Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bill Ivins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bill, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
One of the challenges facing any artist is the ability to stay creative. As an illustrator, I have found that this means keeping a sketch pad or tablet close by and using free time to sketch or doodle. Looking at a blank page may be daunting to some, or send them back inside their own head, wondering “What should I draw?” In those times, I have discovered that something magical happens as soon as you put the pen or pencil actually down on the paper. Lines start to appear in my mind’s eye, and I follow where they lead.
When I was working Archie Comics, I had the opportunity to contribute both as a production artist (laying out the pages in the comic books), but also as a writer of stories and gags for the newspaper’s daily strip. As a gag writer, you have a very limited amount of space to tell a story which includes a beginning, a middle and an end. Some cartoonists like to start with the final panel — the punchline — and then work back to create the set-up. I, on the other hand, liked to start at the beginning, and allow the strip to develop organically. That is, knowing the characters, and what might trigger a comic reaction was more fun for me. I’d set up a scene with a character or two in the opening panel and then try to imagine what might happen next. I’m not saying that this always worked, but it often lead to developing ideas which, with a little tweaking, could become a funny gag!
I applied that to my own comic strip, based on a character I created named Ted Orba. He was always getting into weird situations, and I liked having the freedom to go wherever the character took me. Just the act of getting started made the ideas manifest.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Born and raised in New York, I studied briefly at the School of Visual Arts, but really developed my cartooning chops while working at Archie Comics Publishing, in Mamaroneck, NY. In the late 1980s, I got married and moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where i worked for several non-profit organizations, and eventually as an award-winning art director at the University of Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, I continued cartooning by teaching privately and at after-school programs in Fox Chapel, PA. During this time, I was active in the theater, working as a stage director, set designer, and actor. I became the president of a community theater group which was a position I enjoyed for 15 years. I was represented by a talent agency and did some commercial work, and I have even appeared with the Pittsburgh Opera in several shows as a featured supernumerary.
My wife Beth and I, have two adult children and moved to Amelia Island in 2019. I work full time as a freelance illustrator, with a focus on illustrating children’s books, and I provide graphic design services for non-profit companies – especially in the Arts.
My new theater home is the Amelia Musical Playhouse, where I perform, direct, and create all of the company’s promotional artwork and show programs. I’m currently directing a production of Neil Simon’s classic comedy “The Odd Couple” which opens in May.
In my spare time, I am a musician who can be seen at venues all over Amelia Island, performing my Acoustic Flashback show (music mostly from the 60s & 7os). In addition to performing, I am the producer of the Amelia Island Singer/Songwriter Showcase series which has introduced many local players to the live music community in a listening room setting where the focus is the players and the secondary objective is to raise money for local charities.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
In my experience, the three most important qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge include: Positivity, Relationships and Curiousity. (A fourth might be the willingness or confidence to say “Yes” to new challenges, which has worked out well for me.)
Staying positive, regardless of the situation, has been one of my most guiding principles. It allows me to stay calm when things are otherwise stressful, It gives me energy to be creative and not let obstacles slog me down. Positivity even gives me permission to accept things as they are, and to be able to carry on.
Having strong and healthy relationships is one of the most important aspects of life. I’m very fortunate to have a supportive partner, who has encouraged me and inspired me for nearly four decades. Surround yourself with people who are open-minded and positive whenever possible. That doesn’t necessarily mean like-minded, as differing ideas and personalities can lead to powerful discoveries. Many times in my life, I have found new strengths and skills by the company I keep.
I am a naturally curious person. I like discovering new things and exploring new places. I like to ask questions and will continue learning as long as I can still think. Be amazed by the little things and share what thrills you with others. I was asked once when was last time I was bored… honestly, I couldn’t remember! Life is too full of wonder!
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
One of my biggest challenges at this point in my journey is Time. As in, not having enough of it to do all of the things I need and/or want to do. There are simply not enough hours in a day to work on my freelance projects, practice my music, prepare for the theater productions, and still have time to spend time with my family, much less cook, eat, sleep and get outdoors. I live close enough to bike to the beach, yet, I haven’t been able to do so in months and months, because I’m so busy.
Time management was never my strongest suit. In fact, I admit it — I’m kind of terrible at it.
The thing about being self-employed is that your office door never closes. I often work way into the night, and on weekends and holidays. If it’s possible to have a door on your workspace, it’s good to be able to close it and leave it behind on occasion. You often return to it feeling refreshed and will be ultimately more productive.
I guess what I’m saying is, you need to make time for yourself. My career isn’t as much a job, as it is a series of passions which – in most cases – generates an income. That means it’s not so much “work,” as it is a joy to be alive and contributing to the world!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ivinsink.com/
Image Credits
All photos by Bill Ivins
