Irish Comic News website

Isn't it great when a gap in the market is filled with something relevant and much needed? Well I'm happy to say that this happened recently, and has been a long overdue task for someone to take on. In retrospect though, it is similar to the phenomenon that Malcolm Gladwell mentions in The Tipping Point. You get to a moment where the push for the need creates a service or provider.
In this case, it was a need for a one point of contact for information on creativity in comics in Ireland. The scene has been active for a long time, and although the community of comic creators, artists and writers would get together for the small festivals or conventions each year, it just wasn't enough. There are a variety of conventions, fairs and festivals on during the year, that just don't get talked about enough. They don't get on the radar of the general public, and most of the time the general public like to go to something alternative.
So now, there is a central site telling the world about comics...from Ireland. It gives details on events, the people in the industry who slavishly create wonderful independent comics and works of art, along with those who are currently carving out a career within big names such as Marvel.
So go visit http://www.irishcomicnews.com and find out something new about the country that isn't about the banks or recession! :)

Good vibes

It is always great to have an opportunity to meet new people, especially if they share the same interests and have gathered together for a festival on it. The 2D Festival in Derry, is always looked forward to for this very reason. It is possibly one of the most relaxed and well run events I've had the pleasure of attending, and the focus is very much on promoting creativity with children.
This was the 5th year of 2D, and each year it simply gets better. There are more workshops and panels and talks, all promoting comics and exploring artistic forms of expression. It is such a beautiful and nurturing environment for young adults and kids that it really is going to be a watch and see what talents emerge in years to come. Comics are celebrated, the process of creating is explored and the professionals give their time, view points and expertise on it all in the friendliest way possible.
I'm happy to say that every year I go, it is like a reset button for inspiration for me. This year is no exception. Last year was a wonderful chance to meet not only various artists excelling in their field, but editors with vast amounts of experience. This year I got to meet someone who exuded a zen like quality from being so comfortable in their craft. An energy like that stands out, and it stays with you.
Having had a chance to think on it, the reflection arrived at a simple conclusion. Master your craft, whatever it might be. Simply give it your attention, make the effort and commit to it fully. By connecting yourself in this way you give yourself the chance to begin to align with your true self...and the zen can only follow.

Life of Non-Conformity - Interview with Tommie Kelly

This took me a while to get sorted, mostly because the blog took on a new direction and the original interview went missing. BUT!...Tommie, a local comic artist from Louth, kindly took some time out to be interviewed again. I hope you enjoy it and find this interview as honest, liberating and refreshingly real as I did. For more info on Tommie Kelly,(RoadCrew, Down) please visit his website and buy his comic - http://www.tommiekelly.com

• How does creativity contribute to your life?
Everything that I have done has in some way being connected to creativity. From music to art, writing to teaching it's all part of creativity. I don't think there is anyone alive who doesn't touch on creativity at some stage every day.
But there is also a huge downside to creativity, its that I have nowhere near enough time to actually do, make or perform all the ideas I have.

What is your definition of conformity?
Doing something because other people or the majority think it's the right or proper thing to do.

• How have you conformed over the years?
We conform every single day. From standing in line at a shop, to driving on the correct side of the road. Conformity is a necessity for a well behaved and controlled population. Creatively, I have conformed through collaborations, where you give up a part of your creative idea for someone elses. Say writing a song with someone, it never evolves into a song that either person would write. Sometimes that's a good thing, most times it isn't.
I am not a huge fan of working with other people and I am becoming less and less interested in it as I get older. I have very definite ideas about what I want to accomplish with my art and working with other people pollutes that and drains me.
BUT, some people thrive on collaboration, so to each his own. Having said that If I am doing a commission for someone it's a completely different ball game. In that scenario, I turn my ego off complete and just try to make the exact thing that is in the person who is paying me's head.


• What type of work were you in from your early teens?
I spent more than ten years in the music industry from being a singer, guitarist to a sound engineer. I wanted to be a successful musician and put all my heart and soul into it. In the end the only money I could make in the music biz was by doing roadie and sound engineering, which I was very good at but which I hated. By the end of my time with all that I couldn't listen to music anymore. It took me well over a year before music became anyway pleasurable again.

• How does that differ to the work you do now?
I hated it, but I got paid for it. I love what i do now.

• Were there any signs, subtle or obvious, during your normal period of work or non-work that indicated that this way of life wasn’t for you?
Haha, yes. Massive depression, suicidal thoughts and total despair. :)


• Was there a time when you were not creative in any capacity?
During my sound engineer times. I became a complete automaton, the job was so easy that the only time it got exciting is when something went horrible wrong.

• What made you decide to follow your current career?
Honest answer is that I had a nervous breakdown of sorts, due to a number of events in my life and I had to try to find out what I wanted to do and be again. This was in my late twenties. I felt I was happiest when I was drawing as a child and I tried drawing again to see if I like it still. It turned out I did, I loved it. I hadn't actually drawn a thing since I left school, so it took me awhile to get back into the swing of it.

• What type of resistance/obstacles did you encounter when moving into a creative career?
It was mostly the money thing. Unless you're really lucky, being in a creative career is going to leave you quite poor for awhile until you find your feet. Well, in my experience of it anyhow. I never really cared what other people thought of me so any resistance from friends or family didn't make an impact on me.

• How did you overcome it/them?
Worked hard every day, learned something new every day and never gave up.

• What type of support network did you have to encourage you?
I think twitter is a fantastic network for artists. It's like working in one big huge art studio. We also have semi regular meet up in the Irish comic world.

• Do you think location is important to your art and lifestyle? If yes, how so?
Less and less so because of the Internet. But Living in America would make it way, way easier to get to the bigger comic cons and such. But with the net the world has become very small.

• How important are goals to you and how do you set them?
I think goals are very important, but they must be realistic goals. I mean there is no point setting goals that you have no control over. I used to set myself huge goals, but when they didn't come true, even when I followed through with total commitment and passion, it made me sad and defeated.
So I think the key is setting small attainable, believable goals that you can work on while you have an overall HUGE goal of where you want to be.


• How do you stay focused in your current career?
I just get up every morning and do what I have to do that day. I am very thankful for being able to do what I do and I make sure I acknowledge that to myself as often as possible.

• What has been your biggest fear to date and how have you overcome it?
Having to go back to doing something I hate just to support myself.

• Is there a person that inspired you to live a life of non-conformity?
Loads of people, different artist, different musicians. My cousin was a huge influence on me when I was younger. It was him who gave me my love for comics.

• What qualities/values do you possess, that assist you in your creative journey in life?
I'm not sure. I don't know how to answer that question..

• What was it like to receive your first payment for your work?
I don't remember feeling it was like a huge victory or anything. I WAS constantly in debt, so as soon as I got it I gave it away.

• What keeps you going in this life of non-conformity?
Who knows. Maybe I like punishing myself :)
It's a need I have. i can't be anything else, even when I try.