Rockeats Alcoreza - An Artomatic Interview

by Mike Rhode

Rockeats Alcoreza's exhibit at Artomatic is heavily-influenced by graffiti and popular culture, especially animation. We reached out to him to ask our usual questions, some of which are less relevant to a painter than a cartoonist.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I do a mixture of urban street art and realism.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

Acrylic paint, sometimes oil.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I'm from DC.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in? 

I live in Arlington, VA's Green Valley.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

No training or education, but I feel if I take classes my talent will develop greatly.

Who are your influences?

Hip hop, anime, people

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I would've took art more serious back in middle school. I had a conflict with my art teacher at the time. I didn't continue with art. I completely dropped it. I recently picked it up again.  I know for a fact if I continued doing since middle school to high school, my art would be amazing beyond amazing because I would've learned so many techniques and been guided to produce better art.

What work are you best-known for?

My backgrounds (the patterns you see in majority of my art is called THE 88's).



What work are you most proud of?

Nothing really I feel like I could do a lot better when I look back at my work.

What would you like to do or work on in the future? 

Make comic strips, funny crude humor or create a book for kids. That would be the dream.



What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I hate when that happens; listening to music sometimes helps.



What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

Awesome con, but I would like to attend more. I'm not that informed about when these events happen.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

Our go-go music. Our sense of style, the way we talk, and also the fact we are at the nation's capitol.

Least favorite?

Traffic

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

Corinto gallery

How about a favorite local restaurant?

El Pollo Rico -  it's in Arlington - it's crack.



Do you have a website or blog?

Websites would be https://www.facebook.com/24mobrockeats
https://www.instagram.com/24mobrockeats/
Later I will create my own website.

Eric Gordon, the D.C. Creeper - An Artomatic Interview

by Mike Rhode

D.C. Creepers's Eric Gordon's work is usually based on live sketching of unaware subjects. He's sharing a room at Artomatic in Crystal City and agreed to answer our usual questions.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

My comics are all over the map. I've done giant robots, abstract collage stories, and dogs gambling. Most of my published work has been in DC's own Magic Bullet and I also self-publish a number of mini-comics and zines which sell at local shops and fests.  A few titles: Better Know a Ramen, Thank You For Your Cooperation, Mr. Squibly, Verse Scribble Verse, Vinyl Vagabonds and others.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I do as much of my black and white work by hand as possible. I feel the most control of the medium that way, even the mistakes. I prefer brush and ink, but will use various pens as well. I try not to discriminate that much and work to seize the creativity when it happens.  I'll do some manipulation and color work in Photoshop after as needed.  I've been adding some watercolor to the process lately as well.


When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

1975.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Born and raised in Bethesda and have roots in the Silver Spring area which is where I currently roost.  I stay here mostly to be near my folks and because I have a good job in the arts with Art Enables, vocational programming for adults with disabilities who are artists.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Background in illustration and further studies in social work and mental health.  I interned at Marvel for a while and have worked in animation, graphic design, and gallery management.  I also credit my comic and cartooning experience to the local comic shop, Big Planet in Bethesda, as well as Atomic in Baltimore. Lots of good influences there.  I also was in a cartooning club at the local JCC for a few years growing up, which was pretty formative.

Who are your influences?

I've always been in deep debt to Bill Sienkiewicz, Stan and Jack, Brian Ralph, Daniel Clowes, Scott McCloud, and Berkeley Breathed.  Many others, but these are the first that come to mind.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Wish I could have been at Marvel in the 60s instead of the 90s during the bankruptcy.  Also, would have gladly skipped the dot-com boom and bust.

What work are you best-known for?

Probably Mr. Squibly, a gum drop headed every man type. Made at over a dozen mini comics with him.  Also DC Creepers, which is a long running action sketching project I've been working on.

What work are you most proud of?

Mega Turg, my giant robot comic that was in Magic Bullet #3 and 12. Those comics are ridiculous, challenging, and mega fun (see what I just did there?).

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

Keep challenging myself to make comics (and art in general) that is honest and full.  There have been a few invites to do comics that just didn't make sense for me and my voice. I'm excited about a four-page project for a Cartoonists Draw Blood compilation that is coming together, and a continuing series of paintings inspired by the local music scene.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Procrastinate? No, that's bad. Usually I call my brother, a close friend in Queens, or talk to my wife.  They always seem to know the answer or give me such a wrong answer that it fires me up. Either way I am very lucky to have them for support.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Small press publishing/self-publishing. Print is being killed by the internet so it's up to local art scenes, zine fests, comics clubs, art studios, and individuals to make the comics of the future. Online is a part of it, but the power and quality of paper is just impossible to ignore.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

DC Zinefest -  one of the best I've ever tabled at - great books and crowd. SPX - been going since it began and tabled for the first time last year. It's crazy, but great. Richmond Zinefest - great people and books.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The Maryland part... seriously though... it has to be the diversity. The Silver Spring area is insanely diverse culturally. That makes for great art, food, music, and life...  so many great subjects to draw from.



Least favorite?

Tourists and DC haters.  Don't like it here?  Please leave.

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

National Arboretum, Portrait Gallery, Art Enables galleries, and #1 is Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Quarry House.

Do you have a website or blog?

www.dccreepers.blogspot.com

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Beth Varni

by Mike Rhode

Beth Varni is new to the comic book world, and has agreed to answer our usual questions about her work and life.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do? 

I do inking, pencils, and colors.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination? 

Computers, traditional, and combination.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born? 

1989.

What neighborhood or area do you live in? 

I live in Woodbridge Va

What is your training and/or education in cartooning? 

I have a BFA in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University

Who are your influences? 

Adam Hughes, Tomm Cooker, Mike Mignola, Paul Azaceta, and far too many others to name. I am actually pretty shitty at names.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change? 

Early on I had an internship comic job with a company near George Mason. I'm not going to name them, and it was all around not a great experience. I was used to make logos as an unpaid intern as the ONLY logo designer they had and they advertised it. I was stolen from the company by my art director who more than likely cut my convo with the owner and took me, and then threw fits when I wanted to be paid for my colors. All around terrible.

The Witch art by Paul Moore, colors by Varni

What work are you best-known for? 

Um, I am actually very very new to comics only a year in and I think for The Last Hunt with Amigo Comics I am getting the most inquiries about. I did the colors; Paul Moore did the gorgeous pencils and inks. I also work on colors for The Shepard by Calibur comics which I've gotten positive feedback from.

What work are you most proud of? 

I think it's my non-comic works involving my niece and nephew. I do regular art, paintings, sculptures- I think what I love the most are the paintings of my family. They mean something to me. A birth, a quiet moment with a nana, a smiling baby for the first time. Those I love.

What would you like to do or work on in the future? 

Varni colors over Paul Moore art

Character design and colors are what I love in the realm of comics and games. I really want to work with my co-artist Paul Moore on some more stuff. I'd like to do colors for an Image series and of course for Marvel. A big dream of mine is doing concept art for a Bioware game. (Mass Effect lover here).

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block? 

Play video games. Go out with my friends. Cuddle with my dogs.

What do you think will be the future of your field? 

It looks like it's headed into big growth right now. My generation's moving into the creation and profit fields- they like comics and games and movies. Of course we have different opinions than the old school creators so the art styles, panels, covers, even methods of story telling are being tested and changed. I hate when people say "this is the way we do this" well yeah, it's YOUR way to do it. Not the only way. It's fun to see what new paths comics and art in general will take in the future.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

McKinnon Chronicles art by Matt Trinh, colors by Varni

Haha. I've actually NEVER gone to a con as an artist. I went to Otakon a long time ago with my friends... Tiki and the Revolution? Took home the best sketch trophy. Martial artists and Streetfighter work well together.

What's your favorite thing about DC? 

I love all the restaurants and the shows at the Verizon center. Initial reaction was I love the Cherry Blossom Festival - and the Beer festivals nearby at the Washington Harbor are very fun as well.

Least favorite? 

Traffic. I travel a TOOON so I can say we have some of the worst traffic in the world sometimes. Istanbul has us beat from what I've experienced but still DC traffic sucks.

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to? 

I love to take them to the Mall and show them all the museums. Native American, Art, Natural History, Space! All so fun and fantastic.

How about a favorite local restaurant? 

In DC it's Zaytinya over by the Verizon Center. Took my dad there for his 60th bday- he loved it and so did my whole family. Great place; I cannot recommend it enough. 

Cunning Folk by Varni

Do you have a website or blog?

I have a website, it's my online portfolio. It has comic art, video game art, and just regular art for the sake of art- www.bethvarni.com

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Lenora Yerkes

by Mike Rhode

I met Lenora Yerkes recently at a local art book festival where she was selling two minicomics.


What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I write stories inspired by my life--you might call it personal or observational narrative drawing. 

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I'm all analog--pens and paper and nothing fancier than a nice Japanese pen and a kinda busted scanner. 

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

My favorite Dolly Parton song (9 to 5) was a Billboard #1 hit the year I was born--in Los Angeles, CA. 

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

This is my tenth year in DC and my seventh in Bloomingdale. I came for graduate school and stayed for love--of this weird place and its weird people.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning? 

Twenty Six Days

In cartooning? None at all. My drawing has always been narrative and it's always told stories. I've drawn comics over the years, along with big narrative drawings and prints, but recently I'm devoting more time to this "comix" format that brings writing and drawing together into more literal narratives. 

Who are your influences?

Lynda Barry, for sure, but also Vanessa Davis and Evan Dorkin and Kathe Kollwitz (OG narrative printmaker!) and the surrealist painters Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I would have worked more. There's always room for more work. 

What work are you best-known for?

This season, I shared a lot of a mini-comic I made called "Hibakusha." An interesting thing happened in sharing that book that I didn't expect--a lot of young people were interested because of the ostensible subject, but a lot of older folks were drawn in by the title, which is a word not that commonly used anymore. Response to that story has been great. 

What work are you most proud of? 

"Twenty Six Days" turned out beautifully and was a bear to compose. The process of writing that one is something I hope to improve on and then bottle. 

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

Longer works! I'm a long-winded, round-about lover of analogies and metaphors, so I work a lot on making complex ideas concise. I'd love to build the patience to compose and draw a longer story. 

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Twenty Six Days page

These days, I go for a swim. My father-in-law tells me we get more ideas when we're in the water. 

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Comics or narrative drawing or cartooning--whatever you call it--can be used to tell any kind of story. We're situated to redefine what people think when they hear these words and move these kinds of drawings into every field. 

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I tabled at SPX this year for the first time and was lucky enough to participate in the first ever DC Art Book Fair. It's a huge, diverse community of a lot of artists doing different things. 

What's your favorite thing about DC?

Hibakusha detail

DC is like no where else and every where else, all at once. 

Least favorite?

Rent. 

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

Actually, the view from the top of the 13th Street hill is one of my faves right now. 

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Meats & Foods at 247 Florida Ave NW--a beautiful simple store making great food. 

Do you have a website or blog?

The best place to see my work is Instagram @lenorayerkes, but you can also see it at lenorayerkes.tumblr.com. 

 

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Sean Causley

by Mike Rhode

Sean Causley attended SPX this year, and kindly agreed to answer our usual questions about his work.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

My current comic work is my self-published book, Panda Force. It’s about babies from the future that battle evil forces, but they usually just end up destroying everything in their path. There are a lot of one-liners, some potty humor, and a good amount of cute and crude moments. It’s a fun, lighthearted, zany project that gives me a lot of laughs as I work on it. It’s essentially a big love letter to my daughter, Rowan. I have several other projects that I have various roles on, but I do everything on Panda Force, which is nice because it gives me 100% creative control.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

It’s evolved into a combination of traditional and digital. I sketch everything on the computer with my Wacom tablet. I then print out the rough sketches on cardstock and traditionally ink the page. Once that’s done, I scan the page and then finish it on the computer. It’s a crazy process, but I still enjoy the tangible, tactile part of creating at least a portion of the art away from the computer.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was raised in the 80s and 90s — also known as THE greatest decades — in Fort Hunt, Alexandria, VA. I have many fond memories from growing up where I did, so I’m very thankful to my parents and grandparents for that.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I live out in Chantilly, VA. It’s a great family-friendly area. Super wholesome and what not. Most of my family still lives in the area, so that’s a big reason we’ve stuck around DC.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Fairfax County in my mind is very progressive when it comes to education in the arts. I spent several summers at the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) which opened me up to computer art, airbrushing, character design, all these really obscure ways of creating art which expanded my vision for what art can be. I owe a lot to that program. West Potomac is where I attended high school. Their arts program in the Springbank building was really awesome—and I hear it still is. It was one of the first schools with a dedicated computer lab dedicated solely to creating art. We had a whole bunch of Apple Quadras. Google image search that if you want to truly understand how ancient I am.

This isn’t education or training related, but the Pearl Arts and Crafts store that used to be on Telegraph Road was an amazing place to me when I was a kid. You could get everything under the sun there, and the tools you use are just as important (if not more) than any training you can ever receive, since so much of creating art is based on experimentation.

I studied graphic design and illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. That was a great experience, as well. It’s almost intimidating how many amazing artists come in and out of that place. Being surrounded by all that creativity was inspiring and motivating.

Who are your influences?

I’ve always loved surreal art, and there are a variety of artists and creators that I’ve admired from afar, but none that I feel like I’ve tried to draw inspiration from. So in that sense, I don’t know if I have any real artistic influences. My main source of inspiration is family, friends and everyday life occurrences and experiences. Oh, and pizza. Definitely pizza. I’m more creative on a full stomach.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Nothing. No regrets! I try to keep the mindset of, “what awesome things can I create today and tomorrow” as opposed to dwelling on things I could’ve done differently in the past.

What work are you best-known for?

I did a good amount of tour and gig posters in the late 90s and early 2000s for the band 311 and a bunch of other random groups. I’m also the Creative Director for ROIAdvertising, so you can find a lot of my graphic design work online. My tumblr site that I curate with Julian Lytle called Long Boxes on 22s has a solid group of followers and fans. It’s a blog where we mash-up comics with pop and hip hop culture. I guess that is more what I’m “known for”, at least according to Google. Now that I’m getting Panda Force out there and some of the other books that I have lined-up, I’m hoping I can become better known for my visual storytelling.

What work are you most proud of?

Anything that I am currently working on. Like most artists, I’m horrified of any art that I’ve created that is over a couple weeks/months old.

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

I’m about 75% of the way done with Panda Force, so I’m kind of excited about the “unknown” after that. I’ve got a bunch of ideas swirling around in my head of things I’d like to create, but right now I’m very focused on completing this first series before I get ahead of myself.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Stop creating. Take a break and enjoy life. Recharge.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

I think the future will be the acceptance that both digital and traditional forms of media, and creating things can coexist together. That one is not going to completely take over the other, as we like to try and predict. 

I also feel the future will be more focused on quality over quantity. I think right now that we as creators are too focused on producing as much content as possible, as opposed to focusing on the quality of the craft. 

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I just got into the whole convention rigmarole this year. The local ones I’ve done are Awesome Con, Baltimore Comic Con, and SPX.

I have to say, it’s been a lot of fun. I really enjoy meeting new people, and seeing them excited about Panda Force. I have to send a special thanks to Julian Lytle, Shawn Pryor, Ronald Wimberly, and Carolyn Belefski for their guidance and support with the conventions and comic book business. An extra special thanks goes to my wife, Tracy who’s the one to actually get me off my posterior to put my art out into the world and not leave it in a closet gathering dust. High fives, all around.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

It has a little bit of everything for everybody. You also get all the seasonal changes. In comparison to most places, it’s pretty diverse and progressive.

Least favorite?

Interstate 66. Metro delays. Mondays after the Redskins lose.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

I usually just direct people to the National Mall and say “peace be with you”, but if I had my own choice it would be a toss up between the Hirshhorn — or my own personal favorite — the National Museum of Natural History. They have dinosaur bones, the Hope Diamond and an insect zoo. I mean, how rad is that?

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Minerva in Chantilly is our go-to if we want some good Indian cuisine. My family can put away some wings, so we hit up Buffalo Wing Factory pretty frequently. When we do it up big, we go to Tuscarora Mill out in Leesburg. I also can’t forget the Silver Diner. I’m a complete sucker for a burger and shake.

Do you have a website or blog?

I’m on Twitter at @causleyconcepts. That is probably the best way to follow everything I create. If you’re a hip hop head, you can check out Longboxes on 22s at longboxeson22s.tumblr.com. You can buy book one of Panda Force at pizza-bandit.com.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Michael Brace

by Mike Rhode

Michael Brace is a member of the DC Conspiracy comics co-op.  He was at DC Zinefest this summer, and finally agreed to answer our standard questions. He will be at SPX next month if you'd like to meet him.


What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I just finished my second black-and-white comic book its in a realistic style. I also contribute one-page stories to a local newspaper comic Magic Bullet and those tend to be a little more cartoony.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

Mostly traditional pen and ink. I used a computer for lettering and occasionally for adding color.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

1950s

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Long-time Foggy Bottom resident. I came here to pursue an illustration career.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Took a one-year commercial art vocational training class back in 1973.

Who are your influences?

Too many to name. I'm a big fan of turn-of-the-century book illustration (I should say turn-of-last-century book illustration) and woodblock prints.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Would have focused more on writing skills.

What work are you best-known for?

Pages in Magic Bullet and artwork for District Comics.

What work are you most proud of?

Managing to finish two comic books.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

I would like to expand on my last comic "Never Rescue an Octopus from a Tree".

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I try to have a couple of projects going so I can switch off to keep things fresh.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

I think independent comics will continue to expand on both the web and in print. Flexibility is key.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

Zine Fest and Small Press Expo this year. Great to have an alternative to superhero cons.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

Don't need a car to get around.

Least favorite?

The local neighborhoods are being gobbled up.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

Air and Space Museum and National Cathedral.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

No longer around "Dove and Rainbow." Made their pizzas with Greek cheeses, they were great.

Do you have a website or blog?

Not at this time.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Chris Fenoglio

by Mike Rhode

A Baltimore Comic Con staffer tipped me about Chris Fenoglio of Alexandria, VA, who kindly answered our usual questions. Fenoglio should be getting wider recognition soon as he's drawn an X-Files spin-off that comes out this summer.


MR: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

CF: I have a couple of projects right now. The biggest one I’m working on is the X-Files Origins: Mulder series coming out in August from IDW. I just finished the first issue of a project called Bloodworth written by the supremely talented Dan Corey that’s coming out really soon as well. I also work on a webcomic strip called Chris & Christina about me and my wife. It’s funnier than it sounds…

MR: How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

CF: Mostly computer… especially lately. I have a lot of plates spinning, and it’s just faster this way.

MR: When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

CF: In Berkeley, CA in the early 1980s.

MR: Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

CF: Alexandria. Does that count still?

MR: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

CF: I have a master’s degree in illustration from The Academy of Art University. I teach some of their online classes now (like I said… lotsa plates).

MR: Who are your influences?

CF: Too many to count, but the major ones would be, like, Jeff Smith from Bone, Alex Toth, Chris Samnee, and Greg Capullo… at least those are the guys I try to copy as much as I can.

MR: If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

CF: Nothing so far… maybe go to art school sooner in life? Or maybe pick a career that makes a lot of money… like accounting.

MR: What work are you best-known for?

CF: Probably the X-Files one now… but I also colored a few issues of the Orphan Black comic IDW put out.

MR: What work are you most proud of?

CF: Right now it’s a tie between my X-Files and Chris & Christina stuff. X-Files feels like a huge step forward in my career both artistically and in terms of my standing in the industry. Chris & Christina scratches that artistic itch of putting something together that’s totally mine. And it also lets me try out some of my weirder ideas.

MR: What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

CF: Everything. Is that an answer?

MR: What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

CF: Just keep working. I find that you can usually work through things like that if you just keep noodling. Worse comes to worse, I’ll take a break and go do something else for awhile.

MR: What do you think will be the future of your field?

CF: Hopefully universal acceptance. I’d love to live in a world where everyone read comics. I think the way the medium is expanding and diversifying is really helping, but it’s still got a ways to go.


MR: What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

CF: I just moved to the area about 2 years ago, so not a bunch. I’ve gone to NYCC the last two years and it’s been pretty great. I also checked out Baltimore this year also, which was a ton of fun.

MR: What's your favorite thing about DC?

CF: Is it cheesy to say, “the monuments and museums?” If you grew up on the other side of the country, they’re really awesome to see up close.

MR: Least favorite?

CF: Traffic… And that’s coming from a Californian. Is getting hit over the head with a tack hammer part of the driving exam out here?

MR: What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

CF: Portrait Gallery. I like paintings.

MR: How about a favorite local restaurant?

CF: There’s this awesome place in Alexandria called Rustico. I love their pizza… and vast selection of beer.

MR: Do you have a website or blog?

CF: I have a website (that’s in dire need of an update) at
www.chrisfenoglio.com and you can check out my webcomic at https://tapastic.com/series/chrisandchristina. And people can always follow me on Instagram and Twitter @ChrisFenoglio

Meet a local cartoonist: A chat with Orion Zangara

by Mike Rhode
 
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I primarily draw black and white line work. However, I’d love to develop my coloring and lettering skills as well. Also, I’d love to learn how to digitally paint and a bit of graphic design and apply that to comic books.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I draw with both a traditional pen and brush, but I also use a Cintiq tablet. So yes, it’s a combination of the two.

Also, sometimes for my personal work, I like to draw on matting board. Here is an example:

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born in Albuquerque, NM.

Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Actually I live in Sterling, VA— but, I grew up in Harpers Ferry, WV. My wife is a history teacher at a middle school in our area, so that is one of the reasons why we live here now.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I attended The Kubert School in Dover, NJ which is an accredited 3-year school that specializes in Cartoon-Graphics and Sequential Art . It also happens to be founded by my late grandfather, Joe Kubert. My uncles, Adam and Andy Kubert, are now co-presidents of the school.

Did the example of your grandfather or uncles lead you into the comic book field, or did you resist following in their footsteps?

They were certainly a big reason I was introduced to the comic book industry. :) 

Is your mother artistic too?

Yes, she certainly is. She has an excellent eye for art. In fact, she makes excellent points on all my art. She would have been a great art director. 

Can you tell us a favorite story about your grandfather, and his comics work, as you saw it, or it affected you?

My grandfather’s Yossel graphic novel means the most to me. I believe it’s his masterpiece and is so emotionally raw.

Who are your influences?

Oh, so many…Sean Murphy, Travis Charest, Shaun Tan, Richard A. Kirk, Rodrigo Enrique Luff, Nate Simpson, Mike Mignola, Lee Weeks, John Cassaday, John Paul Leon, Greg Ruth, Geof Darrow, Andy Brase, Gabriel Ba/Fabio Moon, Eduardo Risso, Francois Schuiten, Jeff Lemire, Bernie Wrightson, Andy Clarke, Leinil Francis Yu, Simon Coleby, Charles Vess, P. Craig Russel, David Mazzucchelli, Dustin Nquyen, Franklin Booth, Frank Quitely, Nicolas Delort, Riccardo Federici, Rafael Albuquerque, Lucy Hardie, Tran Nquyen, Cary Nord, Kikyz Trece Trece, Gustave Dore, Marcos Mateu-Mestre, Sara Pichelli, Chiara Baustista, and the list goes on and on…

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Hmm… Well, I am really just in the beginning of my career as a comic-book artist. My first graphic novel, Stone Cold: The Stone Man Mysteries Book One, is coming out in August by the wonderful Lerner Publishing Group. It is written by the New York Times Best-Selling author Jane Yolen and her talented son Adam Stemple. To be quite honest, Jane Yolen has been one of my favorite authors since I was very young, so I am amazed that I get to work with her and her son.

(By the way, here is a link where you can pre-order the book. )

That said, I would probably have submitted my work earlier. As soon as I began actually putting my work online, I began getting paid work.

What work are you best-known for?

I am going to say The Stone Man Mysteries trilogy! :)

What work are you most proud of?

Again The Stone Man Mysteries.

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

I have some secret projects coming up, so I can not answer this question completely. However, I would love to work for more comic book companies and eventually even draw a little bit of superhero genre work . Also, I would love to get into video game and concept work, but I always want to work with comic books in some form.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I guess this does not really happen…I just constantly draw.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Like prose books, I think comic books will eventually be nearly all digital. Also, I could see comic books as being more interactive and actually move on the page. I believe this is already beginning, but I think it will be more popular in the future.

Luther Strode pinup

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I need to attend more local cons! I have been to SPX, Awesome Con, and Baltimore Con. They are all amazing!

What's your favorite thing about DC?

D.C. is probably my favorite city in the USA. I love the free museums, the beautiful scenery, the architecture, etc.

Least favorite?

This is quite minor, but I wish the metro expanded a bit more.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

All of them! Actually, my wife and I were just at the D.C. Mall last Monday and went to the National Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn. Also, we took a tour at the Capital and had the pleasure of seeing the U.S. Senate.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I am a big fan of Toki Underground in D.C. Also, I love spicy Korean food, so I recommend Honey Pig in Centreville, VA.

Do you have a website or blog?

Yes! My website is http://www.orionzangara.com

Meet a local cartoonist: Jane Dough, dollar bill artist

by Mike Rhode

This past weekend was Free Comic Book Day, and I swung by Victory Comics in Falls Church, VA. They've had cartoonists set up for the past few years, and I got to meet a few new people and ask them our standard questions.  The pseudonymous Jane Dough is doing an atypical  type cartooning... drawing characters on dollar bills.


What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I draw cartoon, video game, and comic book characters on dollar bills. 

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination? 
I use pencil, pen, and gel pens. 

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
 I was born in Wayne, IL in 1987. I have lived in Maryland since I was 7.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?
 I'm actually just south of Baltimore in Halethorpe MD. 

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
 I don't have any formal training in cartooning. I've been drawing since I was little and have a degree in Graphic Design from UMBC. 

Who are your influences?
Honestly my biggest influences are my artistic friends. From musicians, to writers, to artists, they all provide inspiration and motivation for me :)

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change? 
I'm actually incredibly happy with my current job and wouldn't change a thing for my career. But for my personal art, I wish I had explored more when I was younger. I'm still trying to find "my style"

What work are you best-known for?
 My dollar bill art

What work are you most proud of?
 Probably my dollar bill art (outside of my day job where I manage a UI/UX team)

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?
 I'm starting to work on some short comic strips. I'd love to hone my illustration style.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I usually just take a break from art. I let my brain rest until inspiration comes. If I'm on a deadline, then I'll look at other artists online and do research until something sparks.

What do you think will be the future of your field? 

As a dollar bill artist? I think that's unknown territory! I think it's a very niche concept and is great for gifts, so I'd imagine it's pretty stable.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I really enjoy MagFest, MagClassic, Otakon (Baltimore but soon to be DC), and Creator Con! They're all fantastic Cons and so much fun. Creator Con is newish and definitely has some kinks to work through, but the goal, educating kids about careers in creativity, is fantastic. 

What's your favorite thing about DC? 
Tons of diverse things to do!

Least favorite? 
The chaos and poor parking.

Do you have a website or blog?

I do! jjdough.com