Ryan: When did you know that you wanted to be an artist?

Aimee: Well, my mother was really into art. She used to draw pictures for me, my sister and my brother and put them in our lunch boxes. It was always like dragons, or theses ladies or fairies or whatever. She was actually really good. And my father was always a perfectionist when he drew stuff too. I think having the two of them around made me want to pursue something. What made me decide that I wanted to go into comics was the Spawn comics. My sister used to read them. I remember looking at them and being completely blown away by how intricate and gorgeous the illustrations were.

Ryan: So your first comic influence came from Spawn?

Aimee: Oh Yeah. And I'm pretty sure that's why all my stuff is so dark. People usually pull me aside and say, 'Your stuff is so dark. Why don't you draw bunnies, flowers, and fairies.' But that's no fun. I would rather do it my way.

Ryan: I think it's cool that you grew up in a house where art was getting done all the time. A lot of people don't have that. They grow up in a house with no hints toward art at all.

Aimee: That's very sad. Just do one or the other – either art or music. Because what is a world without art or music?

Pete: Not a world I want to live in.

Aimee: Exactly.

Ryan: I remember your first submission to the magazine under the name, The 9mm Beretta, definitely gave me a distinct impression of you the artist. I was wondering how you decided on the 9mm Beretta as a name?

Aimee: The 9mm Beretta came from the main character that I draw. His name is Azrael (see left) and he caries a 9mm Beretta. My logo happens to be his tattoo.

Ryan: I like the name. I think it fits your style. So, when did you make the transition from sketches to working on a serious construction for a comic?

Aimee: Actually, my first serious construction was the “Versus” series. It was started by a joke between myself and a friend of mine. We were joking about his character and my character and what would happen if they got together. So we drew out the covers one day while we were at work and then we were like screw it, lets try and make a comic out of it.

Ryan: So the “Versus” comic is a three part series?

Aimee: Yes.

Ryan: And the whole series was done as a collaboration?

Aimee: Yeah. I actually do a lot of joint projects.

Ryan: I noticed that when I was looking through your website. Ever have any problems related to creative differences?

Aimee: I seem to be pretty good at getting people to understand why I want it the way I want it. But I can also be pretty flexible. I never had anything too serious where we said ok we need to go our separate ways and just forget that we ever started making this.

Ryan: So you have always been able to complete the project.

Aimee: Yeah.

Ryan: Do you prefer working alone or on the joint projects?

Aimee: I like both. The good thing about working alone is you get to take on everything. You get to set your own goals and deadlines. The thing about working with someone is that two people are always better than one. Another persons input is going to give you a lot more insight into what you're working on.

Ryan: What was your first solo comic?

Aimee: “A Way To The Stars”
(see sample pages below)

Ryan: It looks like you are using the same character.

Aimee: Yes. A lot of my comics are progressive and are part of the same story line. And they all deal with the same character. Azrael.

Pete: I didn't realize that you had a recurring character throughout your comics.

Aimee: Yeah. The story line is from a novel I am working on.

Ryan: I always picture that the comic book artist is someone who is constantly slipping into an alter ego. Do you ever find yourself slipping into your comic character in your real life?

Aimee: Well, I'd like to think that there is a little bit of me inside of my character, Azrael. He doesn't like to be pushed and neither do I. But I think you're kind of confusing the comic artist with the writers. Because if you're on a real team as an artist you are only doing a portion of the work and usually none of the story.

'A Way To The Stars' pg. 2

'A Way To The Stars' pg. 3

Ryan: So it is more likely that the writer has the alternate reality?

Aimee: Yes. Unless you're working on a solo project and you are doing everything.

Ryan: You also have a book called, “On A Wire.” Is that also a solo project?

Aimee: It is, but it's not a comic book. It is more of a portfolio presentation of some of my newer artwork.

Pete: I read online that you show progression shots in, “On A Wire.” I love seeing the work in progress. It is something that I always look for.

Ryan: I looked at your website and I saw all the stuff you got going on and my question is – where do you find the time? You got solo projects, joint projects, Jaded promotions and website, other websites, business cards, your in school. Do you have a job too?

Aimee: Oh Yeah.

Ryan: Do you ever sleep?

Aimee: No. Seriously I do though. I sleep a lot. I honestly don't know where I find the time. But I am the type of person that works really fast. It seems like the faster I work the more of myself I am putting into it. If I show someone a doodle that I drew quickly and I think is a piece of crap, then I show them one that I was up all night working on they pick the quick one every time.

Ryan: Do you think that it's because as you refine the images you are taking your initial impression out of them?

Aimee: I think it just becomes overworked. I think there is a fine line between just enough and too much.

Ryan: Most artists we talk to always mention the when to say when thing.

Aimee: It can be hard when you are working on something to give it up.

Pete: One of the artists in our first issue said it's done when you can tear it up and your happy with it.

Aimee: I can understand that. It's true. It's done when you can let it go and not feel bad about it.

Ryan: Can you tell us the inspiration behind some of your work. How about, “letting the cables sleep.” (see image at top)

Aimee: Well, You know the band Bush? I am a pretty big fan. “Letting The Cables Sleep” is a song off of their album, “The Science of Things.” My piece was inspired by that and from long exposure photography. I'm not a huge photography fan but I love long exposure. So I tried to reproduce that digitally.

Pete: One of the questions I have is – Have you ever done any work on a larger scale like murals?

Aimee: Over the summer I did an airbrush piece on the inside hood of a '55' Nova for a friend of mine. It is going to be at world of wheels and everything. It was the first time I ever did anything like that.

Pete: Is there a medium that you haven't worked in but would like to tackle?

Aimee: I've worked in a lot of mediums and there are definitely some that I prefer over others. One that I would still like to try is wood engraving for print making. I have done some linoleum cuts, like,”Becoming.” (see left) and they all come out really good. So, I am curious to see how a wood cut would come out. It is a lot more versatile than linoleum because it doesn't fall apart and you can put in more details.

Pete: When we were at the last Jaded event you had some of your artwork out and I remember seeing one of the prints from your lino cut, “Becoming.” I was wondering how many prints you can get from the cut before it falls apart?

Aimee: I haven't pushed it to the point of falling apart but I made about ten. It was a project for school and we had to turn in seven so I just made sure I had enough for the assignment.

Ryan: Speaking of school; how has your experience at The New Hampshire Institute of Art been?

Aimee: I think some of the teachers try to force their ways on you. And when your paying a lot to be there it can be frustrating.

Ryan: I have spoken with a lot of artists that say their experience in college was a two sided experience. On the one side you learn a lot of mediums and techniques that you would have never tried without school and on the other side they felt restricted by the curriculum.

Aimee: Yeah I spent a lot of money freshman year going over stuff I already knew. It was frustrating because I was sitting there not being challenged. But overall my experience has been good. They are still experimenting a lot with the Illustration major because it is a newer program. I will actually be graduating in the first class with Illustration as a major.

Ryan: That's cool.

Aimee: Yes. Very landmark.

Pete: Did you first learn photoshop in school or are you more self taught?

Aimee: It was all me. My father gave me a pirated copy of a really old version. I started using a mouse and eventually I got a tablet.

Pete: So you're using a tablet now?

'A Way To The Stars' pg. 14

'A Way To The Stars' pg. 15

Aimee: I am using a very old tablet. Hoping to get a new one soon.

Pete: For people that don't know what are some of the advantages to using a tablet over a mouse?

Aimee: Well, the tablet is a lot more versatile. You have pressure sensitivity, you can easily go from opaque to transparent and you can also do things like directional strokes. It is more like a real tangible media.

Ryan: So is the comic thing your main focus.

Aimee: Yes and no. Because there is so much I can do it's hard to pinpoint exactly what I want to do. I would love to do comics and do promotional stuff on the side. Then maybe have my own studio where I am publishing other peoples stuff too.

Ryan: So what is in your immediate future? What is the next project?

Aimee: I am working on a comic series called, “Don't Know Jack.” It is something that I sketched out awhile ago and I decided I wanted some sort of story for it. I am trying to get a short version of it together for free comic day.

Pete: I love that day.

Aimee: I know. Isn't that the best day? I also just finished a comic called, “Aftermath.” (sample image at right)

Pete: I would like to get your insight on something that comes up a lot when we are talking about the magazine. Some people feel like printed materials like magazines, books, newspapers or comics are becoming a thing of the past. What are your thoughts on that?

Aimee: It is kind of sad. It might be true that printed materials are going away. But to me there is something special about having the tangible thing in your hand.

Ryan: I think that publications that only relay information such as; newspapers, trade publications and things of that nature are going to digital only. But how can you take Art and make it only digital? How can you take it out of peoples hands? How can you take a canvas off the wall?

Aimee: It wouldn't be right.

Ryan: Obviously, you are a highly motivated person. You have a lot going on. You get a lot done. Most people have plenty of ideas without a lot of production. You seem to have both. What moves you. What is your main motivation?

Aimee: I know there is some sort of cult that believes that if they stop making music then the world will end. It is almost the same for me. If I don't produce something or do something on any given day then I feel completely useless, like I am a waste of flesh. I have to make something of myself to validate my own existence.

To see more of Aimee's work

or to purchase her comics visit:

www.the9mmberetta.com

Interview by: Pete Morse & Ryan A. Bowen
Article By: Ryan A.Bowen