Introduction
In this essay I am going to delve in to the
works of the graphic novelist Simone Lia. I will examine some of the cultural
and historical elements of Simone's life that have had an impacted on her work and
the illustrator she is today. I will also make comparison between Simone and
her contemporaries Marjane Satrapi and Tom Gauld and investigate the historical
parallels that have influenced her as an artist. Exploring graphic art through
the centuries and referring to writings on the comic book world, I will
evaluate the success and significance of Simone work in the graphic novel
industry.
Investigation
Simone Lia, aged
approximately 37 [1] is an English
born illustrator who studied a BA in Illustration at the University of Brighton.
She later continued her studies at the Royal College of Art where she completed
a Masters in Visual Communication [2]. Here she met Tom Gauld a Graphic novelist who inspired Simone to
abandon a career in children’s book illustration and changed her perceptions on
the comic book world. [3]There is
still a stigma attached to comics with some viewing them as a lower form of art
but “As popularity in Graphic novels, book length comics, is growing, more
people are becoming familiar with the works in this appealing and diverse
format.” [4] Simone and her beautiful,
loveable funny and memorable Comics are a prime example of this.
Simone began self
publishing her works with Cabanon Press with Tom Gauld , creating ‘Fluffy’ a
story in four parts about a bunny in denial about who his father is . [5] Three years after Fluffy Simone’s first
graphic novel she was “suddenly inspired” by God and saw the page of her next
novel “flick before her eyes”. Inspired
Simone went on an adventure with God, creating an Autobiographical novel ‘Please
God, find me a husband’. [6]
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| Figure 1 'Please God Find me a Husband!' Front Cover |
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| Figure 2 ' Fluffy' Front Cover |
As well as producing Graphic novels Simone has an obsession with worms. She loves to paint in acrylic and illustrate these fascinating creatures and has showcased her wormy pieces in galleries. [7] Simone has had her comic illustrations on show in the Tate Modern [8] , Guardian and independent newspapers. [9] Simone’s work has also been used in advertising campaigns on billboards and animation. But she is most successful and well known through her two Graphic novels ‘Fluffy’ and ‘ Please God find me a husband’ published by Jonathan Cape. This is why I have chosen Simone as a Current internationally known illustrator for my essay focusing mainly on her life as a Graphic Novelist.
Analyse the
cultural and historical influences.
Maltese background
Although born in
Britain Simone Parents’ are from Malta and this cultural heritage has impacted
her work and life. [10] Simone travelled
to Sicily and Malta to see where her family came from. As an autobiographical illustrator she
drew inspiration from her life experiences. This can be seen in her first
Graphic Novel Fluffy on page 82 that shows the journey Simone took across the
continent from England to Italy. [11]
Catholicism
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Figure 3 One of Malta’s most
important Early Renaissance paintings ‘Enthroned Madonna and Child’
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Simone’s Family Heritage
in Malta is based in rich Catholic and Christian Culture. Although Simone
wasn’t a Christian throughout art College and University she has shared that Catholic
art “sinks into your pores when you're a child” and believes
this is why her work ” kept popping back with religious art themes” when she
was not a Christian. [12] The renaissance paintings found on church walls can be viewed as comics
from the past, depicting scenes from stories in the bible. I have recently witness
how magnificent the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Giotto are and
cannot dismiss the affect catholic art has had on the life and work of Simone
with drawings from churches popping up in her novels. [13]
 |
| Figure 4 Page 115 from ‘Fluffy’ |
Feminism
Simone is one of
the only Female Cartoonists in this country and is admired by Jacky Fleming a
feminist cartoonist who “is responsible for one of the most iconic images of
the feminist movement” [14]
 |
|
Figure 5 Jacky Flemming ‘Women’s Football’ referring
to the French topless campaign.
|
As a female
illustrator Simone Lia leans to having a compassion for all things and sees the
beauty in what may be overlooked by others. For example in Fluffy Simone used
characters a ‘speck of dust’ and ‘piece of dandruff’ to narrate the story. [15] Debatable even as objects these elements
that are often overlooked by society are used by Simone to make her work
Humorous and endearing [16]. This
approach to storytelling could be seen as an act of feminism in the words of a feminist:
“A practice in compassion is, particularly for myself as a woman, an act of
feminism.” [17]
 |
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Figure 6 Page 49 of fluffy a Dust particle
|
Simone feminist
side is also shown through the way she illustrates relationships which stems
from her being a compassionate caring person. [18] “It is a state of being implicitly connected to others. Compassion is, then, always relational
and relies on our empathy if not our actual and mutual experience.” [19] This is specifically shown through the
character of Fluffy the bunny in her first comic novel.
Comparing
historical contemporaries
The Extremely influential Graphic Designer Abram
Games was born in Britain in 1914.[20]
Games was a firm Believer in “Maximum Meaning Minimum
Means” believing that the “biggest impact came from the simplest designs.” [21] He was a designer
for many companies including London Transport, British Airways and Guinness. He
was appointed the Official War poster artist and designed over 100 posters. As
well as making the first onscreen moving BBC symbol. Abram Games Work was
exposed to the public all the time and was an excellent communicator of the war
time propaganda applying modern
design and sophistication to the primary messages of
war in a “witty and effective way”. Abram Games created works for Jewish causes making remarkable contributions
to Hebrew typography. [22] Simone has similarities to the
designer also creating works of advertising for London Transport in a witty and
simple ways. [23] I think that Simone has followed in Abram’s’ footsteps
although using today’s technology and drawing straight on to the computer[24] where as "Abram Games
was the last master of the drawn lithograph before photography replaced
traditional techniques in poster design"[25
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Figure 7 Abram games
Guinness Poster
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Figure 8
One of
Simone’s adverts for transport London
|
Charles Monroe Schulz born in 1922 and died at the age of 77 was an American cartoonist most
famously recognised for the creation of Peanuts magazine that included
characters like Snoopy and Charlie brown.[26] Charles was one of the most influential Cartoonists of his time and has
inspired many comic artists including Simone and defines the modern comic strip
today. Although Simone didn’t
consider herself a fan of comics as a child, as an adult she began to recognise
and enjoy the works from her childhood all over again including ‘snoopy’ and
‘beano’.[27] Simone has a lot
of similarities to Charles and has undoubtedly learnt a great deal from his
amazing works. “The clean, minimalist
drawings, the sarcastic humour, the unflinching emotional honesty, the inner
thoughts of a household pet, the serious treatment of children” and “the wild
fantasies”. [28] These words could all be used to describe
the works of Simone Lia as she has managed to draw on these characteristics
throughout her own work. As well as Simone’s scenes of humour and emotional
honesty both Charles and Simone use their own handwriting in their comics that
add a sense of personal connection to their works.
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Figure 9 comic excerpt from
peanuts magazine
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Figure 10 Excerpt
of Simone’s Comic strip for the Guardian
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Ida Applebroog is a Fine Art artist born in America in 1929. From the first
observation at the works by Ida which are [31]“precisely conceived, well-sited, beautifully made.” [32] There are a great many similarities with
Simone’s work with the linear black and white drawings and the simplistic
single line backgrounds. Similarities can also be seen in the framing of the
work and the use of smaller frames depicting similar scenes and the similarities
in the way people are drawn.
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Figure 11 Ida Applebroog
‘happy birthday to me’ 1982
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Figure 12 Simone Lia
Fluffy Page 21
|
However, Simone not knowing the works of
Ida means she cannot be directly influenced by Ida’s works. [33] As this fine
art piece shown in the image above was around at a similar time or slightly
earlier to Charles Schluz and his Peanuts Magazine, Ida may have been an
influence on Charles Schluz indirectly influencing Simone’s work. The
unrivalled similarities indicate that Ida is a historical parallel.
Who Are Simone’s Contemporaries,
Contextualising?
Marjane Satrapi born in Iran in 1969 is the writer, illustrator and co-director of
Persepolis the film and book. [34] There are
many similarities between Simone and Marjane. They are both women of a similar age,
who have written autobiographical Graphic novels in a similar style. There are
also great similarities in their choice of content. Both women have strong
religious faith and have shown this very clearly in their novels.
‘Please God find me a husband’ and ‘Persepolis’
are so similar it is natural to compare the two and recognise how one influences
the other. Simone makes it clear that she was glad that she didn't see
Persepolis until she “had made a bit of a dent into making the artwork of the
book” as she admits “there are some similarities in drawing”.[35] It is clear to see they both have stylised
works that are traditional to comics and cartooning which, “its chief tools are
distortion and symbolic abstraction; it usually begins and sometimes ends with
contours and outlines”.[36] Both artists
use this tool well having flat and linear shapes and limited with no colour
pallet. Both illustrators may have decided to use this format of a graphic novel
and its characteristics specifically as “a form of Amplification through
simplification” [37] this is achieved
and visual support is given to the text in a manner that is realistic or more
“serious” art could not accomplish.”
[38] This simplification
makes their works more accessible to people and can make it easier for the
audience to identify themselves with the characters.
Simone Lia is a
Catholic Christian and Marjane is a Muslim both illustrators have faith as a
large part of their lives and their autobiographical graphic novels show this. [39]Similarities in Simone’s ‘Please God find
me a Husband and Marjane’s graphic novel Persepolis is evident with both featuring
scenes with God where they are both have conversations with God about their
plans for the future. Simone says that she had “already made the God drawings
and conversations” in her novel before seeing ‘Persepolis’ “so it was a bit of
a funny coincidence.” [40] However
seeing the book ‘Persepolis’ whilst in the creative process of the book ‘Please
God find me a husband’ may have influenced some of the making of Simone’s
novel.
It is only to be expected that these
illustrators create similar novels at the same time when both have
personalities and cultural and historical influences that are alike. Both women
caught in a feminist movement who have a scene of humour, religious raw honesty
and depict incredibly illuminating works of art to illustrate a different way
of life. However the last point in the context of Marjane is a little darker with
a life of War and Revolution being depicted where as Simone’s is more lightly
hearted showing life in a convent.
Simone shares her
opinion on the extremely famous and world know illustrator saying “ I do love
her work - that book is genius.”
[41]
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Figure 13 Page 9 ‘Please
God find me a husband’ a conversation with God through an INXS song.
|
 |
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Figure 14 Page. 25
‘Persepolis’ a moment with God
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Tom Gauld is a cartoonist and illustrator born
in Scotland in 1976. Tom studied a BA in illustration at the Edinburgh College of
Art and then achieved a MA in visual communication at the Royal College of Art
where he studied alongside Simone Lia. [42] As a Peer to Simone they
collaborated creating the ‘Cabanon Press’ where Simone and Tom self published
their works together creating two books ‘First’ and ‘Second’ these were later published
by Bloomsbury press in 2003 as a collaboration called ‘Both’ [43]
Drawing regular
comics for the Guardian as well as creating Graphic novels like ‘Goliath’ that
has now been translated in to Japanese and French. ‘Goliath’ has also been
nominated for 2013 Eisner award for best Graphic Album. [44]
 |
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Figure 15’Goliath’
front cover tom Gauld
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Figure 16 drawing
from ‘Your all just Jealous of my backpack’ Tom Gauld
|
Referring to the History of Graphic Novels and Theories
behind their use and popularity.
“Since comics are
easily read their reputation for usefulness has been associated with people of
low literacy and limited intellectual accomplishments.” [45] Tom Gauld was influential in changing
Simone’s perception so she recognised ‘the proliferation of the use of images
as a communicant’ and the increase
of the growth in technology that has relied on less text reading skills. [46] Graphic novels are increasing in popularity
in the United Kingdom. This is summed up by Paul Gravett “I don’t think that it
is a coincidence that graphic novels are coming into their own in an era where
people are becoming acclimatized to taking in words and images together.”[47]
Political
cartoons and straightforward funny drawings have been around for centuries, however
it took a rise in the newspaper industry in the late nineteenth century to make
comics common everyday items in the home. Graphic novels have developed from newspaper
funny pages alike that of Simone’s Chip and Bean comics for the Independent .From
these arose magazines devoted to comics like superhero’s and the works of
Simones historical parallel Charles Schulz. It was not until 1978 when the first
real Graphic novel ‘A Contract with God’ was published.[48]
It is interesting that from Simone's simple comics like that of Chip and
Bean she began her career by creating and publishing [49] ‘Fluffy’ through Cabanon Press as a four
part zine that would later be compiled to be her first Novel, [50] her work, seemingly going through the
‘rights of passage’ of the comic book world.
Although graphic
novels and comics continue to prove less popular than other forms of novels Simone
has opened a new generation to comics and is appealing to it with a reader
saying "A lot of the people I gave it to wouldn't
have considered reading comics, but all of them loved it, I still recommend it
to people who think they don't like comics. I mean, what's not to like? It's a
lovely story, beautifully drawn.” [51]
Evaluation of significance
Evaluation of significance
In evaluating the
significance of Simone’s work it is important to look at whether Simone has
limited her audience when titling a book ‘Please God find me a husband‘ Simone
said that she “thought it’s taking a big risk because I know people are quite
anti-Catholic”. [52] But with a
publishing company like Jonathan Cape behind her and a previous novel Fluffy
that has had great success her work has seen a wide audience.
Paul Gravett A
well known curator Journalist and publisher of the comic book world states that
“The secret of Simone Lia’s disarmingly simple-looking comics is how they
wittily question pre-conceived ideas and pose philosophical puzzles.” Making it
an intellectual read for all. [53] That is
very influential and significant due to the ability to make an audience question
their beliefs and way of life.
Of Simone’s work
it is clear that all who read her novels or comics find them enduring and
‘heart-warming’, who doesn’t love a story about a talking rabbit? However it is
also her great understanding and presentation of the relationships that engages
her audience and enables them to relate to her characters that make her novels
so popular. [54] Although Simone
uses computer technology to draw she has remained quite a traditionalist being
heavily influenced by her Catholic faith but also the works of the traditional
comic artist Charles Shultz.
It has opened the
eyes of other illustrators to a “great method of
storytelling and a fun way of engaging your audience. Simone Lia looks at the
world slightly differently to others and that's definitely a good thing.” [55] Simone work is
extremely informative because of her honesty in retelling her experiences. She
has been able to help her audiences learn about a world not so familiar to them
for example life as a nun. [57]
I think Simone
sets a great ideal at the end of her email and one way to judge its
significance to its historical parallel “There was a time that art was made
purposefully to glorify God - can you imagine if we lived like this now? How
different it would be if the artists and those in the media produced art/TV
programmes/ film/ and music that edified the soul. How different it would be.” [57]
I think all who
read Simone’s book’s feel that their soul is slightly edified and this
undoubtedly has a significant impact on the Audience.
Referencing
[1] Cook, Rachel ‘ill be 34 in a
few weeks God’ Deduced from the book
[2] Simone Lia, website
[3] Email 1 and Barton, Laura
Guardian
[4] Weiner. S, (2003) Faster than a Speeding Bullet: The Rise of the
Graphic Novel. New York:
[5] Gauld, Tom and Lia, Simone
Cabanon Press
[6] Email 2
[7] Lia Simone Web site
[8] Tate
[9] Lia Simone: Website Portfolio
[10] Jealous Gallery
[11] Barton,Laura : Gaurdian
[12] Email 2
[13] Lia, Simone: Fluffy page 115
[14] Flemming, Jacky
[15] Lia Simone Fluffy page 49
[16] Barton, Laura: Guardian. Cook
Rachel: Guardian
[17] shambat.I Feminism and Beauty
[18] Barton ,Laura : Guardian
[19] Shambat.J Feminism and beauty
[20] Games, Abram
[21] Games, Abram
[22] Games, Abram
[23] Lia, Simone: website
portfolio Advertising
[24] Email 1
[25] Games, Abram
[26]`Dark Horse: interview
archive / Boxer, Sarah New York
Times
[27] Barton, Laura Gaurdian
[28] Watterson, Bill the grief
that made ‘Peanuts ‘ Good.
[29] Holiday Favourites You tube
video Charlie Brown Christmas…
[30] Lia Simone, Web site
Portfolio Guardian
[31] AppleBroog Ida: Biography
[32] Nolan .K. Persepolis: The Complexity of
Simplification
[33] Email 1
[34] Hattestone simon: Confessions
of miss mischief
[35] Email 2
[36] Works, Douglas, Reading
Comics Pg 120
[37] Nolan .K. Persepolis: The Complexity of
Simplification
[38] Nolan .K. Persepolis: The Complexity of
Simplification
[39] Lia, Simone:’please God find
Me a Husband ‘ and Marjane Satrapi ‘ Persepolis
[40] Email 2
[41] Email 2
[42] Gauld Tom, Bio
[43] Gauld, tom and Simone Lia,
Cabanon Press
[44] Gauld Tom, main page.
[45] Eisner Will, Graphic
storytelling and visual narrative Page 3
[46] Eisner Will, Graphic
storytelling and visual narrative Page 3
[47] Gravette Paul
[48] Weiner.S, (2003) Faster than a Speeding Bullet: The Rise of the
Graphic Novel. New York:
[49] Lia, Simone, Portfolio
Independent
[50] Gauld,Tom and simone Lia ,Cabanon Press
[51] Armatage, Hugh Digital spy
[52] west,Ed Catholic Herald
[53] Gravett, Paul: Simone Lia
[54] Barton, Laura: Gaurdian
[55] Armatage Hugh
[56] Flitch. A. Panel Boarders: Depicting the Personal.
[57] Email 2
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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110624/local/Early-Renaissance-painting-to-be-restored.372203#.UqM38o31E7A
Figure 4 page 115 fluffy
Figure 5 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&biw=784&bih=459&tbm=isch&tbnid=-RBtfWVG04AjqM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/%3Fattachment_id%3D2151&docid=BdkszlKfYYcbDM&imgurl=http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WOMANS-FOOTBALL.jpg&w=1992&h=1371&ei=p_-hUsnFHoythQfEhYCoCA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=297&page=2&tbnh=132&tbnw=218&start=9&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0,i:113&tx=123&ty=54
Figure 6 Page 49 fluffy
Figure 7 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&biw=1280&bih=819&tbm=isch&tbnid=pHnIQpG8V1Sr0M:&imgrefurl=http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/article/18752/Abram-Games%253A-Work-Process-and-Philosophy&docid=FsZRvG2nNHYfqM&imgurl=http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/media//inline_images/r/8/34.JPG&w=200&h=294&ei=w_qlUo6-KaOQ7AbWt4HwAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=2&vpy=147&dur=234&hovh=235&hovw=160&tx=64&ty=107&page=1&tbnh=121&tbnw=82&start=0&ndsp=44&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:83
Figure 8
http://www.simonelia.com/portfolio/advertisin/
Figure 9 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=819&tbm=isch&tbnid=v9M-7Cj3d1jfkM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dograt.com/2007/11/29/doggone-biographers/&docid=z7hhCLTQ17bM1M&imgurl=http://www.dograt.com/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/snoopy.gif&w=463&h=392&ei=swCiUo_LHuXE7AbR9YGwBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=549&vpy=470&dur=641&hovh=207&hovw=244&tx=157&ty=89&page=1&tbnh=160&tbnw=189&start=0&ndsp=37&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:0,i:138
Figure 10 http://www.simonelia.com/portfolio/theguardian/
Figure 11 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://bombsite.com/images/attachments/0002/2832/Applebroog07_body.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bombsite.com/issues/68/articles/2235&h=693&w=548&sz=151&tbnid=LohdpEkdLxYUJM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=74&zoom=1&usg=__R363WwxMMtzmT2GIBphC35o3Aa0=&docid=xzYW9KEWq3TaoM&sa=X&ei=VQKiUo6GGISO7Qa39oCYCw&ved=0CJcBEP4dMA4
Figure 12 Page 21 ‘Fluffy’
Figure13 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&biw=1280&bih=819&tbm=isch&tbnid=YHxCX-csippOlM:&imgrefurl=http://www.simonelia.com/portfolio/pleasego/&docid=S_TOFZ49dhJszM&imgurl=http://www.simonelia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Page-9.gif&w=600&h=543&ei=LfelUra1A4SO7Qa39oCYCw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=141&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=143&start=0&ndsp=37&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0,i:101&tx=85&ty=56
Figure 14 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&biw=1280&bih=819&tbm=isch&tbnid=aEEvHojWmRFXmM:&imgrefurl=http://evesalexandria.typepad.com/eves_alexandria/2012/03/a-westerner-in-iran-an-iranian-in-the-west-1.html&docid=s_blDDWVFNd2uM&imgurl=http://evesalexandria.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c674653ef0168e8a53cd9970c-320wi&w=320&h=218&ei=O_2lUtGEKuWR7Ab-rICQAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=62&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=191&start=0&ndsp=31&ved=1t:429,r:25,s:0,i:161&tx=104&ty=60
Figure 15 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=819&tbm=isch&tbnid=ywuWJ_AtDi-iLM:&imgrefurl=http://www.heartagency.bigcartel.com/product/goliath-written-and-illustrated-by-tom-gauld&docid=Zfp8WX-QskTVdM&imgurl=http://images.cdn.bigcartel.com/bigcartel/product_images/61598455/max_h-1000%252Bmax_w-1000/goliath.jpg&w=514&h=626&ei=3v2lUpHZIpOO7QbglYHAAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=94&page=3&tbnh=152&tbnw=124&start=79&ndsp=44&ved=1t:429,r:89,s:0,i:356&tx=87&ty=67
Figure 16 http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=819&tbm=isch&tbnid=7d2wc4fKx70c2M:&imgrefurl=http://drozbot.com/%3Fp%3D177&docid=rTMpODNgvQ4LZM&imgurl=http://drozbot.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Tom-Gauld.jpg&w=640&h=384&ei=gf2lUo3zDM2u7Aay1YDYCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=356&vpy=315&dur=250&hovh=174&hovw=290&tx=178&ty=84&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=242&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:21,s:0,i:156
Email correspondence:
Lucy wrote:
Hi Simone
I am a 2nd year student at the University of
Gloucestershire in Cheltenham studying Illustration and am currently writing an
essay that's about you and was wondering if you would spend a few minutes
answering some questions for me .
•I have come across this artist in my research Ida Applebroog
links provided below and have wondered if you have seen her work and whether it
may have influenced you as I can see similarities in your drawing style.
(http://idaapplebroog.com/) (http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://bombsite.com/images/attachments/0002/2832/Applebroog07_body.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bombsite.com/issues/68/articles/2235&h=693&w=548&sz=151&tbnid=LohdpEkdLxYUJM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=74&zoom=1&usg=__R363WwxMMtzmT2GIBphC35o3Aa0=&docid=xzYW9KEWq3TaoM&sa=X&ei=6HycUuiXNIOQhQf5xoG4Cw&ved=0CKUBEP4dMA8
)
•Are there any artists/illustrators or art movements
that have particularly interested you and inspired you?
•I am aware of your collaborations and friendship with
Tom Gauld, I was wondering if there were any other peers that influenced you
through your time at uni and art school and how your lecturers or fellow
students got you to where you are now and your work ethic?
•What media do you use?
•As a catholic is there any part of your faith or
journey with God that has inspired you to be the illustrator you are today and
how has this affected your work perhaps there is a bible verse ,book you have
read or a place you have been that has inspired you?
I am a Christian and first came across your work at the
Greenbelt Festival where you were a great encouragement, I have enjoyed reading
and admiring 'fluffy' and 'Please God, find me a husband' alike and praise your
ability to bring your faith and talent together which I am also trying to now
do.
Thank you for your time and hope to hear back from you
as soon as possible.
Lucy Martlew
EMAIL 1
Simone Wrote:
Hello Lucy,
thanks for writing your essay about me :-) I hope that
my answers can help. I've just
answered a small batch of student questions and I thought I'd do yours as well
this evening.
•I have come across this artist in my research Ida Applebroog links provided below and
have wondered if you have seen her work and whether it may have influenced you
as i can see similarities in your drawing
style.
No I'd not come across Ida Applebroog before, there are
some similarities with using line.
•Are there any artists/illustrators or art movements
that have particularly interested you and inspired you
There are
so many artists, too many to name but there are a few artists that I like here on
my pinterest page
http://www.pinterest.com/simoneliadraws/art-that-makes-me-want-to-make-art/
•I am aware of your collaborations and friendship with
Tom Gauld, I was wondering if there were any other peers that influenced you
through your time at uni and art school and how your lecturers or fellow
students got you to where you are now and your work ethic ?
We worked really hard at college and loved making art
both on the BA and MA. I studied
at the University of Brighton and lots of people from that class went onto
being illustrators designers (David Foldvari, Jasper Goodall, Suki(.co.uk)
they're probably the most famous ones I guess) I wasn't influenced by their art
so much but the whole group was fairly passionate and we encouraged each
other. I had a few tutors in
Brighton as well that were really encouraging so I was very blessed. I think that Tom was probably the
biggest influence in that he got me making comics in the first place and he was
so hardworking and focused and just enjoyed making the work.
•What media do you use ?
for comics
it's mostly straight onto the computer but I do enjoy painting and drawing as
well for making art purposes and I often use acrylic and ink.
•As a catholic is there any part of your faith or
journey with God that has inspired you to be the illustrator you are today and
how has this affected your work perhaps there is a bible verse ,book you have
read or a place you have been that has inspired you?
for a long period of time I wasn't practicing my faith
but at college in particular I would often draw biblical scenes it's funny how
you can't escape that even if you think that you've turned away from it. Since my thirties I've been back in
with it all and oddly I struggled with my artwork for a quite a long time as I
wasn't sure how being an artist was of relevant in being a Christian. I thought that I needed to be a doctor
or something :-) Anyway, through
prayer I realised that Jesus was blessing my work and that it was a gift from
Him to be shared. I still have to
keep remembering that - at the moment I really feel that God is trying to help
me to really 'let go' (of trying to control my work situation and sometimes the
artwork as well) and be inspired by the Holy Spirit and just enjoy being in the
moment and making the work. God is
in my creativity. There are bible
verses that inspire me maybe not just in being an artist but as a person -
todays verse that inspired me was from Matthew
10 The sight of the star filled them with delight,
11 and going into the house they saw the child with his
mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage.
it made me think about how the wise men were filled with
delight at seeing the star which was a sign of the Messiah. How exciting that must have been, this mornings
thought was that I'm blessed to have so many 'guiding stars' (the church, the Word of God, holy
friends and family and so much more) that lead me to Jesus. The wise men paid him homage and my
prayer today was to try to be aware of the presence of Jesus around me and
within me and let His holiness radiate out through the work that I did today
and through interactions with people around me. This was the aim...
I'm trying to integrate my prayer and art more - not
necessarily making religious work but it's a temptation to see faith life and
work life as separate entities but God doesn't compartmentalise us like
that.
Anyway, I'm rambling on now. I hope that sort of answers your questions? Thanks for writing in and I'm glad to
hear that you're practicing your faith especially at university - it's a
massive temptation to get sucked into college mentality which is quite often
hedonistic and ultimately an empty way of life. I did enjoy college but I
remember feeling very lost spiritually - if I could go back I'd make different
choices . I admire you for living
your faith and strongly encourage
you to keep up your prayer life - pray for the other students in your
university and for your lecturers.
Universities especially art colleges desperately need prayer and good christian
witness.
Do keep in touch,
all best wishes
Simone
Lucy wrote:
Simone,
Thank you
for getting back to me so quickly it is very much appreciated,especially as you
have other students on your back. I hope this is encouraging to you as well
that your work has helped me to live out my faith through my day to day life.
You have
answered my questions amazingly , But i have a few more questions that have
come up due to focusing more of my essay on the effects of faith on your life.
I was extremely encouraged by your thought for the day
as the president of the Christian Union at the uni it is really important to
remember to pray for the lecturers and fellow students .Having come back from
our christian union weekend away
last weekend and the focus has been Romans 12 vs 1 and 2 ' Therefore, I
urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as
a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s
will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
I think that is pretty fitting to what you have just
said, I think you as an artist are not conforming to the patterns of this world
through your choice of artwork and the renewing of your mind through prayer
reminds you that your on track with what God has in Store.
Just a cool thing I have been trying is drawing whilst
worship and talks are on in my churches student group.Although just
observational drawings it real helps stop the illustrators block of I can't
draw and puts the perspective back on God even if its just in my personal life
,just thought I would let you know don't really know why.
My essay has the main point of how faith has influences
your practice I understand that it is a process in which it is never ending as
each day there is new insight in to God and how he loves us and has a plan for
us.
I was
wondering if there were any more points you have about faith and art together
feel free to answer a few questions or let me know what you think of faith and
art :
•What did you hope to achieve by involving God and your
faith in your novel particularly 'Please God find me a husband'?
• Have you seen
the work or Marjane Satrapis 'Persepolis' and what do you think about
the similarities with the style but also content and with conversations with
God what do you think about the use of graphic novels and how this format is
great at showing such topics like love and religion.
•Are you aware of Will Elisner's 'A Contract with God'
one of the first so called 'Graphic Novels'
•Are you apart of any Christian/Catholic art group?
•Oh lastly as i have just got back from Italy on a uni
trip to Florence I can't help but ask especially with your Maltese background
how does this heritage affect your work and does Renasance artwork as well as the Grandure of the
Churches affect you ? / what do
you think about the type of art that your faith has opened to you?
Sorry for my bombardment of Questions and Rambeling I
hope you get time to answer them ?
May God bless you Today as you Work.
Lucy Martlew
EMAIL 2
Simone wrote: Hello Lucy,
thanks for your scripture sharing there that's such a
powerful scripture, your weekend away must have been amazing. That's great that
you are the president of the Christian Union, well done for stepping up to
that. Also it is a good idea to
draw during meetings audiences make the best life models so to speak and also
if you take notes as well you'll remember the prayer meetings so much more
clearly with drawings as well. I
confess to doing the same thing as well.
I'm supposed to be doing admin this afternoon but
answering your email is more fun.
•What did you hope to achieve by involving God and your
faith in your novel particularly 'Please God find me a husband'?
I felt that with that book that the idea wasn't from me
but that God planted it within me and he really did open the doors to make it
happen. I didn't think about what
it might achieve as such but I guess that from a comic artist point of view I
thought that it would be interesting to explore how and if you can effectively
visually communicate the relationship between a person and God and wether an
audience who might be atheist would be able to enter into the story regardless
of their own beliefs. I knew that
with Fluffy the audience mostly accepted a rabbit living in a human world who
operated as a person - I wondered if people would be open minded enough to accept
someones relationship with God or wether their barriers would go up whilst
reading the story and they wouldn't be able to enter into it. From a Christian point of view then yes
it was a chance to share my faith and belief's in that moment in time and I
purposefully didn't explain or justify anything. I wanted it to be normal
because for me it is a very important part of my life.
• Have you seen
the work or Marjane Satrapis 'Persepolis' and what do you think about
the similarities with the style but also content and with conversations with
God what do you think about the use of graphic novels and how this format is
great at showing such topics like love and religion.
Yes I loved Persepolis when I saw it. I was glad that I didn't see it until
I'd made a bit of a dent into making the artwork of the book as there are some
similarities in drawing (in the sense that it's a line drawing again) and the
bits with God. I'd already made
the God drawings and conversations so it was a bit of a funny coincidence. I do
love her work - that book is genius.
•Are you aware of Will Elisner's 'A Contract with God'
one of the first so called 'Graphic Novels'
No I didn't know this! Thanks for sharing.
•Are you apart of any Christian/Catholic art group?
No I'm not.
But I do have a friend who is a Catholic who is also an artist, we do
support each other in what we do and it's helpful for us to encourage each
other and pray together as well.
•Oh lastly as i have just got back from Italy on a uni
trip to Florence I can't help but ask especially with your Maltese background
how does this heritage affect your work and does Renasance artwork as well as the Grandure of the
Churches affect you ? / what do
you think about the type of art that your faith has opened to you?
I think that the Catholic art with all of it's statues
and paintings definitely has had an affect. It sinks into your pores when you're a child and I'm sure
that's why it kept popping back with religious art themes when I was lapsed. I think that religious art is really
helpful in inspiring prayer - a bit like that prayer reflection yesterday with
the guiding star because it can lead you to Christ. Also a lot of the art and architecture can be so awesome and
beautiful. There was a time that
art was made purposefully to glorify God - can you imagine if we lived like
this now? How different it would be if the artists and those in the media produced art/tv programes/ film/ and
music that edified the soul. How
different it would be.
Okay, I think that's okay for now? Keep up the good work with all your doimg,
keep prayin' and drawin'
All the best,
Simone
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