Meg McIntire is a portrait and comic book artist, based in San Diego, California. Her first self-published comic, Butter 1, was released in 2012 and sold out entirely during its run. McIntire is known for her vibrant, technicolor style and playful characters. I got the chance to talk with her via email about her art, inspirations, and advice for budding artists.
When did you start making art?
I started really taking an interest in drawing when I was about seven! It all started with watching Sailor Moon (1994-97) and Space Jam (1996). They were my childhood obsessions that made me want to draw because I wanted there to be more of those characters in my life.
Your style is so striking and vibrant, do you have any major inspirations?
My major inspirations are classic Nickelodeon cartoons, vintage fashion and traditional Japanese woodblock paintings. I get inspiration from so many places and people at any given time but those few things are major staples of my interests! Some artists I really love are Junko Mizuno, Paul Frank, Keith Haring, Hideshi Hino, and my friend Thomas Fernandez, aka liveradstudios and hizgi on Instagram.
Your work has many references to 1960s fashions and traditional Japanese yokai, two things which seem totally different but combine really well in your art. What attracted you to these subjects?
I’m not sure completely how I got into this combo! I’ve always been fascinated by kitschy things and bright colors so the 60s has become my favorite era for fashion. I think my interest in Japanese horror films kind of took over and it turned into something completely kooky! My love for bright and pastel colours mixed with monster folklore has brought me to my current project. I owe that to this old bookstore that went out of business nearby where I got a lot of cool books on ukiyo-e and geisha culture and looked at a lot of old Playboy magazines.
You make both traditional and digital drawings. Do you prefer one over the other?
Lately, I’m really preferring digital, especially for comics! It’s much easier to not get as frustrated and erase the paper until it tears! Generally speaking, I love to do traditional drawings and I switch back and forth frequently. I would say do art for YOU first and foremost! I used to not make any art because I worried that no one else would like it, but once I started just drawing because I myself enjoy it and wanna share it, other people liked what I made too.
What are the differences in your approaches to making a single image and making a whole comic? Does your process change?
Hmm, I never thought of that! Good question. Aside from paneling for a comic page my process of rough sketching, outlining, then colouring or shading basically stays the same!
Is there any advice you would give to people trying to get started as an artist?
As far as advice, I would say do art for YOU first and foremost! I used to not make any art because I worried that no one else would like it, but once I started just drawing because I myself enjoy it and wanna share it, other people liked what I made too. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks as long as you’re happy with your hard work! ■
Meg currently has a Kickstarter devoted to her upcoming comic, Butter 4.
