Today we’re joined by Mushki. Mushki is a wonderful visual artist who specializes in comics. She has recently finished a comic specifically about asexuality. She has a running manga-style comic entitled Peripety. Aside from that, she also does mini comics, random illustrations, and fanart. It’s clear she’s a dedicated and passionate artist, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I make comics! I got one long manga-style comic called Peripety that I hope will reach about FMA length. And many mini comics and random illustrations/fanart.
What inspires you?
Stories that are about found families, adventure, brotherhood…psychology, compassion, human depravity mixed with human beauty…etc.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
Reading stories or playing video games with compelling stories – that’s the language I understand, and I guess I just couldn’t help it when I started speaking that language as well. So yeah. I’ve kind of always wanted to do it in some way, though at first I thought I wanted to be a novelist instead.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Ummm… When it comes to stories, I guess, I’m always putting secret symbols in my stuff. Flowers, motifs, animal parts, etc. Things that represent certain things or mean something to a certain culture.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Make LOTS of stuff, make lots of BAD stuff, keep good posture, and have FUN.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Ace / Aro
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not so much about my work. But when people want to show me their work, and it has sexual content in it, some berate me and tease me about me being ace. I really just ignore that? And give them a solid critique anyway. I find kindness is the best way to make people feel bad.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That I just haven’t found the right person. That I need to try it. Many people who express this have good intentions, but seem unable to understand that not desiring sex or romance is even possible.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Don’t be pressured into things. There’s a difference between getting out of your comfort zone, and doing things you don’t want to. When people tell you to try things, ask yourself if you actually WANT what they’re suggesting. If you don’t, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean your denying an opportunity for growth.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I post my comics on Tapastic, (https://tapas.io/MushkiKizou) and I sell my art on Etsy! (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MushkikizouArt) Still working on a good way to sell my comics online, but you can bet it’ll be on Etsy someday.
Thank you, Mushki, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Asexual Artists 