist and then an adjunct instructor at MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design) -- and yes, I (mostly) enjoyed it.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?

Perseverance is more important than both.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

Too much to list. Character toys, model kits, art, books, music, movies....

Are you a righty or lefty?

Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?

I'd be fronting a rockabilly band or hosting a late night TV horror movie show.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

A flat surface surrounded by lots of stuff.

Do you play any musical instruments?

I own a guitar. I have yet to learn to play it.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?

Only do it if you MUST.

Who is your favorite artist?

Jack Kirby.

(Watch this two-part video of Terry reviewing some monster models.)






Thanks again for your time Terry.