Artist Profile - Kirrily Schell a Piece of Stuff by ploota (jane curtis) Come n' meet Wide Arsed Mole, created by Canberra artist and self publisher Kirrily Schell. Wide Arsed Mole #1 by Kirrily Schell (submitted by ploota.) Wide Arsed Mole #2 by Kirrily Schell (submitted by ploota.) Starry Starry Night by Kirrily Schell (submitted by ploota.) Flacid by Kirrily Schell (submitted by ploota.) yes by Kirrily Schell (submitted by ploota.) What were your artistic beginnings? Well me and my three siblings used to set up with cheese twisties and some drawing implements after school and draw cartoons, or rather comics. Later this cartoon developed into a daily event for me. I always carried a note book and responded to daily events in it. Now I am just in love with what comes out on the page, almost as though I play no part in the creating of these characters. What are your inspirations? My inspirations are my joy and fascination in the hilarity of human frailty and my intrigue in the human situation with its multi-faceted and multi-layered code of existance. Why do you work in the medium you work in? I work in comics becasue once my pen hits the paper I am tuned into another world. That world can be anything. Anything at all. What are the pleasures of working in this medium? I particularly enjoy the characters that people develop, that come and go, or persistantly pull faces at you. I used to draw this character called Penelope Spisms. All that she really did was wizz past in the sky with a toothy grin. No matter what comic I drew, she would unobtrusively wizz past in the background. I haven't spotted for a good few years now. Who or what is your source of encouragement and support of your work? I'm just beginning to get in touch with people who do some excellent mini comics and are extremely encouraging. I've had quite good feedback from various people about Wide Arsed Mole #1. It's quite a strange thing to put out a mini comic, it's like a little piece of me... but a lot of people draw comics and a lot of people love comics and they all want more. The more comics the better I reckon! Do you see your art as political? No Do you make your art with a specific audience in mind? No. I can't. If I try to hard to do something, it doesn't work. Or... to me it seems a little too contrived in this particular medium. I think the beauty of mini comics is that they are a true expression. Is the possible sale and marketability of your works a contributing factor in their overall appearance? Well I guess there is nothing like being attracted into a good comic book that not only has a good story line, but also interesting art. Although it can take a long time to develop your style. Perhaps this is also a point to be made about mini comics, is that they can be quick and easy or painstakingly artyfarty and both still be fantastic... or dumb. Who do you admire? Oh my god there are so many. I have to say that every mini comic I've seen (Australian) I've been impressed. It's all so bizzare and interesting even crappy but enjoyable and most of all admirable. But I have to admit that I love George Herriman and his cartoon Krazy Kat. What are the rewards and obstacles with publishing your work yourself? Obstacles... well I guess having enough money to get Wide Arsed Mole photocopied but then not having enough to post and distribute them (I'm sure I'll work something out). Rewards... well being involved with other comic artists who are very supportive and extrememly keen. What advice would you give to people starting their own publications? I hate to say it but "the more you put in, the more you get out". yes mum. But most of all I want to say "Yes! People are interested in your comics! So off you go... Now, I say!" Where can we see more of your art? I've got Wide Arsed Mole #2 being sent around Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and will have Wide Arsed Mole #3 out within a couple of months. Write to Wide Arsed Mole at Sticky Comix LPO Box 194 ANU ACT 2601 Created on Sat, 24 Jan 1998 and last modified on Fri, 30 Jan 1998.

LOUDonline - http://www.loud.net.au - Fri, 10 Apr 1998