FIVE QUESTIONS FOR THE ARTIST

1) What is your name?
- My full name is Raymond Curtis Billingsley. I use "Ray" professionally. - 

2) Where are you from?
- My background is from the south, North Carolina to be exact, but my family migrated to New York's Harlem at an early age. -

3) What do you do?
- I write and draw the syndicated comic strip CURTIS. It's syndicated under King Features Syndicate, the largest syndicate in the world. It currently appears in 370+ papers worldwide. CURTIS is credited with breaking the boundaries, thus opening the door for many of the strips of a similar genre. www.billingsleyart.com -

4) What inspired you to pursue your creative career?
- Nothing really inspired, except for my older brother who also draws. I've been drawing as a child, as many artists say, but I became professional at age twelve, and have been published regularly ever since. It's been over forty years now and still going strong. -

5) What is your view on the state of the arts?
- My view on the state of the arts is quite complicated. I've seen some art which is really good, but some of them need to strengthen their writing skills. On the other hand I've seen work that could use a lot of practice! Some depends too much on the computer to enhance their work when they should be working harder to improve the artwork itself. I feel some put their work out there on the internet before they are truly ready, but arrogance makes them think otherwise. -

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR THE ARTIST

1) What is your name?
- Ashley A. Woods - 

2) Where are you from?
- I was born and raised in Chicago - 

3) What do you do?
- I am a freelance artist (illustrations, story boards, concepts, and comics) - 

4) What inspired you to pursue your creative career?
- I grew up immersed in games, comics, and anime / cartoons and always knew I wanted a career in something related to that. I just always knew that I wanted to be an artist, ever since I was very young. -

5) What is your view on the state of the arts?
- Right now it seems that some schools are cutting art programs which I think is very sad. I believe that our schools need more workshops and classes to encourage and invest in our young artists. I try to help by teaching at various schools and I've taught all ages (preschool to college).

As for industry related topics go... I noticed the line between gaming and movies have blurred a bit with the art direction. Particularly the concept art and even the way some games are executed; they're more lifelike and the cut scenes have a very movie-like quality to them.

With comics, I've noticed a lot of industry artists are turning to kickstarter to launch their own independent titles rather than trying to publish them with brands like Marvel, DC, etc. I find it really interesting. I know some of these artists but have yet to pick their brains about why they are choosing such a route when they already have established careers with these companies. I think it's really intriguing. I think a lot of people's focus are turning more towards what the independents are doing. Now I'm not saying that people will forget Marvel, DC, etc because they won't. But people are scouring the net for new things. I also fear the demise of the printed book since everything is turning digital. Personally, I love holding an actual book in my hand as I read. I can lean my face close to the page and study the art and layout, I can pull back and see the page as a whole and appreciate it, flip the pages back and forth and study the pacing of the story... I've read lots of comics online but i just really prefer to have an actual book in my hands. Also, I'm more likely to be robbed for my phone while reading a comic on it in public than being robbed for the actual comic LOL! -

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR THE ARTIST

1) What is your name?
- Michelle M. Hernández (Celestial7 is my tag name) - 

2) Where are you from?
- I live in Cleveland, Ohio. My MO is to help bring the spark back into the 'Mistake By The Lake'. - 

3) What do you do?
- I am a multi-medium artist...polymer clay/paint/sewing/illustrator. I am a lead artist at Penhitsthepad.com. 

4) What inspired you to pursue your creative career?
- At the age of 6yrs., my older brother began teaching me and my younger brother the foundations of being a master artist. Year by year my passion for art grew. I began writing stories and creating a world of my own. Now, I live and breathe this passion.. Teaching these foundations to all who are interested.. No matter how young or old. -

5) I believe that art is about having originality, character and form. Your work should be a reflection of who you are and your interpretation of life. It's very convenient to mimic an idea or become lazy in your craft. With art and even in studying art.. You have to have a connection with this world of 'ART'. I can talk about art for a lifetime because it's truly apart of who I am... In 2008, I came close to losing the ability to use both my hands. I thank God for my hands and this second chance to be creative! -

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR THE ARTIST

1. What is your name?
- Dick Diamond - 

2. Where are you from?
- Los Angeles - 

3. What do you do?
- Write draw and create comix. I also paint and do portraits - 

4. What inspired you to pursue your creative career?
- When i was old enough to read i was given a stack of comics and fell in love with the medium -

5. What is your view on the state of the arts?
- Art is trying too hard to be 'Hollywood' as Hollywood looks towards art for its inspiration. As my good friend David 7 said above its a revolving door with hills and valleys of crap and awesome -

The ART of the Exodus Publishing Artists

Please take time to view a sample of the works of Artists James N Bowman and A.M. Frasier.

Art of A.M. Frasier

Art of James N Bowman