Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Ackert.
Hi Austin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got my start drawing flyers and album covers for local bands in high school and then after a period of time where I became a father I got back into art and started doing small street events out front of a coffee shop in downtown Mesa. There I was able to practice my table set up and talking to the public about my art. That eventually led into doing bigger events (still small on the grand scale) at comic shops, libraries and other local venues and eventually I graduated to doing the bigger comic conventions like Phoenix Fan Fusion, Tucson Comic Con and LA Comic Con. I also spent a lot of time drawing at local comic shops and attending local drink and draws with other artist’s and began networking which led me to finding small jobs I could do to help build a body of work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been tremendously rewarding and fun, however some of the obstacles include finding the money to pay for tables at conventions and the travel to and from these shows, especially out of state where you have to factor in lodging and food. It’s a gamble because you never know how well you will do at any given event, especially as a beginner indie artist that no one knows. You have to be politely relentless, your hustle has to be in full swing if you want to remind people you still exist and try to get the attention of editors and publishers.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a cartoonist and indie comic creator. I self published my own comic, CARMINE SUNSHINE, which is the story of a vampire who gets abducted by aliens and goes on a journey of self discovery. I’ve also worked in several different anthologies from various publishers such as Cosmic Lion Productions, Miscreant Media and 100% Comics. I’ve done all the art duties on a series called “The Adventures of Gabe’s Cave” by Aequitas Comics. I’m also one of the main artists on the Tremors comic Anthology, based on the cult classic movie, also published by Aequitas Comics. Aside from comics I have done art for the Phoenix New Times, I’ve had pieces featured at the Phoenix Zoo, and I have done several sketch card series for Upper Deck Entertainment including Scooby Doo, Dc Comics, X-Files, Looney Tunes, Tech Deck and Transformers.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
You have to be disciplined, hustle, and be kind to everyone. You never know who may end up surpassing you and may have the ability to help you in the future and they’ll remember how you treated them. Plus empathy and kindness are just the right way to operate anyways
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinackertart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/austinackertart
