The conversation with the creator of “To Become a Beast” was a mysterious one. I personally had not had the chance to meet the actual artist, only to see the inspiring work itself. The only contact was with a Facebook message, where the interview was set, but no mention of a name or anything other than “See you there”. When I did meet Yana, I knew from the start that this was the person who could place the observer into a dream, one of her design, and step one through the destruction she sees, to obtain that ability to push through anything holding one back. While the art itself was what gravitated me towards the story, once you begin to read you realize that you too posses that destruction, and can become a beast that prevails. Now as she is set to release another tale this May, we talk on style and the beast within.
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You can listen to the whole interview here, but below is a few chosen topics seen in the zine. |
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I take it everything in your comic is hand drawn?
I did use a computer to write the stuff in, I used a glitchy version of Corel Painter that I still have after all my computer updates.
I did use a computer to write the stuff in, I used a glitchy version of Corel Painter that I still have after all my computer updates.
What is your favorite medium with this?
For that [TBaB], I just use ink and watercolor. Ink for the lining and watercolor to darken and shade it. If I just used ink to darken and shade it, I can’t go back in if I messed up or if it’s too heavy in one area and redistribute the pigment.
For that [TBaB], I just use ink and watercolor. Ink for the lining and watercolor to darken and shade it. If I just used ink to darken and shade it, I can’t go back in if I messed up or if it’s too heavy in one area and redistribute the pigment.
What are some of your influences for this?
It’s heavily inspired by anime and manga. It’s also a bit different too, it’s not as pristine… It’s kinda like the vintage 70’s Shoujo, it’s not all done with computer, it’s very hand-done and darker.
It didn’t strike me at first that it was an anime style, but then it really hit me.
The whole wanting to do anime and manga and be an artist, has always been a struggle because in school they tell you don’t do that, that’s not real art, you can’t get anywhere in the art world with it. I’ve actually been getting different comments about that lately, after I started doing what I wanted.
The whole wanting to do anime and manga and be an artist, has always been a struggle because in school they tell you don’t do that, that’s not real art, you can’t get anywhere in the art world with it. I’ve actually been getting different comments about that lately, after I started doing what I wanted.
I find that in the art world, hindsight IS 20/20. Doing what you like is best.
It’s most authentic then, because it’s all of your power and spirit is behind it, versus something you’re trying to make for someone else to like.
It’s most authentic then, because it’s all of your power and spirit is behind it, versus something you’re trying to make for someone else to like.
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What is the true theme for “To Become a Beast” and what can we expect to see next?
The next one’s theme is going to be on anger and learning how to be angry in a healthy way. It’s learning to accept and love parts of yourself that you’ve either been told are terrible and should be kept away or that you yourself have decided are terrible. Then using them as your strength and as your horns. Being a beast doesn’t mean you're always going to be a beast, it’s a phase in between self-hatred and being a strong person, where you’re always on guard and trying to love yourself. It’s a theme that I think everyone of us struggles with.
The next one’s theme is going to be on anger and learning how to be angry in a healthy way. It’s learning to accept and love parts of yourself that you’ve either been told are terrible and should be kept away or that you yourself have decided are terrible. Then using them as your strength and as your horns. Being a beast doesn’t mean you're always going to be a beast, it’s a phase in between self-hatred and being a strong person, where you’re always on guard and trying to love yourself. It’s a theme that I think everyone of us struggles with.
To see more from Yana,
Beast: www.thestatusofbeasthood.tumblr.com
Yana: lovelessamaranth.tumblr.com
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