Well…2020 is off to an epic start. Biblical, even. Here in Australia we’ve had bush fires, drought, floods, hail storms…and now Pandemic, all by March! Needless to say, its having a profound impact on just about everyone, including myself (even though as an illustrator, I’ve been practising social distancing for years now).

During all of this, its fortunately been business-as-usual with comic book and art production here at Invisible Ink Studio. However, I have had just about all of my market and exhibition events cancelled this year, which does seriously impact not only my income, but my ability to engage with the public and promote myself and my work . Cons and exhibitions can be a crushing stress to deal with, but there’s always a moment when I get to talk with someone about the craft, really connect with them about a love for art and comics, and it makes the whole experience seem worth it. Alas…

But, there is exciting news to announce. As part of an initiative to help support artists during the pandemic, the ACT created the HOMEFRONT grant for funding of up to $10,000 for each lucky recipient. My pitch to produce “Master & Apprentice ch. 3” was one of the lucky 67 finalists chosen for support. This is an incredible vote of confidence by the ACT and the people of Australia for my project, and I am truly honoured and grateful to have gotten it. This financial support will help to ensure that Master & Apprentice can be produced THIS YEAR, with a print date ideally in November. The story outline is complete and the script is in production, and as work on Trial of Socrates pt. II is nearing completion, this means that I’ll be able to hit the ground running in just a few weeks. But more so, when ch. 3 is complete, it will be collated with the first 2-chapters and made available as a collected volume! A few single issues will be printed, but after that, the Master & Apprentice story, as it is now and into the future, will ONLY be printed as a collected trade paperback, which will help with story continuity, production, and even artistic consistency.

This financial support for artists is greatly needed now during these stressful times, but is also needed for all occasions. Artists from all crafts regularly struggle for their passion, a passion to entertain the rest of us, a service that is often provided for free. And this struggle is often done out of pocket or by scraping together what crowd sourcing funds you can from the general public. Furthermore, this money isn’t just going to help pay for my production expenses, but also gets put back out into my local community, and even possibly used to hire others (colourists and editor) to help in the comic’s production. Its easy to take for granted just how much our civic and state governments can do to help support artists during ALL times, and how important they are for everyone. Furthermore, its important that we all walk away from the COVID19 pandemic with a better understanding of these institutions and the need to strengthen their support for everyone fairly, from workers to artists, the disadvantaged and disabled, and the small businesses that make up our communities. Support each other now, more then ever, and work to ensure that the future of 2020 will be prosperous and exciting for everyone.