Sara Barrett sits down with artists and colorist Bianca Thompson; about all things comic including her work with Marvel comics and her own creation comic book and card series called “Dead Divas” and how she got started in the comic book industry.
SB: When did you realize you were an artist?
BT: Back in 1994 i was at a friend’s house and her brother had a X-men Series 2 Jean Grey card laying on the floor. After that I was hooked and knew what I wanted to do!
SB: When did you start drawing and when did you realize that you wanted to be an artist for a living?
BT: I have always loved to draw but never knew I would end up an artist it actually chose me.
SB: You do a lot of work for Marvel, how did you get started with Marvel and have you done other work for them outside of sketch cards, like covers or interior art?
BT: For Marvel Comics I submitted my sketch card art work about a year ago and have worked with them and Upper Deck ever since. I have not had the opportunity to do covers or interiors for Marvel. Other than the Variants. However you can find me on the cover for the up coming #5 issue of SPIRALMIND. (pic below) and of course in my Dead Diva Comics.
SB: Have you worked with other comic book companies, if so what work have you done?
BT: I have worked for DC, Zenescope, Dynamite, The Walking Dead, all under sketch card artist Phi3 as designer of female characters and cover artist for issue #5
SB: What is it about pin-up art that makes that your preferred specialty?
BT: I’ve always loved pin-ups and trading card art. I find pin-ups to be more fun to draw than comics, I’m not big on repetition.
BUY NOW $6.00
SB: Tell us about the Dead Diva Comic Book you are working on.
BT: Dead Diva’s are original character creations by me. The 1st Dead Diva Comic “Paupette” came out on May 24th 2012 at the Phoenix Comic Con. The Dead Diva’s are a series of women that are mysterious and seductive whose charms make sure their demise. They are unlucky souls often led into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. Each one of their stories is a lesson in the balance of life.
At this time there are a total of 18 different Dead Diva’s.
For the Dead Divas there is a #2 comic in the works as well as Unstoppable Cards will be producing the first series of Dead Diva Trading Cards with hand drawn sketch cards scheduled for an October release!
SB: Where can we find and buy your Dead Diva #1?
BT: Currently you can find Dead Divas exclusively online and at conventions only; so be sure to check them out there.
SB: Airbrush is your preferred medium. Do you create in any other mediums?
BT: I can work in many mediums i just prefer Airbrush since it is very unique.
SB: I have met a few comic book artists that really don’t read comics, hey just look at the art, do you read comics, if so what titles do you read?
BT: I have quite a collection from the 1990′s mostly X-men you can also find WildC.A.T.S, Mantra and Lady Death in there. As of recent though i skim, having the time to sit and read a comic has become a luxury. Speaking of i better get back to painting my next set of sketch cards!
SB: You own your own Airbrush shop. Where is it located and tell me about the process of the opening of the shop.
BT: I have had my own Airbrush shop inside Castles n Coaster amusement park for over 15 years specializing in Airbrush T-Shirts hats ect..
SB: Are you available for commissions?
BT: I am available for commission on a limited bases due to my schedule with Marvel Comics sketch Cards
SB: Are there any types of art work that you won’t draw or feel uncomfortable drawing?
BT: Yes, anything vulgar, or has a racial overtone; I draw the line there..
SB: Where and when is your next convention appearance?
BT: I have two conventions coming up. The New Mexico Tri Con Oct 27th-28th and the AV Comic Expo November 17th-18th
SB: What would you tell young artists who are interested in starting their own business?
BT: Draw what you love. Advertise like crazy. Dont expect to be a star over night, it takes hard work and dedication to keep a successful business.
SB: What are the best websites for people to see your work and order products?
BT: My website: http://www.thephoenixxx.com/biancaart/ and my art is for sale: http://biancaart.ecrater.com/; you can also find at Marvel and Upper Deck. as a full-time trading card sketch card artist.
I have done a variety of sketch card sets that have been published from 2011 to the present, as you can see I have been very busy: Vampirella July 2011- San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Artist, MARVEL Kree-Skrull War 2011, CBLDF Liberty Card Set 2011, 5Finity Grimm Fairy Tales 2011, The Walking Dead AMC Tv Show Set 2011, Night of the Living Dead 2012 Avengers 50th Anniversary Set 2012, MARVEL Avengers Movie Set 2012, MARVEL Beginnings 2 2012, Nevermore Alice 2012, Vampirella 2012 – San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Artist, Red Sonja 2012 – San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Artist, Warlords of Mars 2012 – San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Artist, Zenescope Wonderland 2012 – San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Artist, DeadSexy 2012, Transformers, DC Comics 52
I also do a number of charity card sets that include: March of Dimes I & II, Island Dreams I & II, Mac N Trouble, Fatsa, Lord of the Dragon
