Tight Pencils Podcast

In this episode Kevin and I interview two of the fabulous folks behind 2dcloud, a small publisher based out of Minneapolis, MN: Raighne Hogan and Jake Terrell. We talked to Raighne a bit about the inner-workings of 2dcloud, and their new fall collection (and its kickstarter campaign), and to Jake about his work and his newest book Summer Carnival. Thanks to Inventables for sponsoring this episode, and to the Chicago Podcast Coop (while you’re there check out the Making New Friends podcast!). Show Links: 2dcloud.com @2dcloud 2dcloud’s fall collection JakeTerrell.us Simon Hanselmann Maggie Umber Blaise Larmee Andy Burkholder

In this episode we have a skype chat with Miranda Harmon, a Gainesville, Florida-based cartoonist and illustrator, and talk about how Miranda got started in comics, her experience with education, comic conventions, tools she uses, and a little about D&D too! Big thanks to Cards Against Humanity for sponsoring this episode, and to The Chicago Podcast Coop. Where to find Miranda: MirandaHarmon.com MirandaHarmony.tumblr.com @MirandaMHarmon Show notes: SAW (Sequential Arts Workshop) Aatmaja Pandya Kate Beaton Eleanor Davis

In this episode Kevin interviews Krystal DiFronzo, a Chicago-based artist, performer, and cartoonist. We talk about choosing the right medium to express your ideas, destruction as a form of creation, and not being precious about physical art. Also lighting things on fire. This episode is sponsored by Field Notes, as well as the Chicago Podcast Co-op. Show notes: Krystal’s Tumblr Krystal’s Website Pup House additional links: a write-up of Burnout, an exhibition featuring Krystal and Danielle Chenette on the Chicago Artists Resource Danielle Chenette Hume Jason Mowgli’s Mirror by Olivier Schrauwen Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner A Pigeon Sat On A Branch Reflecting On Existence Julianna Green Short Run

In this episode we have a chat with comics artist Rachel Dukes, who lives in Los Angeles, over skype, and boy what a fruitful chat it was! Rachel shares with us how she deals the with solitude of being an artist, working from home (and in the dead of night), how she stays productive, some lessons from a successful Kickstarter campaign, and oh so much more! A special thanks to The Lodge Management group and Wingfest.net for sponsoring this episode, as well as The Chicago Podcast Coop! We’d also like to give a shout out to Open Ended FM, a weekly podcast exploring digital humanity from the black perspective, which is hosted by our friend James T. Green and Cher Vincent. Cher and James cover a multitude of topics each week, but each topic they discuss is done in a very genuine and open way — they speak real, talking about the things we don’t always think are okay to talk about. Rachel on the web: MixtapeComics.com @MixtapeComics FrankieComics.com The Ink Pit! podcast Show Notes: Boom! S

In this episode we interviewed the super funny and talented Chicago comics artist Gina Wynbrandt! We hung out with Gina in her room and workspace to talk about her process and what she does, what she’s been working on, and what’s ahead. Today (the day the episode was released) is Gina’s birthday, so happy birthday Gina! Thanks to Knowyourcompany.com for making this episode possible, and to the Chicago Podcast Coop for their support. Gina on the net: ginawyndbrandt.com @gwynbr ‘Big Pussy’ at 2dcloud.com Show notes: Rapidograph pens ‘Someone Please Have Sex With Me’ Autoptic Shinval Shoes

In this episode we had the pleasure of chatting with cartoonist and man of many talents, Nate Beaty, in his apartment as he prepared a homemade piñata for an upcoming birthday party (happy belated birthday Nate!). Nate talked about how he got into drawing and making comics, even showing us what might have been the first comic he ever made, and shared with us some of his influences and some insights about his process. A big thanks to Emporium Arcade Bar for sponsoring this episode — they’ve got tons of awesome classic games, and even Twilight Zone pinball! Nate around the web: Natebeaty.com @natebeaty Nate’s Flickr ‘Don’t Cry Wolfman Chicago’ ‘Piecemeal 4’ ‘Look Around’ ‘Bobomb-bap!’ Show Notes: Brainfag John Porcellino Sam Henderson ‘Reunion’ by Pascal Girard Jordan Crane Jillian Tamaki ‘This One Summer’ with Mariko Tamaki SuperMutant Magic Academy Nate’s Brainframe process timelapse Eleanor Davis Trubble Club Jeremy Tinder K

In this episode we sit down with the very fun and talented Corinne Mucha, who is a Teaching Artist, Cartoonist and Illustrator currently based in Chicago. Corinne told us about her newest mini, Fixated: Three Fictional Stories About Obsession, talked a bit about her process and where she gets some of her inspiration, and taught us how to properly pronounce her name (myoo-cha). We’d like to thank IronGalaxy for sponsoring this episode, as well as to the Chicago Podcast Coop for their continued support. Corinne on the internet: maidenhousefly.com Buy her books Corinne’s Tumblr @corinnemucha Show notes: Classes Corinne teaches at Old Town School of Folk Music MCA Chicago Corinne’s book Get Over It! Quimby’s Bookstore

In this episode we got on Skype in order to talk to writer, editor and co-founder of YetiPress, RJ Casey, in Seattle, Washington. RJ gave us a little back story about how Yeti was started with Eric Roesner, the origin of the name (you have to listen to find out!), answered some listener questions, and talked mascots (yeah, like sports mascots). If you’re going to be at CAKE (Chicago Alternative Comics Expo) this weekend make sure you stop by the YetiPress table and say hi to RJ (mention that you heard him on this podcast and he’ll give you a free hug!). A big warm thank you to Maxistentialism for sponsoring this episode, as well as to the Chicago Podcast Coop for their continued support. RJ around the web: @rjcaseywrites RJ’s I Like That Blog RJ’s online bio Music: It’s Still Falling by Life Long Laser Show Notes: Yeti Press Comics Erik Nebel Fantagraphics Books The Intruder (Seattle Comics Paper) The Stanford Tree (Stanford’s mascot) FU Press (Fantagraphics Undergrou

For this episode we talked to the multifaceted illustrator and comic book artist Kat Leyh. Kat let us interview her in her work space at her Chicago Apartment (that’s the Red Line passing by in the background), which we discovered would only be her apartment for just a few more days when she moves to San Diego! Anyway, Kat talked to us about the scary and complicated word of full-time freelancing, sharing some very insightful advice for anyone else contemplating making the jump, talked a bit acceptance in the comics world and on the internet, and filled us in on what she has been working on and what’s ahead. A special thanks to Iron Galaxy Studios for providing support for this episode, and to The Chicago Podcast Cooperative. Kat on the web: katleyh.com katlay.tumblr.com SuperCakes Debuting at CAKE Music: Gravity by Stephen Kellog Show Notes: Japanese KFC Mascot KaBOOM! Stuios Yeti Press Comics Geek Girl Illuminati CAKE Chicago Ladies Night at Graham Crackers Comics

In this episode Kevin was joined by Isabella Rotman. The Two of them recorded Izzy’s interview in the car on the drive to and from the Toronto Comics Arts Festival. We talk about Izzy’s work, what to expect out of a convention like TCAF, and the world of independent comics in general. Show Links: CAH – https://cardsagainsthumanity.com/ Danielle Chenette Music – http://djchenette.bandcamp.com/ Danielle Chenette Comics – http://daniellechenette.tumblr.com/ CAKE (actually June 6th and 7th) http://www.cakechicago.com/ Cathy G. Johnson – http://cathyboy.tumblr.com/ Ley Lines – http://leylines.storenvy.com/ Czap Books – http://czapbooks.bigcartel.com/ Sloane – http://sloaneshutup.tumblr.com/ Charles Burns – https://www.fantagraphics.com/artist-bios/artist-bio-charles-burns.html Eleanor Davis – http://doing-fine.com/ Sex Criminals – https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/sex-criminals Isabella Rotman – http://thismighthurt.tumblr.com/

This episode we got to chat with killer illustrator Pam Wishbow in her Seattle apartment (via Skype). After a few minutes of getting a little political we got down to talking about Pam’s process and hearing a little bit about how she works and what influences her. Among many other things Pam shared with us that a Kickstarter project that she’s a part of just launched the day of our recording — check out “Where Is Home” on Kickstarter and show your support if you can! You can find Pam around the internet here: PamWishbow.com Pam’s Tumblr Pam’s Etsy Store @pamwishbow Special thanks to Jackbox Games and The Chicago Podcast Coop for making this episode possible

In this episode we took a trip up to the Northwest corner of the city to visit artist and designer Lauren Jordan. Lauren told us about the work she does at Hey Chickadee, her own creative endeavors in the many mediums she creates with, and talks about the Indiegogo campaign for the upcoming release of the Comfort Food Zine, a collection of food-positive illustrations and comics by over 30 artists (definitely check it out and show your support by making a donation to the campagin, here’s the link again: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/comfort-food-zine–2). The music from the episode is a song by James Roach that he recorded especially for Lauren, but you can find more of his music at hames.bandcamp.com Where you can find Lauren: LaurenJordan.net @loremjay Laruen’s page on Hey Chickadee Lauren’s ASMR YouTube Channel Show notes: Hey Chickadee Pusheen the Cat Jess Fink at Hey Chickadee Yuko Ota at Hey Chickadee Emmy C at Hey Chickadee Lauren’s Tea For Two Earings

This was another special episode — we were joined by John Wawrzaszek (aka Johnny Misfit) and Alex Nall, and a group of folks who came out for the monthly Drink and Draw that Alex runs, at ChiPRC (Chicago Publisher’s Resource Center). People drew on a big roll of register tape that Alex brought in while we recorded the episode. We chatted to Johnny about ChiPRC and the many other initiatives he’s a part of, and talked to Alex about his involvement in the project as well as his experience teaching comics to kids. A fun time was had by all! We wanted to apologize for the particularly low quality audio in this week’s episode, but if anyone has so suggestions for live audio recording, please let us know! You can find the work and info of our guests here: Johnny Misfit: johnnymisfit.com Alex Nall: alexnall.tumblr.com, @alexnall0 The music from this episode is Not For Rebecca by Johnny’s band, Kitchen Experiment Show notes: ChiPRC Linda Barry Jeff Zwirek’s Burning Building Comix Nate Beaty

http://tightpencils.com/ep4 Our February episode features Chicago cartoonist Tony Breed! In this episode, Kevin and Matt visit Tony’s studio to talk a bit about how he writes his comics. We discuss language, discovering and balancing distinct character voices, and sustaining story arcs in ongoing web comics. We also delve into the world of comic conventions like SPX, CAKE, and TCAF. Big thanks to Tony for giving us a tour of his drawing space and letting us in on his process. You can find Tony and his work at @tonybreed, tonybreed.tumblr.com, muddlersbeat.com, and hitchedcomic.com. See you on March 14 for our second live recording with our guests Alex Nall and Johnny Misfit of CHIPRC!

http://tightpencils.com/ep2 A special LIVE EPISODE! That’s right, it’s only our second episode, but we had the chance to check the ‘ol live recording off the podcast bucket list. Matthew Novak is our guest this time. Former Linework contributor, cartoonist, and songwriter, Matthew talked to us about his approach to autobiographical songwriting and drawing. We discuss getting back to creating after falling off for a bit. Note: this episode was recorded immediately following a release for Kevin’s new book Old Gum Wrappers and Grocery Lists, featured in the episode photos. Special thanks to The Nerdologues for hosting us at The Public House Theater in Chicago. Follow the links for more info on the Nerds, as well as more of Matthew’s music. www.nerdologues.com www.pubhousetheatre.com http://mnovak.bandcamp.com

http://tightpencils.com/ep1 The very first (real) episode! We talked with Chicagoland native, cartoonist, and our good friend David Alvarado in Kevin's apartment. David's work has been featured in New City, The Linework Anthology, and Echo Magazine. To see David's work visit his website at http://hello-david.com, and to contact him for work or otherwise, email him at David.alvrd@gmail.com.