Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Devin Kraft. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Devin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
When talking to people interested in becoming artists, the things I try to stress most are as follows:
1) You have to be willing to practice your craft often. Repetition leads to breakthroughs – it’s the one in a thousand chance your line will slip and lead to an epiphany on how to tweak what you’re trying to convey that becomes your new normal that you have to chase. It’s drawing something, comparing the result to what you want to convey, making mental notes, and trying again and again and again until you’ve not only achieved your goal, you’ve surpassed it.
2) In addition to repetition, you need to draw with intent. It’s entirely possible to draw frequently and not progress – you have to constantly challenge yourself, strengthen your weaknesses and always try to outdo yourself.
3) This is silly, but find something about finishing a project that gives you a dopamine release. If you get a burst of happiness from finishing a piece of art, whether it’s a collage, or a script, or a painting, you’ll chase that feeling. That’s not to say it’s a mandatory aspect of making art, but I’ve seen friends and colleagues struggle with a feeling that the hobby they love doesn’t love them back. If you can, enjoy the journey, and appreciate all the small progress you’re making. It’ll add up, and someday you’ll look back and realize how much your art has improved.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Devin Kraft, and I’m a professional comic book author and illustrator. I’ve spent the last decade self-publishing, but I’ve been able to solve creative problems for publishers such as Sumerian Comics, Heavy Metal, Udon, IDW and Whatnot.
You can see more of my work at www.cheshirecatart.com
I’m most proud of finishing three graphic novels – Neverender, Silence and Dragon Slayer, as well as being able to do cover work. In addition to working as an Art Director for White Unicorn Agency by day writing and directing commercials, I draw original comics and sell art at comic and anime conventions around the country during the weekends. With the help of my friends, I’ve drawn 30+ issues to date and designed a series of patches, pins and stickers.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I’d say my main goal is to create stories that resonate with audiences and let them know that they’re not alone in the problems they face. Fiction lets you address fears from a safe distance, turning problems around in a predefined space before hopefully learning something about yourself as the story progresses. When I create, I try to take problems I’m dealing with, make them abstract, and then work through them over the course of the story.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
We live in an era where an increasingly small number of companies are controlling and increasingly large number of stories – it’s incredibly difficult to attract readers to new stories because in today’s information ecology, big ad spends drown out most grassroots efforts to promote stories. Why take a risk on a new artist when there’s fear of missing out for not reading the newest biggest thing?
I think encouraging society to take risks and try untested storytellers through crowdfunding or picking up books from small online shops is one way to help nurture talent for the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cheshirecatart.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/cheshirecatart
- Linkedin: Devin Kraft
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/devinkraft
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/cheshirecatart