Continuing our Summer Spotlight on cover artists and illustrators, this week we have artist Michael Squid joining us. I have worked with this talented artist a few times on my covers.
Recently, he created my incredible Zombie Duck cover as well as Zippers but I'm sure most of you know that he created my iconic cover for The Unicorn Killer! That cover alone sells the book.
Let's learn more about this great guy!
Did you always want to be an artist?
Yes, I remember going to some fair as a kid and being amazed by the aesthetic of a pencil illustration of a spaceship that just stuck with me. My sister and mother are very talented artists as well.
When did you first begin to draw and when did you start drawing horror pieces?
I have been drawing since I can remember. I learned early that when I drew, people were always impressed, but nothing looked to me like how I'd been trying to draw it. My first 2 illustrated books from elementary school were horror themed. See below for some pics of one I made when I was 7
What is your favorite thing about being an artist and what are your favorite mediums to work with?
I think my favorite thing is learning new skills or tools that open the doors in terms of what I’m able to do. There are moments where all of the styles, or special effects etc. that seemed impossible without a major budget, or how to make an absurd mishmash of parts trick the eye and look more real. I love digital skills, but also love painting and sketching, and something as easy as finally understanding how useful and time-saving an underpainting can be, despite sounding like more work.
Do you do any interior illustrations for the book or movie industry currently?
Just a few small gigs so far and all of the effects in my short films. I’m a very visual person, so when writing stories, I can tell you the layout of the settings in pretty vivid detail. Having as much ability to create those settings as possible is important to me.
If you could work with any author, creator, or movie director, who would it be and what would be the project?
I have to say following Jon Waters around while he’s filming some extremely vile flick. I think that would be an absolute blast. As long as I didn’t have to eat anything off the ground. But in terms of working directly with, I’d say Mike Flanagan. I think he’s an exceptionally talented director.
What advice would you give to other artists?
It's easy to get overwhelmed when learning new skills in any creative industry, but a lot of people struggle to learn those same things. Don't let yourself quit; you’ll be glad you pushed through it.
Where do you hope to see yourself in five years with regards to your artwork?
Well, hopefully doing something I love. I've been doing motion graphics and enjoy that, but I had BETTER have a finished feature film that is terrifying and fascinating. Or at least creepy and kooky, if not altogether spooky (I'm sorry).
What are some of your favorite pieces or projects that you have done so far?
I still love The Chrysalis, and the talented Kathryn G. Howell was the exceptional talent translating the complex character to a stellar performance. We have a concept that I'll be sharing bits of soon, so I am thrilled to work with her, as well as the amazingly talented director of photography Matthew B. Canada.
What are your thoughts, if any, on the use of A.I. generated art images?
It can be a resource for artists as well as an enemy to artists. Spoiler alert, we aren’t winning the war against Skynet’s assault on art, it is already everywhere in the design industry. I can draw, paint, photograph or photoshop a collage piece or render a 3d bathroom in Blender then use stable diffusion for added detail and realism from the base image. I learned comfyui and loras and controlnets to use stable diffusion on comps that I sketch or collage, refining detail or inpainting on my work as part of the process. If you type a prompt and press enter, that is a different story.
What is your favorite thing about being in/a part of/or a fan of the Horror industry?
I love the poster artists, the makeup artists and sculptors, all the practical effects and fandom of franchises and all horror films, from Dario Argento’s Phenomena to Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny. I love the people, the creatives and the fun of it. It's confronting our deepest fears and growing through the art of others in strange affinity.
What other services do you offer clients?
Film FX work, motion tracking etc. I can make 3d animations, vector illustrations, I dabble in most media, but really shine in digital art, I think. I love collaboration, especially with like-minded creators, so would love to help out even if the budget is tight (I am very familiar with this predicament).
What current projects are in the works that you would like to mention?
Mainly the full-length film starring Kathryn G Howellas a young Dr. Wendy Stevenson searching for a previously undiscovered species of butterfly, as her path leads into darker and darker terrain. Shooting some stuff Thursday, and after a lot of work I look forward to releasing a teaser and sister project for the film. I just put out the first log in a growing story.
Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkigISidYKH-_2tPHOXSWutU30Qs3BAZ-
Michael Squid's Bio:
Born in Quakertown PA, drifted to Philadelphia, moved to Brooklyn NY for work, and now after filming 4 short horror films, is working on his first feature.
Pictures from the books a young Michael Squid created at age seven:
Here’s a cover for an upcoming anthology that Michael has a story in. It’s mostly photoshop and digital painting, he used stable diffusion to refine a few of the elements, mainly the bottom skull cloud.
A vector illustration in a different style.
The book cover for Talia, by Daniel Volpe, that was created by using photoshop to collage elements of 8 photos.
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