Jimmy Craig seems to know exactly what animals are thinking. Or, at least, what they may be thinking. His take on the conversations animals have between one another is humorously insightful and does give one both a giggle and a pause to wonder. Life With Dogs had an opportunity to interview the talented artist and learn a bit more about what drives his creativity when it comes to the world of critters sharing their life perspectives in they can talk.
Life With Dogs: Â Â Â How long have you been working as an artist? Are comics your only artistic endeavor or do you have other creative pursuits?
Jimmy Craig:     I’ve been working in scripted comedy in some form or another for a bit now. Things really started for me after creating a handful of viral videos… which led to other writing and production opportunities. Besides They Can Talk, I am currently working on an animated pilot and a webseries.
LWD:    Where do you find your humor for your work? Are you motivated by things you have read or seen or is it just a natural thought?
JC:       I think it’s a mix of both. For most of the comics, I usually have to be pretty deliberate… setting aside a specific time to sit down, think about an animal, and draw a comic. Other times an idea will randomly pop in my head in the middle of the night.
LWD: Â Â Â How long does it take to create a panel? Do you find that at times it is easier for some ideas than others to flesh out?
JC:      A comic takes me about two hours. The hardest part is figuring out the best way to fit the characters and the dialogue, after that’s done things move pretty quick.
LWD: Â Â Â How often do you produce your panes? Is this something for which you have a tasked deadline or is it something that happens when it happens?
JC:      I release a new comic every Sunday night. Sunday nights I sit down and don’t get up until I have a comic finished. The next morning sometimes I’ll look at the comic and wish I did something differently, but I think sticking to a schedule has helped keep me on track.
LWD:    What was your inspiration for creating they can talk?
JC:      I love comics and I love animals. I knew I wanted to create a series that I could do for the long run, and focusing on animals seemed to be an easy choice.
LWD: Â Â Â Most important question per chance – do you have pets? And, if so, do they have influence over your work?
JC:      Sadly, I don’t have any pets right now. The apartment I lived in had a strict ‘no pets’ rule… despite my begging. Now that I’ve moved, that might change soon:)  My in-laws have four cats that provide plenty of inspiration in the meantime.
LWD:     Is there anything we should know about your or they can talk that might surprise our readers?
JC: Â Â Â Â Â I’m the cat in this video (below). Â Also, while I write a lot about cats, I’d consider myself more of a dog person.
To view and learn more about Jimmy’s work check out the website of they can talk, Facebook page, or get signed prints!
