Rising Stars: Meet Jason Margos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Margos.

Hi Jason, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in Whittier, CA in 1972. Took to drawing pretty early on. It’s all I wanted to do with my life. Got into comic books around age 12-13. Planned to be a comic book artist someday. Went to Fullerton Community College to study art but didn’t take it too seriously. Got distracted by punk rock. Started a few bands, moved to Silverlake, opened for my favorite band of all time, Fugazi. Thought I was on the right path. We went on a short tour and the band broke up. Moved to New York for a while. Got back into art by doing a mural at an elementary school in Queens. Moved back to California went back to college, Cal State Fullerton. Thought I would teach art, then I realized I’m not cut out for it and started focusing on making weird paintings and art videos. Got accepted to a grad school back east, MICA. But decided against it due to the overwhelming cost and debt it would have incurred. Got a good union job setting up tradeshows and fell back in love with comic books. Since then, I’ve been making and selling art, prints, comics through various social media apps. Discovered the brilliant ease of using the iPad to draw. I still love working on paper but the digital art allows me to try and fail at things then ultimately decide on my favorite final piece. Hoping once it’s completely safe to go back to normal, I’ll be able to attend more comic cons and art shows to get my work into people’s hands again.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been setbacks. Tough decisions. Life-changing events. Being in a band with people is always difficult. Egos bruised and nerves frayed to the edge. I moved to NYC with a girlfriend we broke up while I was there. Dreams of making art and music crumbled. Kind of left me out there alone and made the choice to come back home. The decision to not go to Grad school was big. Still not sure if I made the right choice. Though I have a good job with a pension, pays really well and allows me all kinds of time to make art. I got cancer about 12 years ago and that threw a wrench in everything, but overall I’ve had a pretty good life. And nothing ever stopped me from doing what I love. I just draw because I don’t know any other way to live. Couldn’t imagine not doing it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve gone from musician to painter to illustrator. Every once in a great while I get a paid gig but mostly I do this for myself and sell directly to people who love my art. Currently, I’m working on a series of 9 panels one page short comics that I hope to self-publish and sell at conventions. I’m forever selling prints and original art on Etsy and have a webcomic called, Not Long for This World, that I update as I finish chapters. I’m most proud of the fact that I’m almost 50 years old and I still have a childlike passion for this art I love and still feel like making it. I don’t really know what sets me apart, if anything. I think we all have our own uniqueness.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I wouldn’t consider myself in any industry. But if we’re saying self-employed online art sellers, I think it just keeps growing. We’re all becoming part of the gig economy. For better or worse. I’m a strong union supporter so I might lean toward for the worse. I still don’t think there’s an app that really creates a great fair and free, i.e., not censored for kids, type of art experience. Many have tried. Tumblr and Instagram started out great but when the billionaires come in and buy them out and destroy them, it sets us all back. Hoping for an app to develop that is inclusive, free, expressive, and not regulated by corporate interest run by capable art-minded people. I don’t have the capabilities to do such a thing, but I know I’m not the only one thinking it.

Contact Info:

• Email: jasonmargosart@gmail.com
• Instagram: jason.margos.art
• Twitter: JasonMargosArt
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JasonMargosArt

Image Credits:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird Afrodisiac created by Jim Rugg Frankenstein’s Monster created by Mary Shelley