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Richv1
Jazma V.P.
Canada
1156 Posts |
 Posted - 01/27/2010 : 07:04:05 AM
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Naomi Nowak
Creator/Writer/Artist for Graylight
Publised by: NBM
Interviewed by: Richard Vasseur
Posted: 01/27/2010
Rich: What is "Graylight" about?
Naomi: In one, simple, word: witches. In a couple more ... It's about friendships, relationships and the sense of being an outsider (but not necessarily in a bad way).
Rich: Is "Graylight" filled with lots of emotions?
Naomi: Definitely! I guess I'm a typical girl when it comes to that. But there isn't a lot of screamy drama. I've placed a lot of the emotion in pictures rather than words so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will translate to the reader.
Rich: What do you feel is the main attraction of "Graylight"?
Naomi: The combination of elaborate artwork and a (hopefully) engaging story. I find myself disappointed often in comics, having to chose between something that is beautifully drawn but infantile in content or full of interesting thoughts and stories but sloppily drawn. I can appreciate both of those things (and there are many artists that don't put much effort into the drawings that I truly admire) but I sometimes feel I'd like both. Aside from that, hopefully, you'll be able to find new things in each read of the book.
Rich: Where does your inspiration come from?
Naomi: My inspirations are quite varied - when it comes to comics I usually mention Didier Comes, my favourite graphic novelist. But I also draw inspiration from other media, for instance, some of Dario Argento's films are very inspiring graphically. Then there's the usual: Nature, folklore, my loved ones, friends & foes.
Rich: "Unholy Kinship" was your first graphic novel how did it feel when you held it finished in your hands?
Naomi: Like a dream come true, literally. I'd known for a good year and a half that it would be published, the deal was signed well before I'd finished it. Once I did have it in my hand I felt like I'd been dreaming, woke up, but the strange conditions of the dream still applied. I could still fly, or something.
Rich: What was "House of Clay" all about?
Naomi: It's a sort of coming of age story. Finding out who you are in relation to your parents, figuring out what it is you really want and what you want simply because you can't have it. It's about the friendship of two girls as well.
Rich: How good a baker are you, do you have any specialties?
Naomi: A good one! Here's some things I'm especially good at: sourdough bread, soft bake chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake (when i team up with my roommate), quiches & pies in general, carrot cake, flourless walnut & chocolate cake. I can be very modest & shy when it comes to my art and comics, but when it comes to food ... if i like eating it it means i'm good :)
Rich: What first got you interested in comics?
Naomi: I don't remember actually ... I've always liked them. I read everything I could get my hands on at the library from a very early age. I even read comics i didn't particularly enjoy or understand because I just fell in love with the concept of words and images so closely knit together.
Rich: What comics did you read as a child and do you read now?
Naomi: As a child; Tintin, Spirou, Gaston, Asterix, Jan Lööf's comics. Now it's Comes, Dupuy & Berberian, Gaiman... I'm ashamed to admit I read more novels & non fiction books than comics these days though.
Rich: What other artistic outlets do you have?
Naomi: I paint and draw, sometimes I make clothes. I take a lot of photographs too and update my blog quite religiously. I grow a lot of plants.
Rich: What projects do you have in the future?
Naomi: Another comic book, possibly. It's just in the beginning stages. Also, me and a good friend are about to open up a small art gallery here in Stockholm (check out vincaminor.se - it's just about to sprout more information). I'm really looking forward to that - I won't ever stop working on my own stuff but one of the things I enjoy most in the world is art shows so I'll be putting together some of those in the future. I believe artists need to stick together and keep inspiring each other. It's the only way to survive in such a harsh climate.
Rich: How can someone contact you?
Naomi: Send me a note on info@naomi.se - I pretty much always reply :) Also, if you're an artist interested (from anywhere) in exhibiting in Stockholm, you should contact me right now!
Rich: Any final words of wisdom?
Naomi: If you choose to seek out the dark forces, do so with perfect love. Drink lots of water.
Richard Vasseur |
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Naomi Nowak Creator/Writer/Artist for Graylight
