SHOCK profiles emerging Canadian artist Ryan Howe.
SHOCK recently attended a fan convention in Canada and discovered a talented artist by the name of Ryan Howe. As Howe sat and completed commissioned piece after commissioned piece one couldnt help but notice, at least to our eyes, that he combined an almost cartoon style with horror and science fiction. Being HUGE fans of such comic book artists as Will Eisner, Mike Ploog and Jack Davis we couldnt wait to bring Ryan to the attention to our horror audience.
Here’s a brief chat with an emerging – and awesome – Canadian artist.
SHOCK: What is your artistic background? Where did you study and what was the focus of your studies?
HOWE:I’ve spent the past six years as a tattoo artist. I’ve also done a lot of freelance work, for clients like the Anglers and Fisherman Association, as well as numerous projects for local bands. I studied Foundations of Art and Design at Durham College, in Oshawa, Ontario. It was mostly a year to get my portfolio together and work on reaching deadlines. Which is always a problem for artists!
SHOCK: Who or what movements have been your greatest influences?
HOWE: One of my biggest influences has been Ralph Bakshi’s WIZARDS (1977). I’m a huge fan of fantasy, especially the weird stuff that came out in the 70s and 80s. Artists that have influenced me are people like Robert Crumb, Frank Frazetta, Edward Gorey, and too many more to name. One of my favorite past-times, outside of drawing, is to research artists or movements, and then see what connections or influences they have. Some of my favorite artists have been found by researching a name someone else drops.
SHOCK: Are you a big comic book fan?
HOWE: I am, though not as big as some. I didn’t get into comics as a kid, and only really discovered them in my teens. I believe the first comic I bought was SIN CITY. Miller’s work on that series blew my mind, and opened me up to a world beyond Jack Kirby and capes. I’ve always been more a fan of more underground comics; biography stuff, slice of life, etc.I like to read stories that don’t feature superheroes, mostly fantasy, horror or LGBT-related stuff. I do absolutely love HELLBOY though. And I’d highly recommend Mike Mignola’s take on Fritz Leiber’s ‘Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser’.
SHOCK: What is your main interest genre-wise? Fantasy? Horror?
HOWE: Fantasy would definitely be up there. As I said, ‘slice of life’ type stuff is big for me too. I love hearing people tell their own personal stories. I’ve always thought there’s a lot of potential in Fantasy-Horror, and I’d love to explore it in the future. Picture a FRIDAY THE 13rh type slasher story, set in a crumbling castle, with a cast of adventurers. I think there’s a lot you could do there to make it a truly terrifying experience.
SHOCK: Have you had any of your work published?
HOWE: I have! I ran the Durham Comics Guild, a local group of artists and writers, for three years, and we self-published our own books. I’ve had a lot of other projects published as well; posters, website assets, magazine covers, etc.
SHOCK: Do you have any upcoming exhibitions?
HOWE: I’m going to be attending the Absurd Amour show at Gallery 345, on Feb 14. I’ll have a couple prints there. I’m busy putting together a group for artists right now, the Toronto Illustration Guild, and so that’s taking up some time. I’m always on the lookout for more exhibitions!
SHOCK: Are you working on any projects currently or in the near future?
HOWE: I’m currently working on a webcomic with a friend of mine called Daimonica. It’s about a Demon rising through the ranks, learning about love and sex, and it’s all very LGBT-themed. I’m also planning a Choose-your-own-Adventure coloring book, which I’m very excited about. I’m always drawing; I can’t stop, lol. So I’ve usually got a few projects on the go, and I’m always open to commissions.
Check out more or Ryan Howes work at his Instagram page HERE.
