Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendall Lyons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kendall, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Growing up, I loved writing and creating stories. I did a lot of writing and journaling especially once I started pursuing broadcast journalism/mass communications in college. I got called back into the world of cartooning around 2005.

Once I got older and picked up drawing again, I began spending hours and hours studying other artists and mimicking the way they sketched. It also helped that I spent much of my childhood and adulthood watching cartoons and anime, reading comic strips, comic books, and staring at illustrations and designs that pushed my passion.

The skills I think that were most essential for me was everything from character design to facial expressions.

The obstacles that stood in the way was mostly me. I had to learn to be okay with not comparing myself to other people, which led to making myself feel discouraged about my beginning as I observed somebody’s middle.

Kendall, 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?

I have an LLC called Eccentric Publications. We are publishing company that focuses on stories and visual content that helps to tell stories that are different, all while inspiring and encouraging readers and fans of art and creative expression. The company creates everything from books to illustrations. We also contribute from time to time through partnerships and freelance projects.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think a lot about the time I started blogging. I had a blog called “Cartoon Daily News,” and I would draw illustrations and write thoughts and commentary on life and challenges, often sharing my faith alongside cartoons and comics.
I started that blog in 2011, which from time to time I felt the struggle of managing it.
I have ADHD and I’m Autistic, both of which I was later diagnosed years after. But, I kept going.
I didn’t realize that running the blog would later set me up to run a website for a college in Dallas as the Director of Communications in 2019.
If I gave up or in fact didn’t bother to even try, I might would have missed out.
That same writing and blogging work impacted my art, strengthening my skillsets and making me a better cartoonist over time as I would draw every single day including for the blog posts.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The thing that’s most rewarding for me as being an artist is the fact I get to inspire the next generation. I love creating stories and comics that move people, and I get so excited when I hear people tell me how my characters and my stories made them feel something.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kendalllyons.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cartoondaily1/
• Youtube: https://npwelch.com/obituary/keith-mccall-skaar/

Image Credits

Images by Kendall Lyons