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The Q&A: Jess Worby

By Peggy Roalf   Monday October 24, 2016

Q: Originally from Bedford, NY, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in Brooklyn?

A: Having such a large network of friends and peers here still blows my mind. Granted, the other part of being a New Yorker is never having time to see them. Our community here can feel so fragmented sometimes, so I am working on bringing it together more.

Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper versus in the computer?

A: I am a sketchbook junkie. Right now I have a 9x12 one with crappy paper for teaching demos and random sketching, a pocket-sized one for concept and thumbnail sketches, and a Maruman New Soho pad for mixed media.

I generally draw and paint everything by hand and do color and editing in Photoshop, but each project is different.

Q: What is the most important item in your studio?

A: Aside from tech, I would actually say my post-its and legal pad. Without to-do lists and daily post-it reminders, I would never get anything done. My flat files are a close second though, because I have a ton of work on paper and it has to go somewhere.

Q: How do you know when the art is finished?

A: When I realize I have been needling away while super zoomed in for a while. Or when the deadline comes. 

Q: What elements of daily life exert the most influence on your work practice?

A: These days, the most constraining factor is my puppy, who lets me know when I get to take breaks. In terms of influence on the work itself, my teaching feeds back into it a lot. I am always being reminded of things and seeing them from new perspectives.

 

Q: What was your favorite book as a child?

A: We had this series of animal coloring books that came with educational tapes. I had ones on sharks, dinosaurs, and whales. So I would be coloring a whale shark while listening to the narrator talk about it. I have a vivid memory of coloring on the floor during thunderstorms. The whale tape made a sonar sound whenever it was time to turn the page.

What is the best book you’ve recently read?

For comics, the latest issue of Kus was really great. For prose, The Vorrh.

Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?

A: Honestly it has got to be my Uni-ball pens. Specifically the micro tip one. 

Q: What was the [Thunderbolt] painting or drawing or film or otherwise that most affected your approach to art? 

A: My college professor Lynette Stephenson made me draw 100 blind contours, which simultaneous made me a quicker study and more spontaneous. Before that, I either just tried to render from photos or draw anime characters, so that was a lifesaver.

Q: If you could spend an entire day away from work and deadlines, what would you do and where?

A: An entire day?! I would go for a hike and picnic with my dog and girlfriend, ideally in New Mexico by my mom’s place or maybe up in Vermont somewhere.

Q: What would be your last supper?

A: A classic bowl of tonkotsu ramen with super kotteri broth, gyoza, Yona Yona ale. Chocolate soufflé for dessert since I wouldn’t have to live with the consequences.

 

Jess Worby is a professional illustrator, cartoonist, and visual artist based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Clients include The New York Times, McSweeney’s, and The Brooklyn Rail. His work has been recognized by Best American Comics, Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Buzzfeed, and The Huffington Post. He teaches “Creative Experiments” at St. John’s University, various adult classes at Shoestring Studio, and cartooning for kids at Abrons Art Center
He founded the Brooklyn Draw Jam, a laid-back collaborative drawing hangout that meets on the first Monday of each month at Shoestring Studio and is open to the public. 

With BDJ and Shoestring, he has organized HallowZINE, a new comics and print festival taking place 10/29, featuring the works of a number of local independent creators, as well as some ghoulish Halloween spirit.

HallowZINE: event on Facebook 10/29
D&D&D&D: Dungeons & Dragons & Drink & Draw 11/17
Downtown Brooklyn Legends show opening 12/8
jworby.com
Literary representation by Ed Maxwell of Greenburger Associates
@jworbeast (instatwitter, etc.)
brooklyndrawjam.com
Comics shop
Print shop


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