We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liana Kangas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liana below.

Alright, Liana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Pursuing comics freelance was the biggest hurdle I’ve ever overcome.

I was drawing part-time for fun when I was in my previous career, which eventually led to private commissions, graphic design and editorial illustrations. I could have kept going down that path, but my strong love for western comics, BD, manga, and storytelling made me want to pivot. I moved out of country and was in need to make a major decision. Without a solid full-time job, I gave myself four months to figure it out or do my fall back skills and find a day job again.

I found very supportive communities online, we collaborated, and eventually met them all in person in New York City for many signings and events. Things sort of snowballed from there. That was 2017 and I haven’t stopped once.

Liana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who aren’t familiar with my work, I’m Liana Kangas– a freelance creator, illustrator and writer passionate about sequential storytelling and illustrating. My journey in this industry has been pretty wild, shaped by a long run of little odd jobs in retail and food service in my early teens and twenties. During and after college I worked in marketing and IT, before jumping head first into freelance a few years later, with a diverse range of experiences and an unwavering passion for storytelling.

Today, my portfolio holds a range of contributions to IPs like Star Trek, Archie Horror, and Godzilla, to collaborations with iconic musicians such as the RZA, Blondie, and Joan Jett. I’ve been lucky to diversify my time and invest time in creator owned books, including the likes of TRVE KVLT and KNOW YOUR STATION, which allowed my collaborators and I to stretch a lot of our experiences and love for books, film and pop culture into our works.

It’s important to me to explore ideas in the comics medium, often discussing social issues, diversity, and ignite a conversation through my work. I love to connect with comic readers and continuously try to improve my craft to create stories that I’ve always wanted to read myself and engage with connections in the comics community.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I first started pursuing comics, I heavily stressed about finding my “art style” – something I had been considering for years. I wanted to make sure I put my own stamp of individuality on my work. I wish I had realized sooner that your style develops as you work, and you lean into things that are exciting and fun. I wish I had put less pressure on myself as an artist and enjoyed the process more, but I think that’s what I am doing today.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think waking up each day, not knowing what your office is going to look like, what your hours consist of, and what you get to create and who you get to do that with is an energy I love to chase after. Sharing my work with others and creating conversation, or even emotional connection to the piece is by far one of the greatest feelings of being an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lianakangas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lianakangas/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lianakangas
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lianakangas6806
• Other: https://patreon.com/lianakangas