Week 2 of our continuing creator spotlights, last week we spoke to Kevin T. Rogers, this week we are interviewing Italian artist Michela Cicconi. Michela has been contributing stories, comics and illustrations to our Knock Knock horror zines since issue 2 in 2016. We instantly fell in love with her dark humour and unique style.
What got you into creating art?
You know when you’re a kid, you draw a lot, especially before learning to write? I basically kept that up (I can read and write). There wasn’t a time in my life when I haven’t been drawing or
painting. Growing up, that proclivity towards drawing evolved as my interests changed, incorporating art and comics, but what remains is the will to create something with my hands.
Are there any creators who influence your work and how?
That has actually always been one of my weaknesses. I appreciate art in different styles and means of expressions, but there isn’t one specific artist that mainly influenced me. I look at different ones, from time to time, looking for inspiration. I love the works of Alphonse Mucha, just to give you a name. I find ideas in books and music, when I work, I often listen to the CDs of Caparezza (Italian musician) on repeat, that keeps me focused.
Do you have a favourite piece of horror media?
I love horror movies, especially those involving malefic presences, devils, anything related to demonic possession and Satan toying with humanity. I basically consume every piece of crap with a slight resemblance to Omen.
In comics, I love the work of Ted Naifeh, that combines a dark atmosphere with a beautifully crafted sense of wonder.
One of the books that really made an impression on me as a kid was Vinegar Street by Philip Ridley, a bit claustrophobic, apocalyptic and distressing. Just my type. Add years of reading Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, of course.
Do you have any projects coming up?
I’m going to bring my art prints (mainly linocuts) and comics to an independent maker’s fair in a short while. I hope to be able to finish a new series of four prints inspired by an early project I made on fantastic places. I am currently exhibiting only in Italy but I would love to go overseas, maybe to fairs, when I get the chance!
Other than that I’m really only hoping to get out of allergy season with my sanity intact.
Is there anything specific to growing up in Italy that has inspired your work or the horror comics you have contributed to Knock Knock?
You might have noticed that I didn’t mention any Italian book or movie answering about my favourite piece of media. I love Italian comics but mostly comedic and adventure ones, and they really are great.
Growing up in Italy, you hear many stories, very often. They go from ancient history to modern narrative but there is always a common need for recording what happened, what has been told or even just imagined. Anecdotes are told, re-told and changed to please the audience, it isn’t really important that they fit the truth.
Considering the history of Italian theatre, the oral tradition of telling stories to amuse people around us isn’t that surprising. That also connects to the sense of lost grandeur, of the good old days, of an empire dissolved (you might relate to that). In short, we look at the past.
That directly influences me when I imagine a story, classic myths and fairy tales mix with the fun of imagining infinite what-ifs and my own fears. All the stories I’ve done for Knock Knock are based on
legends or real places. Italian fairy tales, with their repeated stereotypes, the woods, the devil (as in evil being trying to outsmart you) are also part of my set of references.
You have a penchant for print making, what is it you like about that medium?
First, my BA is in Graphic Arts, as printmaking, that is my background. Printmaking, of course, allows you to make several originals of your artwork, that allows for larger distribution. Also, I’m kind of obsessive, I love spending hours carving a tiny piece of wood or linoleum and the all process (almost magical) of inking up, printing and finding out if you created a masterpiece or wasted good paper. I seldom know in advance.
What scares you the most?
I’m easily scared. I fainted when they tried to take a drop of blood to check glycemia, I see shadows moving when I’m alone, I’m scared of people’s judgement (and of my judgement of them), I’m scared of dying, of meaninglessness, and I really, really dislike wasps.
That being said, I love horror, I love reading and telling stories about all the above, I think it’s the same for most people.
(They really had to work hard to get that drop of blood; my veins are under my control).
What’s your favourite piece that you’ve submitted to Knock Knock?
I have to say it’s Il Corvo e la Strega (The Witch and the Crow) from summer issue 2018. It was fun to draw and fun to write, and, even if it’s not strictly horror (it suggests horrors to come), it’s the comic in which I was able to convey the mood I wanted.
You can see more of Michela’s work as well as her process on instagram: @MichelaCicconiGraffica
You can also check out her original Lino prints, labels and other beautiful artworks on her Etsy.
