ARTISTS TAKING PART IN THE  MALTA COMIC CONVENTION

C. S. Lawrence

C.S.Lawrence was born in East Africa to Maltese/Irish parents. From an early age she demonstrated an outstanding ability to draw faces, a skill for which she is now renowned.

After 13 years building her career as a professional artist in the Middle East, she moved to Malta. Illustration and caricature are fields in which Lawrence also excels. Her cartoons of life in Bahrain as well as in Malta proved to be hot favourites. Currently Lawrence is undertaking commissions to illustrate children’s books concentrating on themes related to environmental issues and the better understanding of mental health illnesses.

www.cslawrence.com

CHRIS LE GALLE

Chris Le Galle was born in 1545 following a very close encounter between a Maltese working girl and a French Knight. He died while bravely fighting for his Country during the Great Siege of 1565. He then spent years in limbo awaiting the issue of his reincarnation permit. Apparently bureaucracy is rifer in the afterlife! After his first choice as a breeding pig was rejected amid fears of swine flu, he was finally reincarnated as a human in 1977.

He soon found that his previous sword wielding powers weren’t going to get him far in life. He tried fencing for a while but found it too gay for his liking. Being a fan of comics, movies and art in general he bought a book called Drawing Stickmen for Dummies and tried his hand at drawing. He found the book too hard to follow and decided to spend the rest of his days watching TV.

While gawking at Ira Losco in a local TV program he saw a man with an unusually large head called Fabio Agius. This guy said he was drawing some comics and needed a writer to come up with a story for him. Le Galle scribbled a few words and met Fabio in the hope that he could get him in touch with Miss Losco. This never materialized, but Fabio liked Le Galle’s writing and Le Galle discovered that he could pen a few words together if he put his mind to it.

It so happened that Fabio had a really hot girlfriend and thus the friendship between Le Galle and Fabio blossomed. Together they’ve worked on a number of short comics including Rocky and Rex (published on Manic Magazine), The Prick (published on Replay), and Lovely (published on the Virus Website). They also did Dark Hearts which was displayed during the Big Bang.

Following this, the guys started chipping some ideas for their first graphic novel. Fabio came up with the idea of the Golden Lizard, and Le Galle laughed his head off when he heard it. Fabio persisted and wrote a draft script, which Le Galle read and fell in love with. So he re-wrote the script, Fabio drew it and the duo hired Mark to colour it. The Golden Lizard is expected to be published next year provided that Wine Bar owner Mark (look for his wine bar in the Bargain magazine) actually does colour it!

Being a restless duo the guys are already writing their second graphic novel called Zombie Grooves. More on this next year. Besides the comics, Le Galle also wrote Bar Mats a mini series for TV, two plays and a short novel called Loving Ghosts.

Cynthia Chircop

I was born in 1991. I have been an avid reader of comics and books since a very young age, encouraged by my parents. I took a short course in art when I was 8, but my drawing talent never really progressed as i was more interested in writing stories. I had been watching anime since I was 5; my favourites were "Ranma 1/2", "pokemon" and "Sailor Moon", and later on "Detective Conan"; but became interested in reading manga when I was 16. In 2007, I discovered that a manga course, tutored by Bernard Micallef, was being held at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in summer and decided to attend. I picked up a pencil to draw manga properly for the first time in years, and my life has changed completely. I also attended the Manga Club at Junior College, led by Jeanelle Marie Zammit 2 years ago. At first I tried to imitate the battle manga styles like Naruto and Bleach, but now I have formed my own style. I am now I am currently working on several mangas: Ninja Star, Sweet Kisses, and a collab manga with a foreigner writer called "My Precious Vampire".

my website: http://naruto-rendan.deviantart.com
 

Daniela A

I am a child of the ’89, caffeine dependant history of art student, party animal, and art freak. I often stay up late night specifically to doodle / paint / annoy the neighbours. People often ask me what I smoke when I draw especially when it comes to monster design.

I believe I started doodling when I was around 12/13ish, same era when I was getting very, very bored of education and start of the ‘’rebellious’’ teenage phase (Still going on to this day). Most of my notes are more doodled rather than annotated.  I was force fed science for my A levels but I eventually when I turned 18 I threw it all in the bin and decided overnight that I want to be an illustrator. Much to my parent’s horror, I am quite hard headed and, I have been following the illustrator path ever since ;)

I am very fond of digital art and traditional media particularly gesso & watercolour.

Unfortunately I am also the epitome of LAZY, I often start working on something a day prior to the deadline. I do however plan to release my first graphic novel/comic during the comicon ;)

Born in 1975 and always showed great interest in comic books since his early childhood. He has been working on comics ever since. Although he is famous for his various appearances on TV and Stage shows as a film critique, comedian and actor,  he is famous for his comic strips on YOU’VE GOT MAIL magazines and with his comic insert in VIRUS magazine with the comic called THE PRICK written by Chris Le Galle and coloured by Mark (douche) Ellul. He has various on line comics (available on his HI5 profile) and has a gallery on YOUTUBE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6RKx0UrT3Q). He is presently working on a TOP SECRET project with his co writer Chris Le Galle and looking forward to publish this huge success.

Inez Kristina Baldacchino

My name is Inez Kristina Baldacchino, born in July 1996. I started drawing by the age of 3 and I have taken an interest in Manga style a few years ago, and have developed my own style. I am a self-taught digital artist, and everytime I have some spare time you'd see me drawing, painting, or playing the piano. Art is very important to me, and I hope you will enjoy what I have prepared.

Joseph Bugeja

Born in 1973, Maltese, Joseph Bugeja  spent most of his childhood drawing cartoons and fantasy creatures. He holds a Diploma with Distinction from the School of Fine Arts of Malta and he is also a senior graphic designer.

After participating in collective exhibitions, he held his first solo exhibition titled “IMMAGINA’ at St James Cavalier in Malta  in 2006. The subject matter was Fantasy Art but contrary to what we usually see, all the artworks had a Maltese connection, Infact it was the first of its kind on the island.

Currently he is illustrating and making the layout for a graphic novel called ‘The Tsar’ written by Joseph P. Farrugia and has another graphic novel in the pipeline whilst still emerges himself in fantasy worlds and creatures.

To view work from this upcoming artist visit his website: www.josephbugeja.com

Joseph Spiteri is an avid  portrait illustrator.  He was encouraged to draw by his father from the early age of 7 years and is Influenced by the Classics Illustrated and westerns. He  contributed to comic illustrations in the SAGHTAR publications during the 80s.

Komiks tas-Sikkina
Cool comics in Maltese, mischievous and irreverent, meant for young adults, from 16 to 99 years of age.  Visit us at www.komikstassikkina.page.tl

Liz Mallia

Liz Mallia at the moment is working on a short comic entitled 'The Escapist', as well as a series of portraits and mythical beast paintings.

Mark Ellul

Samwel Mallia

I was born in 1992 and basically I think Art and its endless expression is what makes this world go round. I have been drawing ever since I could remember; stacks of paper and pencils galore have surrounded me pretty much all my life. Whenever I feel the inspiration coming on I would sketch and scribble my way through a vast world of imagination fuelled by some indie/alternative/punk tunes!

At a young age I experimented with different styles, yet I never really had my own. But when I discovered the amazing world of Manga and the Japanese art style at around 8 years of age, I became influenced by it completely. However, I love the idea of experimentation with different styles. I use both traditional and digital methods and I am constantly trying to develop my art style and skills further.

My inspirations have been varied; I grew up with “Dragonball” and “Digimon” and lately discovered “Naruto”, “Bleach”, “Rave Master”, Hayao Miyazaki’s tremendous work, etc, as well as Japanese games such as “Final Fantasy” and “Kingdom Hearts”. The list is never ending! Currently I am working on a manga revolving around a main character I created, Tyko and his story of unfolding destiny.

My Deviantart page (…needs heavy updating) is: http://samjudtsu.deviantart.com/

Stefan Agius

For more : http://x-sagi-x.deviantart.com/