Sunday, March 19, 2017

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Anthony Dortch

by Mike Rhode

I was recently at a local business asking about a comics-related item they were selling, and one of the staff told me that his colleague did comic books. After some followup, we interview Arlington's Anthony Dortch who currently has a Kickstarter campaign to turn his comics into film (warning: contains body-painted nudity).

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I am currently working on PURE. It's an epic tale of ingrained racism and the evils of inequality. It's a project where models get body painted to become the characters of a graphic novel and hopefully a feature-length movie.

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

PURE is a fumetti-style graphic novel.

Photo comics are a form of sequential storytelling that uses photographs rather than illustrations for the images, along with the usual comics conventions of narrative text and word balloons containing dialogue. They are sometimes referred to as fumetti, photonovels, fotonovelas, or similar terms.

Although far less common than illustrated comics, photo comics have filled certain niches in various places and times. For example, they have been used to adapt popular film and television works into print, tell original melodramas, and provide medical education. Photo comics have been popular at times in Italy and Latin America, and to a lesser extent in English-speaking countries.

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

I always say I born in the blizzard of 1978. I was born Fri., 1/13/78 in Akron, OH. I was raised in Hamilton, OH.

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

I wanted something different, but wasn't ready for New York. I currently live in the Ashton Heights neighborhood in Arlington, VA.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I went to SCAD for graphic design.

Who are your influences?

I am often fascinated by Van Gogh. Today, Van Gogh is regarded as an artistic genius and his masterpieces sell for record-breaking prices; however, during his lifetime, he was a poster boy for tortured starving artists and sold only one painting. I find this intriguing.

In time, Van Gogh’s work evolved from dark/somber artistic style to lightened up and more color one. I like use of color and energetic strokes.

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

The time I gave up on myself. This was the time that I started believing that I wasn't talented and my art was no good as people from the outside kept telling me I should try to find a career.

What work are you best-known for?

My use of color to help tell my story.

What work are you most proud of?

I am most proud that I have stuck with this project. In 2009, I began working on a project called The Privileged Series. I traveled to Tybee Island, GA to work with fashion designer Anthony Canney, Tim Cabel and Julie Simser to do the first shoot. The goal was to represent differences between the rich and the poor through a surrealistic art form.

In 2010, The Privileged Series was displayed at Touchstone Gallery in Washington, D.C. and soon after traveled to galleries around the United States.

 In 2012, The Privileged Series was displayed at Distinction Gallery near San Diego, CA. I partnered with Keifla Antonio and his team to take things to the next level. The team painted the models, bringing my outrageously colored characters to life.

This was also the first time the characters emerged from paper into live action in the first mini-video.

In 2013, I created the first pilot comic book called PURE. The project uses real people with a wide variety of body types to become the characters in the story.

In 2014, when I met Michael Coslow The Privileged Series: PURE exploded into a series of making short videos. The small team traveled to Europe and across the United States painting people for the videos.


By 2015, I released the first official graphic novel. I also collaborated with Yogabear Studio twice; once in Washington, D.C. and again in San Diego, CA. The collaborative efforts produced our first joint book. PURE: Yogabear Studio: 2015. This book captures 19 models as they portray a variety of PURE characters.

After a stroke in 2016, I'm back to settle a goal. The goal is to create my first movie. The Kickstarter is my first opportunity.

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

I would love to work in the television industry.

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

I tend to visit the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum and/or The National Gallery's East/West Wings. The two sites have both classic and contemporary in one space.

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

I think it's evolving with technology. We now have moving comics, more comic books turning into movies, and more independent artist creating and producing their own companies. It is very exciting.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? 

I've attended SPX, Awesome Con, and Baltimore Comic Con.

Any comments about attending them? 

Take your time. Their are many very talented indie artists that can be overshadowed by popular artists.

What's your favorite thing about DC? 

The free museums. There is so much to see how can you not be inspired.

Least favorite? 

The traffic (cars and metro). Grrrr!

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

I tend to visit the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery/American art Museum and/or The National Museum East/West Wings. The two museums have both classic and contemporary in one space.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I like Cuba Libra for intriguing cuisines and decor. The inside of the resteraunt make you feel like you on a Cuban street.

Do you have a website or blog?

Facebook is www.facebook.com/dortchdesigns and web is www.dortchdesigns.com

Here's a photo gallery more of PURE work:












Bernie Wrightson has passed away

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The great comic book artist Bernie Wrightson passed away on Saturday night from cancer. I had only met him at cons, but my friend and Big Planet Comics store owner Joel Pollack was a good friend of his, and in the past has had some articles here about the two of them.

posted on ComicsDC ten years ago in 2007

Joel Pollack on 30 years of Big Planet Comics stores

http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2016/07/joel-pollack-on-30-years-of-big-planet.html


Here's some photographs I've taken of Mr. Wrightson and his work:


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100_8264 Bernie Wrightson

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Saturday, March 18, 2017

Cole Goco and other Arlington students win comic art awards UPDATED

This just came in from Cole's PR staff (wink, aka Mom, wink):

Cole Goco was just awarded a national gold medal for Comic Art from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  In Arlington, 3 students got national medals this year in the category of Comic Art.  Cole has received a national medal 4 years in a row, but to my knowledge this is the first year there has been more than one medalist in Arlington in the Comic Art category (so that's must mean comic art is thriving here!)  Also, all the work is on display right now at the central library through March 28.  Cole's (a size-reduced version) is on the first floor near the children's section, Kate Felsenheld's is on the 2nd floor facing the quiet room, and I'm not sure where the 3rd one is.

Winners were:

Gold medal:
H-B Woodlawn 10th grader Cole Goco: Planets (Comic Art)

Silver medal:
Washington-Lee High School senior Kate Felsenheld: So You Wanna Be a Punk (Comic Art)
Swanson Middle School 8th grader Natalie Moreno: August (Comic Art)

More details are here - https://www.apsva.us/post/aps-students-earn-30-national-scholastic-art-writing-awards/

Now with Cole's cartoon.






Friday, March 17, 2017

Kennicott on cartoon-influenced fine artist

NPR on Beauty and the Beast

Gaiman interview on Pop Culture Happy Hour

Kickstarter project by Anthony Dortch

Anthony Dortch works in Arlington, and self-publishes comic books. We're trying to get our standard interview set up with him, but I didn't want to wait to note his Kickstarter project:


PURE - the feature length movie

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dortchdesigns/pure-the-feature-length-movie

We are working on PURE - a project where models get body painted to become the the characters of the graphic novel and film.

We want to make PURE into a live action movie. PURE is an epic tale of engrained racism and the evils of inequality - a project where models get body painted to become the characters of a graphic novel and a feature length movie.

The movie is based on a fumetti style graphic novel named PURE. A story built around the small nation of Seyns. It's governed by 7 feuding Western defined families (Baum, Cassidy, Dolle', Kindris, Rome, Mundi and Slaven); each with unique characteristics (heritage, social norms, cloning, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, artifacts and technologies). They don the ornate clothing and jewelry of money, beauty, and corruption. Their golden exterior and sky blue eyes belie any preoccupation with altruism, for the commoners serve as mere stepping-stones to money, power and useless things. 

The Others do not fit in to society due to a substantial shortage of earthly possessions, sex, race or class. The Others cannot camouflage their destitution. They live out side of Seyns and can only enter the nations walls to serve.


PR: Beyond Comics 20th Anniversary Sales Continue!


Beyond Comics 20th Anniversary Sales!

March - 20% Off Graphic Novels

Beyond Comics Opened Its First Store in 1997!

Celebrate Our Anniversary with year long sales!  

B&W Logo

 

All Graphic Novels 20% OFF!
Includes New Arrivals

 
Does not apply to Special Orders. 
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Beyond Comics, 18749 B North Frederick Avenue, 5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD, 207 S. Princess Street - Shepherdstown, WV, Gaithersburg, MD 20879


Shrek, the Musical returns to Arlington

A tad long, but 'Shrek, the Musical' still charms [in print as Young-at-Heart Targets of New Shows].

  • by MATT REVILLE, Staff Writer
  • online at http://www.insidenova.com/news/a-tad-long-but-shrek-the-musical-still-charms/article_462e885e-08ae-11e7-976b-d30279216ead.html

    The Post on Beauty and the Beast, Disney's latest de-animation

    Remake of 'Beauty and the Beast' convincingly springs to life [in print as A textural human touch for this classic].


    Washington Post March 17 2017, Weekend p. 27
    online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/remake-of-beauty-and-the-beast-convincingly-springs-to-life/2017/03/16/9022737c-05bf-11e7-ad5b-d22680e18d10_story.html

    LeFou's 'Beauty' secret revealed! [in print as LeFou in love: A 'Beauty' secret? It's not anymore].


    Express March 17 2017, p. 23



    Tuesday, March 14, 2017

    Steve Loya interviewed

    Pennsylvania Turnpike superheroes?

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    I was on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last weekend, and stopped in the (going west) rest stop outside of Breezewood. There's a nice exhibit on PA Turnpike tchockes which includes this Turnpike Man cup and inaction figure, which I believe has artwork by the late Paul Ryan, a longtime Fantastic Four and Phantom artist. Can anyone confirm that?

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    Anyone want to sell me a cup? I just bought the inaction figure on ebay, where 8 of them are being sold as cake toppers.

    March 15: Jeff Day talk

    GNSI-DC: From Comics to Medical Art

    Event Date:
    March 15, 2017 -
    5:30pm to 7:30pm

    Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Greater DC Chapter Meeting

    Date:  Wednesday, March 15, 2017 - 5:30pm to 7:30pm

    From Comics to Medical Art, a presentation by Jeff Day
    Bam! Kapow! Scalpel! Jeff Day never outgrew his love of cartooning even after becoming a medical illustrator. Jeff shares comics lessons that can be applied to science art, and how he continues to use cartoons to communicate health and medical messages. Jeff is now an informatics fellow at the National Library of Medicine and draws deeply from his varied background as a medical student, pediatrics intern, natural history museum educator, and training in medical illustration. Yes it was a windy path, but that's what you get for a guy who never outgrew cartoons...

    Some of his medical art can be seen at http://www.daybiomed.com.

    More Details Here.




    LOCATION:
    Smithsonian Natural History Museum
    10th St. & Constitution Ave., Washington, DC.
    Room WG-33 (1st Floor, West Wing)

    All visitors must wait for an escort in the Constitution Avenue lobby between 5:30 and 6:10 p.m. (about every 15 minutes)

    EVENING'S SCHEDULE:
    5:30 p.m. for snacks and socializing (Please bring a food item to share, or $3.00 for the donation jar.)
    6:00 p.m. Business and announcements
    6:10 p.m. (approx.) Presentation begins

    Spurgeon interviews former DC resident Wimberly

    CR Monday Conversation: Ronald Wimberly
    by Tom Spurgeon
    Comics Reporter March 13, 2017
    http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_sunday_conversation_ronald_wimberly/

    Saturday, March 11, 2017

    The Post on Gaiman and Zelda

    Neil Gaiman's 'American Gods,' newly illustrated by Dave McKean [in print as 'American Gods,' heading for television, gets reverential reissue].


    Washington Post March 12 2017,
    online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/neil-gaimans-american-gods-newly-illustrated-by-dave-mckean/2017/03/08/04d35c2c-01c9-11e7-b9fa-ed727b644a0b_story.html

    'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' review: Unusually, hauntingly engrossing [in print as This 'Zelda' will take your breath away].


    Washington Post March 12 2017, p. E18
    online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/03/06/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-review-unusually-hauntingly-engrossing/

    Mutts in Arlington

    Petco Unleashed on Wilson Blvd at Patrick st. is selling tote bags with Patrick McDonnell's Mutts characters for charity. It's a ten dollar minimum donation.

    Will Eisner Week exhibit at the Library of Congress

    20170306_113219Last week, the departments of Serials (ie comic books) and Prints & Photographs (ie original art and posters) put on small exhibit for a couple of hours in recognition of Will Eisner's 100th birthday. In addition to Spirit comic books, there was original art by Eisner, as well as other comics and comic book pages.



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     Spirited snarf at Library of Congress 

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    More pictures are on Flickr.