Beals has been creating comics out of pure love for the art form since his college days. He began making comics as a way to unwind after work, and they soon became more popular than his initial "Big Idea." Titled "Adult Children," the comics explore the myth of adulthood and resonate with readers. They have been digitally syndicated and can be found on various newspaper websites.
#1
Bored Panda reached out to Stephen Beals again to find out more about his recent work. First, we asked about the most rewarding aspects of being a comic artist, and what keeps him motivated to continue creating. The artist told us: “I make comics every day because I love them. They are there to comfort me after a bad day, to tuck me in at night, and to make me a balanced meal. OK, I exaggerate, but not much. Finding others who can relate to what I write is the ultimate motivator. Thank you, random internet stranger! You’ve encouraged me to write another day."
#2
I work at this place that you have to walk up to the window to order. It's kind of like the concept of those ice cream places that you never walk outside your order outside. Well our products are displayed in the window. We open up at 5:00 in the morning. I go in at 4:00 in the morning to set up. Tell me how sometimes people are there at 4:00 in the morning while I'm walking in to work. They also will come before 5:00 when they see that I'm in the middle of setting up my window. No I don't work in an ice cream shop that was just an example. I actually work at a donut shop. I can't stand the rudeness there. Why would you come up while my window is not even set up and ask me for freaking Donuts? So freaking rude
#3
Asked about how his art style has evolved over time and what factors influenced these changes, Stephen answered: “Art evolves the same way a person’s handwriting evolves. Influences happen along the way. Art school. Artists I admire. Different techniques. But like handwriting, you can be in a hurry. I contend that a lot of great art was made by accident when the artist was in a rush. The artist likes that accident and repeats it. The tools have changed drastically. I’ve gone from a pen to a brush to a stylus, and now want to go back to a brush. I miss ink.”
#4
“Did Turkey Send A Hitman” People Lose It Over 51-Year-Old Olympic Medal Winner With ‘No Equipment’
#5
Who could have possible foreseen that money would be needed at some point?
Next, we wanted to know more about the most challenging part of creating a comic. Beals shared with us: “It’s always the writing. I can have an amoeba of an idea and growing it into a creature I like is a hit-and-miss operation. It’s kind of like raising a child in a few hours, except I would love my child no matter what. I do not feel the need to love all of my comics. In fact, I prefer to forget about quite a few. The language is important and hitting the right beats is both fun and challenging. The art would be equally challenging if I spent as much time as I wanted to on staging, but time is always of the essence and the writing comes first.”
#6
"What?"
#7
We were also interested in how the artist manages to balance the creative aspects of his work with the business side of things, such as marketing and promotion. Beals told us: “I don’t! I’ve had many people request books, and it’s an ongoing goal to make one, but time is not my friend. The strip has become popular despite my lack of marketing efforts.”
#8
It could stay open if you volunteered to work there, lady.
#9
Then, we were curious about how the comic artist stays up to date with current trends and developments in the comic industry. Stephen said: “I read as much as I can. Reading cartoonists’ posts or articles on sites like Bored Panda is really the best way to keep up. There are many cartoonists I have been fortunate enough to know, and talking with them is always amazing. Cartoonists are the nicest people! Cartooning moved from print to digital. The reasonable expectation of pay was lost in a sea of web goop. I see digital subscriptions and sites continuing to be the future.”
#10
Unfortunately, staff is going down and computerization is going up.
#11
Awww! How thoughtful!!
Finally, we wanted to find out if Stephen has other creative projects or mediums he would like to explore in the future. Beals revealed: “Two things on my Fiddle About and Have Fun List: Painting and writing a mystery novel. A funny mystery novel. Will I write it? That’s the mystery.”
#12
"What are you angry about today, Frank?" - Next Saturday
#13
I had business cards printed out.
#14
#15
"The promotion comes with 100% more work, for 10% more pay."
#16
If I wouldn't get fired, I would *love* to be brave enough to answer with that last panel at my job.
#17
Ah yes I do this. It's quite fun being over polite when someone is yelling at you. Then when they leave the rest of the customers are always like " what a rude a*****e!"
#18
#19
"This is ridiculous. How can you not have anything on your shelves?" Um coz people are idiots and panic buy everything
#20
That's rights Tabby knows her s**t hahaha
#21
I wondered why She looked like her…
#22
Very good sign.
#23
"Eats up herself?" Self cannibalism for the win!
#24
save for employees suckers
#25
I would like to see the cave.
#26
Some would argue that canned food can, at times, depending on the product, be fresher than fresh food. This is because canning is often done immediately at the time of catch or harvest, while fresh food can travel great distances, spend a lot of time in trucks, warehouses, and stores, before ending up in your home.
#27
AAAAAAH! PEOPLE!
#28
Maybe they are twins?
#29
So sunny lol
#30
Reminds me of a supervisor interview I once had. The store (it was a starbucks licensed store owned by a third party) was a bit of a hot mess but had a ton of potential, so I went in with that perspective in mind. Apparently I lost them at "I really like working here."
#31
I think she's more of a Shaker who identifies as a Mover.
#32
LOL. Who let him back there if he’s not going to work-?
#33
The cave
#34
Training?! You don't need no stinking training, with your attitude training would be redundant. Move along, now.
#35
ugh. I have a friend like this. Every time she doesn't do what she said she'd do, she has a crazy medical situation that happened. I mean...I get it, but TELL me if you didn't do the thing so we can plan around it.
#36
A toy boat, but it's the thought that counts.
#37
It totally is a sweat shop.
#38
some friend that Harvey is
#39
Bleep
#40
Thanks You🤞🧡
