Diana Renn

Mysteries that Matter

Author

Tokyo Heist Gallery #4: Realm Lovejoy

by | Jun 12, 2012 | career paths for artists, creative careers, Realm Lovejoy, Tokyo Heist, Tokyo Heist gallery

Welcome to Week 4 of the Tokyo Heist Art Gallery! 

Violet Rossi, the young sleuth in Tokyo Heist, is a manga fan and an aspiring artist who secretly works on a graphic novel called The Adventures of Kimono Girl.

In the spirit of Violet, for the past three Tuesdays I’ve been featuring illustrations by artists to watch out for. These professional artists have donated their time and talent to illustrate a scene, character, or image from the novel, and to answer questions about their creative careers. I hope you’ll check out their websites and see more of their exciting work. The past three giveaways are over, but if you missed any of the art and interviews, you can always go back to the past Tuesday posts and get acquainted with Ming Doyle, Rich Lee, and Niki Smith.

I want to thank everyone who’s stopped by to enter a contest or just to check out the art and the artists! I love reading the comments people have left, and the different responses people have to the art. And a huge thank you to the artists. It’s been so much fun to see their interpretations of the book and to learn about their creative processes and influences. I’m not a visual artist — I draw passable stick figures — but artists really inspire me, and it’s been a blast curating this virtual gallery all month!

And so. This week is the final exhibit in this virtual gallery; the novel hits shelves this Thursday! (By the way, be sure to check out the exclusive premiere of the Tokyo Heist book trailer at YA Books Central! Screen time starts Tuesday June 12, 12:00 noon EST)

Today, I’m welcoming Realm Lovejoy to the gallery. She’s a triple-threat: an author, an illustrator, and a video game artist. The daughter of a Japanese ex-monk and an English teacher from Rhode Island, she was born in the mountains of Nagano, Japan, and later moved to Washington state. Her work combines Eastern and Western influences. I’ve been stalking her art online for two years now, so I’m thrilled she’s come by today.

Realm has brought along her illustration of Kimono Girl the heroine in Violet’s graphic novel. Here it is!

Illustration by Realm Lovejoy

I love the energy of this drawing! It wakes me up every time I look at it. I like how she’s wielding a paintbrush like a sword, and her determined expression. The idea of fabric spilling from the paintbrush is really fun too. And the off-the-shoulder outfit makes me think of Grecian statues, of the muses . . . though my sense is this muse is one who inspires by doing. Overall this picture makes me think about the combination of joy and persistence that’s involved in making art, whatever one’s medium might be.

And now, here’s my interview with Realm!

Q: Tell us about your illustration. Why did you choose to draw this image? Can you describe your process for us?
A: I thought the idea of “Kimono Girl” was super cute and immediately imagined a picture of Kimono Girl spilling kimono prints from a paintbrush with really bright colors, much like the colors on the cover of Tokyo Heist. Once I got the idea, I started sketching until the drawing became solid.

Q: What kind of work do you do as a professional artist? What does a typical week look like for you?
A: I work full-time at Valve as a concept artist and a 3D artist for video games. A game I particularly worked on a lot was Portal and Portal 2. I work Monday through Friday, eight hours a day. In my free time, I work on illustrations for my novels (which I write) and I have one graphic novel project going on as well.

Q: What are you working on right now?
A: I’ve got a YA sci-fi on submission, a YA four-book urban fantasy series near submission, and a graphic novel in the works.

Q: When did you know you wanted to become an artist?
A: Ever since I was a child, I was drawing and writing. I knew before I graduated high school that I wanted to go to college for art and get a job in the field.

Q: How did you go about pursuing art as a career? What kind of education did you have to become an artist?
A: I went to DigiPen Institute of Technology, interned at Nintendo, and then went to Valve, where I still am today.

Q: What artists have influenced you?
A: Tezuka Osamu! He has inspired me ever since I was a child with his graphic novels.

Q: What inspires you?
A: “What if?” questions seem to be the seed of all my ideas.

Q: What is the most challenging part of working as an artist? And the most rewarding part?
A: I think the most challenging part is that it takes a lot of time and practice to be good at art. You have to seek the right teachers and get criticism to help move your skills forward. The most rewarding part is getting to see your vision materialize and to be able to show others the world you’ve been imagining.

Q: Do you have any advice for young people who are considering a creative career?
A: Practice lots and seek criticism and apply it. Also [for visual artists], do study fundamental art such  as life drawing, anatomy, and lighting. Having the basics down is what’s going to set you apart from the others. I see a lot of young artists make the mistake of focusing too much on technology and software. That’s important too, but never forget the backbone of art that’s been around since the ancient days.

Thanks so much for dropping by, Realm! Good luck with your many projects in the works!

Here’s where to find Realm online and to view more of her work, including sneak peeks of her graphic novel CLAN:
Realm’s website
Realm’s blog
Twitter: @realmlovejoy

Oh, but wait . . . remember that final Gallery Giveaway I mentioned? Here it is!

This week, to celebrate the launch of the book, I’m offering two prize packs:

PRIZE PACK #1: A tote bag with Realm’s Kimono Girl illustration on one side and the cover of Tokyo Heist on the other. It contains a blank sketch journal, with Realm’s Kimono Girl picture on the cover. AND Tokyo Heist swag — crime scene tape, bookmarks, a paper fan. AND a signed copy of Tokyo Heist!

PRIZE PACK #2: A print of Realm’s Kimono Girl print, signed by Realm. AND Tokyo Heist swag (crime scene tape, signed bookmark, paper fan).

Click on the Rafflecopter thingie below for instructions on how to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tokyo Heist Gallery #3: Niki Smith

by | Jun 5, 2012 | career paths for artists, creative careers, Maps and Legends, Niki Smith, Tokyo Heist, Tokyo Heist gallery

Welcome to Week 3 of the Tokyo Heist Art Gallery! 

Violet Rossi, the main character in Tokyo Heist, is a manga fan and an aspiring artist. She’s almost never without a sketchbook. Art is how she makes sense of her world.

In the spirit of Violet, every Tuesday leading up to the June 14 launch of Tokyo Heist, I’m featuring illustrations by artists to watch out for: comics artists, illustrators, graphic designers. They have donated their time and talent to illustrate a character or an image from the novel, and to answer some questions about their creative careers. I hope you’ll check out their websites and see more of their exciting work! If you missed Rich Lee last week, click here to see his art and interview. If you missed Ming Doyle two weeks ago, click here to see her art and interview.

Today I’d like to introduce you to Niki Smith, a Cleveland-based comics artist and illustrator. Her work has won numerous awards, and she was a finalist in Tokyopop’s Rising Stars of Manga competition. She illustrated a digital comics series called In Maps and Legends (written by Michael Jasper), which has been described as a “world-spanning fantasy comic mixed with science fiction and steampunk.” She also illustrated the eBook Formatting Comics for Kindle and Nook (by Michael Jasper).

Here’s Niki’s illustration inspired by Tokyo Heist:

Illustration by Niki Smith

Niki’s illustration took my breath away when I got it. It perfectly captures my concept of Violet as a dreamer and a Japanophile. I love the cormorant with the tie around its neck (you’ll find out how that works in the book, if you don’t already know about cormorant fishing), and it’s fascinating and thought-provoking to see that image superimposed on the sun from the Japanese flag. This picture makes me think about how easy it is for Violet — or for any of us — to romanticize another culture. What happens when fantasies about a place or a culture collide with reality?

And now, here’s my interview with Niki!

Q: Welcome to the Gallery, Niki! Please tell us about your illustration. Why did you choose to draw this particular image from the novel?
I really loved the recurring imagery of cormorant fishing, and I knew I wanted to work that into the piece. Japan plays such a huge role in the book, as do setting and culture, so I brought in the iconic flag, with Violet looking into the distance a she takes it all in.

Q: Can you describe your process of creating this illustration?
A: The illustration was done entirely digitally, in PhotoShop and MangaStudio.

In Maps and Legends, Niki Smith & Michael Jasper

Q: What kind of work do you do as a professional artist? What does a typical day look like for you?
A: I’m a comic artist, and like Violet, I definitely have some manga influence in my art style. I also freelance design book covers. I release my comics digitally, through apps and as ebooks, so much of my day is spent bent over a computer.

Q: What work are you most proud of?
A: SOME DID REST, a graphic novel pitch that resulted in a fellowship from my county. This allowed me to spend time in China last year doing further research, and I’m still hoping to find the right publisher for it.

Highwater, a graphic novel by Niki Smith

Q: What are you working on right now?
A: I’m currently working on HIGHWATER, a comic about floods, the loss of a sister, and coming out. Oh, and it takes place in Germany! I’m planning to serialize it starting this summer.

Q: When did you know you wanted to become an artist?
A: I always enjoyed art — drawing animals, copying cartoons. It took me until college before I realized there was no reason I couldn’t draw a comic of my own.

Q: How did you go about pursuing art as a career? What kind of education did you have?
A: I went to the Cleveland Institute of Art, but I don’t think you need to go to art school to be an artist. The most important thing is to create, create, create. Make contacts, surround yourself with people who inspire you, and be open to critiques.

Q: What artists have influenced you?
A: Some of my favorite comic artists are Takako Shimura, Dave McKean, Kiriko Nananan, Jillian Tamaki, Becky Cloonan, and Jen Wang.

Q: What inspires you?
A: I love people-watching.

Q: What is the most challenging part of working as an artist?
A: The loooong hours. When you’re getting started (and even when you’re more established), comics are often a labor of love. You have to be able to dedicate yourself to finishing a story. You can’t get bored after three pages and start something new.


Q: What misconceptions do you think people have about artists or the artistic process?
A: A lot of people underestimate the amount of time that goes into design or illustration, and as a result they’ll severely underestimate a piece’s worth.

Q: What were you like in high school? 
A: Definitely “artsy.” I spent all of my time in my school’s photography room. My friends and I (re)watched every Disney and [Studio] Ghibli movie we could find.


Q: Do you have any advice for young people who are considering a creative career?
A: Art school can be great for teaching you technical skills, but make sure you’re also preparing yourself for a career! Network, do internships, figure out what opportunities are out there. It’s up to you to take those steps. Too many people graduate and haven’t prepared themselves for what comes next.

Thanks for coming by, Niki!

Here’s where Niki lurks online:
Niki’s website
Niki’s blog – lots of work samples here!
Twitter: @niki_smith
Facebook

BUT WAIT — there’s more! It’s week 3 of the TOKYO HEIST gallery, so we have THREE prize packs in store, for three winners. Each prize includes TOKYO HEIST swag (crime scene tape, signed bookmarks).

1. IN MAPS AND LEGENDS.

Niki is giving away an eBook of IN MAPS AND LEGENDS.

Here’s a summary:
IN MAPS & LEGENDS – written by Michael Jasper, art by Niki Smith
Kaitlin Grayson is an artist who finds herself compelled to carve a map that covers all four walls of her window-less spare room. One cold night, a disheveled man named Bartamus bursts into her apartment, claiming that only she can save his dying world.

For Kait, things like this happen in the books she illustrates so often, she feels like she knows what will happen next. But she couldn’t be more wrong when she and her friends step through her map and charge headlong into another world.

In Maps & Legends is a world-spanning fantasy comic mixed with science fiction and steampunk. This special edition collects all nine issues of this digital-only, full-color miniseries.

2. A signed print of Niki’s Tokyo Heist-inspired illustration.

3. Courtesy of Viking/Penguin, two ARCS of great books coming out the same day as TOKYO HEIST, 6/14. They are: MY LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE, by Natasha Friend, and THE UNFORTUNATE SON, by Constance Leeds.

To enter this giveaway, click on the Rafflecopter thingie below (“Read more”) and follow the directions!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tokyo Heist Gallery #2: Rich Lee

by | May 29, 2012 | career paths for artists, creative careers, Rich Lee, Tokyo Heist, Toyko Heist Gallery, working artists

Welcome to Week 2 of the TOKYO HEIST ART GALLERY!

Every Tuesday leading up to the June 14 launch of Tokyo Heist, I’m featuring illustrations by artists to watch out for. These professional artists have generously donated their time and talent to illustrate a scene or a character from the novel, and to answer questions about their creative careers. I hope you’ll check out their websites and see more of their exciting work! There will also be giveaways each week. (If you missed last week’s featured artist, Ming Doyle, you can click here to see her illustration and read the interview).

Today I’d like to introduce you to illustrator/graphic designer Rich Lee, who’s dropped by with a couple of shady characters from Tokyo Heist!

Illustration by Rich Lee

I think Rich perfectly captured what I had in mind when I dreamed these guys up, and I love that they captured his imagination as an artist. Also love the colors in this picture, the feeling of Seattle damp and gloom, and the sense of intrigue.

And now, here’s my interview with Rich!

Q: Tell us about your illustration. Why did you choose to draw this scene from the novel? 
A: I liked the ironic image of the two Yakuza trying to fit in with the locals (with the Prius and Seahawks umbrellas) but you can easily tell that they’re kind of shifty.

Q: Can you describe your process for us?
A: Sketched and colored in Photoshop.

Q: What kind of work do you do as a professional artist? Who are your clients?
A: I work on everything from sport illustrations to comic books to logo work and formatting teacher guides. Some of my current and past clients include BMW Motorcycles of San Francisco, San Francisco – Osaka Sister City Association, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, Cycle World Magazine, Giants Magazine, MINI Cooper of San Francisco, Stanford University’s SPICE Program, and Versus.com, to name a few.

Q: What work are you most proud of?
A: Some of the work that I’m most proud of are the motorcycle, baseball, and basketball drawings I’ve done and subsequently had signed by the players/riders themselves. One of my recent drawings of Jeremy Lin got signed and is proudly hanging in my studio.

Q: When did you know you wanted to become an artist? Was there one “a-ha” moment, was it a gradual process, or did you just always know?
A: In 2005 I came upon a fork in the road where I could stay comfortably at a local motorcycle shop or go back to school for formal art training. It was at this point I decided to quite my 9-5 gig and go freelance full-time. While freelancing can be frustrating at times, I am very happy to get paid for doing what I love.

Q: How did you go about pursuing art as a career? What kind of education did you have?
A: I received an undergraduate degree in graphic design from Sacramento State University and a few years later I earned a Master’s in illustration from the Academy of Art here in San Francisco. The training I received form the Academy of Art sharpened my skills as an illustrator, and the time I spent studying graphic design allowed me to use various digital tools to enhance my illustration work. Equally important, I believe that graphic design has also helped me “package” up my illustrations with more of a design-conscious manner.

Q: What artists have influenced you?
A: John Singer Sargent, J.C. Leyendecker, Moebius, Katsuhiro Otomo, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Franklin Booth, Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri, Milo Manara, Jim Lee.

Q: What inspires you?
A: I think I am inspired most by anyone who does anything with not only passion but an eye for detail and quality. Whether it’s cooking, music, kung fu or whatever, I enjoy listening to and learning from people who are into their respective crafts. I respect people who are never satisfied with their work and who are willing and ready to put in the work. 

Q: What is the most challenging part of working as an artist? What is the most rewarding? 
A: The most challenging part of being a freelance artist is definitely the business side of things. The most rewarding part is knowing that I am getting paid to do what I love — not many people can say that I think. It’s like, “Dude, I’m getting paid to draw!” 

Q: What misconceptions do you think people have about artists?
A: I think the biggest misconception is that people think that since I love to draw, I would also love to draw their ideas in my “free time.” I don’t ask others to do work for me for free, so I expect the same in return.

Q: What were you like in high school?
A: Wanted to be part of the crowd — and never really made the most of my potential in class. Most of my notebooks were filled with doodles, and not words.

Thank you for visiting, Rich, and thanks for the great illustration! 

Here’s where Rich Lee lurks online:
Website: Rich Lee Draws!
Twitter: @richleedraws

But wait . . . there’s more! Here are the week 2 gallery giveaways! You can win one of these prize packs:
1. A hardcover copy of TOKYO HEIST, signed by me, to be mailed on its release date 6/14/12, PLUS five feet of official TOKYO HEIST crime scene tape. (Great for decorating or for mystifying your neighbors!)
2. A print of Rich Lee’s illustration inspired by TOKYO HEIST, signed by Rich. PLUS five feet of official TOKYO HEIST crime scene tape. PLUS five TOKYO HEIST bookmarks.

Click on the Rafflecopter thingie below (where it says “read more” if you don’t see a box) and follow the instructions!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

UPDATE: We have winners from last week’s giveaway of art by Ming Doyle!

Winner #1 (signed copy of TANTALIZE): Artemis
Winner #2 (Wonder Tote Bag): Maria Qa
Winner #3 (Set of Girl Reporter prints): Evic Or

Congratulations to the winners — you’ll be hearing from me soon — and thanks to everyone who entered and helped spread the word about this gallery!  

Tokyo Heist Gallery #1: Ming Doyle

by | May 22, 2012 | career paths for artists, creative careers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ming Doyle, Tantalize: Kieren's Story, Tokyo Heist, Tokyo Heist gallery, working artists

Welcome to the Grand Opening of the TOKYO HEIST ART GALLERY!

On Tuesdays, leading up to the launch of my YA mystery Tokyo Heist, I’m doing something a little different with this space.

Violet Rossi, the 16-year-old sleuth in my novel, is a manga fan and an aspiring artist. She secretly works on a graphic novel called The Adventures of Kimono Girl. She’s rarely without her sketchbook. Art is how she makes sense of her feelings, her friendships, her family, her world.

So in the spirit of Violet, I’m turning this blog into an art gallery. Today and for the next three Tuesdays I’m featuring Tokyo Heist-inspired illustrations by artists to watch out for. They’ve donated their time and talent to illustrate a character, image, or scene from the novel and to answer questions about their creative careers. I hope you’ll check out their websites and see more of their exciting work! There will also be giveaways galore — one or more items every week!

Our first featured artist is Ming Doyle. Ming is a comic artist and freelance illustrator. She holds a BFA from Cornell University with a dual concentration in painting and drawing. Ming illustrated the graphic novel Tantalize: Kieren’s Story, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick Press, 2011), which is adapted from Cynthia’s novel. Her work has appeared in various anthologies, including Girl Comics: Women of Marvel (Marvel, 2011) and Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology (New Press, 2009).

And here is Ming’s illustration inspired by a scene in Tokyo Heist!

This picture shows a younger version of the narrator. In the story, Violet recalls playing a game called “The Frame Game” with her artist dad. I immediately fell in love with Ming’s picture because it conveys the essence of Violet, how she always views the world with an artist’s eye. As a teen — and a sleuth — her artist’s perspective sometimes works for her and sometimes works against her. But this illustration shows her joy as a child, hanging out with her dad, learning to find art in everyday things.

And now, here’s my interview with Ming!

Q: Tell us about your illustration. Why did you choose to draw this particular scene? 
A: I chose to depict Violet as a kid playing “The Frame Game” with her dad. I found their relationship really intriguing in that Violet may not have felt that she had enough time with or attention from her dad, but she clearly learned to look at the world in unique and creative ways from him.

Q: What are you working on right now? 
A: At the moment I’m finishing up the inks on Eternal: Zachary’s Story, a graphic novel written by Cynthia Leitich Smith and published by Candlewick Press. This is the second book of Cynthia’s I’ve adapted into sequential form. I love her writing; it’s darkly humorous, lushly romantic, and unconventionally supernatural!

Q: How did you go about pursuing art as a career? What kind of education did you have?
A: I’ve always loved drawing and was passionate about it all throughout elementary and middle school, spending my free time sketching the art objects at a local museum and signing up for life drawing classes. When it came time to apply to college, my parents and several of my art teachers encouraged me to look at Cornell University. I loved the combination of Ivy League structure and art school inventiveness. I earned a BFA in painting and drawing, then sort of picked up comics on my own after graduation. I still feel like there’s tons left to learn!

Q: What is the most challenging part of working as an artist?
A: The most challenging is learning how to harness your passion so that you can please editors and clients, not just your own creative spirit.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part?
A: The most rewarding is working with the tools you love best, and just the basic thrill of mark-making.

Ming Doyle, hard at work

Q: In your experience, do people have any misconceptions about artists or the artistic process?
A: I’ve found that many people really do subscribe to the cliche that all artists are flakes with their heads in the clouds, and that art is an easy and instantaneous process. I take my work very seriously, and I usually draw with a frown on my face. Not because I’m unhappy, but because it can be a sort of solemn meditation for me. I work to illuminate manuscripts.

Thank you for exhibiting in the Gallery, Ming, and for coming by to chat!

It’s no mystery where Ming lurks online:
Her website
Her Online Store
Twitter: @mingdoyle

But wait . . . there’s more! A giveaway! A chance to win THREE different prizes!

1. A copy of the graphic novel Tantalize: Kieren’s Story, signed by Ming.

2. A fabulous “Wonder Motif” tote bag decorated with an illustration by Ming, and hand signed by Ming (That could be you carrying the fashionable bag!)

3. A set of Ming’s “Girl Reporter” art prints — perfect for mystery fans! (see below). A sleuth for every day of the week!

Entering is easy – click on the Rafflecopter thingie below (where it says “read more”) and follow the prompts! Contest runs through Monday, may 28, and is open internationally. Three winners will be announced Tuesday, May 29.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hey, thanks for visiting the Tokyo Heist Gallery today! What did you think of Ming’s illustration?