Conversations with Michelle Stanford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Stanford.

Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
At the heart of everything, I love telling stories. As a kid, I’d draw comics on cheap printer paper and crudely staple them together into books. I’d sculpt little figurines from modeling clay and spend hours spinning dramatic stories with them. I even tried my hand at making little flip-books on post-it notes! My mind’s always been buzzing with stories, and drawing has always been the easiest way for me to realize them. At first, I considered a career as an animator, but I found myself drawn to the pre-production side of things as a storyboard artist.

I remember a college professor showing us the storyboards she drew for a film and then showing us the final scene as it appeared in the movie. It was pretty close to what she had boarded! Getting to draw the thing and working with others to make it come to life– what could be more exciting? As a storyboard artist, I have a lot of fun collaborating with the director to figure out the best approach to a script.

In my personal work, I am currently developing the third volume of my cyberpunk comic Centralia 2050. As an independent comic artist, I’m the writer, artist, and publisher, so it’s a lot more work than boarding a script! But when I hold a printed volume of my comic, I feel a connection to little kid me, happily stapling those printer paper comics together.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would be curious to meet an artist who would say they had a smooth road! Actually, no, don’t let me meet them.

Like a lot of folks, college wasn’t something I could personally afford. With grants and student loans, I had just enough to attend art school but definitely not enough to live near campus. Two to three times a week, I’d make the hour-long trip to the city, have class, then make the long trudge back home, sometimes spending multiple hours in weekday traffic. On top of a mountain of homework, I was juggling a job and a healthy helping of family chaos, so I was a busy student to say the least.

As a working artist, it took a while to find my niche and not to look to studios for validation. Nothing against them, but most studios are looking for someone to fit a mold, and despite my best efforts, I’m pretty awful at that. I find I’m a lot happier working with clients who like what I do, and in turn, I can put my heart more fully into what I create when it feels true to me.

And like many women in the industry, I’ve faced hurdles and setbacks. I’ve had my appearance called into question. I’ve been passed over many times for male applicants. I’ve had agents offer me as a cheaper option compared to my male peers. The world of storyboarding and animation is still very much a boy’s club, and while it’s getting better, we have a long way to go.

Mental health always feels taboo when discussing artists’ struggles, even though many of us have experience with it. These days I manage my depression and anxiety pretty well, but I never know when it’s going to swoop in and take me out for a while. It’s a struggle that’s held me back in some regards, but in other ways, it grants me a level of insight and empathy that seeps into everything I create. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today were it not for the challenges I’ve faced on a personal level.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, my focus is on my cyberpunk comic Centralia 2050! I’m in the process of writing the script for the 7th chapter, as well as preparing the crowdfunding campaign for a print run of the second volume. As a comic artist, I pride myself on telling stories that explore the depths and intricacies of the human connection and representing a diverse cast of interesting characters. Those are things I feel are sorely lacking in sci-fi and cyberpunk media, which is another male-dominated space that would benefit from the boosting of diverse voices.

Perhaps what sets my work apart is that I think of the heart of the story first, and the setting comes after– a solid story can work in whatever genre you place it, but one built on the trappings of a genre risks falling into tired cliches. Centralia 2050 explores themes of identity, found family, transhumanism, and the ways in which technology intertwines with our lives. It’s a story of everyday people like you and me doing their best to survive and find meaningful connections in a world so thoroughly designed to make you feel alone.

If you’re interested in reading the comic, you can find it at https://centralia2050.com/! And if you’d like to stay in the loop for the launch of my next book, check out https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/michelledraws/centralia-2050-vol-2.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
What often helps me get work done is listening to metal music at the highest volume my earphones deem safe! Besides that, I love to put on a nice long podcast so I don’t find myself shuffling through playlists. To feed my obsession for the macabre and bizarre, I love listening to The Last Podcast on the Left, which covers everything from true crime to ghosts to alien abductions. If I feel like exploring the funny little world of pseudoscience and cults, I enjoy listening to Oh No Ross and Carrie, which takes an investigative and genuine look at these subjects. And lately, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Normal Gossip, which is what the name suggests: hilarious and fascinating personal gossip stories from everyday people. Overall, I just love stories about people and all the funny things that make us tick– whether in a good way or a horrible way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://michellestanfordart.wixsite.com/storyboard
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellestanfordart/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/michelledrawz
• Other: https://centralia2050.com/