Nov 19, 2012 8 Questions With Jillian Tamaki
I ran into Jillian Tamaki a couple weekends ago while perusing the aisles of independent comics publishers at The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival, accompanied by comics party majority whip, Tom Spurgeon (aka The Comics Reporter). We met respectively, the way most people do in antediluvian industries such as the print book trade: through our blogs. And either despite or precisely because of our proximity, Jillian (who now lives in Brooklyn) and I have been able to know each other with not more than a thousand words exchanged directly between us over the course of several years. Our conversation at the festival was telling; Tom telling Jillian that comics artists like her ought to be more present online. Her telling us she felt shameless in her prolificness and self-promotion online. My ignoring both of their comments and asking her to do this interview.
This is the very definition of chemistry. If not between us as people then between artwork and our sensibilities. Suffice it to say seeing her debut bildungsroman–Skim, published in 2008–exemplified love at first sight.
1. What’s your name and what do you do?
Jillian Tamaki. I am an illustrator and cartoonist.
2. What are you working on currently?
Awago Beach Babies, a graphic novel due out in 2014, probably.
3. Describe an average work day for us.
I work about between 7 and 10 hours a day, on average. With teaching (SVA), eating, shopping, cooking, or whatever scattered in between. I work at home, so my schedule is flexible.
Illustration for auction to support UNICEF’s water projects around the world.
4. How would you describe your work?
Um…. varied? Colourful? I try to be succinct and often funny? I dunno, it’s really hard to view your own work objectively. Is body dysmorphia where you can’t really see your body for how it really is? It’s the same.
5. How would others describe your work?
No idea. Hopefully as “competent.”
6. Who do you think is the most underrated illustrator/comics artist?
Michel Ragabliati.
7. I’d ask who you think is overrated but if that’s too bitchy, what trend would you sooner see punched in the face and left to a slow death?
The idea that curation is just as important as creation. Remix culture.
8. If you had one piece of wisdom to impart on aspiring illustrators or comics artists, what would it be?
There is enough wisdom and inspiration on the Internet to fill a lifetime. Don’t be the person who talks about ideas more than executing them.