Interview with John A. Walsh [johnawalsh] on Whohub

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What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist?

I'm an Illustrator, Editorial Cartoonist & Graphic Novelist. I create with pen, ink, a Mac and imagination.

What is your message?

As a storyteller, I don't have any ONE message; each story is a different message.

Your biography in four lines.

I was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut and was the last of my parents’ five boys. A graduate of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, I currently live with my wife Rachel in Boston. I was also the Editorial Cartoonist at The Somerville News for a year and a half. When not working on client’s projects, I'm busy creating the Great Irish-American Graphic Novel.

Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it?

My work can be seen at my site and my blog:
http://www.johnawalsh.net
http://www.johnawalsh.blogspot.com/

How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration?

My ideas usually come from stray thoughts, personal interaction with people, and lots and lots of time spent reading—both books and on the web. Many of my ideas also come from a misspent youth!

Inspiration is excitement. Inspiration is the feeling that gets you past the roadblocks or the thoughts that can see you through a long project.

Art is the question, not the answer.

When do you get your best ideas?

There doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason to when the really good ideas pop up...pretty random.

How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not?

I usually run it past my wife first. She's the best editor/art director that I've ever worked with—no kidding!

Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created?

1. The White Album
2. The Grapes of Wrath
3. Batman

When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist?

I saw myself as an artist when I drew my first comic—age 8!

Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities?

For the most part, creators just aren't right in the head.

Including me.

Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday?

I don't think so. But to evolve is the only way to continually grow.

Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work?

Even though I don't think it's all that evident in my work, the biggest influences on me have been Frank Miller, David Mazzuchelli, Dave Gibbons, Alan Moore, Chris Ware, John Steinbeck, Thomas Keneally and more historians than I can name.

Of course! People will always need to either express themselves or feel some kind of emotion through another's creativity.

Which websites do you frequently visit?

What advice would you give to those just beginning?

Persistence and determination—don't lose sight of those two!
If you knock on enough doors, eventually someone will answer.

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