Artist Spotlight: Billy Martinez of Neko Press

My wife and I recently met Billy Martinez, owner and publisher of Neko Press on our trip to Wizard World LA. His display at the Golden Apple booth was small, but I was very impressed by how what he was there to present immediately grabbed the attention of myself and other passersby. I was delighted and inspired in seeing that he, and his wife, seemed to be doing well, selling comics and prints of Billy's work, along with the works of other talents, while the artist himself did some very impressive live painting. Upon talking with them, I learned that he was not only a fellow art teacher, but was doing well as a gallery artist, too. Well, as you can imagine, I immediately realized that I should at least somewhat follow this guy's example. I have to admit, that if I hadn't had seen him selling prints, I wouldn't be doing my print project, right now. After the show, I sent him an e mail with some questions, that are always on my mind (about art and the art world) and this is what he was kind enough to send back.


When a person gets into publishing, it's usually because they have a vision, or see a need in the print world that isn't being filled. What are you trying to provide to comics, that no one else is?

I think I'm really focusing on putting out books that readers will remember. I want to make sure they get the most out of our books. Our job is to entertain readers so I'm doing my best to make that promise to our readers.

Outside of comics, you show some really beautiful work in galleries. Are your patrons comic fans, or are you working in two separate worlds?

Two separate worlds. I run my art school in La Mesa. I always tell my students to be versatile. Life is always changing and an artist must change and adapt if he or she wants to make a career out of the biz.

Concept wise, where do you think art is thriving more... in the comics books or in galleries?

At this point it's hard to tell. Both are doing well but I would need more time to observe this.

What do you wish you could see more of? What would you ask growing artists to think about, when they are making art?

To have fun and to follow their own mark and not try to be a clone of other artists. Be original.

You paint mainly women. What are you trying to convey when you paint them?

The beauty and personality and strengths of a woman.

What are your next goals? Where do you see yourself one year from now?

Making comic books and doing more paintings. The same thing I have been doing for over 14 years.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Red wine is good for the heart. Drink lots of it!

Ah, a wine man, too! I'll drink to that.

Christopher Moonlight Prints: Now Available for Pre-Order.

UPDATE: No long available...
Click My Fine Art America Site For Prints.

I now have 10 new prints available for pre-order, which are shown below. Each one is in a 16x20 mat with a 11x14 opening, chip board backing, and resealable, plastic slipcase, which can all be fitted into a standard size frame. Printed on matte photo paper, they can be purchased signed or unsigned for $25. Special retailer pricing is also available. To contact me, click the View my complete profile for my Email. Sorry, but at this time, I have no shipping rates or pay-pal, so they'll only be available to Southern California residents, for the time being. I will let you know as soon as they are available nationwide.

Artist Spotlight: Natalia Pierandrei AKA Nati

There are so many artist on the web, doing so many different things, but when I find one who really stands out, I get excited and want people to know about them. Natalia Pierandrei's profile reads as fallows.

...better known as 'nati', is a traditional illustrator based in Italy. Her artwork is basically anime-styled but also influenced by that of Art Nouveau, and European graphic novels with a penchant for gothic imagery and classical fantasy themes. She loves travelling, Japan, art museums, prose and cats.

Nati was kind enough to reach out across the oceans and around the world to talk to me about just what it is she's after as an artist. I was surprised to learn that (for someone of her talent) she doesn't seem to think she's all that special. I would disagree, but I'll let you be the judge.


Are your ultimate plans to become a comic book artist?

Well, unfortunately my reply is "no, I'm not ultimated them". Many reasons for feeling doubtful about my future as comic book artist. Basically the lack of time. Working on one piece takes less time than working on illustrated fiction, even the short ones. I can complete one, full coloured image in just a day, but a whole story is another pair of shoes!
As you know, I have a full time job (which unfortunately has nothing to do with art or comics). At the moment, I can draw only in my spare time and during the weekends. So, I prefer devoting myself to illustration than to sequential work. That's a pity, especially because the great enthusiasm for comic books caused my passion for drawing when I was a young girl.
Then, I suck at writing decent stories! I mean, I tend to write too complicated plots and that doesn't help when you should need extra time just to draw a couple of pages.


Are you writing your own comic, or do you want to work with a good writer, to help get your ideas out?

When I was a high school student, I drew a lot of comics with a friend of mine. There were basically short comic strips, or parodies of popular TV series. But I also started working on my own fiction and characters. As I wrote, the main problem is I tend to be too prolix and unfocused when planning the events in my stories. This is also a fact that I've not attending any Schools of Comic Art in my life. I have ideas but I lack the basis for writing and drawing good plots. So, I would prefer working with a good writer having the gift for conciseness than trying to publish my incomprehensible projects!


Why is it that even though you are published in four books, taking commissions all the time, and have a sizable fan following, you still do not consider yourself a professional?

LOL! Thank you very much for this question! Well, when I speak of "professional" artists, I refer to people who have a paid occupation as illustrator or cartoonist. Art is their job and they don't need to do something different to "make both ends meet". I'm not a person qualified or employed in one of the "art professions". Some of my illustrations have been featured in collective art books in the past but I should say those weren't payed works. Of course, I gained popularity and exposure but I still need to have a regular job to pay instalments and bills. That said, I'm not a "professional" illustrator because art is not my job. And I also doubt at the moment my artwork has the qualities of professional ones. But things could change in the future, of course!

Where will you pop up next?

No idea. I'm very impulsive, I don't like planning my future.


Where do you want to be, one year from now?

Hhmm, I'd like to be "physically" in a lot of different places in the world but I figure I'll be in Italy yet. Professionally speaking, I have no ideas. I'd like to prepare a good portfolio and try to get in touch with art directors and publishers. But, being a perfectionist and shy artist doesn't help. I mean, it probably will take more than a year to have this portfolio of mine done and "sent"or show to the right persons! LOL
Anyway, I need to focus more on my artwork and this is my goal for the 2007. And then...illustrate a fairytale, complete a short sequential work, improve as illustrator, etc, etc, etc.

Keep an eye on this one folks. I have a feeling that she's going to be a star.

After Wizard World

I know, I'm days behind everybody else, but after Wizard World, LA I need a few days to get my brain back. Here I am though, with a brief overview of my Saturday there. I'll be spotlighting some of the stuff I took and interest in, a little more in depth, throughout the next week or so.
It started at the IDW panel, where Gene and his son Nick Simmons showed up to steel the day, and talk about there new line of comic books. They're big comic fans, but we've seen this happen before. A movie or rock star will think they can use there name to push a comic, and everything will be great. RIP: Roger Corman Comics, Glen Danzig Comics, Jada Pinkett Smith Comics... does anyone know if Rosario Dawson's comic is still going?

Next up was a visit to Billy Martinez and his wife, who were there promoting Billy's art (here we see him doing some live painting) and there publishing company Nekpo Press.

After that, was a stop off at the Atomic Comics display, where they have a comic book store in a van. The ice cream man wouldn't have got a penny from me, when I was a kid, if this thing had driven through my neighborhood.
Next up was a visit to artist ally, where we came across Omaha Perez and his book Holmes.
Here's the man himself with is book. "Sherlock Holmes is a maniac completely out of his head on drugs at all times and Dr. Watson, his own personal "Dr. Feelgood", isn't much better off." I haven't read it yet, but being that Omaha was a student of Barron Story, this book must have something going for it art wise, at the very least.
Then we met this girl. Damn, what was her name. I have her husbands card, so we'll call her Mrs. Bridges, of Pendant Productions. She gave me a disc, all full of wonderful, fan made, radio shows, like 007, Star Trek, Indianan Jones, Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman. I think I'll be looking more into what they do.
Then there was the guy was doing horror make up at the Fox Atomic booth, who's Frankenstein flash was so good, I just had to get a photograph. I forgot his name, too, but we chatted for a bit while we waited for our prospective women to come out of the bathroom.

There was Dame Darcy (love the dolls, girl) whom I will tell you more about later. I've been a fan of her very imaginative comic books for years.
I also got a copy of the documentary about David Mack, from David himself. I'll be screening that for my art students in the coming months. More on that one later, too.
Here's John Leekley, Ahmet Zappa (yes, Frank's kid), and Brendan Smith, with their new comic Amerikan Freak. These guy were having such a good time, and were so nice, I couldn't give there comic a bad review. Besides, they said they'd hunt me down if I did.
Atomic Comics owner Mike Malve with the man (signing at Atomic's booth) who bloody killed Captain America, Ed Brubaker. Cap! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a big fan of Ashley Wood, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with some of the comics he puts out. Inside the front cover of this D'Airain book is an image that I just don't see a need for. Anyway, it's one of the pictures I took at the IDW booth. Over all, I'm liking that company.
And last but not least (because I just can't help a little goth) I had to stop by and talk to the folks at Bleeding Edge, about their Be Goth dolls. That's right. I like um, and I aint ashamed.