After last weeks landmark interview with Jamal Igle, we wanted to follow up just as strong. And now, this week's interview with artist and Xion founder Shawn Alleyne
Interviewed by Frankie RodriguezCBC: Shawn, you just recently had your first online convention for your studio, Pyroglyphics. How did that go for you?
Shawn Alleyne: To be honest, it was ok -- I feel it could've been better. However, if there's anything this art biz has taught me it's that you have to view every experience in a positive light in order to progress. So I know now what changes i want to put into effect for my next one, and that's how you grow.
CBC: Overall, how do you feel about the online convention while you were getting it together? Now that it's over, how do you feel about it now?
Alleyne: I felt nervous as hell putting it together. mainly because of the video element I wanted to add...I don't like being in front of a camera. Lol Now that that it's over I feel relieved and excited to do another one. Now that i know what mistakes i made and what I need to do to fix them.
CBC: Was there any big sellers at the convention and what were they?
Alleyne: Commissions were the biggest orders. I think people really like the idea of having their favorite characters interpreted by me in my "style".
CBC: So, not only are you running your own studio, but you also founded and run Xion, the comic book networking group based here in Philadelphia. For those who don't really know about it, can you give us a break down of what Xion is and how it came to be?
Alleyne: Xion is a Philadelphiabased comic book network group designed with the intention of being a social club, a business resource, and a creator's support group allin one package. The first meeting was held on Saturday November 1st, 2008, at Bucks County Coffee Shop, and advanced from there with monthly meetings.
Xion exists to build a community. From the casual hobbyist, to the fan-boy, to the future comic book superstar. We love comics of all kinds here at Xion, but we really want to encourage the growth of the independent market and the independant creator. To that end, we go beyond the blogoshere, and invite members drag themselves from behind the keyboard, unchain themselves from their art-desk, and (gasp) meet up face to face. At our monthly meetings we draw, write, create, discuss comic books and the comic book industry as a whole.
To paraphrase a great quote: Ask not what your network can do for you, but what you can do for your network.
CBC: I know Xion expanded out to New York. What other things have happened since expanding Xion?
Alleyne: The biggest thing that has happened since expanding Xion is that I now have a greater support base to lean on in the form of XION nyc's manager Sha-née Williams and Our Chief Advisor Tekia Dunlop. With their help, motivation, critiques and ideas, there are a lot more plans in place and fresh perspectives. This allows me to breathe a little instead of having to do everything myself. Also, with the work they do in NY, I feel compelled to step my game up here in Philly. The biggest thing we have coming that I'm really excited about is getting a XION anthology rolling.
CBC: You have always been an artist first it seems. Tell us, how did you become an artists and what drove you to form Pyroglyphics?
Alleyne: Art for me was just one of those things I always did from very young. It was always inside of me and the one thing I was better at the other kids others around me. As I grew I never imagined a life without me drawing in some form or another. I never went to school for art so I can't pinpoint any one moment where I "became" an artist, i just always did it.
The only real shift i can think of in my nature as an artist was when I was laid off from my 9-5. I used to draw for fun and started doing maybe one convention a year, with the lazy thought in the back of my mind that one day i'll really make that leap into freelancing. But after my layoff happened I figured,"hey,what do I have to lose?" At the time it seemed like all 'real' artists had a studio, so as part of my process of being legit I created the name Pyroglyphics for my studio name so I could get into a serious mindset, and that was when i really started thinking about art as my career.
CBC: What would you say are your influences artistically?
Alleyne: My influences for art are all the elements of life around around me. I know it sounds spacy but it's true. Lol It's my Barbadian culture; its hip-hop; its the funny pattern on the bathroom floor; its anything that makes me look at it and say "oh sh**! That's crazy!" And while i could sit here and name artists for days that also inspire me- Carlos Pacheco, John Brynes, Art Adams, Travis Charest, and more- they are only part of it. My West Philly neighborhood inspires me; martial arts inspires; anime; the list goes on.
CBC: Growing up, what were the characters that had the deepest impact to you?
Alleyne: I used to read tons of mythology growing up, and always gravitated towards characters steeped in it. That's why I'm a huge fan of Thor. I also have always loved characters that were flawed, whether externally and/or internally, and in that light we have Ghost Rider. And even if the character was a "bad guy", I always liked the scoundrel that still held a steadfast set of beliefs...like Dinobot from Beast Wars.
CBC: Now that you have done both the online convention scene and normal convention scene which do you prefer? What do you find rewarding most about both options?
Alleyne: Nothing beats the regular convention scene. What's most rewarding about it is the chance to physically interact with supporters. You get to see the look on their faces as we talk about our favorite characters, or worst anime, etc. You get to see their faces light up as they flip through your portfolio and come to something they've only seen online, now it's tangible. The most rewarding thing about the online show is being able to simultaneously reach anyone and everyone in the world with just the click of a button. Plus, table fees or pricy plane tics. Oh, and not wearing pants while you sell stuff. Hmm, now its looking neck and neck. Lol
CBC: What do you have coming up this next year? What direction is Pyroglypics heading? What direction Xion is going?
Alleyne: I dont like to count my chickens before they hatch, so i wont get into specifics, but in a simple answer, Pyroglyphics is headed anywhere there's art. Whether it be t-shirts, books, posters, whatever...my plan is to draw till I can't draw anymore.
The plan with XION is simple as well- to get more stuff in print and build a larger resource base for people to pick from.
CBC: Finally, what would you like to say to all aspiring artist out there looking to break into and make a career out of being an artist?
Alleyne: Take the best from every situation. If at first things don't go your way, use the experience to make you stronger and a better artist. Also, see if you can do with less sleep at night so you can draw more. That always helps. Lol
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