The Art and Times of Katherine Roy

I first met Jules Feiffer when he spoke at the Center for Cartoon Studies with Jeff Danzinger in April. He was charming, enthusiastic, and quite the ham in front of a crowd. He liked my sketchbook, which later resulted in the opportunity to be his teaching assistant for the summer during his Montgomery Fellowship at Dartmouth College, just a few miles away from White River Junction. He arrived yesterday. I’m already having a blast!

It is somehow wildly exhilarating to read, devour really, the chronicled chapters of fiction recounting Sammy’s love for Tracy Bacon, the discovery of his own sexuality, the daring and passion of the love between Joe and Rosa, their art, their ****ing, never seen but smoldering and constant in the hinting in each chapter. Chabon has an amazing tale, and after eight months in cartooning school I am finally beginning to glimpse just how masterfully he has woven his fictional story into the real world of New York City in the late 30’s and early 40’s. It’s SO steamy. And the city vibrates with a life and color that is greater than life, it sings from the past, calling out to these two cousins and the world that somehow brought them together. I want to tell stories with this kind of depth, this kind of significance. I want to be able to absolutely capture my audience. And I have no idea where to find that kind of a story.

Michelangelo wrote of carving as if he must release the form inside the block of marble, as if the figure is already there, waiting, throbbing and tenacious to breathe and live. Is that what it is to write a thing? To creat something new. Is the story, can the story, be told with meaning and depth and content through comics?

I am suspicious. I don’t know. I do know that for the better part of two days I’ve done little else but read. This novel is just so damn good most of the time. It’s amazing.

Got up at 5:00 am to layout and color some drawing samples to send to Sorche Fairbank, a dear friend and talented agent working on a book for Ten Speed Press. It’s been fun to work on whether I am chosen for the project or not– it’s a great way to kick off the summer!

About a week ago a group of us from the Center for Cartoon Studies had the chance to visit Mirage Studios in Amherst, MA, home of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. Peter was a gracious host, answering our questions and telling us stories before giving us great toys! We also got to tour Jim Lawson’s studio, who has been penciling and inking the Turtle comics since they began. We all had a fabulous time. He also posted an image of the mini comic I gave him on his blog– thanks Peter!

http://plairdblog.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

Welcome to my blog! The next few posts will be a little sporadic, as I’m in the midst of finals for graduate school. Keep checking in! Expect regular posts beginning in June.