We wanted our attendees to get to know the incredible talent in the Artist Alley a little better, so we asked each of our artists to answer a couple questions about themselves and their art.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am retired Navy Illustrator-Draftsman, currently working as a Visual Information Specialist for the Navy. I spend much of free time drawing comic book and cartoon style art. If you’ve seen the Comic Con Honolulu shark character in various costumes, then you’ve seen my art.
What was the first thing you made/wrote/drew?
I suspect it was an unintelligible scribble. I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember and the earliest photo proof I have is me at 3 years old, defacing some magazine article with squiggly lines. My first “published” art was in junior high in the school’s collection of art and poetry.
Tell us about your creative process, from the beginning of a typical piece to its completion?
The bulk of art is usually loose pencil sketching, followed by inks, erasing out the pencils, and coloring with markers. But I dabble in a lot of other types of methods and mediums too.
Who or what are your influences?
Comic books. Inspired by the comic artist of the 70s and 80s mostly. Folks like George Perez, John Buscema, John Byrne, Neal Adam, and too many others to recount.
What plans do you have for the future of your art?
I’m pushing to do at least one self-published comic by the time I’m 50. Beyond that, just to keep drawing and pushing myself to improve constantly.
Do you have any good advice for emerging artists?
There are no magic shortcuts to improving your artistic ability. If you want to get better you have to put in the time. Draw as often as you possible. Draw a variety of things. Draw the same thing over and over and over again. Think about what you’re drawing, analyze the structure and the mechanics of it. Did I mention drawing? That, do that, a lot.
What do you hope people get out of you artwork/writing/etc?
I’m not trying to make any grand statement or commentary. I just hope that if I draw something for someone that it makes them happy when they look at it. I love it when something I’ve drawn can give someone else a little joy.
To date, what works of yours are most satisfied with?
A few years back I did digital painting of Conan the Barbarian in a chibi style. But it was also emulating the “Conan the Destroyer” painting by Frank Frazetta. Even though it was chibi, I felt I had the make it as good as could at the time to honor Mr. Frazetta’s original. I took me about 30 hours over about a week and half to do it. The image itself is pretty goofy, but it is my homage to the Frazetta.
Will you have any convention exclusives or deals available at CCH?
The exclusive art I’ve done is for the convention runners as part of their promotional materials. I’m always creating new art leading up to the convention so that I always have new stuff at my table.
