.

This month as we focus on creative women in art and writing we have an interview with Erica Angelique Hesse, A very talented artist and producer of the upcoming comic The Key.

1) When did you decide to become an artist and what was your first professional gig?

I am not sure of how old I was, but I know I wanted to be an artist when I was real young. I do remember being interested in art since I was 6 years old. But I think I wanted to do it professionally when I started high school.

My first professional gig was when I graduated from school; I freelanced for a guy who ran an advertising agency from his home. Since then, I have done some odds and ends freelance stuff, lol. I have painted signs for businesses; have done murals/art on buildings, stuff like that. It's funny; it is art that is completely different from what I do now.

2) Did you run into any trouble getting a start because of your gender?

I think at first I did, because I wasn't looking in the right places. What I mean is that I was doing art that I wasn't passionate about. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do exactly, what direction I wanted to take with my art. But ever since I started dong what I love, (illustrating pin-ups and comic related art) the response has been great. I honestly think it doesn't matter what gender you are when starting out. If you are determined, it will happen.

3) A lot of your work consists of beautiful women what drew you to the pin up style art?

Thank you, I appreciate the comment! I think I was always drawn to pin-up art, even as a kid. I think part of it was because of my mother. She was into fashion, hair, make-up, that sort of thing. She also introduced me to Katy Keene and Archie comics then, so that probably had a lot of influence on me. So from there, I was inspired by it, and discovered other pin-up artists on my own. (eventually)

4) Can you give us a quick run down on The Key and what inspired you to publish your own book?

Sure thing! The Key is about a girl named Angeline Adams, a young girl who has it all. A devoted fiancée, a spacious apartment in lower Manhattan, and the career she’s always dreamed about. Unknown to her she also has something buried deep in her soul that is so powerful it could ultimately destroy the human race. Tragedy will spiral her down into the depths of Hell and the ultimate truth of her secret will begin to surface. As her life begins to blend together with the nightmares that haunt her sleep two strangers reveal themselves with promises to return it back to the stability she once knew. Now as Angeline is faced with a reality torn apart by a single bullet she must also decide the fate of each and every one of us. That is pretty much the gist of it, without giving too much of it away, lol.

I grew up reading comics a lot, and would draw my own strips when I was a kid. I knew that I wanted to be an artist and draw comics when I grew up. As I got older, that idea never left me. Then there was a period in my life when I wasn't doing any art at all, stopped reading comics, and was working a regular job that was unsatisfying and left me restless.

Until about 6 years ago I had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles for vacation and came upon a comic shop. I decided to go in for kicks, and see where comics have gone since I stopped reading them. Well, that trip into that comic store did it for me. There was an entire wall of comics and after looking through some, I knew I had found that part of me that has been missing for so long. So from there I knew I was going to do a comic.

So from there, I kept drawing and writing ideas for a story I had for a while, until I felt I was ready to explore it.
5) Who is doing the writing chores on the series?

Chris Holt is the fantastic writer that I am working with on this series. I am really happy with everything he has written so far! He really has a good overall feeling of the characters and has breathed life into this story I want to tell. He is great!

6) Who are you favorite artists working at the moment?

Wow, are you ready for a list? lol. At the moment, I am into Dan DeCarlo, Alphonse Mucha, Elvgren, George Petty, Joe Linsner, Frank Cho, Coop, Brom, Hyung Tae Kim, Mark Ryden, the list goes on and on.

7) If some one wants to buy your art or get more info about your work what is the best place to go?

You can go to www.hesse-art.com. There will be more information on the comic and what kind of art I have for sale.