What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I love cartooning because it’s always been my muse. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always drawn stories. Those are my earliest memories. As I got older, affecting people with my art and writing became more and more important. I do appreciate that it helps me make a living too, but that has never been my primary motive.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness is to bring people together with my work by making them laugh or cry — to empathize.

What is my greatest fear?

My greatest fear is something that befell my mother: losing my ability to communicate my thoughts. My mom suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for 7 years. She lost her motor function, in spite of the fact that she could think perfectly. Although, I do wonder if it would be worse to suffer from an ailment that impaired my thinking. Either would be horrible.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I deplore my inability or unwillingness to prioritize learning about my ancestral history. I know that there’s a rich history behind the lives of my parents and their parents and grandparents. I’ve also lost my ability to speak Cantonese, my parents’ language.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Right now, I’m a big fan of Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Salgood Sam (Now Repent), and Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung Fu).

What is my greatest extravagance?

My son. He’s my only child, and we spoil him, miserably. I guess that’s not the worst thing in the world. We probably eat out too much too.

On what occasion would I lie?

I would hypothetically lie if it would save the life of a loved one. I’m not a good liar. That’s probably why I wasn’t more financially successful when I worked in the financial industry. I probably slept a lot better than some of my coworkers, though.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

I’m probably not as good about color theory with my work than I’d like to be, but I have tools I use as a crutch. It’s probably why one of my favorite trends in art, the resurgence of post-modern art isn’t something I do well, since so much of that work is created using contrasting blocks of color without discernible holding lines.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I’ve probably been happiest with one of my most recent publications, “There’s a Zombie in the Basement.” It’s a whimsical, rhyming bedtime children’s picture book inspired by my son’s fear of my zombie artwork. It’s been very well received, and I am going back to do a second edition printing very soon.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

If I could change anything about myself, I would be able to function without sleep. I have so many stories to write and draw, and so little time to accomplish them.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

My greatest achievement is “There’s a Zombie in the Basement”. Probably my body of zombie caricature artwork would qualify too, since it’s what I’m most well known for and really has paved my way for the rest of my creative career.

What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me?

This would be the ability to not worry about time or costs to do what I do, so I could simply focus on project quality and productivity.

Where would I most like to live?

I would love to live in and retire to Hawaii. I visited with my wife in 2007 and adored it. I don’t know if it’s as ideal since the accident at Japan’s Fukishima nuclear power plant, since I hear the Pacific currents have been taking radiation and killing and poisoning wildlife all around the Pacific Rim.

What is my most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession, if you can call it that, is my family. If that doesn’t count, I would say my MacBook Pro, since it allows me to do what I do, even though I do prefer to draw by hand, being able to archive and transmit my work by computer and the internet is invaluable to my career.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Most of my fellow artists seem to always talk about my business savvy, but I feel like my focus and follow-through on my ideas and plans are probably characteristics that really have become key to what success I’ve experienced in my creative life.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

While I love Hawaii, I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life, so it has probably most influenced my work.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

My favorite place to eat in my town is a Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon Basil, although I’m very moody, so I have lots of favorite places. My favorite place to drink may be Left Hand Brewing Company in Longmont. We have lots of great craft breweries in our state, so we’re very fortunate.

What books influenced my life and how?

Right now, I would have to say that “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak and pretty much anything by Dr. Seuss were the most influential books at this current point in my current career.

Who are my favorite writers?

Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), David Wellington (Monster Island), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter), and Jeffrey Brown (Jedi Academy).

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I would probably listen to Sia.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Severus Snape is probably my favorite tragic hero. Tragic heroes are the best, in my opinion.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

In real life, I find few heroes, since the most heroic people make unpopular decisions that often cost them their lives or freedom. Edward Snowden is probably one of the few living examples of heroes on a larger scale that I can think of.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

I’m not sure what this question means. If you can only see it once, because it’s great, but hard to watch, maybe Schindler’s List. If it’s only once because it’s awful, where do I start?

What role plays art in my life and work?

Art really is my life. It is a part of every aspect of my life. So, I find it hard to keep my personal and professional life separate at times.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My wife, Erica, is probably my greets supporter. She may not be an outspoken fan, but she makes my life and career possible.

Whom would I like to work with in 2017?

My professional goal for 2017 is to find a literary agent to represent me so I can work with publishers like Penguin or Scholastic.

Which people in my profession would i love to meet in 2017?

I tend to find folks I admire and appreciate without planning to meet them. Folks like Salina Yoon and Judy Schachtner are creators I met though conferences I attended, and they continue to befriend, help and inspire me.

What project, in 2017, am I looking forward to work on?

Well, I’m currently working on four different projects, but only one will I finish in 2017, a graphic novel I’m writing and illustrating called, “Regret: A Cancer Survivor’s Story”, a memoir about my best friend’s battle with cancer.

Where can you see me or my work in 2017?

You can see me at a handful of conventions, book signings, school visits, and readings this year, but the easiest way to see my work or event calendar is at my website: http://stanyan.me

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

To me, that means I will not really ever be able to retire. I’ll probably die at my drawing table. I hope I do.

Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story?
Mythica Von Griffyn, David Wellington, Leif Cedar

How can you contact me?

website: http://stanyan.me
Facebook: /stanyanart
Twitter: @stan_yan
Instagram: @zombicatures
Patreon: www.patreon.com/zombicatures