Are you a saber fencer?
After only one year in foil I switched permanently to epee. I’ve tried sabre but it just isn’t my thing, and I prefer to be a specialist than to dabble in all three weapons. I love the simplicity and objectivity of the epee game, as well as its emphasis on strategy. But sabre wins on pure aesthetics!
How much experience do you have in fencing?
I spent an intense 4 years learning fencing from a high-level coach, and then a career change forced me to give it up for the next 10. A few years ago I jumped into the fray again and now I compete and sometimes help coach at our local club.
Who are your characters based on?
No character is based on any one person. They are an amalgamation of the experiences of myself and others, a mix of fact, fiction, history and fantasy. Fencing is full of some of the most interesting people you’ve ever met, and full of enough drama to span a lifetime of stories. Ask any fencer.
Why is your main character, Serik, from Kazakhstan?
In college I took two years of Russian, and while fencing I made many friends from countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Poland, Spain, Cuba, Kuwait, Hungary, Argentina, Peru, and others. It is this rich tapestry of diversity in fencing and universal language of sport that I hope to convey in my work. I spend a lot of time researching to make sure I have the details right. I do allow myself a margin of creative freedom, however, since this is a work of fiction!
What’s your background with the Olympics?
In 1996 I was a volunteer at the Atlanta Olympic Games fencing venue, and also served as a Paralympic volunteer for wheelchair fencing. I also spent several months before the games working in the ACOG design department, a dream job but sadly, a temporary one.
Why are your characters depicted as dogs and cats?
Animals, especially dogs, serve as a great metaphor for people. They allow a greater range of expression with the added use of the ears and tail, and their wide variety stands for diversity. Plus, they are way more fun to draw! In my comic the characters don’t know they are animals, and don’t bark, meow, or have any other animal characteristics. They are simply human avatars.
Is Sabrecat safe to recommend to my students?
Sabrecat is at most a PG comic. I strive to make it student-friendly, although most of the drama is centered around the lives of adults and may include heavy topics such as divorce, immigration, addiction, religion, and poverty. I try not to take sides in such topics but only to address them as social issues to provoke thought. As far as content, I might include drinking or smoking as necessary for character development but nothing explicit. (Sorry to disappoint some of you!)
Who are your artistic influences?
Art Spiegelman, Stan Sakai, Javier Mariscal, and vintage animation to name a few.
Where did you learn to draw?
I taught myself to draw, mostly during math class in school! Later I went to the University of Georgia and majored in graphic design. Since my later career change didn’t leave me much time for practicing my art, I’m now taking online courses in cartooning at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I also attended a workshop at the Center for Cartoon Studies in 2009, a pilgrimage I hope to complete annually!
What’s this career change you keep talking about?
The call of the wild led me to join the United States Marine Corps and become a helicopter pilot. Seriously! Fun times- but I’m fortunate to be in a position now where I can practice my art full time.
How come your comic style changes so often?
This project serves several purposes: to illustrate a story with great personal meaning to me, to promote the sport of fencing, and to provide a means with which to develop my art and writing. Without having to worry about consistency, I am free to explore different tools and techniques.
What tools do you use to make your comic and website?
I draw all of my comics in pencil, then scan the artwork and bring it into Photoshop CS3 as a layer. I create the inks and all of the coloring in Photoshop using a Wacom tablet, although I do occasionally dabble with traditional inking. Graphics such as banners are generally produced using a combination of Illustrator, Flash and Photoshop. The Sabrecat site and blog are produced using the Comicpress theme in WordPress. My other sites, which require no archiving features, are produced with iWeb. All of my work is done on a MacBook Pro.
Can you draw me a picture/logo/t-shirt design?
Sure! Email me for a quote. Bartering works as well as cash, so if you can offer me a deal (discounts, free stuff, advertising space, etc.) we may be able to work something out.
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