Ambassadors of Action: Jerrell Conner - Artist and Comic Book Creator
Over the next few months, our Voice Kytia will be start a new interview series here on WitnessLA called “Ambassadors of Action.” As Christians, we are representations of Christ’s love here on this earth and we are called to be His ambassadors. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Each of the interviews in this series is meant to highlight how children of God are living as examples and are actively sharing their beliefs with the world (at home, in the workplace, through blogs, etc.). “Ambassadors of Action” are your everyday brothers and sisters in Christ, making a difference in an unconventional way.
In this first interview in the series, Kytia interviews artist and comic book creator Jerrell Conner on the divine inspiration fueling his works.
[click “Read More” for a Q&A with the artist and to see more of his work]
In February of 2008, I was invited to accompany my friendson their first California art tour. A hand full of us flew over five hours of land and water anticipating what this could mean for ourselves. One of the artists we met up with here in California was Jerrell Conner. From graphic design to animation to clothing to illustration to painting, he’s covered a huge spectrum of art. Within his success, he has most certainly always kept God as his major source of inspiration and creativity.
Although I don’t believe Jerrell is a fan of following a traditional writing style, he has certainly been able to write his own story into my life. Allow me to introduce…my husband.
Q: You definitely have an eclectic style that stands out among the rest. What artist first inspired you when it came to choosing your style and what encouraged you to keep at your art?
A: Hmmm, good question. Tough though…to choose just ONE…well, I think the very FIRST artist that REALLY made an impact on me stylistically was Egon Schiele. His was of drawing his figures. The line weight, the odd shapes and contours are so definitive and really inspired me early on. Quite simply I loved doing it and people always encouraged me to keep at it. That support, I feel, was very important. Being an artist is not an easy life, it’s very personal and putting yourself on the line and out there for criticism. It’s also, not inherently that stable of a career. It’s full of risk, doubt, ridicule, and many other cruelties. So, I can totally understand why so many give it up. For me I always felt it was a calling from above, and to throw away that gift was something I would NEVER do.
Q: I know God was a huge motivation for you to keep producing your artwork, so the logistical side was to get your name out there. How did you do that?
A: I don’t really know. I just followed the trail of open doors placed ahead of me, which started as an intern doing storyboards at Electronic Arts (got credited on the “Medal of Honor” game series), then started doing a few smaller art shows, and that led into working on my book and publishing it. It was all a matter of baby steps. More recently i got an art rep, and that’s helped A LOT just having someone ELSE peddle your work and get you gigs is a beautiful thing. Oh, also my websites and having my work published in Spectrum (annual book of the best in fantastic art) has helped reach markets that I had yet to be exposed to.
Q: Your work is exceptional and that isn’t something you learn completely in the classroom. How much was formally trained versus self taught?
A: Growing up and drawing EVERYTHING I could was sort of the first training ground for me (drawing from fashion magazines, pausing the “Street Fighter” and “Mortal Kombat” video games and drawing the character poses), and just creatively making up my OWN characters giving them back stories and special attributes and characteristics, that was all fun and paved the way. But going to art school really stepped everything up a notch. I went to Otis College of Art and Design, and just being in that environment of artists and that community was an experience that I wouldn’t ever want to trade. It was one thing to be one of the best at what you do in a high school setting, but to come to a college where most are as talented as you, if not more so, really puts things in perspective and you have to find your own voice and style. That was really a blessing.
Q: Some of our readers have heard of your Revelations series, and Otis had a great hand in helping you to give birth to this idea. Explain how the final concept came about.
A: Here’s an excerpt from my website about that very thing:
“The year is 2001 an artist named Jerrell Conner is finishing his studies at Otis College of Art and Design, when a major shift happens in his final project. Half way through his senior thesis, his joint collaboration, cross-major project falls through as other members decide to move in different directions (this turns out to be a major blessing). He regroups and finds a new project that sparks his interest.He takes on a very short biblical story touching on the end times. The project is a HUGE undertaking, so he focuses on a small portion of the story line, and only does a short mock presentation for it (as if it was a full feature animated film); complete with movie posters, concept art, with a sculpture of one of the main characters slowly rotating on a hand crafted display table, and the pièce de résistance a 3 minute long animated trailer (from the nonexistent movie) projecting on the wall next to it.”
Q: You biblical story of Revelations is obviously motivated by your walk with God. How else does your faith influence your overall art?
A: There aren’t many ways that my faith DOESN’T motivate or influence my art. I believe being an artist is a gift from God, so I am CAREFUL to use it to be a blessing to others. I feel, to do it for selfish reasons or even just for the sake of making a “pretty picture” is such a waste of that talent, and gift. The world DOES need some beautification projects, but feeding the eyes should not be done to the neglect of feeding the spirit and soul. Every artist has their own voice and their own strengths, so ONLY I can bring my aesthetic and my imagination and my creativity into not only the “art world” but the entire world. I give my all to be true to that voice, to that vision. Because if I don’t, that art and those stories that I was supposed to tell will be lost forever.
Q: Ultimately, what would you like to see for Revelations and what steps are you taking to get there?
A: The whole goal for Revelations has been to get it to the BIG screen. It was ALWAYS meant to be an epic feature film. Now, in what capacity, has always been shifting: from crudely animated, to live action, to CGI, to some sort of hybrid of live action/CG. Right now I am in the middle of book 2 (it’s a 3 book mini series) so once book 2 is released next year (2010) there is just one more title that I’ll have to flush out, board/layout, pen/ink/color and then we’ll see. Depending on what kind of support we’ll have with publishing and distribution will play into what steps need to be taken to get the story from pages to screens.
Q: Besides your graphic novel, you still have to generate income somehow. How have you seen your different interests come together to make a cohesive career?
A: I know God has opened many different kinds of doors for me to do various types of art and explore so many different opportunities through them. There are ALWAYS new projects around the corner and things coming in, and when there isn’t, I’m free to let loose on Revelations. But along the way I try to stay focused and make sure the random jobs that come along are actually benefiting my own goals/calling. It’s REALLY easy to take on a couple small fun jobs that have nothing to do with where you want to be and what your plans are, and look up one day and you’re a few years off track and in the complete opposite direction. That’s SUPER important to me, whenever I take on new projects…”How do they fit into the BIG picture?” It’s important to know.
Q: Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
A: Why yes. I would like to thank God, without whom none of this would be possible! My loving parents, James and Fely, for their support and love throughout the tough “artist life” that I’ve had to live. Many parents just aren’t that understanding. Also my pastor at church, Fred Price Jr., for supporting my books and giving me sound guidance in my search for truth (in regards to the book and life in general) and last, but not least in the least, my beautiful wife Kytia, whose support I need the most, and who’s talent and beauty pushes me to get up in the morning and give my all and be a better person, artist, and man. I love you.
More information about Jerrell Conner’s Revelations series can be found on the Website, Facebook, and Twitter! Be sure to check out his personal Website as well.
