Interview Comics
A collection of Interviews with five women who made extraordinary decisions. After transcribing and editing our recorded interview sessions, I created graphic narratives (comics) of each woman’s story. Watercolor and ink on paper, digital editing, printing. The project was inspired by a course in oral history and explored ways of combining ethnographic research with artistic practice. The comics have appeared in part or full in academic and literary journals, online and in print (2011-2013). Details and excerpts of each interview comic below.
Breaking the Distance: an interview with an Israeli writer
"Breaking the Distance" is based on a 2010 interview with Israeli writer Naomi Goldner. Goldner recounts her experience in the mandatory service of the Israel Defense Forces--how it changed her, and why she left. "Breaking the Distance" was published in Witness Magazine (Black Mountain Institute) Fall 2011. (excerpts below)
Blue State of Mind: an interview about the making of a Kansas Democrat
"Blue State of Mind" is based on my 2011 interview with former Vice President Al Gore aide Debbie Bengtson. Bengston recalls her political roots, from door-to-door campaigning in Kansas, to spear-heading campaigns out of Iowa, to working on Capitol Hill~ and why she left it all behind. Hand drawn, watercolor and ink on paper, digital editing. "Blue State of Mind" was published by Iowa Journal of Cultural Studies, Fall 2014. An image from the comic is also featured on the journal’s cover. (excerpts below)
American Primate: the importance of being earnest about poop
"American Primate" is based on a 2011 interview with primatology field researcher Dr. Maureen McCarthy. The young American scientist from USC travels to the forests of Uganda in an effort to predict the fate of chimpanzees in forest fragments. The interview took place in San Francisco, shortly before a year-long research trip. (excerpts below)
Madonna dei Mambo: an interview with a Serbian-American ballroom dancer
“Madonna dei Mambo” is based on a 2012 interview with Serbian-American ballroom dancer Diane (Fontaine) McCarthy. McCarthy discusses her evolution in ballroom--from a small studio in D.C. to headlining in Atlantic City, to founding the charity Dance for Life, Pennsylvania. She is candid about losing religion and the surprising place she found faith. McCarthy died in 2014. "Madonna dei Mambo" appeared in the University of Pittsburgh literary journal Hot Metal Bridge in Winter 2015. (excerpts below)
Bon Camino: an interview about adventures on and off the beaten path
“Bon Camino” is based on a 2013 interview with professor of political science, Dr. Michaelene Cox, who completed the Camino de Santiago alone and entirely on foot. The Camino is a month-long, 500 mile hiking journey that begins in France and ends in Spain. “Bon Camino” was published in No Tokens literary journal in 2015. (excerpts below)
