When I first moved to Oregon 5 years ago, I was feeling quite homesick and sad that I didnt have a job, so I spent a lot of time every day reading the online Hawaii news. One day, I came across an article describing a fan-art contest for a popular Hawaii artists superhero comic called Gordon Rider. The artist, Jon Murakami, is well-known for his Gecko childrens books and Maile Way Local Kine greeting cards. Anyway, I entered the contest and earned a spot in the fan-art book that Jon was going to have published. We corresponded over e-mail, and I gave him some of my background info. Then he said something like, I think your mom was my preschool teacher! Later, he posted an old photo of a preschool Christmas party. In it, he was standing next to two older kids dressed up as Kikaida and Hakaida. He told the story of how, at this party, Kikaida gave all the kids candy. Then Hakaida went and took the kids candy away from them! So Kikaida fought Hakaida and gave back all the candy. Kikaida was my little brother, Ricky, and Hakaida was - me! I think I was in 8th grade at the time! Jon also once posted a drawing of Kikaida 01 - by my mom! She was tickled to see it and all the comments Jon and his friends made about it. Jon even said that mom helped influence his interest in drawing! Mom is going to be 90 in February, so she was very touched to be remembered in that way! Since then, Jon has been the one to inspire and influence me. He got me drawing more frequently, introduced me to other cartoonists, and got me connected with a cool online drawing community based in Hawaii. He also encourages me with nice comments when I post my own doodles, and helps me when I have questions about techniques or processes. …And Jons influence isnt just with cartooning. One day, on what was one of the lowest points of my life (no job, no money - we thought we might even lose the house before we even got in it), a package arrived from Jon filled with comics, Hawaiian goodies, and toys! Of all days for it to arrive, that was THE perfect day. It was a true blessing. (One of the people I met via our connection with Jon was Dave Thorne. I had been a fan of Dave Thorne since my teaching days, since he did cartooning for the DOE, including an awesome Waimea Canyon Minihune cartoon. We never met in person, but Dave was so friendly and supportive via e-mail - I was amazed! I mention this because, in this way, Jon is a lot like Dave Thorne - his sense of humanity, his kindness, his genuine interest in others are all as great as his talent.) Oops, I guess this was a long way of saying what I meant to say, which was, Happy Birthday, Jon! Thanks! God bless you!
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:44:53 +0000
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