Today we’re joined by Inge/Issak. Inge/Issak is a wonderful writer and visual artist. They enjoy drawing their original characters from the stories they write. They have an extraordinary amount of passion and enthusiasm for their art, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
Well, I usually draw my own characters due to the simple fact that they are easiest to practice on. Of course, I have to write stories for these characters too so I both draw and write simply to create a new works people will hopefully be interested in.
What inspires you?
I know this sounds as cheesy as can be but my friends! We bounce ideas off of each other and with most of my friends being artists such as myself, we find it helps us include diversity and develop our characters.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
My grandmother used to draw squirrels all of the time. She’d sit in the car with me and doodle them as she pleased. I would be silent in awe as I watched her. Then along came cartoons and the internet. I began developing stories and drawing characters and it flourished into an entirely new world that kept me inspired. It was from that first squirrel doodle was when I wanted to create art.
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?
Honestly, no. My signature is very out there visual wise when I draw or paint. However, when I write, I tend to have my characters use southern dialect, which I grew up around. Even with “proper” characters, they can slip up and give tge the occasional “gonna” or “ain’t.”
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Uh… Well, keep working hard! I know the notes may be scarce and the comments non-existent but one day you’ll find that one fan who adores everything you do and you make sure to treat that fan right.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m asexual and most likely sex repulsed.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
People want to tell me that I can’t have asexual character because then they’re “basically straight.” But I adore my asexual characters and every time someone complains that asexuality isn’t real so therefore the characters are straight,I push their asexuality a little more into the light. Same with every other aro/ace spectrum character I have. They deserve to be heard because someone out there feels broken and hopefully my characters will help them know they’re perfectly normal.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That we can’t get laid so we came up with the term. My parents actually told me I’m asexual because I can’t get anyone to sleep with me.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
As someone who is struggling themselves, it’s okay to wonder who you are. It’s okay to be confused. You’re not anything less if you have no idea where on the spectrum of any sexuality you fall upon. Just know that there are people out there who will love and accept you through every struggle. Just be you.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Well, I have a comic going on at fallenstarscomic on Tumblr and a few of the characters fall right into the ace spectrum. Also screamingasexual on Tumblr as well showcases a bit of my art but most of the information about the characters I draw so much falls right on fscomicoffical on, you guessed it, Tumblr.
Thank you, Inge/Issak, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Asexual Artists 