Every once in a while I need a webcomic that is a little irreverant — how about you? Kawaii Not mixes cutesy images with fart jokes and innuendo for a fun read that anyone would enjoy. As mentioned in our interview, I was first introduced to Kawaii Not not as a webcomic, but in print at a local bookstore. What was supposed to be a quick stop for a few “necessities” turned into an hour flipping through the book and literally laughing out loud (and getting weird looks).
It was recently, as I was talking to a friend about webcomics (since I am always on the lookout for new ones to read), that I was informed that Kawaii Not was, in fact, a webcomic. Needless to say, I squealed and headed over to the website. From there I proceeded to read every strip (again) and I knew I had to try and talk to the creator, and fortunately for me (and you!) Meghan was kind enough to answer some of my questions!
Kelly Melcher: Would you please start by introducing yourself and your background in art?
Meghan Murphy: Name: Meghan Murphy. Art Background: Went to an arts high school, then proceeded to earn a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, and then a master’s degree in Computer Graphics Design. Then decided to go and waste all that education as hard and as often as I could.
KM: How did Kawaii Not get started?
MM: I really just started it to see if I could do it. I was playing around with the idea of making a comic, when the name “Kawaii Not” kinda emerged from all my notes and doodles. And the name dictated the direction.
KM: How does it get from your head to where we read it on the Internet?
MM: I start with a sketchbook filled with half-ideas, quarter-ideas, and barely legible scrawls that might be ideas at some point. Then I start looking these over and try to find one that just needs a little more thought and work to become a real strip. I draw it up, scan it, then bring it over to Adobe Illustrator where I create the final, polished product.
KM: My first exposure to Kawaii Not was actually stumbling across one of your books at a book store. What is your preferred medium, print or online? Why?
MM: Couldn’t say. I mean, the only reason I got a book published was the exposure having an online comic gave my work — but I didn’t start Kawaii Not with that intention at all. Both media have their strengths and weaknesses, and I just feel lucky enough to have had a little bit of success with each so far.
KM: What strategies do you use to keep the content of Kawaii Not fresh?
MM: Since my strip is of the gag-a-day variety, I basically have to come up with fresh content every time. Which is both liberating… and a pain in the ass.
KM: What is the future of Kawaii Not?
MM: I truly don’t know. I am continually surprised at where Kawaii Not takes me, and I’ll probably remain surprised at where it goes from here.
KM: For folks interested in your art, what else have you done and where else can people see it?
MM: I do occasionally do work that doesn’t feature talking farts and crapping rainbows (but still sometimes weird), and it can be found on my official-like portfolio site Murphypop.com. I also have a slightly less official, more loose and free collection over at deviantART.
(Kawaii Not also now comes in sock form through a partnership with Sock It To Me Socks).
KM: At Fandomania, we like to ask: What are you a fan of?
MM: All sorts of stuff. A small sampling off the top of my head: Terry Pratchett. Warren Ellis. Azumanga Daioh. Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. Lost. Diesel Sweeties. Nemu*Nemu. Scott McCloud. Mary Blair. QI. The Venture Brothers. Psych. The Haunted Mansion ride. The Bugle podcast. Movie marathons. Stuff That Is Good Not Bad.
I would like to thank Meghan on behalf of myself and all of my associates at Fandomania for taking the time to talk to me about Kawaii Not.
