Kody Chamberlain
Kody is a comic book creator and illustrator. He is a quiet creative powerhouse often to be found in the local coffee shop (typically Americas coffee at the moment) sketching or planning. While he manages to stay relatively anonymous in Lafayette he is quite a big deal in the the world of comic books, having most recently produced his own comic, Sweets, which is getting people talking all over the country and has just signed a deal with MTV Geek. There is even has a Wikipedia page about him. His success is due both to his talent and work ethic, a lethal combination.
What was your first job?
Besides a bit of grass cutting, my first real job was scooping ice cream and making sandwiches at a small shop in Thibodaux, Louisiana. I used to ride my bike about 5 miles to get there.
Describe a typical day in your life.
My wife is a school teacher, so we normally wake up around 5:30am and I get to the studio around 6:30am. I’ll often walk over to Americas Coffee House in the morning to get the blood flowing and do a bit of writing, email replies, an any paperwork that needs to get done. Then I walk back to the studio and start making comics. That involves lots of penciling, inking, coloring et. I do try and do one full page of comic book art every day, but that’s not always possible, so I do still work a lot of nights and weekends to get i done. It’s fun work, so I don’ mind much, and I have a very flexible schedule.
What advice would you give the younger you?
I would tell a younger me to bet big on the Saints in the 2010 Superbowl. And I’d also tell a younger me to start drawing and reading comics a lot earlier in life. Since I started drawing around the age of 18, I was a bit behind and it’s taken a while to catch up. Most of the other professional artists I know have been drawing and reading comics all their lives. I wish I had as well. But in a way it may be to my advantage because I have an outside’s perspective. Time will tell.
What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
There are several of those moments that come to mind, but the event that’s had the most impact so far was the death of my mother. We never really bonded or had a real connection, so instead of living with regrets, I’ve been working hard to build better relationships with family and friends ever since.
What values do you live by?
I don’t always live up to my own standards, but I try to be honest, respectful, hard working, and a true friend.
What do you most appreciate?
My wife.
What is your favorite journey?
I love learning, any chance I get to learn something new, I embrace it. That’s always the best journey of all.
Where is your favorite place to be alone?
I’m usually alone in my studio, so that’s the easy answer. But since I work alone most days, I enjoy taking breaks and interacting with the people as much as I can.
What living figure most inspires you?
I’m most inspired by art, and my favorite living artist is Martin Scorsese.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
My college graphic design professor one told me that in the real world, results count, not effort. That’s been a real inspiration for me in many ways.
What book would you tell everyone to read?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
What is the best thing about where you live?
The people around me.
How do you “let the good times roll” ?
Dinner and a movie.
How would you like to be remembered?
I’d like to be remembered as someone that gave more than they took.
What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
I rarely doubt myself, but when I do, I remind myself there are people far less intelligent than me doing what I’m trying to do.
What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
Family, art, and music.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I probably curse too damn much.
What is you biggest fear?
My biggest fear is not knowing whats coming next, but it’s also my biggest thrill.
What is your favorite word?
Storytelling.
What food could you live on for a month?
Raisin Bran
What literary, movie or cartoon character do you most identify with?
Don Draper, but without the adultery, smoking, and alcohol.
What is your idea of happiness?
Hitting a deadline and heading to New Orleans for a weekend away with my wife. Those are the best days.
What question do you wish I’d asked?
What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing and drawing SWEETS for Image Comics available online, in comic shops, and on iPad/iPhones. I’m also illustrating PUNKS for MTV Geek, which should be available late this month.
The BE YOU questionnaire by Aileen appears in The Times of Acadiana every Thursday.