While for some children watching Saturday morning cartoons led to laughter, for Camilla d'Errico it led to a colourful career.
"I grew up loving Saturday morning cartoons, comic books and fantasy stories, so manga and graphic novels just seemed to flow as another part of what I knew I really enjoyed," d'Errico said in an email interview. "I find that in manga and graphic novels, where a story can just develop and captivate me in ways that other entertainment, like a movie or TV show, can't."
The Lower Mainland resident lives and works just outside of Burnaby and attended Capilano College's illustration and design program after high school.
Although the local artist has been a vendor at many Comic Cons, she will also be one of the 700 exhibitors featured at this year's Fan Expo Canada, the third largest on the continent, from Aug. 25 to 28 in Toronto.
"It's pretty neat being a vendor, because then I have people coming to me because they enjoy what I create, and I get to tell them about it," d'Errico said. "It can be hard being away from home or my family, or stopping and starting projects to go to a show, but I get to meet so many great people and have a fun time -so it's worth it."
D'Errico's talent can be inspired by almost anything, from collaborating with a veteran such as Neil Gaiman to something small, such as a "neat" word, or a fun painting title.
"I get inspired by a lot of things," she said. "I think the world and just everyday life is full of things that can make us think and feel something if we stop long enough to notice them."
Ever since watching those influential Saturday morning cartoons, d'Errico's working days from her home studio can be exhausting.
"I knew growing up that I would just shrivel up if I had to go to a nine-to-five job somewhere," d'Errico explained.
Her days include being up early feeding and walking her dog, Loki, and being pulled in many directions working on exhibits, paintings and much more.
"I've worked from a studio at home, so I get to
create an environment with music and putting pictures up that helps me draw and get my ideas rolling," d'Errico explained. "But it can be distracting sometimes, or there's always something domestic to be doing."
"Juggling different projects, deadlines and things to do at home and for exhibitions can mean some pretty late nights and early mornings, that's for sure."
The Ontario-born artist has done many interviews internationally, including a recent interview with MTV Geek, and has been recognized through major award nominations.
"I'm really grateful and appreciative for the recognition and the interest that the art community and media has paid my work," she said. "I was over the moon with the nominations I received this year for an Eisner and a Joe Shuster Canadian Comic Book creator awards."
D'Errico's recently self-published graphic novel combines her artwork with classic English poems.
Despite creating many characters in her time, Tanpopo is closest to her heart, she said.
"My character Tanpopo from the graphic novel series I'm publishing is really special to me," d'Errico added. "Her personal story and development involves a process for her of learning about life and about love, and after a while I realized that I had a lot in common with the things that she was learning on her personal journey."
The choice to include classical poetry in her book was due to her other passion: Literature.
"I wasn't always a comic book and cartoon geek exclusively; I really enjoyed reading and literature growing up and in high school," she said. "I could see the parallel between a really engaging story in a fantasy novel, and how classics and literature are also so full of imagination, and incredible storytelling."
She used help from her teachers and older sister to help build, define and polish her latest graphic novel.
"I wanted to share my love and excitement for literature with other people, the way I imagined it in my head, and interpret it visually in a graphic form," she added.
After making the leap to become a full-time graphic artist, d'Errico has these words to share for other aspiring illustrators and storytellers:
"For anyone trying to break into the field, I say go for it, just try and try," she noted.
"If you're trying to share your work, it's because you have something you want to share and express, so keep at it. It's hard sometimes if a piece doesn't turn out the way you wanted, or if a show or a project doesn't work out, but if you're really passionate about sharing what you have to offer, then don't give up."
To find out more about d'Errico visit her website, www.camilladerrico.com.
Or read her latest Tanpopo graphic novel online for free at www.mtv.com/geek.
