Tight Pencils Podcast

Kevin interviews Jessi Zabarsky about her artistic influences including plant-life and creating ecosystems surrounding characters. Jessi’s comics focus on small stories that may seem inconsequential to the grand scheme of the world, but have a distinct emotional significance to the characters involved. Witchlight is Jessi Zabarsky’s lushly illustrated shoujo-adventure comic that introduces Lelek the witch as she blows through town one day, kidnapping the peasant girl Sanja. The unlikely pair grow more entangled as they travel together, looking for the missing half of Lelek’s soul – the source of her true magical abilities. Both women are seeking to learn, in their own ways, how to be whole again. – Czap Books Jessi’s Tumblr Donate to the Czap Books Kickstarter Balderdash by Victoria Grace Elliot This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity and the Chicago Podcast Cooperative

Sage Coffey joins Kevin to talk about finding a place in comics. In this episode, Sage and Kevin discuss what it's like to read and write comics from a very personal place. Sage is a fantastic cartoonist whose recent diary comics portray nervousness and daily life with remarkable sincerity. Sage is the co-editor of the upcoming Sweaty Palms anthology, a collection of comics about coping with extreme anxiety. Show notes: Sweaty Palms! Sage's website Follow Sage on Twitter Dirty Diamonds Zinetendo Sweaty Palms Co-Editor Liz Enright Bosc Pears This episode is sponsored by Jackbox Games Tight Pencils is a proud member of the Chicago Podcast Cooperative Follow Kevin on Twitter @knittedsweater Follow the show on Twitter @tight_pencils

Jon Marchione makes comics and prints with a bold graphic style. Influenced heavily by a rural upbringing, many of his images contain simple and clean scenes of nature. Jon sat down with me to talk about where he draws influence and guidance, and how single-image illustration drove him to pursue different avenues of art In this episode Jon and Kevin talk small-batches, comics as art objects, and how collecting brings us closer to our friends Jon's website : http://jonmarchione.com/ Follow the show on twitter @tight_pencils Follow Kevin on twitter @knittedsweater This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity Tight Pencils is a proud member of the Chicago Podcast Cooperative

Tara Helfer and Caitlin Rose Boyle talk about their experience creating and developing Buck and Lou and the Night Crew, for Nickelodeon's 2014 Animated Shorts Program. We discuss what it was like to pitch a concept for a short, and how their friendship resulted in a natural road towards collaborating. Caitlin also shares a bit about Jonesy (written by Sam Humphries, colored by Mickey Quinn), the comic she is currently illustrating for Boom!. Additionally, we talk about tools, art school, NeoPets, roleplaying games, and the cinematic tragedy of Jurassic Park 4. Caitlin's Website Tara's Website Watch Buck and Lou! Additional Notes: Garfield: Cool Cat NeoPets, Vampire: The Masquerade, Dungeon World Bohnanza Jurassic World is bad. Don't watch it. Jonesy - now an ongoing series This episode is sponsored by Iron Galaxy and brought to you by the Chicago Podcast Cooperative

Matt Soria is a web designer and developer, creative professional, and former co-host of this very podcast! Matt and I started Tight Pencils as an excuse to hang out more, while also exploring the creative process of or favorite friends and artists. In January, Matt got super busy and had to leave the show for a bit, however he's back for a sort of State of the Union conversation about maintaining friendship when you have both work and passion projects. Coincidentally, there was a gap in episode numbers right between the last episode Matt was present for (Episode Twenty-Two, with Laura Knetzger) and the first one he missed (Episode Twenty-Four, with Onsmith). This is Not Episode Twenty-Three, with Matt Soria: A fun, warm episode to record and I hope you enjoy it. Show Notes: Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum Matt's Dad CAKE THIS WEEKEND! Matt's Twitter CodePen Kevin's new book Handbook is a graphic memoir about how struggling with disordered eating effects his daily life. This episode is brought

Designer and Illustrator Sean Dove joins Kevin to talk about his new book Brobots, out now from Oni Press. We talk about Sean’s personal history with illustration and our mutual excitement over Kaiju movies order Brobots: http://andthankyouforflying.com/brobotsbook/ Sean’s website: http://andthankyouforflying.com/ Four Star Studios: http://fourstarstudios.com/ This episode is sponsored by The Second City and The Chicago Podcast Cooperative

Marnie Galloway joined me to talk about her new book, In The Sounds and Seas, debuting at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival. We discussed the origin of the story that became her three-part collected work, as well as how it feels to create myth from personal experience. This conversation took an interesting turn towards exploring the feeling that as an artist one needs to always be producing new work, and whether or not that can be damaging to one’s physical and mental stability. Marnie’s site: http://monkeyropepress.com/ pre-order In the Sounds and Seas on Amazon

Zelda Galewsky is a multimedia illustrator, and current student at Columbia College Chicago. Zelda has a distinctive style and personal discipline that sets her work apart from that of many current young illustrators. Zelda is ALSO one of the editors of the LINEWORK Anthology of Comics and Illustration, a publication that will be releasing it’s sixth annual issue next month. This episode’s conversation centers around pursuing a variety of materials and style in one’s artistic process, which Zelda excels at. Zelda’s website: http://www.zeldagal.com/ LINEWORK Anthology: http://lineworkanthology.tumblr.com/

Danielle Chenette is an amazing illustrator whose work carries an incredible sense of weight. Her paintings, drawings, comics, and illustrations utilize color and mark making to warp perspective in a remarkable way. Danielle and Kevin discuss the differences between the LA and Chicago comics community, how environmental factors effect your productivity as an artist, and navigating life as a freelance artist. Danielle’s Work: http://daniellechenette.tumblr.com/ Believed Behavior http://believedbehavior.com/ Chicago Zine Fest http://chicagozinefest.org/ This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity & The Chicago Podcast Cooperative

Hazel Newlevant is an autobiographical cartoonist based in Queens, New York. Hazel’s most recent project No Ivy League is a coming of age story about her experience working in the National Park system, meeting young people from different cultural backgrounds, and getting to know herself through both positive and negative romantic encounters. In this episode, Hazel and Kevin discuss No Ivy League, Chainmail Bikini (an anthology of comics about gaming by female and non-binary creators which Hazel edited), and the pitfalls of autobio. There is a growing need for visibility of diverse perspectives in comics. Through the conversation in this episode we agree that race, culture, and sexuality are imminently important themes in everything Hazel creates. Hazel on Tumblr No Ivy League

This episode’s guest is Kazimir Lee Iskander, cartoonist, illustrator, and current graduate student at the Center for Cartoon Studies. Kazimir’s comics could be considered to fit into several genres, from horror to journalism to erotic fiction. In this conversation, we explore the common themes in all of Kazimir’s work. We also learn a little bit about what it’s like to collaborate so closely within the small art program offered by the Center for Cartoon Studies. Show Notes: Kazimir’s Website Sophie Yanow Meghan Lands Kane Lynch Center For Cartoon Studies

Hannah Lee Stockdale talks to us about what it was like growing up with a learning disability and how that influences her process as an artist. Also recently diagnosed with ADHD, Hannah explains how she has to work around these problems to continue to make art. – The Shrine / An Argument music video – A decent brief summary of Dyscalculia – main website – tumblr, twitter, & instagram

Our guest this time is MariNaomi, author of the graphic memoirs Dragon’s Breath (2dCloud) and Kiss and Tell (Harper Perennial), among others. In this episode Kevin and Mari discuss the conversation between culture and experience, and how that relates to the comics they make. MariNamoi’s work: http://marinaomi.com/comics.html This episode is sponsored by Basecamp, in partnership with the Chicago Podcast Cooperative Mari sent us photos of her workspace with an incredible walkthrough!

Sarah Ferrick’s comics are visually striking. In this episode she reveals a bit about her influences ranging from R&B to Medieval manuscripts. Her upcoming release “Sec” from is the last in a series of comic love-notes and is a prominent part of the 2d Winter Collection, currently running on Kickstarter Sarah’s work 2dcloud Winter Collection

Liz Prince is the award winning author of Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir (Zest Books, 2014), as well as copious other honest and funny autobiographical comics. In this episode, Kevin sits down with Liz to talk about the perception of memory, collaborating with writers, moving on from large projects, and gender in comics. Also, cats. Lots of cat talk in this one. Liz’s Website: http://lizprincepower.com/ Show notes: Nicole Georges Evan Palmer (Clarence is a cartoon created by Skyler Page for Cartoon Network Liz wrote the first four issues of the comic for KaBoom!) Angouleme Festival Boycott This episode is sponsored by Iron Galaxy and their new game Capsule Force Special thanks as always to the Chicago Podcast Co-op

In this episode, Kevin talks to comic artist Laurie Piña about her work. The two discuss making art about adolescence as well as the emotional significance of The Wonder Years. Laurie’s work: http://crushedpeanut.com/ Laurie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/crushedpeanut This episode is sponsored by Basecamp Visit the Chicago Podcast Co-op to find out more about our family of podcasts chicagopodcastcoop.com

In this episode, Kevin sits down with Onsmith, the pen-name of chicago-based cartoonist Jeremy Smith. Jeremy shares his insights on comics, the working class, and the way his upbringing in Oklahoma influences his work. Jeremy’s Tumblr Jeremy is a contributor to many comic anthologies including the upcoming Black Eye 3 from Rotland Press notes: Onsmith & Nudd Paul Nudd Linework Comics Anthology This episode is sponsored by Busy Beaver Buttons Tight Pencils is a proud member of the Chicago Podcast Co-op follow us on Twitter @tight_pencils subscribe and leave a review on iTunes

In this episode we had a chat with Seattle-based Cartoonist and Illustrator, Laura Knetzger! We talked with Laura about how she got started, the struggle to be proactive, the joy of holding your own book for the first time, her comic book series Bug Boys (pre-order it now on Czap Books!!!), and about her process and materials. A huge thanks to Jackbox Games and the Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring this episode!

Our guest for this episode is Brooklyn-based Hallie Bateman, an Illustrator and Writer who is a contributor at The Awl, The New Yorker, and Buzzfeed, and who’s work has been published all over the place! We spoke with Hallie over Skype about pen-pals, sketching habits, her drawing style, and about what she has been working on lately. Bonus: we took a couple of minutes to each do a quick sketch (see them below!). A big “thank you” to Emporium Arcade Bar, and The Chicago Coop for sponsoring this episode! Hallie on the web: HallieBateman.com Hallie’s Shop Hallie’s Blog @hallithbates Show links: The Awl Hallie’s Illustrations for the New Yorker The Happy Ending Series Beginners (movie) Hallie’s Meditation Vacation essay Apply (at Hallie’s website)

Jeremy Tinder is a cartoonist, painter, and teacher based in Chicago. We sat down with him in his living room on the North Side and talked to him about how he got started in art, what some of his influences are, and about what he does and what he’s been working on lately. A special thanks to Iron Galaxy (check out their game, Capsule Force!) and The Chicago Podcast Coop for sponsoring this episode. Also, a thanks to Nate Beaty for the photo of Jeremy we used for the episode! Jeremy on the internet: JeremyTinder.com @jeremytinder Jeremy’s Mario Maker levels: 1C6C-0000-0042-E50 FCD5-0000-002E-AA12 Links: Jeremy’s toys at Rotofugi Jeremy on the Tribune’s Me My Shelf and I The X Files Files Aaron Renier True Murder with Dan Zupanski Witching Hour with Paintallica