Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Halbert.
Corinne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Anchorage Alaska in 1981 and grew up mostly in suburbs of Boston including Needham and Walpole, MA. It was always my dream as a child to attend art school and I received my BFA in Film/Video at Massachusetts College of Art in 2003. I then went on to receive my MFA in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2008. Getting into the MFA program at SAIC is what brought me out to the Midwest and I’ve lived and worked in Chicago since 2006.
I’ve been drawing since I was three years old and being an artist has always been my life’s calling. It requires a lot of hard work and I’ve poured innumerable hours into my studio practice. Honing and improving my craft have always been top priorities. Inspiration is always important to feed your vision so watching a ton of horror movies and reading horror fiction and short stories have helped to shape my personal style. I also love to fill my eyeballs with work by other artists and tend to be most drawn to dark or macabre artworks.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a challenging path but anything worth fighting for usually is. My personal life motto is to keep going. Art and horror are my passions and I feel lucky that I get to pursue my vision and create artwork to share with the world.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is feeling like you’ve never quite “made it.” An art career seems to be a never-ending timeline of small victories. Even when something amazing happens and you’re sure, “this is my big break!” It’s usually an ephemeral experience. You quickly realize you’re not off the hook and just have to keep working hard to get to the next sweet morsel of success.
I’ve come to peace with this pattern and am quite happy with where I am today in my art career. Not to say that I’m not hungry for more. It’s just that my perception of success has evolved and changed over the years. I’ve come to the realization that making the work and doing what makes you happy if you’re able is the true success.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hate Baby Comix – what should we know?
My day job consists of peddling zines, comics, and other incendiary literature at Chicago’s revered Quimby’s Bookstore. For my art business, Hate Baby Comix I work as a freelance illustrator for hire, creating custom artwork for clothing companies, bands, and other clients. I sell my original paintings and have created a line of merchandise that I sell in my online shop: corinnehalbert.bigcartel.com.
Painting, illustration and cartooning are my passions and I specialize in erotic horror and horror comics. To date, I’ve self-published six issues of my comic book Hate Baby amongst numerous other titles. I’ve contributed comic strips to Black Eye and Magic Whistle and have illustrations published in four Feral House coloring books.
My husband and I also table at comics and art expos as much as possible which is a great opportunity to meet other artists and patrons in person. We’ve tabled at Chicago Alternative Comics Expo in Chicago, IL every year from 2015 – 2018. I tabled at CAKE solo in 2013 and 2014. Scott and I tabled at Short Run in Seattle, WA in 2015 and Lowbrow Con in Portland, OR in 2017. We’re very excited to be exhibiting again this year at Short Run in Seattle, WA on Nov. 2018.
I think what sets me apart is a distinct style of bold, black lines and bright, vibrating colors. My work is highly erotic with horror themes and Satanic imagery. I attended Catholic school from Kindergarten through 5th grade and grew up in a Catholic household. I’m deeply drawn to the religious imagery as well as that of Satan and Hell. Much of my artwork is shrouded in Catholic rebellion.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband Scott R. Miller is an amazing man and I feel so lucky to have him as my partner. He makes my life infinitely happier and immensely fulfilling. He always supports me and is constantly cheering me on. He’ll help me in any way getting ready for an art show or upcoming expo which I am forever grateful for.
He’s also the creator, editor, and publisher of Printsploitation, a horror and cult movie illustration anthology zine. I help him with this publication in the brainstorming phase and assist in reaching out to and recruiting the artists featured. We have collaborated on several other art project and zines and share a mutual love of horror and cult movies and artwork.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://corinnehalbert.com/home.html
- Email: CorinneLHalbert@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corinnehalbert/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/corinnehalbert
- Other: https://corinnehalbert.bigcartel.com
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