Tight Pencils

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)