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November 26, 2005

Knowing My Place

So, my good friend Jason Arnett has been saying some nice things about me lately. The first, a comment left on one of my older posts, went something like this:

"I believe you've solidified your place in KC comix history alongside guys like Parrish Baker. You've been an instrumental part of the scene for, what?, nearly five years now? That's amazing. First with Six Shooter, then coming on board with the CCN and now striking out on your own.

"You're an INFLUENCE man. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. It's True. You're not just Inspiration, we can look at what you've done and we can see what we should be doing. Not in terms of content, but in terms of passion. You're IT. Tag.

"Determination. That's what it takes to make comix, we've both said it before. You've shown us why and how we should do it. We should tell our stories because we can. If you want to measure success by any yardstick, do it by seeing how much more vital the scene is because of the things you've done."

That's some pretty heady praise. He elaborates more over at his LJ:

"Rob Schamberger is constantly trying out new approaches and new ways to get his stories out in front of people. He is an inspiration to anyone who wants to pay attention to him, but he’s influenced me by just being out there and trying. I’d given up drawing a couple of years ago, but now I’m willing to give it a shot again because I’ve been watching him over the last year or so really working hard to keep making comix. The usual deal with writers is that we find an artist and the artist then flakes out on us and doesn’t want to make a commitment after having said ‘yes’ to something. Schamberger says ‘fuck it’ and makes comix anyway. He’s decided that Moebius is a worthy example and is pursuing a set of graphic novels called THE BLACK CHAMBER, rolling several old ideas into a new one and then illustrating it himself, trying several different styles."

Comparing me to Moebius in any sort of positive light is a very nice compliment indeed, I think. I mean, hell, France had a national celebration for him and he designed that year's postage stamp for the country. I don't really feel I'm on that level. Yet, at least.

What's funny is that the things Jason said in his post at his LJ is the exact reverse of what got me into drawing again. It happened when J sent me a copy of his book The Stone Man. I'd known Jason for a few years at this point, and I'm sure he'd agree with me, he wasn't a fantastic artist. But he'd broken through some barriers with The Stone Man with his art, and even more importantly, he'd completed a 24 page novella. I was going through troubles with artists at the time, and I said, hey, why the fuck not, I'll draw my own stuff.

So, that's what I've been doing for the last couple of years. Drawing every single day. Studying the real comic book artists, like Eisner, Wood, Krigstein, Jack Davis, Johnny Craig, Kirby, Toth, and Kurtzman. Guys that were amazing illustrators, but with the same level of craft applied to sequential art, and getting it all done on schedule.

In the last year I figure I've made about 200 pages of sequentials, and filled up almost two sketchbooks with studies and practice pieces. I've still got a ways to go before I'll be at the skill level to match what's in my mind, but I figure I'll reach that within another year. Considering that just two years ago I wasn't even drawing, it's pretty amazing that I'm getting paid for my art.

I've built up a bit of a following, or at least some folks who take the time to find out what I'm working on, which is really rad. Even more cool is that it seems there's a larger percentage that are female than male, which I haven't quite figured out yet, but I'm definitely not complaining about.

I've also inspired some folks to pick up their pencils and brushes again, too, which is great. I've decided to lead by example rather than with an iron fist cast in velvet. I want folks to see how easy it is, if you just set a goal, set a path, and stick to both.

But, in all honesty, I've got my feet firmly planted on the ground. I'm a newbie with a lot to learn, and a long ways to go. Maybe what sets me apart, though, is that I'm not only willing to do that learning and go that long way, but I'm excited about it.

A few years back I set a list of goals for myself. For the age of 25, which I'm at now, I'd set the goal of having a limited series published. I'm going to get that done, or at least signed, by July the first of oh six, and it's going to be The Black Chamber. For the age of thirty, I'd set the goal of having my chief income derived from comix creation, and I'm going to do that as well.

Hopefully y'all will come along with me for the ride.

Posted by Schamberger at November 26, 2005 06:36 PM