The Blue Valkyrie is in full production mode now, with nearly a dozen pages done- pencilling and inking, at least. It’s been a really challenging process so far, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. Working with a writer has proven incredibly rewarding both personally and artistically. Having to help realize another person’s vision has really challenged me to step outside my safety zone. I can’t take shortcuts or write myself out of visually difficult panels. I’m forced to take everything head on- crowds, complex backgrounds, inclement weather, and a whole host of other things I won’t spoil here. Without a doubt, when the first issue is done, it’ll be the best looking comic that I’ve ever done.

I’ve also started on a handful of sculptural works, at least in a very basic conceptual sense. I’ve not really physically started on the sculptures, other than a few tests. It’s strange for me to engage in that kind of practice after so long. I never thought myself much of a sculptor. I haven’t done anything like that since I was required to do so as a freshman in college, and even at that time, I sort of dodged making real sculptures, leaning heavily on my illustrative sense of image making (rather than object making). The sculptures that I’m envisioning are unlike anything I’ve ever done before… found objects, objects designed by me but made by others, electronics, gold leaf, carpentry, and a whole host of other things. I’m conceptualizing the series of sculptures as part of a gallery show, in such a way that the cumulative sculptures essentially engage the dialog of installation. It’s a weird thing for me to approach, so totally outside my interests historically, but it’s infectiously exhilarating.