May 2009
Jan 2015
Tucked away in the cultural melting pot of a section of upper Manhattan, Harlem, NY grew an amazing comic show called The Schonberg Black Festival, located on 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037. It was not just the show that drew the masses but the work of many artists. One caught our eyes, the work of a younger, driven artist/writer/creator and entrepreneur - one Nigel Carrington; owner of his adventure series Ant Hill. He is the focus of this month’s artist spotlight: Talent on the rise!: This month’s Artist on the rise spotlight! Originally born on the beautiful island of Trinidad, this landscape became a haven for creativity and cultural richness. This little island is tucked away in the heart of the West Indies, just off the coast of Venezuela, in the heart of the Caribbean. From the beautiful country side, to the gorgeous hues of the sun lit coast, art, in all of its splendor, was virtually within reach.
Coming from a long, artistic lineage, his grandfather was a master architect in charge of a housing development in Trinidad. Carrington’s father was an insurance salesmen and musical artist that played the steel pan (Trinidad’s nation instrument). His mother was an assistant accountant for the government as well as an artist who painted portraits. Carrington’s artistic connections don’t just ends there, he also had uncles, brothers and sisters who were into art, fashion and make-up. But Nigel’s’ own artistic abilities began when he was very young - about five years old while he was growing up in St.James, Trinidad. Nigel recalls how he and his older brother, Nicholas, would take tracing paper and trace over the drawings in their coloring books. “I learned to draw freehand at the age of 13,” Carrington recalls. “While visiting my grandmother, I asked my artist uncle to draw a picture of actor Kevin Costner, who played Robin Hood, and he told me he was extremely busy at the time, so I drew it myself. Then at the age of 16, when I fell in love with Japanese’s animation and comics, I started drawing from my imagination.”
This was Nigel’s first move into what would shape up to be a strong, independent comic breakout! Nigel is no newcomer to the independent comic book world! He has worked for three different comic companies! The first company was based in his homeland of Trinidad, called Cape Comic. Here he wrote and illustrated his self- titled “Ant Hill,” along with two other titles owned by Cape Comics; “The Truth Amongst The Bones” and “The Ananci.” Next he worked on a story for another independent company called Electro-arc Comics where he drew the back story for a book called, “Terror of The Midnight Robber.” Besides drawing the back story he also provided some pin up artwork for that title (which can be purchased @ www.threequartercomic.com).
The third independent company was one based in NY called Super Ink Comics. He did a couple of yet to be published covers for them. This was the point where Nigel decided to branch out on his own and form Starr Skills Studios out of Rochester, NY where he now resides. This is where he developed “ G.U.N” Genetically Upgraded Nano-Being (One of his newer titles). Along with “G.U.N.” Nigel re-introduced his smash hit title, “Ant Hill!” “Ant Hill is a story based on a secret government project built in a space station called “The Hill.” Here, “The Hill” emits a force field around the earth and is filled with ant-soldiers to protect it from grasshopper aliens called the Acrididae. This brings us to our super powered being, Fhoalan Beckles aka Ant-78 who, at an early age, witnessed the death of his mother leaving him alone to take care of his younger brother alone. It isn’t until later he finds out that he is, in fact, a part of this government project and their main ant-soldier. The action kicks up as his powers take hold and secrets are revealed, but he must protect those secrets at any cost and protect his brother as earth’s very existence dangles in the balance. Now I would love to give you a review on this book but unfortunately, I have to hold out as that is coming up in the next blog focusing on his work. What I can tell you is that I read it and the blog is well worth the look; but on with the interview!
Now, there are various advantages and disadvantages to the Indy comic market and being your own boss. It is tedious work, first off, in shaping your craft. Nigel puts in an easy, 4 to 6 hours of drawing and sometimes more a day. And then there is the administrative side. Nigel elaborated further on that, “Advantages. Well, being a creator and artist make your idea more concentrated; meaning there is no one forcing their interpretations of what they think you have in your head or what they think you should put on the page; your vision is yours and yours alone, and no one disrupts that.“ “As for the Indy market, I have had good experiences with it as in getting exposure and getting paid for my art. Commissions for me is always a challenge when you don’t know the character well, you don’t know the character well and you’re doing it at a show with limited time and I’m always hungry and tired” [something tells me that’s due to his tedious work ethic… just a guess… hee-hee]. “Other than that, I never really feel that challenge about it all, because it all is the same to me, lines on a page so I know I could draw anything with enough time and food… lol.”
In the comic world there are more challenges than just the time factor and ample enough rest [and squeezing in a great subway sandwich… sorry Nigel… but wasn’t sure of your favorite food so had to improvise…lol]. There are, sometimes, cultural biases and color biases as well. Although there are, and have been, many creators that have broken through, such as(ex)and recently Reginald Huddling jar(example) there still is a major amount of communities, creators and characters still left out of the fold. We asked Nigel, as artist/writer and black business man, what his views were on this as it stands, and where he thought things were headed? Would this, impact change? “I love this question!” Carrington replied, “Some of the challenges I face as a person of color is being in an industry that is slow in accepting a more diverse world of characters and ideas. I also must not give any attention to the wrong thinking and, at certain points, ignorant thinking I might receive from other creators; but that exist in everything. That’s America! But there is advantages too.
The advantage of being black is always that we are building a foundation of greatness, whether it be sports, politics, etc. We are always present and significant in our contributions throughout history, so no one can erase any of our efforts or contributions. With an all the new artist, black titles, shows and blogs going on, I know I’m at the beginning of something great. I am truly blessed!”
So what have I learned? First, that Nigel has a huge family and is supportive of them. Secondly, that he has a long lineage of art in his blood. Third, that he is paving the way for an almost pre-ordained future as a great artist. Faith: that he can work at top game as long as he isn’t tired or hungry - and that he is a hard, diligently working, and driven dude! Among other things, he is certain that Ant Hill is on the rise and worth keeping an eye out for! He and his title are bound to be a huge success!!! So if you are at a show, try to weave your way through the crowd to the most mobbed table - it is bound to be Nigel’s. And remember, in Nigel’s words, “You can do anything you put your mind too!”
Signing off, it’s been a pleasure to blog about Nigel and his great work and for those who haven’t gotten a chance to pick up his book, I would say rush out and get your copy of “Ant Hill!” I’ve got mine! Also keep checking back on our web-site to read our follow-up review of Nigel’s hit book, “Ant Hill” and while you are here please check out some of his links below for some sneak peeks at his phenomenal work! Until next time, over and out!
www.facebook.com/nigelcarrington
www.facebook.com/theartofnigelcarrington
www.facebook.com/anthillcomic
www.facebook.com/starrskillsstudios
www.instagram.com/nigelcarrington
www.twitter.com/nigelcarrington
www.pinterest.com/nigelcarrington
www.anthillcomic.com
