Singapore Comic Con returns on 7 – 8 December with anticipation and adventure with exciting activities such as an enhanced gaming experience with GGXP, PVP @ Singapore Comic Con featuring the thrilling finals of PVP esports leagues, industry showcases and celebrity appearances; and meet & greet sessions with notable artists.
Our Parenting World – OPW Media team is pleased to be able to interview celebrity artists Yasmine Putri, Peach Momoko, Sarah Anderson and Muffinsaurs who will be at Singapore Comic Con to meet fans! Are you excited? We sure are! Read on to find out more about your favourite celebrity artists.
First up, we catch up with Yasmine Putri, she is an Indonesian character designer whose foray into the comic book industry began with a cover for Marvel’s Secret Wars in 2015. She’s since done other titles including Amazing Spider-Man, Tales of Suspense, Black Panther, Star Wars, and most recently the Avengers: No Road Home weekly mini series. For DC Comics she’s done titles including Hellblazer, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Detective Comics, Nightwing, and Wonder Woman. She also took part in the recent DCeased mini series and did interior work for the 2018 Nuclear Winter anthology.
Exclusive Interview with Yasmine Putri
1. Please share with us more about your background, who and what inspired you to be an artist?
I studied visual design in uni and worked in advertising for several years before becoming a freelance illustrator, mostly doing art for trading card games. As for inspiration, I’ve always liked drawing since childhood.
2. How do you create your artwork, how do you come up with the inspiration and what tools do you use?
Most of my work utilize typical digital illustration programs and drawn on a drawing tablet. For inspiration, I usually watch movies or browse the internet.
3. What are some of your favourite artwork that you have done?
I have a soft spot for my Hellblazer covers at DC, as classic Hellblazer (when still published by Vertigo) was one of the first titles that got me interested in American comics.
4. You have drawn many superheroes, what superpower would you like to have and why?
I’d like to be able to stop time. Would be wonderful for deadlines and my general productivity.
5. Do you have any upcoming projects and how can we be in touch with your works?
I’m still working on DC covers for now, but I might try doing interior work in the future given the chance.
6. As a renowned artist like yourself, what’s your advice that you would like to share with those who aspired to be an artist and how they can pursue their goals of being an artist?
Practice and repetition are important as many other great artists have undoubtedly said, but we also need some time to recharge and let our minds create and inspire us.
7. What will you be bringing to Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC) 2019 and what can fans expect when they visit SGCC?
I have plans to bring over limited prints from my published covers. Also, I’ll be doing signings and quick sketches for those interested.
8. Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans in Singapore?
Excited to see you soon!
Thank you Yasmine Putri for taking our interview!
Next, we have Peach MoMoKo, she is an Illustrator from Japan. She does cover art for Marvel and illustrations for Heavy Metal Magazine.
Exclusive Interview with Peach MoMoKo
1. Please share with us more about your background, who and what inspired you to be an artist?
Peach MoMoKo, cover artist for Marvel, IDW and many more. As well as short story sequential pin-up style artist for Heavy Metal Magazine. She has always loved drawing and kept drawing for years. She has no strong influences that made her inspired to be an artist. She just believed in herself and wanted to live her life with what she loves doing.
2. How do you keep yourself recharged with creativity and come up with new artwork?
Playing with my dog and watching a movie during my downtime.
3. Do you have any upcoming projects and how can we be in touch with your works?
Many secrets with the upcoming projects. I always share info via Instagram or any of the Marvel, IDW, Image, etc… websites. Stay tuned!
4. As a renowned artist, what’s your advice that you would like to share with those who aspired to be an artist and how they can pursue their goals of being an artist?
Just do what you love.
5. Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans who are looking forward to see you in Singapore?
Thank you for always loving my artwork that I create. I am excited to be back to SGCC 2019.
Thank you Peach MoMoKo for taking our interview!
Next, we have Sarah Andersen, a 27 year old cartoonist and illustrator. She is the creator of the hugely popular Sarah’s Scribbles. Sarah graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2014 and currently lives in Montreal. Her comics are semi autobiographical and follow the adventures of herself, her friends, and her beloved pets.
All the above images credit to Singapore Comic Con 2019
Exclusive Interview with Sarah Andersen
1. Please share with us more about your background, who and what inspired you to be a cartoonist and illustrator?
I’ve been into art and always read comics since I was very young. I actually went to the Maryland Institute College of Art to study illustration, hoping to be an editorial or children’s book illustrator. I started writing comics while I was there just for fun, and after I turned the strip into a more serious project I now consider myself more of a cartoonist.
2. Can you tell us more about Sarah’s Scribbles, how did you come up with the name, the creativity and inspiration behind it?
The name was originally “Doodle Time” because it was the title of a blog I had where I posted sketches and comics. That was before the comics were officially part of a regular strip. When I was approached for syndication, I decided to name the comic “Sarah’s Scribbles.” The word “scribbles” kind of referenced the casual quality of the original blog but sounded a bit more professional.
3. How do you create your comics and what tools do you use?
Currently, I use photoshop and a Cintiq 13HD. I also do other professional work on Procreate for the iPad.
4. What are some of your favourite comics that you have done?
I did one where I questioned the myth that depressed artists make better work. I was so happy I managed to find a way to tell artists that I believe good work comes from happy, healthy artists. https://sarahcandersen.com/post/163447648758
A recent one I did that I liked was one about wanting to be a witch because witches are awesome. https://sarahcandersen.com/post/186909785461
5. What’s your typical day like?
Wake up—typically too late. Then I spend most of my day drawing at home, usually freelance or graphic novel work, and I brainstorm Sarah’s Scribbles comics at night. On days before they are posted I’ll spend a few hours finalizing them.
6. Do you have any hobbies? Can you tell us more about your pets?
I’m a pretty avid reader, I would consider that my favourite hobby. I love learning of all kinds too and spend a lot of time watching documentaries and listening to podcasts. As for my pets, the black cat in my comics is based on my real black cat, Harley. She’s stubborn but she is the best. The rabbit that sometimes appears is based on a childhood pet rabbit I had named Sunshine.
7. Do you have any upcoming projects and how can we be in touch with your works?
I have a new strip coming out on Halloween called Fangs. It’s about a vampire and werewolf who are awkwardly in love. It will be out on the comics platform Tapastic. I’ll be making announcements about it once it’s out.
8. As a renowned artist likeyourself, what’s your advice that you would like to share with those who aspired to be an artist and how they can pursue their goals of being an artist?
My two biggest pieces of advice are to research a lot of artists you like and to have grit. The first is important because learning from artists you admire and having a well-defined sense of taste improves your work as a whole. The second is because unfortunately art requires a lot of practice and a lot of failures. It’s the artists who don’t give up in spite of that that usually wind up making it.
9. What will you be bringing to Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 and what can fans expect when they visit SGCC?
We’ll have books to sign and I’ll be at the table most of the day!
10. Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans in Singapore?
That I am so grateful for your support and so, so excited to meet you and visit your country!
Thank you Sarah Andersen for taking our interview!
Lastly, we have Singapore’s own artist, Stephanie Raphaela Ho also known as Muffinsaurs. She has been passionate about drawing since she learned how to hold a pencil. She lives in Singapore with her husband, dog and two cats. As the creator of strange, amazing and sometimes odd things, Steph finds inspiration in daily encounters. In 2016, Steph uploaded a timelapse video of her cat mural which quickly went viral. Her murals depicting all manner of quirky animals have since been featured on local and international media such as Buzzfeed, The Business Times and the news on Channel 8. Stephanie’s current ambition in life is to create works that will put a smile on people’s faces.
Image Credit to Stephanie Raphaela Ho (Muffinsaurs)
Exclusive Interview with Muffinsaurs
1. Please share with us more about your background, who and what inspired you to be an artist?
I love drawing when I was young. I’ve been drawing since I knew how to hold a pencil and always wanted to be an artist! Believe it or not, Tokidoki was the one who inspired me to be a full time artist. I came across his work for the first time at the Singapore Comic Con about 10 years ago! I was like, ‘wow, I want to create my own merchandise out of my drawing too!’
2. How did you come up with the name Muffinsaurs and are there any significance/ meaning behind the name?
I’ve always loved dinosaurs as a kid. While I was addicted to online MMORPG games years ago, I came up with the name Muffinsaurs and it stuck to me ever since.
3. What are some of the challenges that you faced as an artist and how do you overcome them?
My biggest challenge as an artist was when people try and be nice to me and in turn ask if I could draw / design something for them, for free! In return, they promise it’s good exposure for my brand and portfolio. But I’ve been doing this long enough to know that exposure doesn’t feed you or pay bills. So I got to be firm and state my requirements.
4. What do you like most about being an artist and what are some of your favourite artwork?
I’m an animal lover and I work with a lot of pet owners! The best part is going to the client’s place to paint a mural and playing with my pets at the same time! Some of my favourite artwork includes the meowtain mural and corgveners parody.
5. Do you have any upcoming projects and how can we be in touch with your works?
I do not have any big upcoming projects planned. But I’m currently in the midst of setting up my YouTube channel and posting weekly tutorials and vlogs! You can keep in touch with what I’m doing through social media on Instagram and Facebook. @muffinsaurs
6. As a renowned artist, what’s your advice that you would like to share with those who aspired to be an artist and how they can pursue their goals of being an artist?
Keep drawing and find your style! Always charge for commissions and don’t do free work!
7. What will you be bringing to Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019 and what can fans expect when they visit SGCC?
Will be bringing new enamel pins, tote bags and wall stickers!
8. Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans who are looking forward to see you at Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) 2019?
Drop by my booth at Artist Alley and say Hi! Don’t forget to get the limited edition SGCC x Muffinsaurs tee on SGCC website too!
Thank you Stephanie Raphaela Ho (Muffinsaurs) for taking our interview!
Come and meet Yasmine Putri, Peach Momoko, Sarah Anderson, Muffinsaurs and other artists who will be at Singapore Comic Con 2019 from 7 – 8 December at Marina Bay Sands Expo Halls A, B and C! To find out more, please visit its website at https://www.singaporecomiccon.com/
