Joseph smith and his Mormons

This past year I’ve been working hard on a new graphic novel which will tell the life story of Joseph Smith and the founding of his religion the Latter Day Saints.

This is an important subject for me because I was raised in the church until I was 13 and taking on the research for this book has been useful in discovering, realizing and understanding my own identity. More on that stuff later. Here’s an excerpt from this still ongoing project…

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FANTE BUKOWSKI 3 A PERFECT FAILURE

The new, and final, volume of the Fante Bukowski saga is available in stores now (or here: http://www.fantagraphics.com/fante3/  )  and I hope you’ll pick it up so that it doesn’t live up to its name. Here’s a sample of the book:

How To Make It In comics

Illustrations

11 Years later….

The tenth issue of Blammo has just been published

I recall first discovering alternative comics and making my own. Yeah, yeah, yeah- I’ve told this story over and over; working my bagel shop day job and drawing my comics at night. Making mini comics and leaving them around my hometown of Denver, CO for free….

I remember getting a box of the first issue of Blammo in the mail back in 2007. Seeing that I could draw and publish my own comic book was powerful. Since then I’ve more or less kept the series going at as an annual and I’ve taken it very serious, deeply considering every story I publish in each new issue. The link to buy the tenth Blammo (in full color!) is above and here.

Thanks for your time! hope you’re all well!

-NVS

The Nature Artist.

Zadie Smith

Illustration post 2

New rules

1. Always have something to work on.

Plan your next comic as you close in on the end of your current work. Never have nothing to work on because you’ll lose your momentum and there’s little else more difficult to build up than momentum. This is a lesson I learned early on.

2.Try, try, try not to write for other cartoonists.

I recall a time when an older artist told me that “comics are poetry. And only other poets read poetry.” I struggle with this all of the time; the thought of what other cartoonists will think of what I’ve been working on. It sounds so stupid, but really the only thing that matters is if you’re doing work that pleases yourself.

3.Create more media than you take in.

Simply put, social media turns me into a panic stricken, knee-jerk reactionary, always looking and ready for a daily dose of outrage, jealousy and paranoia. It’s not good for me. I felt fear and anxiety everyday because of it. Is the human brain meant for so much incoming lunacy? I made a point to use it only to share whatever I’ve been working on. 2-3 new comics or drawings a week and that makes me feel great.

4.Different project, different dimensions, different reasons.

I have a personal way of working that I’ll share with you: Blammo is my comic book series which I take very seriously. Since I began this comic book series 11 years ago it’s become an annual chart of my progress as a cartoonist. And so I put my all into writing better stories with better art every single issue. Everything I put in there must have some significance to me or it’s not allowed. I draw these pages in my home on 11X17 sheets of bristol board.

The first Fante Bukowski book was drawn in a 6X9 sketchbook during my breaks while working a day job at Panera bread. Using a sketchbook gave me permission to be loose and free with the comic. The unpolished art somehow made it funnier and easier for me. It worked out quite well doing it that way, and so for the following Fante Bukowski comics I’ve kept working at that same small size. I can carry the pages around in my backpack and work on them anywhere I am. I don’t ever stress out about those comics.

9X12 became a comfortable page size for me to work with for all other books I draw.  I have a cardboard folder I place pages-in-progress into. I don’t like to feel stuck in my apartment and so it’s important for me to be able to carry my work with me, safely, so that I can go to a coffee shop, or library, or even when I travel out of state. It’s a great portable size.

5. Never fear a blank page.

Here’s something to do, take your phone and flip through your photos. What’s going on in there? Daydream, remember, recall, see what those pictures from your life are and you’ll have something to write about.

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Coopertown cemetery…