San Francisco-based comic illustrator Sean Chiki tells RAW he does what he does to keep him “from going too bonkers.” He talks about his projects and inspirations. See his work on display at our debut showcase in San Francisco on Thursday, August 19th at the Minna Gallery!   

Tell us about yourself.
I grew up in the blighted, industrial wasteland of Southwestern Pennsylvania, attended art school in Pittsburgh and have lived happily in San Francisco for the last fourteen years. 

How did you first get started making art? 
I've been drawing ever since I can remember. But aside from a few stints here and there as an illustrator, it's only been in the last few years I've considered developing a body of work outside of sketchbooks. In 2009, I decided to put my love of comics into practice by producing and publishing the first issue of my comic Wunderkammer.

How would you describe your aesthetic?
Much of my artwork is peripheral in theme and subject to the comics I create, so naturally, it shares the same visual aesthetic, which is basically a pen & ink illustration. I try not to stray too far from this very basic formula.  

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
There are many illustrators and comic artists I admire exceedingly and no doubt, their style comes out in my own, but generally speaking, my influences are Victorian era book illustrations and pre-WWII newspaper comic strips.

What do you love most about what you do?
It's cheap and I can do it well. Oh and yes, it keeps me from going too bonkers.

Do you engage in, or draw inspiration from, any other forms of art?
Yes. Illustration, traditionally being more of an applied art, than a fine art, tends to absorb elements of other art forms rather well. Doing comics, though, film and literature tend to exert the most inspiration for me. My artwork also has a very strong narrative element to it, derived from my lifelong love of literature.

From start to finish, explain your process; what does a typical art-making day look like for you?
I force myself to get up at 6 in the morning so I can get a few hours of drawing in before I have to go to my day job. Sometimes it's a real labor to get anything done because inspiration doesn't obey the same hourly schedule that my body does, but I have to keep up the habit of working or I'll never get anything done. Then, throughout the rest of the day, ideas hit me in the most inopportune times, so I try to scribble them down in a notebook before I forget them.

Medium of choice?
Bristol board, a dip pen and black india ink.

What sort of techniques do you most like working with? 
I tend to be most comfortable with lots of line-work. The type of drawing you'd find in 19th century engravings.

Are there any artists or art movements, past or present, that strongly inform and influence your work? 
Belgian cartoonists starting with Herge, probably. Also, the Dadaists and surrealists provide me with a lot of ammunition, as my work tends to have an absurdist sensibility.

Any previous exhibitions/collaborations that you are particularly proud of? 
The thing I'm most proud of so far is publishing my own comic book, Wunderkammer.

Any accomplishments/goals you hope to achieve as an artist in the future?
A good publishing deal would be pretty nice, although self-publishing in comics does have its virtues.

Why showcase at RAW? 
RAW has an energy and freshness that often seems to be lacking in the I've-seen-it-all-before art scene in San Francisco.

Favorite thing to do outside of your craft? 
Read, read, read.

Any current rising stars within the art arena that you would recommend we look out for?
I have a friend, Jeremy Greco, a playwright I've worked with several times. I believe he is an evil genius.

To learn more about Sean Chiki, or to view his work, visit his web site: www.seanchiki.com