QUICK QUESTIONS WITH Ronan Kennedy
Ronan Kennedy
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION TO COMICS?
I’m Ronan Kennedy, I write, draw and self publish various comics.
WHAT COMIC ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I’m working on several projects at the moment : Mindpuss Vol 2, The Mindpuss Conspectus (A compilation of the best material from my website) and The Picnic (A short story serialized in Fist Full of Comics in Australia). All to be self published over the coming months.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF MAKING COMICS?
Coming up with an idea and seeing it through to finished product. Also drawing, I love drawing.
WHAT’S THE WORST PART OF MAKING COMICS?
Sometimes, I get a mild pain in my leg when I have been at the drawing desk for a couple of hours.
HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER COMICS?
I used to buy Spider-man & Zoids every week when I was 12 or so. For me, the Zoids part was the inspiration that set me on the path to making comics.
WHO IS THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WORK?
Ween, David Lynch, Tove Jansson, Julie Doucet, Charles Burns, Jim Woodring
WHAT TOOLS OF THE TRADE DO YOU USE?
A varity of Speedball dip pens and Edding nib pens.
WHAT IS THE SINGLE WORK OF WHICH YOU ARE MOST PROUD?
Tales from Mugland Issue 4: I like the artwork and there is some interesting stuff in there which I hadn’t attempted before.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED?
Best advice I have ever received was from my broth in law several years ago, basically he said to be honest in my comics, not to draw what I thought other people wanted to see. I took the advice on board and it seems to have lead me on a particular path.
WHAT IS THE WORST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Do a large print run! For a small press, independently published comic, this is the worst thing you can do. Do a small run first, if you sell out, do another run! Easy.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT IRISH COMIC SCENE?
I think there is a healthy comic scene, growing day by day. Lots of continuing interest with new people coming on board at a steady rate. Irish comic wiki is a great example of how many people are involved and how much material is out there.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN IRISH COMIC IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
I’d love to see more of the small press contributors get their work published by any of the big houses and so reach the global market. I think that the talent is there for the taking!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN COMICS IN GENERAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
Maybe bring back Zoids…
WHAT WAS THE LAST COMIC THAT MADE AN IMPACT ON YOU?
Prison Pit by Johnny Ryan – fantastic, funny, violent, silly, disturbing, adolescent! Highly recommend.
FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START MAKING THEIR OWN COMICS? (And don’t say DON’T 🙂 )
Draw every day, write down every bit of nonsense you think of, keep a notebook/sketchbook of ideas. No matter how vague a story you have, go for it, something good will come of it. Don’t worry about narrative (too much). Keep your first print run small, you can always re-print.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
Don’t drink during the 24hr comic challenge…
Ronan Kennedy is a small press comic creator and illustrator, and has recently moved from Dublin to Adelaide, South Australia. He has been making comics since 1995. Among his back catalogue are Tales from Mugland, Mindpuss and What is it? .He has illustrated two childrens books Can I Play Too? & Know the Way (both published by Veritas). You can see and buy his workonline at www.mindpuss.com.
Mindpuss Volume 2 is due for release end of August 2011.
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