SHEIKA LUGTU

Sheika Lugtu is a Chicago based cartoonist and researcher. Her comics work centers on the impact of economics, race, sexuality, and gender on the comics industry, other media, and our culture at large. She founded Cow House Press, a publishing collective committed to publishing marginalized creators and getting their work into classrooms, libraries, youth and juvenile centers.

Lugtu is one of the participating artists for the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition (April 6 - June 2) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 23rd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs April 6 through April 18th, 2018. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

Tyrant: https://thesuburbanreview.com/2017/03/25/tyrant-3-resistant/ — Tyrant: https://thesuburbanreview.com/2017/03/25/tyrant-3-resistant/

1. Does your identity or personal story inform your work? Who/what inspires you?

Very much so! It's most obvious in my reflective autobiographical comic essays but I think it's impossible to separate my experiences as an immigrant woman of color from the motivations behind my journalism comics. I'm more keen to instances of racism and sexism within media from a lifetime of experience, which then influences the topics I choose to write about. This was also the motivation behind starting Cow House Press.

Airport Homes: https://southsideweekly.com/home-histories-airport-homes/ — Airport Homes: https://southsideweekly.com/home-histories-airport-homes/

2. How has technology affected your creative process? Does this affect how you view or choose to interact with the world?

I jumped into the world of digital very early. I use digital and traditional mediums interchangeably, often on the same piece. In the beginning it was for the sake of speed - comics take a long long time and I'll try anything to speed it up! I think my background in printmaking and love for tangible, printed things made me hesitant to use digital tools for more than just basic inking. Recently, I've embraced experimenting with digital textures, screen-native colors and simple animations. I've become that person who has to make sure to charge their sketchbook every night.

3. What are you working on right now?

This past year I've taken on an editorial role working with artist Gabi Mendez on her new book, Lemonade Summer, a kid-friendly collection of LGBTQ+ stories. This has been a year-long process! Especially since this may be an introduction for young readers to trans or non-binary genders, we wanted to make sure we were representing people correctly and sensitively.

See more of Sheika Lugtu's work on // Instagram @omgcow @cowhousepress // Twitter @omgcow @cowhousepress // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 2, 2018.

Artist Interview // KATIE SO

Katie So is an illustrator and tattooer from Vancouver, BC. After graduating from graphic design school, Katie found her place in small press comics, through which she has had the opportunity to exhibit her work around the world. From there, she honed her illustration style to the recognizable brush and ink work she is known for. For the past two years, Katie has applied her illustrative style to tattooing and is currently a resident artist at Black Medicine Tattoo in Vancouver. Whatever medium she is expressing herself in, Katie's work retains a sense of dark introspection and humour.

So is one of the artists in the Fierce Tidings art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs March 31st through April 12th, 2017. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

from "Dirty Knees" group show, by Katie So. Image courtesy of artist.

-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?

I’ve been told that my work involves asian subjects or themes with a European storybook application. That’s not something I consciously considered when approaching my work, but my mixed background has clearly seeped into my work whether I’m aware of it or not. I also identify as female, and definitely celebrate the feminine and female form in my work, whether portraying it in a sensual or sinister way. I think the female psyche embodies both those things, and I try and celebrate that.

Comic from "Dirty Knees" exhibit. Image courtesy of artist.

-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)

I generally have something to saywith the work I put out there, but I don’t like to display my intent directly along side it because what has personal meaning to me, might (probably does) mean something else to another person. I’ve always been fascinated and motivated by the viewers’ own interpretations. What someone takes away from my art is never incorrect, and often those revelations end up being different than what I would have thought which is so interesting. Sometimes, it takes someone else’s viewpoint to really solidify what I was trying to say with a piece, which is why art is so important to me.

-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?

I’ve used art as a therapeutic process, which begins when I’m creating the piece and continues through to sharing and discussing it with my peers and my audience. I’ve learned a lot through the dialogue my art has started about racial identity and mental health issues. It’s easy to think that you’re the only one processing the complexity of these issues, but I’ve found that the artwork I’ve created has helped me and people who enjoy my art feel a little less secluded.

"Inner Tempest" Image courtesy of artist.

-How do current events affect your practice?

Current events are very overwhelming. I’m overwhelmed most of the time! If anything, I’ve felt more comfortable discussing the issues that inform my work because race inequality and the stigma of mental health aren't issues to be quiet about anymore. Hopefully, we can talk about and discuss these issues more openly.

from "Attempts at Positivity" Image courtesy of artist.

-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?

Definitely reflective. I struggle with depression and personal identity and art can help to articulate the way I’m feeling, whether thats to myself or to my audience.

See more of Katie So's work on katie.so // Instagram @ghostmeadow // Tumblr http://katieso.tumblr.com/ // Katie's Tattoo tumblr https://katiethebaby.tumblr.com/ // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition opening Friday, March 31, 2017.

Artist Interview // HANDA

Handa (or H&A) finds an escape from the relentless current of life in Seattle, WA through illustration, crafting, and cycling. Her work has appeared in local collections such as Intruder, Extruder, Thick as Thieves, Short Run's Relay Anthology, and the Seattle Weekly.

Handa is one of the artists in the Fierce Tidings art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs March 31st through April 12th, 2017. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?

An understanding of my personal identity has always eluded me, so it can be difficult to see how it comes out in my work. I don't feel anyone has to know me to understand my work, however. A lot of it is light-hearted, silly, and aimless. I try to get away from myself as a subject in a lot of drawings. The theme for this show led me to do the opposite and pull inspiration directly from personal struggles and aspirations. Perhaps I discovered more about my identity through making work for this show.

-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)

Entering the world of comics as an illustrator meant that I had to start writing. It certainly isn't my strong suit and I usually convey simple, straight-forward ideas. Since there isn't a lot to interpret, I primarily focus on the fluidity of paneling and pacing. So if a reader does not understand the visual sequencing, I do feel I've missed the mark. In regards to non-sequential illustration, I hardly have deep intentions to defend. It can be refreshing and insightful to have someone else explain their perspective of my work to me. As an opinionated person, I need to be open to other perspectives.

-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?

Like many people, I feel the constant urge to make things. Art is my mind's exhaust which means it isn't necessarily a choice, but I do find it therapeutic, and it makes me happy. Making art can be a solitary, isolating lifestyle. The community of self-publishers and comic artists in Seattle has also forever enriched my life. I am super grateful to be connected to so many through the same passion.

-How do current events affect your practice?

Current events drive many conversations, debates, and discoveries throughout my day. And though I would say I am interested in the lives of other people and the global community, there is always an urge inside to get away from everything. When I get into the sketchbook, I tend to leave political and social hot topics behind.

-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?

I imagine I'm more reflective. The time I spend making something is typically when I work through my life strand by strand. Dissecting all of the details of days gone by and days ahead. Sometimes, after the brainstorming stage is over and it's all mechanical work, I don't even think about what I'm drawing. I'm just daydreaming about exploring outer space as a Starfleet officer.

See more of Handa's work on http://handahanda.tumblr.com // Instagram @hellahanda // Facebook @hellahanda // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition opening Friday, March 31, 2017.

Artist Interview // HELLEN JO

Hellen Jo is an illustrator and cartoonist living in Los Angeles, CA. Hellen has contributed short comics and illustrations to various publications, including the Believer, Papercutter, Giant Robot, Electric Ant, and VICE. She has also shown her illustration work in a variety of gallery and museum shows, contributed to the independently-made video game, Calvin & Hellen's Bogus Journey and published the first issue of her comic Jin & Jam. She has been a storyboard artist for shows such as Steven Universe, Regular Show and others.

Hellen Jo is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

-What/Who inspires you?

Currently, I'm inspired by teen delinquents, LA skate videos, and the free issues of Teen Vogue that keep showing up in the mail. My two favorite artists are Xaime Hernandez and Taiyo Matsumoto.

-What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am preparing for Roadshow: Austin in July, an arts marketplace and party for ICON9, the Illustration Conference, and I'm translating Hong Yeon-sik's amazing Korean graphic novel, "Uncomfortably, Happily", to English for Drawn & Quarterly. I'm also neck-deep in unfinished paintings for a solo show at Giant Robot in October.

-How would you describe your artistic journey?

I would call my "artistic journey" incredibly wayward, haphazard, and continuously unknown. It took a lot of crying, failing, dropping out, disappearing, and stress to end up here, drawing weird pictures in the dark in the back of the house. My path is never clear, even to myself, and I will probably continue to struggle with my desires, goals, and "purpose" all the way up til the day I die.

See more of Hellen Jo’s work on http://helllllen.org // Twitter @helllllen // Instagram @helllllenjjjjjo // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition going from April 1st through 14th, 2016.

Artist Interview // KONSTANTIN STESHENKO

Konstantin Steshenko studied animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. His first film "Wind & Tree" won Best Canadian Student Short at the Ottawa International Animation Festival 2013. Konstantin currently resides in Los Angeles and eats so many cookies that he feels guilty enough to write about it in his bio.

Konstantin Steshenko is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

The natural world is unceasingly surprising and if I can impart a small fraction of its wonder I will feel like I have been successful. I am indebted to Ursula K. Le Guin, Haruki Murakami, and Hayao Miyazaki for their work and inspiration.

Eliza, webcomic. Images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

A webcomic about a guru I met on my travels through South East Asia and the future he foretold.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember and love experimenting in different mediums, from animation and comics to writing and illustration. With every new project I seek to challenge myself with a new style and aesthetic that will best represent the idea I want to see born into the world.

See more of Konstantin Steshenko’s comics on http://www.konstantinsteshenko.com // konstantinsteshenko.tumblr.com // Instagram @steshenkon // Twitter @KonSteshenko // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Journey-scapes POP UP SHOP! // APRIL 2nd, 6PM

Come out to the GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER (164 North State Street, downtown Chicago) for the Journey-scapes pop-up market before the Saturday, April 2nd TYRUS screening! Participating artists of the show will be offering prints, jewelry, pins, cards, zines and more!

Artist Interview // YUMI SAKUGAWA

Yumi Sakugawa is an Ignatz Awards nominated comic book artist. A graduate from the fine art program of University of California, Los Angeles, she lives in Los Angeles. Her comics have also appeared in The Believer, Bitch, the Best American NonRequired Reading 2014, The Rumpus, Folio, Fjords Review, and other publications.

Yumi Sakugawa is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Yoko Ono, Bjork, Frida Kahlo, Tavi Gevinson, Kim Chi, Aimee Bender, Miranda July, Haruki Murakami. Astrology, intense conversations with girlfriends, meditation, aimless walks in downtown Los Angeles, museums, outrageous fashion, coffee, the lunar cycle.

What are you working on right now?

I am in the midst of completing a fully illustrated, DIY lifestyle guide to young women that should be coming out in bookstores next year. I am also working on a multimedia installation that will be on display at the Smithsonian for a 3-day pop-up art event in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month. Also, a few secret projects involving the singularity, the creative process, toxic female friendships and cults.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I feel like my artistic journey truly began on a deeper level when I discovered meditation and mindfulness practice eight years ago. Mindfulness is about embracing the present moment and celebrating what is now, who you are now. Every year is distilling myself into a more concentrated version of my true authentic spirit. Every year I am delighted and surprised by the new layers I keep discovering within myself, and the new voices I get to share with the world. The more I discover new things about myself, the more attuned I feel to a higher wisdom that is guiding me along where I need to be right here and right now.

See more of Yumi Sakugawa’s comics on www.yumisakugawa.com and acrosstheyumiverse.tumblr.com // Instagram & Twitter @yumisakugawa // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.