Artist Interview: Tara Abbamondi

We recorded a podcast a couple weeks ago to talk about the Message In A Bottle show, and it made us realize what we'd really like to hear is what some of the artists have to say about the subject. And of course, we always love to hear about process.

Tara Abbamondi is a profoundly hard-working and talented comic artist from Pennsylvania, and she was gracious enough to share with us!



What did you research to create your piece for Message In A Bottle, or where did you draw inspiration from? 

Long story short, I looked outside. I'm fortunate enough to live in a wooded area that sparks my imagination of the fantastical things that might be out there. I enjoy the woods, nature in general, and I feel like those surroundings are a fuel for my work.


Do you ever hide things in your work in general? (references to people you know, homages to your favorite songs, etc.?) 

Yes, on many occasions! I frequently add cameos of people I know within my work (I work in comics so it definitely makes my job a bit easier when I don't have to make up faces for a crowd). I also like to add little musical references as well, those are usually a bit more subtle and silly.

 
Our shows are often based off of things we are briefly obsessed with (like symbols and secret societies). Are you obsessed with anything right now? 

Oh dear, well, anyone who knows me well knows that my obsession with A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) runs deeply, as well as my love of Scotland, which seem to go hand-in-hand at times. I could talk about Game of Thrones for hours on end, and sometimes I do, my apologies to Paul.


Do you have a trick to get motivated when you don't feel like making anything?

Typically, I take a break from what I'm doing, read a book, take a walk, drink lots of tea and coffee--and if none of that works, I work on something else, like a warm-up, to hopefully get the ideas moving. Oddly enough, social sites like twitter do a bit of help there as well. I find there's no greater motivation than seeing the awesome things other folks are doing.

Can you keep a secret?

 Yes, quite well actually!



For more of Tara's work, check out her site, subscribe to her blog or follow her on twitter!