Please welcome Amanda Rachels to the second IndieComiX Mind Meld! And handling the Melding of Minds is Derrick Crow!
The Artist!
1. Hello Amanda, how are you today?
Hey there! I'm just fine, taking a break from drawing to chat with you and sip some tea.
2. For those unfamiliar with you and your work. Can you give us any past examples of your work?
I recently did the pencils for The Book from Arcana Studios and Clown Town from Inverse Press. I've also been a regular cover artist and contributor to Grayhaven Comics' The Gathering.
3. With such a strong subject to be dealing with, what was your first reaction when Erica Heflin (the writer) contacted you about Flesh of White?
Actually, I was quite shocked at first. You see, I was familiar with the subject and it was something that I couldn't get off my mind. Usually the way I deal with things that bother me like that is to draw it out but for this I definitely wanted the right script. Erica and I were looking for a project to do together and I asked her to come up with a couple of options before we really put our heads together on a story. Without me ever mentioning it to her, she sends me the concept that became Flesh of White.
Of all the things she could have chosen to write about, as obscure a topic as it is, I couldn't do anything but agree to it.
Hey there! I'm just fine, taking a break from drawing to chat with you and sip some tea.
2. For those unfamiliar with you and your work. Can you give us any past examples of your work?
I recently did the pencils for The Book from Arcana Studios and Clown Town from Inverse Press. I've also been a regular cover artist and contributor to Grayhaven Comics' The Gathering.
3. With such a strong subject to be dealing with, what was your first reaction when Erica Heflin (the writer) contacted you about Flesh of White?
Actually, I was quite shocked at first. You see, I was familiar with the subject and it was something that I couldn't get off my mind. Usually the way I deal with things that bother me like that is to draw it out but for this I definitely wanted the right script. Erica and I were looking for a project to do together and I asked her to come up with a couple of options before we really put our heads together on a story. Without me ever mentioning it to her, she sends me the concept that became Flesh of White.
Of all the things she could have chosen to write about, as obscure a topic as it is, I couldn't do anything but agree to it.
4. Have you found it difficult to illustrate the images Erica has tasked you with? What’s your process like?
Erica has definitely challenged me with this book in more ways than one. The tale's setting required me to do a lot of research into the terrain of Tanzania and the culture of its people. That's one of the fun parts of the process for me- really getting a feel for where we're going and what we'll see in the story.
There are difficulties in telling a story like this one. My other work has mostly been horror. Monsters are clearly monsters and I draw them without batting an eye. I can't do that with this story. The human element just has such an effect on me. There are a few pages in the book where I cried the entire time I drew them. I won't give anything away but I was either drawing sad or drawing really angry.
5. Your Kickstarter bio tells us that you have wished since you were a little girl to be a comic artist, when did you get into comics and how old were you when you first started illustrating? Who/What have been some of your inspirations?
I started reading comics when I was around five. My older cousins loved comics and they were my heroes so I wanted to do everything they did. I started drawing with the intention of telling stories around the same time. It's funny how reading comics has that effect on so many people, isn't it? I actually dug up a couple of those little stories I drew as a child and I wish I had enough for a book. They are gloriously ridiculous and yet, profound.
My biggest inspiration would have to be Stephen King. I started reading his books way too early and they warped me. Running on pure nightmare fuel comes in handy when you draw so many horror comics.
Erica has definitely challenged me with this book in more ways than one. The tale's setting required me to do a lot of research into the terrain of Tanzania and the culture of its people. That's one of the fun parts of the process for me- really getting a feel for where we're going and what we'll see in the story.
There are difficulties in telling a story like this one. My other work has mostly been horror. Monsters are clearly monsters and I draw them without batting an eye. I can't do that with this story. The human element just has such an effect on me. There are a few pages in the book where I cried the entire time I drew them. I won't give anything away but I was either drawing sad or drawing really angry.
5. Your Kickstarter bio tells us that you have wished since you were a little girl to be a comic artist, when did you get into comics and how old were you when you first started illustrating? Who/What have been some of your inspirations?
I started reading comics when I was around five. My older cousins loved comics and they were my heroes so I wanted to do everything they did. I started drawing with the intention of telling stories around the same time. It's funny how reading comics has that effect on so many people, isn't it? I actually dug up a couple of those little stories I drew as a child and I wish I had enough for a book. They are gloriously ridiculous and yet, profound.
My biggest inspiration would have to be Stephen King. I started reading his books way too early and they warped me. Running on pure nightmare fuel comes in handy when you draw so many horror comics.
6. What are your thoughts on creating comics, such as Flesh of White, that are built around the purpose of making others aware of the problems in other countries?
Comics are such a popular medium and can be a such an effective way to inform while entertaining. Our story is fiction but I really do hope that we can help to raise awareness on the real-life issue that inspired it. I'd be interested to see others stories told with that purpose.
7. There is a lot of discussion about the comics industry still being a male-dominant industry, has working in industry as a woman made it harder for you to get noticed?
In my experience I have found it's easier to be noticed because people are curious about women in comics.
8. How long are the two of you hoping to make the series run for?
Flesh of White is set to run for 4 issues.
9. Marvel or DC (or Indie)?
I'm a DC devotee but there's room in my heart for Marvel and Indie books always!
Comics are such a popular medium and can be a such an effective way to inform while entertaining. Our story is fiction but I really do hope that we can help to raise awareness on the real-life issue that inspired it. I'd be interested to see others stories told with that purpose.
7. There is a lot of discussion about the comics industry still being a male-dominant industry, has working in industry as a woman made it harder for you to get noticed?
In my experience I have found it's easier to be noticed because people are curious about women in comics.
8. How long are the two of you hoping to make the series run for?
Flesh of White is set to run for 4 issues.
9. Marvel or DC (or Indie)?
I'm a DC devotee but there's room in my heart for Marvel and Indie books always!
10. It’s great to see illustrators like yourself getting out there and working hard for what you want to achieve. Now for my last question to ask. What is some advice you’d give to those hoping to break into the comics industry, or just become more successful artists in general?
My best advice is to finish what you start and make time to work. Don't flake out! It may be more fun to go watch a movie or play video games 'til you drop but that page ain't going to draw itself! Back to work!
My best advice is to finish what you start and make time to work. Don't flake out! It may be more fun to go watch a movie or play video games 'til you drop but that page ain't going to draw itself! Back to work!
Amanda Rachels
http://inversepress.com
http://inversepress.com