Interview with 360 Beyond

A few months back the author of the blog 360 Beyond wanted to interview me along with a number of other unknown creators. I’m not sure if it was posted and so I’ve elected to publish the interview on my own blog. You can check out his work at http://cedpharaoh.com/360BEYOND/

April 21, 2014:

ARTISTIC/DEVELOPMENT

360 BEYOND:  As it relates to your earliest memory as an artist, did Art choose you or did you choose Art? The Art of writing that is, explain. 

RYAN SCALES:  I’VE ALWAYS BEEN COMFORTABLE WITH A PENCIL IN MY HAND.  I WAS EIGHT WHEN FOUND GIFT.  I DID A FREEHAND DRAWING OF THE COVER OF SUPER MARIO BROS. 3 AND MY MOM CALLED MY DAD IN AND THE BOTH MARVELED AT IT.  IT WAS ONE OF THOSE RARE OCCASIONS WHERE MY PARENTS WEREN’T YELLING AT ME AND WERE ACTUALLY APPLAUDING ME.  THEY KEPT SAYING, “WOW THAT’S PRETTY AWESOME” SO I JUST KEPT DOING IT.

WRITING IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANIMAL.  I DON’T DO IT MUCH AND DON’T REALLY SEE MYSELF IN THAT LIGHT, ALTHOUGH HAVE WHAT I WOULD CALL ADEQUATE SKILL.  I CAN GENERATE A STORY IDEA, OR MAYBE SOME DIALOGUE, BUT THE BULK OF MY STORYTELLING ABILITY LIES ON THE VISUAL SIDE OF THE COIN.

Who or What were your earliest inspirations and present influences that that inspire your art/comics/writing?

 I STARTED LOOKING AT THIS AS A CAREER IN THE SIXTH GRADE SO MY INFLUENCES GO WAAAAAY BACK.  DAN JURGENS WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST TO TRULY CATCH MY EYE.  I SAW HIS WORK ON SUPERMAN #75 (THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN) AND I WAS HOOKED.  HE WAS ALSO THE FIRST ARTIST I SAW THAT DID THE WRITING CHORES ALONGSIDE THE ART, SO I GUESS THAT SEED GOT PLANTED AS WELL.  JOHN ROMITA, JR. WAS ANOTHER HEAVY INFLUENCE.  HIS RUN ON UNCANNY X-MEN IN THE NINTIES REALLY SHAPED MY STYLE.  SAME GOES FOR ERIK LARSEN.  THOSE WERE MY MAIN THREE GUYS ALL THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

AS FAR AS THE WRITING, IF FRANK MILLER DOESN’T MAKE YOUR LIST OF INFLUENCES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. TERRIBLY WRONG J  LARRY HAMA WAS GREAT SCRIBE.  IF NOT FOR HIM WOLVERINE WOULDN’T BE THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION BAD ASS HE IS TODAY!  HE GAVE LOGAN HIS VOICE.  TODD MCFARLANE’S EARLY WORK ON SPAWN HAD AN IMPACT.  HE HAD A NARRATIVE FLARE THAT I ALWAYS LOVED.

  

How important is it to study your art and how do you approach keeping your skills sharp?

TO STUDY IN THE ACADEMIC SENSE? I CAN’T OFFER AN OPINION THERE (SOME MIXED FEELINGS AS FAR THE EDUCATION SYSTEM), BUT IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO TRAIN YOUR EYE.  FIND STYLE YOU LIKE, A WRITER YOU LIKE.  STUDY THEM, USE THEM AS YOUR FOUNDATION.  AS TIME GOES ON, YOU’LL NATURALLY BREAK OUT AND START TO FIND YOUR OWN VOICE.

IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR ABILITIES HONED.  WRITE NOTES, PLAY WITH WORDS, DOODLE, WHATEVER.  I HEAR SO MANY FOLKS SAYING “I USED TO BE ABLE TO DRAW LIKE THAT” OR “I USED TO WRITE LIKE THAT”.   IF YOU HAVE A SINCERE ENTHUSIASM FOR WHAT YOU DO, THOSE WORDS WILL NEVER PASS YOUR LIPS WHEN REFERRING TO IT. TO ME THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SKILL AND A PASSION.  ONE IS PRACTICAL, A MEANS TO AN END.  IT ‘PAYS THE BILLS’.  THE OTHER IS A NATURAL DESIRE.  YOU CAN’T STOP IT ANYMORE THAN YOU CAN STOP BREATHING.

EON KID

What are some books that are on your personal shelf?

I’M SAD TO SAY I HAVEN’T HAD MUCH READING TIME AS OF LATE.  I’LL JUST RATTLE OFF A FEW I’VE ENJOYED OVER THE YEARS:

• CYCLE OF THE WEREWOLF BY STEPHEN KING (NOT THE BEST WRITTEN STORY, BUT I LOVE BERNIE WRIGHTSON’S ILLUSTRATIONS). 
• THE SAVAGE DRAGON
• HOW TO DRAW COMICS THE MARVEL WAY.  NO COMIC ARTIST’S LIBRARY SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT. 
• GOD IS NOT GREAT BY CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS,
• THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS,
• EVERYBODY’S GOTTA EAT BY KEVIN WINCHESTER.
• ROBOPOCALYPSE BY DANIEL H. WILSON

I LOVED R.L. STINE’S FEAR STREET SERIES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Are there any titles that you are currently reading?

SERIES-WISE, NO.  NOT  A LOT OF COMIC SHOPS AROUND MY WAY.  THANKFULLY THE LOCAL LIBRARY IS VERY WELL STOCKED.  I’VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED PAUL CHADWICK’S CONCRETE, VAGABOND, THE GAME OF THRONES GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES (WONDERFULLY AND FAITHFULLY RENDERED I MIGHT ADD), AND VERTIGO’S THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER.

WORK/STYLE

Give us a description of your Creative Lab or Studio where you work and how is the environment a co-creator or partner in ultimately what you create?

MY PLACE IS PRETTY SMALL SO  MY BEDROOM DOUBLES AS MY STUDIO.  I SLEEP ON MY FLOOR OR AIR MATTRESS, OR THE COUCH IN THE LIVING ROOM DEPENDING ON THE DAY. (WHEN I MOVED IN IT WAS A CHOICE BETWEEN A BED AND MY DRAWING TABLE.  A REAL NO-BRAINER FOR ME).

MY DRAWING TOOLS ARE ALL CLOSE BY AND I HAVE A CRATE FULL OF COMICS AND FICTION NOVELS I LIKE TO THUMB THROUGH ON MY DOWN TIME.  I MESS AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND READ FANFIC TOO (MOSTLY ZOMBIE STORIES).  ONCE I’VE HAD MY FILL, I START DOING WARM-UP SKETCHES.

If Art can save the world, then that makes the Artist a Superhero; and every Hero needs theme music.  Name the song or songs that you listen to for inspiration as you create?

MY TRACK LISTING IS REAL HODGEPODGE.  ANIME SOUNDTRACKS ARE A BIG HELP (THE OLD DRAGON BALL AND NARUTO THEMES, STUFF LIKE THAT).  I HAVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF LINKIN PARK’S ALBUMS AND I DON’T SKIP A SINGLE TRACK.  IF MY ARTWORK IS A MATCH THEIR MUSIC IS GASOLINE.  I’M ALSO A FAN OF GREYDON SQUARE.

What techniques & tools do you employ to bring ideas to life?

I’M A PENCILER AT MY CORE.  I LIKE PRODUCING SEQUENTIAL ART AND TELLING STORIES.  I USUALLY START WITH THUMBNAILS WHERE I FIDDLE AROUND WITH THE STORIE’S BEATS.  I MIGHT ADD A PANEL OR PAGE, OR TAKE SOMETHING AWAY.  IT’S A REALLY FUN PROCESS.  I DO MY WORK WITH BLUE LEAD (FOR THE BASE WORK OF COURSE) AND USUALLY FINISH IT WITH AN HB OR 2B LEAD PENCIL. IF I’M INKING I USE BRUSH PENS.  I LOVE THE LINES THEY MAKE.  I DON’T DO A LOT OF COLOR UNLESS IT’S A B & W THAT I WANT TO MAKE POP SOMEHOW.

How would you describe your writing style or artistic technique?

THAT’S A HARD ONE.  ALL THE WRITERS I’VE MET WOULD SAY THEY CAN’T DESCRIBE HOW THEY WRITE, IT’S JUST SOMETHING THEY DO.  BUT IF I HAD TO GIVE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER, I BELIEVE IT STARTS WITH VOICE.  WHEN I THINK OF A CHARACTER I HAVE TO HEAR ‘THEM’ TALK.  A CHARACTER’S SPEECH CAN TELL YOU JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE WILLING TO RUN WITH IT.  THINK ABOUT A CHARACTER (YOUR OWN OR AN ESTABLISH ONE FROM ANOTHER PIECE OF FICTION) AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM.  IT’S FUN!

ARTISTIC TECHNIQUE IS A LITTLE EASIER TO DESCRIBE.  I LIKE A LOT OF ACTION, OR AT LEAST THE HINT OF IT.  IF THE CHARACTER IS JUST SITTING THERE DROOLING, I STILL WANT THERE TO BE SOME LIFE.  EVEN IN THE SLOW CINEMATIC, SUPER-DRAMATIC SEQUENCES, YOU WANT TO KEEP THE STORY MOVING.

"I like a lot of action...keep the story moving." --Ryan Scales

SOUL/ART

In terms of personal projects, what is the Flagship creative project for your company and how did you come up with the idea for the concept? 

MY PERSONAL PROJECT IS ON HIATUS.  IT’S A WEB COMIC I CALL FIGHT LIFE.  IT’S BEEN INFLUENCED BY ANIME LIKE TENJOU TENGE AND HAJIME NO IPPO AND MARTIAL ARTS MOVIES I USED TO WATCH WHEN I WAS LITTLE. 

What are some of the most immediate/follow-up projects?

RIGHT NOW I’M WORKING WITH INDY WRITER RAY ZEPEDA ON ANTI-HERO 113, DUE OUT SOME TIME THIS SUMMER.

Page from the Recently published Anti-Hero 113 prelude.

Talk about the difficulties of being an independent artist and the hurdles you've overcome to produce and publish your own works.

A LOT OF THE STUMBLING BLOCKS ARE SELF-MADE.  A LOT GETTING MY WORK OUT WAS JUST ME GETTING OUT OF MY OWN WAY. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I WAS TOO CHICKEN TO SUBMIT MY WORK. 

GROWING UP, I WASN’T THE ONLY KID THAT LOVED COMICS BUT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT RAN WITH IT THE WAY I DID.  IT WAS HARD FINDING OTHER FANS WHO WANTED TO CREATE AND WHO SINCERELY LOVE IT.  HARDER STILL TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

What is your preferred medium for your stories; comic book, graphic novel, animation or movie?

COMICS ALL THE WAY BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN I’LL FIDDLE AROUND WITH A PROSE STORY.

Here's a fun question.  Name a mainstream project/character or an independent project and/or character that you'd love to work on or revamp and what would you do to put your twist on it?

I’D BRING BACK THE THUNDERCATS.  I THOUGHT CARTOON NETWORK’S TAKE ON IT WAS SPECTACULAR AND WOULD LOVE TO PLAY A ROLE IN REMAKING/CONTINUING THAT SERIES. IT WAS AN RPG ON STEROIDS.  I’D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A SHOT AT THE SILVERHAWKS, BUT THEY PROBABLY WOULDN’T BE CYBORGS.  MAYBE A MIDEIVAL GUILD OF KNIGHTS OR A MOTORCYCLE GANG J. SOMETHING FUN THAT WOULD LET ME EXERCISE MY WRITING SKILL FOR A TEAM BOOK.  OH, AND THE BIONIC SIX.  I MIGHT MAKE THEM ALL FULL-BLOODED FAMILY WITH ONE ADOPTED CHILD OR HAVE A BRADY BUNCH THING GOING.  BASICALLY ANY ACTION CARTOON I WAS HOOKED ON AS A KID, I WOULD RELISH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO THAT MYTHOS OR RECREATE IT ALL TOGETHER.

For the independent artist, how has technology affected the way you are able to do business or make progress on your art?  For example, but not limited to: Finding Clients? Artistic Collaboration? Getting work done?

SOCIAL MEDIA’S BEEN A BIG HELP.  NOT JUST WITH CLIENTS BUT WITH ENCOURAGEMENT. AS AN ART MAJOR I ENCOUNTERED A FEW TEACHER WHO COULDN’T OR WOULDN’T ACCEPT THAT THIS WAS A LEGITIMATE ART FORM.  SITES LIKE DEVIANT ART, AND FACEBOOK’S FANPAGE OPTION PROVED DIFFERENTLY AND KEPT MY HEAD IN THE GAME.  IT’S HOW I FOUND MY WRITER.  RAY ZEPEDA APPROACHED ME ON MYSPACE BACK IN 2008 AND WE’VE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS TO BRING ANTI-HERO 113 TO LIFE. 

AS FAR AS PRODUCING ART, I’M ASHAMED TO SAY I’VE ONLY RECENTLY GONE DIGITAL.  I FINALLY MANAGED TO BUY A TABLET AND START PRACTICING.  MY DIGITAL STYLE IS NON-EXISTANT RIGHT NOW! (SHAKES HEAD).

Here are two questions about event presentations, conferences, fairs etc. 

What are the conferences that are on your yearly schedule to attend?

PRETTY SPORADIC.  I’M STILL VERY MUCH A BABY ON THE CONVENTION SCENE AND HAVE ONLY ATTENDED AS FAN.  MY VERY FIRST CON WAS A THIS GATHERING A REC CENTER IN CLIFTON, NJ BACK IN 2010. TWO YEARS LATER THERE WAS CHARLOTTE’S HEROCON, AND THEN ANOTHER THE YEAR AFTER.  IF I CAN SWING IT, I’LL HEAD TO CALIFORNIA FOR THE SALINAS CONVENTION WITH RAY.

What advice do you give to aspiring artists of all mediums about the importance of events and how do you prepare to maximize your potential at these fairs?

WOW ME GIVING ADVICE LIKE I’M SOME KIND OF PRO (LAUGH).  FIRST OFF DO NOT FORGET YOUR PORTFOLIO!  I WAS SO GEEKED ABOUT HEROCON AND MEETING SO MANY OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS, I TOTALLY FORGOT IT!  LET THAT BE THE FIRST THING YOU PACK.  AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO THE ARTISTS, WRITERS AND DEALERS.  THIS ISN’T SOME HOLLYWOOD CLUB SCENE WITH A BUNCH OF PRETENTIOUS A-HOLES.  SURE IT’S CROWDED BUT IT’S STILL PRETTY CHILL.  STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION, ASK FOR TIPS.  BE COURTEOUS, BE QUICK, (MOVE ON AND COME BACK IF YOU HAVE TO) BUT INTERACT AND GET SOME INFO. 

BRING A LITTLE SPENDING MONEY ALSO.  THE ORIGINAL ART THEY SELL IS SOOOO WORTH IT AND YOU’LL BE AMAZED AT WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN THE DOLLAR BIN.

THE GREATEST THING ABOUT THESE EVENTS IS THE FEELING OF BEING IN YOUR ELEMENT.  FANBOYS, WRITERS, ARTISTS, OTAKU, COSPLAYERS (AND IN MANY INSTANCES, THEIR PARENTS), WHEN YOU WALK UP IN THERE, YOU ARE F*CKING AWESOME!  YOU’RE THE SHIZNIT!  NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS.  THAT’S THE VIBE I GET ANYWAYS. WHETHER YOU’RE A CREATOR OR A FAN YOU DON’T FEEL THE LEAST BIT OUT OF PLACE.

LIFE/EXPRESSION

On the idea of Art Imitates Life or Life Imitates Art, is the role of Art in human existence a catalyst for behavior and community building or is Art a mirror to reflect the world of what was and what is?

I VIEW IT AS A MEANS OF TAKING A GOOD, HARD, DETAILED LOOK AT OURSELVES AND THE WORLD AROUND US.  NOVELISTS, CERTAIN RECORDING ARTISTS, AND ESPECIALLY COMEDIANS ARE FAIRLY EXCEPTIONAL AT THIS. 

Due to budget cuts for schools, classes and after-school programs, primarily in black and Latino communities, the youth are not getting exposed or are exposed to very little physical education and the arts.  How important do you feel the arts are to the lives of the youth?

I THINK IT’S A SHAME.  NOT EVERYBODY EXCELS AT ATHLETICS/PHYS-ED, AND NOT EVERYBODY HAS AN AFFINITY FOR THE ARTS, BUT THESE ARE JUST TWO LYNCHPINS IN A CHILD’S EDUCATION.  LIFE ISN’T JUST MATH, SCIENCE AND LIT.  REGARDLESS OF WHAT A CULTURE TEACHES OR OMITS FROM CHILDRENS’ UPBRINGING, LIFE IS EMOTION, IT’S FREEDOM, IT’S EXPRESSION.  PHYSICAL, VERBAL, VISUAL.  (GETS OF THE SOAP BOX)

Whether it's the concept of Six Degrees of Separation or Its A Small World, the culture to are smaller than outsiders know.  To bridge the gap between yourself and your peers, do you belong to any artist groups or forums, if so which ones? 

YOU CAN FIND ME POSTING ON FACEBOOK THE IN GROUPS LIKE CONNECTING COMIC BOOK WRITERS AND ARTIST, COMIC BOOK ARTISTS, AND ICFPI: TEAM 5, AS WELL AS MY ARTIST’S PAGE IRON LION STUDIOS. YOU CAN ALSO CATCH ME ON DEVIANT ART  AT IRONLION82.  I ALSO HAVE PROFILES ON CGHUB AND DRAWCROWD.COM ON WHICH I’LL BE POSTING MY DIGITAL WORK.

Now to bridge the gap between your art and the public at large, give the name and address of your sites and forums where people can see your creativity and how people can get in contact with you for commissions and/or to follow your work?

YOU CAN FIND ME AND MY WORK AT:

DEVIANT ART (HTTP://IRONLION82.DEVIANTART.COM/)
BLOGSPOT (HTTP://IRONLIONSTUDIOS.BLOGSPOT.COM/)

FACEBOOK (https://www.facebook.com/IronLionStudios )

EMAIL: RAIANTHEINCREDIBLE@GMAIL.COM

What impact would you like your art to make on the world?

WHEN THEY PUT ME IN THE GROUND OR BURN ME ON THE PYRE, I HOPE THEY SAY “HE WAS PRETTY GREAT GUY WHO TOLD SOME PRETTY GREAT STORIES”.

What are your favorite quotes or philosophies of life that help you improve as a person or artist?

I’LL TRY TO KEEP IT AT THREE:

"THE MAIN OBLIGATION IS TO AMUSE YOURSELF" --S.J.PERELMAN

“ALWAYS BE YOURSELF, EXPRESS YOURSELF, HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF, DO NOT GO OUT AND LOOK FOR A SUCCESSFUL PERSONALITY AND DUPLICATE IT.”—BRUCE LEE

"IT'S SOMETHING UNPREDICTABLE, BUT IN THE END IT'S RIGHT.
I HOPE YOU HAD THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE."--"GOOD RIDDANCE (THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE" BY GREEN DAY

Is there anything else that you want the readers to know, feel free to elaborate?

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MYSELF HERE.  I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT TOOK TIME TO READ THIS AND GET TO KNOW ME A LITTLE.  AT AGE 31, I’VE OFFICIALLY BEEN CHASING THIS DREAM FOR 20 YEARS AND IT’S JUST NOW BEARING FRUIT.  KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!