Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Sobol.
Hi Jason, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started working in the comic book world immediately after college. I worked on my comic book while at Florida State, but began self publishing in 2001 right when I graduated. I became very well-known in the independent comic book world and then began working on marketing for Marvel, Lucasfilm, and a variety of other groups. After about 20 years of working on marketing work for comic book science fiction and fantasy properties, I decided to go back to school and do my masters of fine arts in illustration with the Savannah College of art and design. At some point during that process, I started also doing caricatures and I got back into painting. I recently did my first gallery show in New York because of that! So now my art business involves caricatures, portraits, fine art for galleries, and yes, still marketing for known companies like marvel, DC comics, Star Wars, and Disney/pixar.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am not sure that there is a smooth road in the art world. There is a constant need to develop and relearn skills while observing your competitors and trying to stay up-to-date with how people are presenting. It used to be that I could just show up to a convention and people would see my work and want it, But now with social media and the size of exhibition halls I am no longer competing against 100 people in a room, but I’m competing against up to 1000 in the online space it is even greater of a competition. Additionally, bouncing a growing family and maintaining a teaching job Makes it very difficult to be as up-to-date with the trends in the markets as one would need to be in order to be a successful artist. Also, no one ever told me that I would need to be in charge of an actual business and not just be a creative.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think the thing that I am most known for would be my work with Marvel and Star Wars. Ironically, I can’t sign most of the work I do for that so only people who are already in the art market for those things really know me. What I’d love to be more known for is my fine Art and gallery work. I think the thing that sets me apart from so many others is the variety of skill sets that I work under. I am an oil painter, a technical illustrator, an action and comic book artist, and a pretty popular caricature artist as well. Being able to Alter what I am doing for a specific audience has been a big part of my success.
How do you think about happiness?
Other than being able to spend the limited time that I have with my family- and a good bourbon, I really do still enjoy the process of creation and seeing happy art buyers. Being able to discuss one of the only things that I am 100% passionate about with others is like a boost of adrenaline and ticks so many areas in my brain that it creates a bit of a high for me essentially, I just love art.
Pricing:
- I charge $75 an hour for caricatures at weddings and parties
- Comic book related work usually starts at about $50 an hour
- Larger paintings and illustrations very but often start at approximately 400 and go up to 2000.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Jasonsobolart.com
- Instagram: @jasonsobol
