WC: Did you always want to become a comic artist?
SA: Not really when I was a child i read comics and drew but there was never an urge to make comics. I don”t think I was aware of them being made by people. They were just there these amazingly absorbing reads. In my teenage years it become more of an ambition.
WC: How would you describe your style?
SA: Variable. Traditional pen and ink, collage digitial watercolour etc.
WC: What inspires your creativity?
SA: Life really.
WC: You are an independent comic creator and last year you gave a talk about self-publishing comics during the Malta Comic Con. What do you think are the pros and cons behind self-publishing comics?
SA: Self publishing is very empowering. To take an idea through all the component stages and then getting a response from someone reading the final comic is amazing. Cons are bankrolling and distribution. A constant headache.
WC: Have you ever considered working for big publishing companies?
SA: Oh sure.
WC: Through out the year you participate in a lot of conventions and expos in the UK. Do conventions play an important role in your career?
SA: Yes. But after 10 years intend to take a long break from conventions.
WC: The critically acclaimed Twelve Hour Shift and Ed were your own projects while on Necessary Monsters you followed the writing of Daniel Merlin Goodbrey. Do you prefer to everything your self or to collaborate, and how do these experiences differ?
SA: Collaboration is an important part of cartooning for me. I am not really interested in working from straight scripts anymore, but having a bunch of people you can bounce ideas text and images around is exciting.
WC: Recently you”ve been collaborating with the Maltese writer Chris Le Galle, on the comic strip; “Unconventional”. What can you tell us about this collaboration?
SA: It was good fun, Chris has got a wicked sense of humour.
WC: Your current project is called “Eight Tablet Dream”. Will it be ready for the Malta Comic Con and what can you tell us about it?
SA: Yes it will ! It is a diary / sketchbook comic that focuses on my life in London.
WC: You attended the first Malta Comic Convention and have not missed one since. What keeps you coming to this convention and what are you expecting this year?
SA: Well i now have a lot of friends, so it will be great to hang out. Looking forward to seeing what new comics have been created in Malta.
WC: Do you travel to a lot of conventions outside the UK?
SA: I try to go to at least one a year. This year I have managed TCAF in Toronto, Angouleme in France and now Malta.
WC: Do you have more projects in the pipeline? Can you tell us anything about them?
SA: At this moment there is nothing left to work on, and no future projects. I am going to dedicate my time next year to working in my new studio space and try out new ideas. Really looking forward to it.
WC: Would you like to add anything else?
SA: Thanks for letting me take part.