Honestly most of my favorite reads these days are all-ages.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Kata Kane, Baltimore's Altar Girl
by Mike Rhode
Kata Kane has returned to her Altar Girl webcomic, after a decade away from it. She's moved in the meantime from suburban DC to Baltimore, but was back in town recently for the Smudge Expo in Arlington."Ashley Altars is a typical high school student, attending a prestigious Catholic school with a long history. Seth Charming is a boy who died in 1929. They are both the keepers of mysterious key necklaces, and through them Seth has been brought back from death and to Ashley's present day, assisted by the Gemini Twin angels and guardians of the keys, Sera and Cherry. Ashley now has to deal with angels, demons, and bullies... but she just wants her crush Adam Evenine to finally notice her." - Kata Kane
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I draw “shoujo manga-style” comics, and I’m best known for my original comic “Altar Girl.” My art style is really inspired by both American comics and Japanese manga influences. “Shoujo manga” means “girl’s comics” and usually have themes of school life, friendship, and romance. Someone once said my comics are like Archie and anime combined, so I think that’s a pretty good way of putting it.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I do a combination of traditional sketching with finishing done on the computer. I start out with rough
pencil sketches, scan them in, and then I ink, color, and use screentones digitally. I use a Wacom tablet, and a combination of programs like Photoshop, Illustrator and Manga Studio.When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in 1984 in Takoma Park. I grew up in Silver Spring!
Why are you in Baltimore now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I really like the vibe of Baltimore. It’s an interesting city with a small town feel, and a great art scene too. When I first moved here in 2009, I lived in Hampden, but I now live in Mt. Washington. All of my family is still in Silver Spring and my siblings are in DC, so I’m there plenty of weekends too!
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I didn’t go to art school, but ever since elementary school I took any art classes that I could. I always liked reading the Sunday funnies in the Washington Post while my parents read the newspaper. I tried making my own comics based off of that, and really since then everything I did was mostly self-taught and inspired by my own interest.
I was always drawing at home and writing my own stories, looking at my comic collection for references. Taking classes like Life Drawing & Design in college really helped me learn proportions and refine techniques. I feel like I learned a lot more specifics on-the-job as a graphic designer and illustrator than I did in school.
Who are your influences?
When I first read Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi as a tween, that was a game-changer for me. I already liked comics – but this was my first “manga” and I was totally drawn to the story and art style.
My biggest influence is Rumiko Takahashi. Her manga “Ranma ½” is hands down my favorite of all time, but I love everything she’s done, and especially her one-shot comics in “Rumik World.” I also really admire Chynna Clugston, the creator of “Blue Monday” and “Scooter Girl.” Her style is also an American-manga influence, and reading her published works when I was in high school & college made me feel like someday I could do the same!
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would have pursued a full-time career as a freelancer in comics much sooner. I went to school for graphic design, and at the time I felt like comics could only be a hobby: that I couldn’t really be a success at it. But I’ve learned to measure success not by the biggest paycheck but by hard work and happiness. If I can make even one person feel inspired to keep drawing and follow their own dreams by reading my comics, that’s success to me. It sounds corny, but it’s what keeps me motivated!
What work are you best-known for?
Most know me for my webcomic Altar Girl, which I originally ran online while I was in school. I never fully finished the story back then, so in July 2012, exactly 10 years after I had published the first page of Altar Girl online, I decided to start over again, but this time using the skills I’d learned as an illustrator & graphic designer to fully pursue it. Last year I did a Kickstarter to get Book 1 printed, which was successfully funded, and I think helped some new readers discover the comic too. I’m hoping to do a Kickstarter for Book 2 this year, so keep an eye out!
What work are you most proud of?
I’m proud of Altar Girl. The comic is very much ongoing, but it’s already given me so many opportunities to meet comic creators and artists I admire, as well avid comic readers and aspiring young artists. I’m especially proud to meet the young women who come to comic cons and feel a connection with my art and my book. It’s really wonderful and also very humbling.What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I’m a full time freelancer, so I want to keep working on my own comics and stories, but I also love getting opportunities to work on other comic projects I can lend my skills to - especially pencils and inking. I’d really love to work with all-ages comic publishers, and help get new and exciting titles out there for young women especially.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I like to watch or read something that inspires me. Sometimes I’ll turn to a classic comic or anime I really like, and other times I’ll try to find something new I’ve heard of or just been meaning to check out.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I hope to see more independent artists able to create their comics and tell their stories through their own means. I think we see a lot of that in webcomics now. Self publishing can be really rewarding!
I’ll definitely be at SPX this fall, but sooner than that I’ll be doing some library events in DC, Creators Con (which is happening at my old high school – James Hubert Blake!) in April, and AwesomeCon end of May. I’ll also be at Baltimore Comic Con, and I’m always doing Bmore Into Comics shows, which are smaller one day shows happening at cool hang outs in Baltimore. I recently did SmudgeExpo for the first time, and I really enjoyed it!
I love the smaller shows for an all-ages crowd that encourage creativity. It’s really inspiring for me too!
What's your favorite thing about DC?
The museums, the zoo, and eating delicious food in Chinatown.
Least favorite?
Driving. I always end up getting lost and losing track of what street I’m on somehow!
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
I always tell friends if they can only visit one museum, make it the Museum of Natural History! I personally love going to the National Gallery.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Daikaya Ramen! I also really like brunch at Zengo on the weekends.
Do you have a website or blog?
Altar Girl’s website is www.altar-girl.com, but I post on Twitter @ashleyaltars, Facebook (facebook.com/altargirl), and Tumblr (altar-girl.tumblr.com) too! You can find more of my illustration and design work at www.kata-kane.com as well! I'm usually available for illustration commissions and more.
Deans and Belefski Kickstarters nearing end
A couple of local cartoonists have Kickstarter campaigns that are drawing to the end. Both are a little short at the moment, but Deans' is ending sooner, in less than 2 days:
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Part 2 of 'Terrible: Tsar Ivan IV'
Study Group Comics has published online the next chapter of Terrible: Tsar Ivan IV by local cartoonist Art Hondros and former Maryland writer/cartoonist Scott Mills.
Click here to read it.
Click here to read it.
First page from chapter 2
Feature on Kevin Bednarz and his Comic Logic! store
With one dream biz under his belt, Ashburn bar owner opens another: A comic book store
By Rebecca Cooper/Washington Business JournalKevin Bednarz already owned one of the quintessential dude dream businesses — a bar — when he decided to open another one: a comic book store.
Read more
New Carolyn Belefski interview online
KICKSTARTER KENESCOPE: CURLS
John Michael Helmer
March 2015
http://comicbookinterviews.weebly.com/interview-curls-kickstarter.html
The Post talks to Danielle Corsetto about her webcomic's ending
Danielle Corsetto on the end of her long-running comic 'Girls With Slingshots'
By Alyssa RosenbergWashington Post Act Four blog March 19 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/03/19/danielle-corsetto-on-the-end-of-her-long-running-comic-girls-with-slingshots/
Dean Haspiel recalls Irwin Hasen on Comic Riffs
RIP, Irwin Hasen: Dean Haspiel, who inherited Hasen's The Fox, pays tribute.
By Michael Cavna March 19 2015http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/19/rip-irwin-hasen-dean-haspiel-who-inherited-hasens-the-fox-pays-tribute/
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Chris Artiga-Oliver
%2Band%2Bson.jpg) |
| Artiga-Oliver and son at Smudge |
Chris Artiga-Oliver attended the Smudge Expo 2015 last weekend selling his self-published comic book Coll: Yondering. Coll is a barbarian warrior, perhaps a Viking, who excels in combat in the three short stories in the comic book.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I write screenplays for a living but had always intended to direct films. As a result many of the stories I create pass through many other hands before be translated into images and the results can be frustrating. Comics has always been my other love so a couple of years ago I created the character of Coll and began making comics.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I draw out my Coll layouts in pencil and then finish them in traditional pen and ink and watercolor wash.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in 1970 in Burlington, Vermont to an artist mother who later married my stepfather who is a primatologist. We traveled a lot throughout my childhood and I was exposed to many different types of comics in many different languages.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved to DC in 1989 to attend the Corcoran School of Art and Design where I met my wife. We settled in the Mt Pleasant neighborhood where we still reside.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I studied photography at the Corcoran but left to pursue film. I am not trained as an illustrator but I have always drawn things since I was encouraged to start by my mother. Every day's work drawing Coll sees me trying something new and pushing the level of my ability and creativity and I love the challenge.
Who are your influences?
I was drawn in by the work of artists like Vaughn Bodé, Moebius, Philippe Druillet, John Buscema and Frank Miller. I have been lucky to meet (online and in person) local talent like Nick Liappis, Jason Rodriguez and Andrew Cohen who are very supportive and encouraging. The online community has been supportive as well having received encouragement from Tony Moore, Aaron Conley and Grim Wilkins. It's nice to plug into a community of creators that are so generous with their time and support as I move forward into untested waters.
I was born in 1970 in Burlington, Vermont to an artist mother who later married my stepfather who is a primatologist. We traveled a lot throughout my childhood and I was exposed to many different types of comics in many different languages.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved to DC in 1989 to attend the Corcoran School of Art and Design where I met my wife. We settled in the Mt Pleasant neighborhood where we still reside.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I studied photography at the Corcoran but left to pursue film. I am not trained as an illustrator but I have always drawn things since I was encouraged to start by my mother. Every day's work drawing Coll sees me trying something new and pushing the level of my ability and creativity and I love the challenge.
Who are your influences?
I was drawn in by the work of artists like Vaughn Bodé, Moebius, Philippe Druillet, John Buscema and Frank Miller. I have been lucky to meet (online and in person) local talent like Nick Liappis, Jason Rodriguez and Andrew Cohen who are very supportive and encouraging. The online community has been supportive as well having received encouragement from Tony Moore, Aaron Conley and Grim Wilkins. It's nice to plug into a community of creators that are so generous with their time and support as I move forward into untested waters.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Through attending and showing at SPX I've been able to meet childhood heroes like Los Bros Hernandez and strike up friendships with Alexis Ziritt and Brandon Graham, two people who's work I admire.
The American Art Museum is also a great place to go for inspiration and solitude. I've also mined the collections of the Freer and the Sackler museums for inspiration for the Coll stories.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
I frequently thumbnail stories in my sketchbook in my favorite DC restaurant Zorbas in Dupont Circle. I have been going there since my first week in DC and in that 26 years the owner has become like a second mother to me. I lament the loss of another great hangout, Heller's Bakery, I hope the Duni brothers can find a new location soon.
Do you have a website or blog?
Currently if you want to follow along with work on Coll I post a lot of process work at @artoli70 on Instagram as well as pen-monkey.tumbler.com - there will be a dedicated Coll website soon.
Terry Flippo's new collection of Axel and Alex available
from his Facebook page. Stay tuned for our standard interview with Terry.
It's here, It's here!! The second collection of Axel and Alex strips. This baby comes jam-packed with 40 pages of comic goodness for only 6 bucks post-paid. To make this even more of a bargain, each book comes with an original sketch on the back cover! To get your copy just paypal me at jmflip4@verizon.net (don't forget to tell me which book you want, #1 or #2, and give me your mailing address.) Or send check or money order to Terry Flippo at 205 Breezewood Ct. Mount Airy, MD 21771.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Wuerker on CRNI's fundraising Kickstarter for cartoonists in trouble
NoVa's Cartoonists Rights Network International Advocates for Political Artists in Trouble
by Mike Rhode Washington City Paper's Arts Desk blog Mar. 16, 2015http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2015/03/16/novas-cartoonists-rights-network-international-advocates-for-political-artists-in-trouble/
March 18: Cartoons in Times of Authoritarianism
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mark Palmer Conference Room
Freedom House
1850 M Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
Participants:
Bonil, Ecuardorian cartoonist
Rayma, Venezuelan cartoonist
Moderator:
Héctor Schamis, professor Georgetown University and columnist El PaÃs
Freedom of expression is under threat in Ecuador and Venezuela. In Ecuador, President Rafael Correa has used restrictive laws, defamation lawsuits, and politicized institutions to silence his media critics and punish those who publish opinions with which he disagrees. In Venezuela, previously independent news outlets have faced government restrictions and been bought up by government cronies, greatly limiting coverage of government repression of street protests and all but eliminating traditional independent media.
In the face of these challenging circumstances, many journalists have continued their work, often at significant personal and professional risk. Ecuadorian cartoonist Bonil has come under attack from the authorities for his satirical depictions of President Rafael Correa and other government leaders, most recently being accused of "socioeconomic discrimination" for a cartoon published in August 2014. Bonil has repeatedly indicated that he has many more cartoons up his sleeve.
Rayma, who published cartoons for the newspaper El Universal for nearly 20 years, was fired in September 2014 for a cartoon satirizing the Venezuelan health care system, which included the signature of the late President Hugo Chavez. She, too, has insisted that she will continue to share her political critiques freely.
Following the Charlie Hebdo assassinations, there is increased attention to cartoonists and freedom of expression. Please join us for a discussion with Bonil and Rayma on their creative methods for challenging growing restrictions on political speech, and using humor to contest power and the status quo.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Martha Kennedy of LOC on Will Eisner
Will Eisner (1917-2005), American Master of Graphic Narrative
March 4, 2015
The following is a guest post by Martha Kennedy, Curator of Popular and Applied Graphic Arts, Prints and Photographs Division.
http://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2015/03/will-eisner-1917-2005-american-master-of-graphic-narrative/Saturday, March 14, 2015
Local cartoonists at Smudge Expo in Arlington
Smudge is still going on for 3 hours, but here's some local cartoonists who are there (Jason Axtell, Andrew Cohen, Matt Dembicki, Shawn Padraic Murphy, Jason Rodriguez, Teresa Logan and Joe Sutliff are too, but not pictured). Hopefully if you missed Smudge, you can catch many of these creators at Awesome Con in May.
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| Jared Smith of Retrofit / Big Planet Comics |
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| Gordon Harris |
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| Cole Goco |
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| Sticky Comics by Christiann MacAuley |
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| Sticky Comics by Christiann MacAuley (with her sister Sheridan) |
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| Jim 8Ball and Last Dollar Comics (out of NY) |
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| Two Cul de Sac drawings by Terry Flippo on the back of his Axel and Alex minicomic. (He'll be doing a drawing for Team Cul de Sac to auction) |
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| Terry Flippo |
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| Diego Quintanilla |
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| Even Keeling and his new punk rock comic |
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| Rafer Roberts and his new issue of Plastic Farm |
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| Michael Auger |
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| Carolyn Belefksi and Joe Carabeo of Curls Studio |
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| Michael Cowgill |
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| Robin Ha (who is sharper in real life) |
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| Oliver Mertz and Mike Isenberg of First Law of Mad Science |
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| John Gallagher of Buzzboy |
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| Emily R. Gillis |
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| Michael Brace |
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| Santiago Casares |
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| Kata Kane (of Baltimore) |
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| Chris Artiga-Oliver (standing) and son |
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| Chris Flick of Capes & Babes |
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| Liz and Jimmy Reed, aka Cuddles and Rage |
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| Tina Henry, Smudge co-creator |
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| Dan Nokes |
Today: Smudge in Arlington's Artisphere
Smudge is a new comics arts expo meant to showcase independent comics and inspire attendees to become storytellers themselves. Smudge features exhibitors in the Artisphere Ballroom, presenters in the Black Box Theater and hands-on workshops in the classroom. Smudge is an all ages show and it free for attendees.
PROGRAMMING AT A GLANCE
Black Box Theater
1-1:50 – Comics as teaching tools
2-2:50 – Exploring science through comics
3-3:50 – Diversity in comics
4-4:50 – Dreamworld
5-5:50 – 10 years of The DC Conspiracy
Classroom
1-1:50 – Jade Feng Lee – Character Design
2-2:50 - Tom Atkinson (Copic) — Using Color
3-3:50 – Santiago Casares – Make Your Own Comic Workshop
4-4:50 – Liz Reed – Create a clay character
5-5:50 – Pauli Kohberger (Art Way Alliance) – Anime, Manga, and the Basics of Character Design
Dome Theatre – seating in the Dome is free and first come/first served.
Animated Shorts (all ages) – 12-1pm
Root Hog or Die (104 minutes) – 2-3:45pm
The Art of Richard Thompson – 4-4:30pm
PROGRAMMING AT A GLANCE
Black Box Theater
1-1:50 – Comics as teaching tools
2-2:50 – Exploring science through comics
3-3:50 – Diversity in comics
4-4:50 – Dreamworld
5-5:50 – 10 years of The DC Conspiracy
Classroom
1-1:50 – Jade Feng Lee – Character Design
2-2:50 - Tom Atkinson (Copic) — Using Color
3-3:50 – Santiago Casares – Make Your Own Comic Workshop
4-4:50 – Liz Reed – Create a clay character
5-5:50 – Pauli Kohberger (Art Way Alliance) – Anime, Manga, and the Basics of Character Design
Dome Theatre – seating in the Dome is free and first come/first served.
Animated Shorts (all ages) – 12-1pm
Root Hog or Die (104 minutes) – 2-3:45pm
The Art of Richard Thompson – 4-4:30pm
Today is Smudge, and Comic Riffs has an interview about it
Smudge! Expo 2015: Matt Dembicki spotlights the line from comics to the classroom
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 14 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/14/smudge-expo-matt-dembicki-spotlights-the-line-from-comics-to-the-classroom/
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 14 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/03/14/smudge-expo-matt-dembicki-spotlights-the-line-from-comics-to-the-classroom/
Friday, March 13, 2015
Another Carolyn Belefski interview
Ep. 28 Carolyn Belefski.
People I Think Are Cool podcast13 March 2015
http://peopleithinkarecool.libsyn.com/ep-28-carolyn-belefski
http://traffic.libsyn.com/peopleithinkarecool/Ep28__Curls.mp3
City Paper reviews The Mind of Mark DeFriest
So Far Con: Climate deniers and escape artists have a lot in common.
By Tricia Olszewski •
Washington City Paper March 13, 2015, p. 38
Washington City Paper March 13, 2015, p. 38
Free as a Jailbird: Houdini meets MacGyver in DeFriest.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/46951/the-mind-of-mark-defriest-and-merchants-of-doubt-reviewed/
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/46951/the-mind-of-mark-defriest-and-merchants-of-doubt-reviewed/
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