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Today we have one of the best interviews yet. Stephen Spinas is a comic book artist and illustrator living in Cape Town and his work speaks volumes about his dedication.

He’s also got his own comic, Em is for Monsters, we really recommend you ask him about his work and then you’ll understand why you will want to buy all the things!

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How would you describe your role to someone that has no idea of what you do?

I am a comicbook artist and illustrator, which means I draw a variety of pictures from fanart to original characters. I sell art prints and merchandise at Comicbook and “geek” community events such as Comic Con.

 

How did you find your way in your career?

I started like most people in the industry, I worked for a couple different companies, from Animation to Tattooing. It was only in 2017 after my first experience exhibiting at Fancon in Cape Town that I decided I wanted to pursue illustration as a full time job. I started streaming on Twitch as a creative streamer in December of 2017 and haven’t looked back since.

 

What would you be doing in this field, if you couldn’t do illustration?

If it was impossible to be an illustrator I would most likely look at getting back into Tattooing or Graphic Design

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What’s your favourite food dish?

I am not a big foodie, If I could take a pill that would satiate my needs I would. However if I had to decide on a particular dish it would be Swordfish or Tuna Burgers

 

Have you encountered a severe drop in your career that made you feel you are going to give up and how did you overcome that obstacle?

I think every artist hits a lul from time to time, you question yourself all the time. I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing, I think it is good to always question and keep learning. I fear becoming stagnant and comfortable more than I fear anything. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.

 

What is a day in your office like for you?

I wake up, shower, get dressed, make my bed and get to my computer. For me the most important thing is making it feel like I am at a office…. If I were to sit around in my pj’s I would get too lazy.

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How do you unplug and recharge?

Games!!!! I try take a little break most days to play a couple games with friends, that is the easiest way for me to end a good work day.

 

What do you enjoy most about your journey so far?

Meeting people that have a attraction to my OC Em is for Monsters, it is a magnificent feeling watching the fanbase grow.

 

 

What has been your most memorable moment where you felt that you are in the right place for your career?

My second time at Fancon, I had a gentleman come up to me with his young son and ask for a Print of my character by Name.

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Have you got any special shoutouts to anyone who you feel made a significant impact on your skills and that helped you reach this point?

There are a bunch of people that have taught me so much along my Journey,
My Friends Kenneth Van Esch and Duncan Letts during my Tattooing days, helped me improve and understand my abilities. Malcolm Wope and Santosh Moses my friends from an old studio, that through their own hard work and determination have taught me so much about what it means to be a modern day Illustrator.

 

 

If you could be any superhero/villain or superheroine/villainess, who would you be and why?

Morph(Or Mystique) from the X-men, To have the ability to change into anyone or anything has always been my favourite power. Manipulating your body so that you never age, never get sick etc. I just want to live forever.

 

What do you think, is the most important discipline to develop, that will help carry an artist in any of the career paths available to them?

NEVER stop learning, if you stop learning you lose. If you feel there is nothing new to learn then take a step out of your comfort zone.

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What would you say is the most important thing an artist should do, when they approach you for portfolio feedback?

Be ready to accept constructive criticism, you aren’t your work and nothing said is personal.

 

 

If we want to find you online and follow your work, where can we look you up?

 

• Portfolio Website
• Facebook
• Béhance
• DeviantArt
• Instagram
• IMDB

 

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