Starting Your Dreams Later In Life and Embracing the Detour

Jenee Darden speaking at Creative Mornings I know it's been a while since I've posted anything but that's because of my job. I'm working as a reporter covering Oakland and I host an arts segment on the radio where I get to interview amazing artists from around the Bay Area. Plus I'm publicizing my book  and building my speaking career!  You know what's funny? I thought this would all happen by the time I was 27-30.  Nope. That wasn't God's plan for me. I'm finally beginning to do the things I've wanted to do and I'm almost 40 years old. Some people reading this who are 40 will say 40 is still young. But some younger people reading may think 40 is nearly ancient. But I'm writing this post for those who like me, thought their career and personal dreams would come true much early in life. I'm here to tell you not to give up.  You know, death inspires life. A number of my relatives and friends have passed away, ranging in
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WonderCon 2011
How Jeremy Love Went From Self-Publishing to DC Comics

Jeremy Love creator of Bayou at WonderCon
Photo by Michael Pleasent

Jeremy Love. Sounds like the name of a late night DJ taking song dedications. Jeremy is no DJ, in fact he is down with DC, as in DC Comics. Superman’s publisher carries Jerry’s comic series Bayou. I read a sample of it online and it is really good. I mean really, really good. Jeremy tells me how a little luck and a lot of hustle made his self-publishing dreams come true.
How did you get into comics?

I’ve been drawing all my life, making little comics when I was in elementary school and selling them so it just became natural. Once I found out I could make a living do it, it made me happier. So I kept practicing and kept my skills up.

How did you figure out you could make living doing it? there are artists out there trying to do the same thing but haven't made it.

It’s all about the initiative, the drive you put into it. I self-published my first book and that got me the notice I needed to start this professionally.

When you self-published, how many copies did you sell?

I only sold 600 or 700 copies but it got into the right people’s hands.

Bayou is about a black girl named Lee and her white friend Lilly. There’s some kind of Loch Ness Monster type character who lives in the swamp water. But he’s good?
Bayou is a benevolent, good swamp dweller. He helps Lee as they look for her friend Lilly who’s lost in this fantasy world that is set in 1933 Mississippi. It’s kind of like Alice and Wonderland with a voodoo and African-American folklore flavor to it.



Photo Credit: Michael Pleasent



What is Gettosake?Me and my brothers have an art studio and that’s our studio name.

Where did the name come from?

I had a friend when I was in high school who did graffiti and that was his graffiti name. When he retired I asked if I could use it because I liked it so much.

When I see Gettosake I’m thinking the hood and booze. What does the name mean to you?

It has a number of different meanings. People bring their own meaning to it.

What's next for you?
Bayou volume 3 comes out next year.

Comments

  1. ArielApril 26, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Looks interesting I'll have to check him out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jenee DardenApril 27, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    @ Ariel--You have a pretty name! You should check it out. If you go on DC Comics site you can read a few pages for free. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RenTecJanuary 11, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Volume three comes out this year (2012)? What month? When?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jenee DardenJanuary 16, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    Hi Ren,

    I'm not sure when Volume 3 comes out. Maybe I'll try to contact someone at DC Comics and find out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJuly 15, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    I am actually at comoc-con and got to meet Jeremy I think he is one of the most down to Earth people. I can't with to get all the volumes of The Bayou.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownSeptember 12, 2018 at 9:45 AM

    Uh any work on Bayou vol. 3??? It's been 4 years! 😢

    ReplyDelete

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