Bill Nichols’ Prescription:
Comics 10ccs of the Process with
Ariel Jesus Colon
What inspires you to create and keeps you going?
I would say what inspires me is waking up each morning in anticipation of creating.
Do you have a set routine?
Yes, I normally wake up around 6 am and spend about 2 hours observing my project before diving in. This step helps sharpen my thoughts on what to tackle that given day.
What kind of output do you try to achieve?
I try to create the best possible image within the deadline provided.
What inspires you WHEN you create? Music? Noise? Silence?
Mostly books, I am a book worm when I create I normally have a slew of books open.
Who was the first comic book creator who influenced you to pursue this?
There were a ton of artists, but within comics, the three most significant were Jack Kirby, David Mazzucchelli, and Greg Capullo.
When did you realize you could follow this path yourself?
I was about 5 years old when I started an obsession with the arts.
What do you find to be a challenge in creating?
Compelling compositions with shapes and colors is always challenging, I think the key to a successful image is a marriage of both.
What else do you have to learn?
Well, as an artist develops, they begin to see more within images, like the light in a dimly lit room gradually getting brighter each year.
What keeps you motivated to get better?
The competition, not only from my contemporaries but masters from the past as well.
Can you turn your brain (creativity) off (and on)?
Nope.
Booster Shots
What advice do you have for aspiring creators?
To create from the heart, especially when you are building a portfolio. I think you can never go wrong with what’s most familiar to you personally within your work.
Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?
I believe it’s impossible to run out of ideas. Just look at the world around you. There are more ideas today than ever before.
How do you handle the slow times?
I consider slow times fortunate. Sometimes you need to take a break and recover.
How do you feel about the industry?
In my view, it has already proven to be devastating for creators, causing layoffs and imposing AI-driven tools into our workflows, which feels invasive. However, on a positive note, I believe this may increase the value of creatives like us. I have a hunch that indie titles in games, books, and movies are on the rise. For me, there’s nothing more special than a small, beautiful, imperfect, yet honest project that rises to the top, like a flower blooming from ashes.
Do you have a website or link to promote your work?
Yes,
https://www.arielcolonart.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielcolonart/
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by the above creator are theirs. This interview may not
be reprinted or reposted without permission.
Bill Nichols
Author, Artist, Editor for ShoutFyre.com
Bill is the creator of Arteest & Ursula comics, writer for Ringtail Cafe, co-creator of Savage Family, writer and inker of HellGirl: Demonseed. Editor for ShoutFyre and Sketch Magazine. Co-author of Camelot Forever novel series.