I would like to present the talented Ace Connell creator of the comic strip "Layla Bubbles". (Comic strip below interview)
Candie and Michelle: Did you go to school for Art or were you always just naturally talented?
Ace Connell: I’m actually a musician rather than an artist. I am a session guitarist, so I spend my days in recording studios and nights playing live for different artists - it’s one of those fun jobs that people think you’re lying when they ask what you do for a living. Ever since I can remember I’ve always had a pencil in my hand though. I just enjoy creating. I love starting with a blank piece of paper and evolving it until it’s something... be it musical or artistic.
Candie and Michelle: We've listened to your music and both agree that you are very talented in both areas. How does living in the UK compare to living in the States?
Ace Connell: The UK is fun. I’ve actually spent a fair bit of time over in the States and get to see some of the world playing music, so I get to somewhat objectively see the UK for what it is… which is America five years ago. We have a lot of history and heritage, but to me at least, that seems to be taken for granted and forgotten more and more in favor of being America’s little brother that’s trying to impress his ‘cooler’ older brother by imitating him. I’m not complaining though, because I absolutely love America and the time I’ve spent there has always been amazing. Although when I go away either for work or holiday for any extended period of time, as soon as the plane lands back on British soil, you do get a sense of pride and the feeling of home, especially when driving home through the British countryside.
Candie and Michelle: We both hope to be able to visit the UK one day so we can do some comparisons of our own. I'm sure it is quite the sight to see. What inspired you to start drawing your "Layla Bubbles" comic strip? How long have you been drawing her?
Ace Connell: I have a daughter who’s name, surprise, surprise is Layla. She kept doing all these funny things that all kids do but the things that weren’t on camera like the little intricacies or funny words she’d come out with kept getting forgotten. I started doing a little doodle of her every night after I’d put her to bed that summed up what she’d been like that day. Her third birthday was the day I started the comic strip. I decided that I didn’t want to forget anything she was doing and that I’d put a comic strip out every week until she’s 18, then when she’s 18 I’d give her a book with every single comic strip printed in it. Any money I make from merchandise, advertisements or anything else is going in a savings account and I’m going to give whatever is in there for her 18th birthday too. I’m going to let the character grow alongside Layla, so when Layla’s 15, the comic strip Layla Bubbles will also be 15 so readers can watch her grow through childhood, school, teenage years and becoming an adult (in fact, if you look at her ear, there’s a little 3 instead of an earlobe and that will change to reflect her age).
Candie and Michelle: What a sweet gift to give your daughter. It is something she will always cherish. Are the things that happen with Layla based on true events or your imagination?
Ace Connell: Everything in the strip is 100% true… I thought that it’d be difficult to come up with something every week, but I have a notebook that I keep that is filled with things she’s done or said - kids are so innocent and just say what’s on their minds and they come out with the craziest things. I don’t think I’ll ever run out of ideas. She just got a new kitten called Raggy too, so you can expect to see Raggy in future entries.
Candie and Michelle: I can't wait to see your future comic strips including the ones with Raggy. Is there any other projects that you are currently working on?
Ace Connell: I’m constantly working on things… I only sleep a few hours a night because I can’t stand to waste the time that I could be creating. I don’t watch TV at all and I’m trying to pass that on to Layla as much as I can. Instead of TV, we’ll build dens, draw, read books or go outside and explore, but obviously Disney movies win every so often. I don’t get to create as much music for myself as I’d like to, but I have an instrumental track up at mynameisace.com that I wrote about Layla, but I’ll post out anything else interesting I do on the Layla Bubbles Twitter account @ItsLaylaBubbles.
You can find Ace at:
mynameisace.com
You can find Layla at:
Twitter: @ItsLaylaBubbles
Thank you Ace for taking the time to stop by our site and share Layla Bubbles with us. We look forward to having you and Layla back again.
- Candie and Michelle
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