Just incase you missed the note at the end of the last blog, The Dreamer won’t be updating until after the new year. Good news: I finished the Issue #9 script! That was a big component on the delay… You can’t really illustrate something that doesn’t exist, lol. The other reasons for the delay are that things with the Comic Creators’ Alliance are keeping me busy, and I need a few weeks to get things rolling on schedule with our new colorist Julie Wright. True to my word, I got her to answer a few questions for you! So sit back, and enjoy getting to know the latest member of the Dreamer Team–Julie Wright!

Lora: When and how did you decide to pursue art?

Julie: I decided that I wanted to do art at a very young age. I remember taking the Super Mario Bros. Instruction manuals and re-rendering the drawings while I was in class (Which thoroughly annoyed several of my teachers!). I also tried selling my artwork in the first grade by making these god-awful pictures of stick-figure birds in cages and selling them for ten cents a pop. My principle found out about this and the money had to be given back of course.

Of course my path eventually led me to Phoenix Arizona where I studied game art and design for a few years… Then I realized I didn’t want to move around vertices for the rest of my life and eventually went to CCAD!

Lora: You recently graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design (same as me!) what was your major, and do you have a favorite memory from your time there?

Julie: My major was Illustration while I minored in writing, and I have a lot of fun memories from there. I helped with Saturday morning classes with Mr.Tardino and traveled to Rome to study art with my two roommates and a bunch of other CCAD students. It was fun re-learning that going out on location and doing your research of art while its right in front of you is WAY better than sitting in front of a computer screen.

Lora: What drew you to comics?

Julie: I love all forms of story-telling, and comics are a way that implements both text and visuals. I always enjoy seeing what angles and different perspectives people come up with within a small frame. To me, each panel is like its own composition, and deserves to be appreciated!

Lora: Who are your artistic influences?

Julie: I have quite a few to be honest! Like I said before, video games was what got me rolling on the whole ‘want to make art’ craze, but I can say that I can thank people like my mother and family for supporting my want to be an artist. A lot of families denounce the idea, so I’m thankful that they were all supportive of my career choice in life!

As for real artistic influences, Coles Phillips is one of my top favorite artists alongside with Filippo Lippi, Ludwig Hohlwein, Ashley Wood, and Brom.

Lora: What is your favorite thing about working with color, and do you have a favorite color?

Julie: I did my AP: Art thesis on Color back in High School and the same things I mention on it apply for me today. I enjoy conveying emotion through color. By using a certain collection of hues and tones, you can make a person feel sad. However, if you switch up just one of the colors in your palate, you can make a person feel nervous or maybe even giddy. Advertising agencies use color all the time to poke people’s interest into buying their product, I just want to use color to convince someone of a mood of a scene! And yes I have two favorite colors; teal and lime green.

(Click for full view!)

Lora: I can tell by looking at your portfolio that you had an interest in history before you got involved withThe Dreamer. What is your favorite period of history, and what is it you like about bringing history and art together?

Julie: I always enjoyed history through-out school, and while reading up on something I usually depict characters in my head reenacting certain points within a timeline. It’s obvious that I’m currently thriving on World War II at the moment, but I also really enjoy old Mesopotamian periods alongside with my first love, the Egyptian dynasties.

Lora: What is your dream job as an artist?

Julie: Well I want to be able to publish my own illustrated story! Though, I would love to work in the conceptual field as well.

Lora: What is something about you that no one knows?

Julie: Well I don’t know about no one knowing, but I’ve had a secret love for Pugs ever since the movie Milo and Otis came out. One day I wish to have my own wrinkly pooch.

Lora: And now, a few Dreamer-related questions. We’ll start with the obvious:  Alan or Ben?

Julie: Is it bad to say I feel for both of them? I do like blondes though.

Lora: What’s your favorite drink to order when you go to places like “Starbuzz”?

Julie: Give me something with as much caffeine in it that’ll keep me running for a few days straight.

Lora: Just like Bea. So, who is your favorite Dreamer character?

Julie: Nathan hands down. I like the developments involved with him that leaves me on the fence to what direction this character might go. I want to see him in another brawl too and win!

Lora: Which character are you most like?

Julie: Lets see: I’m stubborn, loud, like networking and am always on the verge of looking for romantic interests yet always giving advice to my friends on their own. I’d say I’m a lot like Yvette. While I grew up on Long Island, it took me a while to grow into my adolescent shoes and finally be my own person. Once I did, I never looked back! Though, I don’t think my wallet is nearly as big as hers for all the clothing lines she follows.

Lora: If you could go back into history, which historical figure would you love to meet?

Julie: I have several historical figures I would love to sit down and talk with. I think however because of my wish to understand certain things that happened during World War II, I would love to talk with Dr. Karl Brandt; who is mostly known for being Hitler’s personal physician and, and less known for his involvement in the Nazi Euthanasia program and his position as Major General Reich Commissioner for Health and Sanitation regarding human experimentation.

Since the World War II project I’m working on primarily involves the medical aspects of the war, I would like to ask to him on his reasons for doing the things he did and why he chose his methods of approving or disapproving experimentation. I would also like to know if he ever experienced the horrors of the camps personally or if he simply sat at his desk or was conducting surgery elsewhere.

Well I hope this got everyone to understand me a bit better! If anyone else has any questions they’d like to ask me, I’ll try to respond to them in the comments! Thanks!

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