When I started this blog, I thought it could be of some use to those considering a similar path to mine. Looking back, it hasn’t offered much more than a sneak peek into emotional rollercoaster rides (which, no doubt, are often part of the entrepreneurship and creative process). Despite its shortcomings, this blog takes energy to update, and if I’m not updating it, then I have the energy of guilt being wasted on it. I want all of this energy to go toward the project. I don’t want to talk about the process. I just want to be in the process. Consequently, I won’t be posting again until the launch, which is many months away.
All folks who have registered or requested to be notified of the launch will be. Thanks. I’m out.
Today is Hoyland’s birthday. He’s the best older brother a sister could have. My mom says I was always trying to be like him and do what he did. I think the photo below (circa 1976) captures this behavior well. I’ve been known to figuratively follow in his footsteps, but here I am doing it literally.
He was my hero then
…and he’s still my hero today!
(Below is the last photo we took together — November 30, 2008.)
Happy Birthday to a great bro! Looking forward to seeing you next month!
Sorry. I’m getting ready to have surgery on Tuesday and I’ve been all nerves. I plan on listening to a few audiobooks during recovery and hope I’ll be able to sit upright soon after so I can get back to work. I have not finished the illustrations for the first book yet but am more than halfway done. Nonetheless, I am lifting the ban on Facebook while I am recovering. Reconnecting with old friends always lifts one’s spirit. I pray for an effective, hygienic surgery with speedy healing.
I’ve fallen in love with Adobe Illustrator all over again! I think I mentioned it is just version CS but it’s still man enough for me. Last year I purchased so many different types of pencils, quills, inks, and papers, to draw my illustrations. I even got a drawing table. Who would have thought I already possessed everything I needed on day 1? Adobe Illustrator: a software program I learned in the 90s and purchased years ago.
It’s true that what works for you doesn’t work for everyone so it is important to experiment with different methods and techniques until you find the right one. Not one of the how-to cartoon or comic books I purchased talked about computer software. Why is that??? Again, I am thankful for Scott’s blog to give me that a-ha moment.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. - Helen Keller
It has taken a long time for me to get into a groove, and not just go through the motions. Say, 11 months!?!! And boy, was it worth the wait. Remember all those months of self-doubt and insecurity? They have led me to a confident place of clarity, productivity, and excitement in the work I am doing. I wake up looking forward to seeing the magic unfold. My mind is focused on the now.
Sometimes I wonder why this didn’t happen earlier — as the Lord knows I was praying for it to. Perhaps this time was needed to refine my character? Perhaps if it had come easily I would have been cocky? Thankfully, I never quit, even though I was often paralyzed by fear.
Today? I am grateful that I am able to do this work and I can’t wait to share it with you. My character is beaming to come out to inspire and laugh with you and me. I am connected to my purpose and humbled by the responsibililty to carry it out.
COMICS
Throughout my childhood, we always had comic books, and collections of comic strips, around the house. I gravitated toward the work of Jim Unger (Herman
), Gary Larson (The Far Side
), Jim Davis (Garfield
), and Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes
). I also dig Scott Adams’ Dilbert
. I’m keeping my eye on Scott Hilburn’s The Argyle Sweater
, too - an inspiring up and comer. There are many, many more but I limited myself so the list wouldn’t get out of hand.
ANIMATION
I loved watching the Peanuts
specials by Charles Schulz. The music of Vince Guaraldi
really took it to another level. Nowadays I’m into Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy
, and Aaron McGruder’s Boondocks
. Very different animation styles.
ILLUSTRATIONS
- Shel Silverstein. If you aren’t careful, you’ll cry just looking at the emotion captured in the illustrations. Favorite: The Giving Tree
.
- Mercer Mayer. Illustrates the world so well you become a part of it. Favorite: Liza Lou And The Yeller Belly Swamp
.
- Maurice Sendak. Ditto. Favorite: Where the Wild Things Are
.
- Jon Muth. LOVE the depth of his watercolor. His use of light. Favorite: The Three Questions
.
WRITING
I love Dr. Seuss
(writings and illustrations)! Who doesn’t? Every Christmas my dad read us The Night Before Christmas
. Remarkable storytelling, even though I still don’t know what it means to fly like the down of a thistle. I am a closet fan of Edward Monkton
’s writing and brand. He continues to inspire me. Mo Willems
, too. Simple and clever. I almost forgot Lela Lee. My hat is off to her for Angry Little Girls
. Of course, MATT GROENING.
Despite all these influences (and many more that aren’t listed), I can’t say that my work is like that of any of those artists. At this point I can describe it as simple, compassionate, and honest (and hopefully, funny, too). I can’t wait to share it with you and hear what you think!
Just want to follow-up from my previous post, and tell you that the new approach is going well. I am happy with the minimalist style. We’ll see how people receive it.
On another note, I have started working directly on the computer. I was inspired by this 2007 post by Scott Adams. I don’t have that awesome Wacom Cintiq 21UX
(or a cat) but I have a Wacom tablet I purchased in 1999 and the Adobe Creative Suite I purchased in 2004 (yeah, i know. ANCIENT). I’m drawing in Illustrator and then coloring in Photoshop.
I’ll be scanning in the penciled illustrations I’ve done so far and tracing them. I will also be removing certain elements from them so they fit into the new minimalist style. Moving forward, the rest of the illustrations will be drawn directly on the computer.
I was doing some research and found that less than 4% of syndicated cartoonists are female. Granted the data is four years old, I doubt it’s changed much. When it comes to nationally syndicated black female cartoonists, I was shocked to find none. There was one, Barbara Brandon-Croft, but I think her strip ended a couple of years ago. Jackie Ormes might have been syndicated, too. I greatly admire them both. They are mentioned on NPR if you want to learn more.
I’m sure the statistics are less an indication of talent, as they are interest. Perhaps most of us aren’t interested in comics because of lack of exposure. Why am I interested? I asked myself. Maybe having an older brother had an impact on my knowledge base. Or the freedom provided by my encouraging parents to explore.
Out of curiosity I started to look back on my life, and could pinpoint several non-stereotypical female interests.
- In second grade, I declared I wanted to be a stand-up comedian, inspired by Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack, and Eddie Murphy on SNL. Comedy is another field with a significantly low representation of women.
- When my parents gave me the option to choose any instrument to play at the age of 11, I chose the drums. At the time, there were no female role models that I knew. (I played the cello prior to the drums, but I made that choice when faced with two options: violin or cello.)
- I drew comic strips for my high school paper. At least in the 90’s I knew of Cathy by Cathy Guisewite.
- I worked in the male-dominated IT field for half of my corporate career. I won’t even share some of these stories…
- My favorite movie is The Matrix. Plus, I’ve already alluded to the Seth MacFarlanesque crush on Lucas. The Star Wars trilogy is next on the list. (Hey, I just googled “seth macfarlanesque” and apparently I have just coined the phrase, as there were no search results.)
Of course, I can talk about eye shadow and mascara for hours, and I’ve designed my home with a distinct feminine flair. I love wearing skirts, pantyhose, and pumps, and can’t get enough of flowers in bloom. It’s a beautiful thing that God gives each of us different interests.
So, back to the comics. In all likelihood, I will probably try self-syndication, or at least post some webcomics featuring my character. If you’ve noticed, I’ve changed from “Seon Ricks” to “Seon Afia Ricks.” Mainly, I’m tired of being mistaken for a dude named Sean, and it’s a bonus that the flow is better. If I had a dollar for every time someone called for “Mr. Ricks,” I’d have left the corporate world a long time ago. For those of you who haven’t met me yet, and are looking for pronunciation clues, Seon rhymes with neon, and Afia rhymes with Sophia. My middle name is Ghanaian and means “girl born on Friday,” which I was — at 6:05AM on a cold Chicago morning, I might add. I came out in time for the weekend. Where da party at?
I’ve been stuck on this particular illustration for a while. It has a pretty dramatic one-point perspective and requires a lot of detail. I’ve been trying my best to draw the depth, dimensions, and perspective correctly, lest my shortcomings be obvious to trained eyes (like those of my former tutor). It’s really hard work that doesn’t come easily.
My dad provided some counsel regarding my predicament. He asked if I would consider removing the details, keeping it simple, and making my character the main focus. His question got me thinking. Some would argue that the extraneous details do nothing to bring readers into the story, though I could probably make a case for the opposing position, too.
Since I started the illustrations, I’ve been hoping a clearly defined style would emerge, but it hasn’t yet. This is something that I want, of course, as it will help brand and differentiate my books. Weighing my options, I think it is a good idea to head in the minimalist direction, as such a style just might provide the differentiation I seek. Moreover, readers might be drawn into the story more as they use their imaginations to fill in what hasn’t been drawn. They remain focused on the melodic words and character — which is the heart of the book — since the minimalist illustrations don’t out-shine the text. Additionally, I should be able to produce the drawings faster, since all the little details will be removed. In theory.
This week, I’m eagerly giving this approach a shot!
I think I’m experiencing Facebook withdrawal. I really want to login again.
Have to. finish. illus. trations. first.
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