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Interview With The Conscious Tip

Here’s a recent interview I did about Social Skills with the website The Conscious Tip.

1)      What is Social Skills?

Social Skills is a weekly comic that consists of illustrations, and comics done in a sarcastic and cynical tone. Although, it’s also a place where discussion happens amongst the readers and myself. I want the artwork to draw people in, and to stir up discussion and reflection amongst everyone. It’s called “Social Skills” because the views and the style of the work are done in a way that’s against what you’re “supposed” to think or say in polite conversation. Social norms are usually pretty archaic, illogical and stifling, so it’s nice to have an outlet for my frustrations. Plus, since this is on the internet, it’s said that these social networking sites are ruining peoples social skills(which is debatable) so I just though it would be funny to name it that. Ultimately, I want to branch out from just artwork and stories, and develop Social Skills as a design brand in many areas(clothing, product design, music, etc).

2)      How did you and ScaredOfMonsters get together?

I saw Samona’s (ScaredOfMonsters) work and of course was a huge fan. I sent her an email and told her my vision, and we started working together right away. She’s an illustrator who’s style is very distinct and immediately recognizable which is what I really responded to.

3)      Who/What are your influences?

Aside from my personal life and daily observations, I have so many influences outside of comics and illustrations that inspire my work. But, graphic novels about simple, everyday events are what really inspire me(Aaron Mcgruder, Daniel Clowes, Adrian Tomine, Kyle Baker and Gabrielle Bell) and also vintage illustrations and advertising. Also, films(Spike Lee, Andrei Tarkovsky, Federico Fellini, Woody Allen, Eric Rohmer, etc.) and music(Nas, Sonic Youth, Thelonious Monk, etc.) play a big role. I try to read at least 8 hours a day, but it’s mostly nonfiction, however it also influences my work. So, all in all, like most artists, I’m influenced by whatever I’m naturally drawn to.

Also, I’ve taken all of the things I like aesthetically from vintage Ebony magazines and Supreme, and filtered it into my own beliefs and vision as far as making Social Skills a brand. So, when you see that logo, it means quality and a certain tone. In the future, I’ll expand into different areas, and it’s important to me that Social Skills is something someone can identify as a brand that guarantees excellence.

4)      What has been your favorite comic so far?

It’s hard to pick just one, because they all mean something different to me. I’ll say that “Yeah, YOU’RE Cool” was really big for me. That was the 12 part serialized story that was done, and it was my first attempt at telling a story in this medium(my background is in filmmaking) and I was so proud of the way it turned out. Luckily, other people really responded strongly to it, and especially to the characters. As far as stand alone illustrations go, I’d say that either the “Articulate” illustration, or the cover that was done for the “Diaspora Muzik” mix tape was my favorite.

5)      Have you considered moving your strip to an animated series?

Well, the thing about Social Skills is that it’s not just one group of characters in the way that Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes or The Boondocks are. It’s like my personal Mad Magazine, or the cartoon section of The New Yorker. So, I’ve never considered it honestly. I haven’t ruled it out, but I don’t have any plans for an animation series of any kind. I’d like to one day do a coffee table book, though.

6)      Explain the creative process in developing the comics.

I write the script or the details for the illustration, and find photo references to send to Samona. When I’m conceiving it, I have very abstract ideas, but it’s important for me to focus and try to include every detail I want in the finished work right down to the type of bottled water or whatever that needs to be in the illustration when I send the instructions/references. She illustrates it, and usually has suggestions that line up with my vision but take it to an even better level. So, after fine tuning it, a final draft is usually ready within a few days. I’m a perfectionist and a very detail oriented person, and Social Skills is the first time I’ve ever worked within a deadline, so it can sometimes be a challenge. But, it’s a really rewarding and invigorating process for me.

7)      Where do you see Social Skills a year from now?

A year from now, I’d like for the illustrations and stories to be featured on different websites, and to collaborate with different artists from different mediums that I respect and brands that I use/wear and respect. Ultimately, though, I’d like to have more tactile work coming from Social Skills like the coffee table book I had in mind, plus stickers, posters, etc. Plus, a lot of other things that I’m still brainstorming together and setting up. When I first started it, I didn’t know if anyone was going to read it or follow it, and I’ve been surprised at how quickly it’s caught on and how diverse the readers are. The people who are aware of it are really into it for all of the right reasons. Hopefully, when it expands, that will remain true.

(Source: cjvisualsnyc.com)

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