Spy of the Month

What do you do when you’re not volunteering for 826CHI?

How do I know I can trust you? Is this line tapped? Okay... let's just say... I draw PICTURES. I draw long comic books for kids. A lot of people call them "graphic novels", but I just think of them as long comic books. I have two books out. One is called Spiral-Bound and the other is called The Unsinkable Walker Bean. Right now I'm working on the sequel to Walker Bean. I also help to pay my rent by illustrating other people's books. I like drawing comics more, but I think illustrating other people's thoughts is pretty fantastic. I also teach a comic class every once in a while at DePaul University. I really love interacting with other people around comics, because most of the time it's a very solitary thing to do, drawing lots of pictures by yourself at a table.

You and the ridiculously talented Laura Park illustrated the newest 826CHI publication, Anywhere at Once with over 100 unique cartoons to complement each student's chapter. The drawings are simply amazing. Now, we had the pleasure of selling the book at the Printers Row Book Fair and seeing hordes of book lovers, young and old, magnetically drawn to the cover you two did. What's the secret?

Just as I said, illustrating other people's words is pretty thrilling, and nobody on earth can match the imagination of 106 students. I'm pretty sure it's mathematically impossible. I'm terrible at math, but I think the equation is something like "x + (b / 2a) = { [ b∞ - 4a c ] / ( 4a2 ) }" I'm not really sure what any of those symbols mean, but I'm pretty sure x=106 students, and b=impossible. Anywhere at Once is such a fun book. Every single story was insanity after more insanity, and it just made drawing it exciting. You never knew what you'd draw next.

We've had our suspicion that Charlie Brown couldn't kick the football because Charles Schultz, maybe, had difficulty drawing the act. Like, it just didn't look right or what have you. What sorts of things are difficult for you to draw? 

I think it's difficult to draw specific people. I'm terrible at capturing a likeness. I think it comes from people being so used to their faces, that even if something is a little off it feels very wrong. I rarely ever try to do it, and that is probably a big part of the problem... that I'm so scared of doing it, that I never give myself the chance to get better at it.

Oh no, cartooning no longer exists! It just disappeared from the planet. What would you busy yourself with if that which you love is no more?

I've been thinking a lot about becoming a magician for dogs. I realized that I can trick my dog after years and years of tricking him. A squeaky toy up the sleeve, a treat turns into a bouquet of flowers... a squirrel magically springs out of a hat. If I could somehow put that all together and have a nice suit with tails and a top hat, I think I could hire myself out for dog birthday parties. Do dogs have ... birthday parties?

What’s been your favorite moment at 826CHI?

There was this one time I was walking around and there was a little girl who was having a lot of trouble trusting herself to write her part of a story. I sat down and I asked her what she thought could happen, and what she wanted to happen. She told me and I told her that she had amazing and original ideas. She got really excited and started writing. Sometimes it's hard to believe that what is in your head is good enough to share with other people. I think it's really hard to think that way sometimes, but when somebody else believes what you're saying is amazing, it all of a sudden can be the most fun thing in the world. 

What is your favorite thing about 826CHI?

My favorite part is illustrating the stories for the bookmaking field trip. Each time I do that it's like working with an author in real time. I stand up there, and as the students come up with these unreal collaborative ideas, I draw them out the best I can before their eyes. It's really gratifying to get instant feedback. Not only "oohs" and "ahhhs" but also students reminding me that the anthropomorphic pile of spaghetti has polka dot meatballs and black dress shoes on. It's the best.

It's summertime! What book must we read, what movie must we see and what song must we listen to?

The books to read this summer are the graphic novels Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol and Freshman by 826CHI volunteer and fantastic cartoonist Corinne Mucha. The movie I recommend is Super 8. If I have to recommend 1 song for summer... I would say listen to Purple Toupee by They Might Be Giants. I forgot about that song for a long time. It's pretty fun. 

What’s your life ambition?

To keep on doing what I'm doing and get better at as I go. I have a lot to learn.

When the wombat is neither flying nor walking, how does the ham sandwich clean the grandfather clock?

The vulture's socks are muddy.