Patrick Keck: Comics and Creative Freedom

Welcome to Comic Conversations, where we sit down with a different creator each week to dive into their artistic process, inspirations, and the stories that shape their work. Whether you’re a fan of indie comics or just curious about the minds behind your favorite books, this series offers a deeper look at the creators and their journeys. Join us as we get to know the voices shaping the comic world today!

Patrick Keck, an innovative artist known for his distinctive approach to comics, has captured readers’ imaginations with works like Peepers and Crusher Loves Bleeder Bleeder Loves Crusher. His unique style, blending underground comics influences with deeply personal narratives, continues to make waves in the indie comics scene. Recently, while he was at a comic retreat in Angoulême, France, I had the chance to connect with Keck via email to discuss his career, his influences, and his latest projects as part of our Comic Conversations series.

Background and Education

Patrick Keck’s artistic journey began with a lifelong passion for storytelling and drawing. “Comics have always been something I’ve wanted to do throughout my life,” he reflects. With a BFA in Illustration from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Keck spent years honing his craft. “Art school was good for keeping up a daily practice,” he says, though he admits that jumping straight into college after high school might have made him miss out on appreciating the experience fully.

Keck’s formal education in illustration, coupled with years of life drawing, played a critical role in shaping his skills. However, like many artists, he continues to balance creative fulfillment with the practicalities of life, including student loans, which he humorously notes he’s “getting close to paying off.”

Peepers: A Psychedelic Journey

Keck’s graphic novel Peepers is a testament to his perseverance. Spanning several years of work, the project saw delays due to life’s demands, but he maintained a strict schedule of “one page a week.” Once he had a publisher on board and the story’s ending in sight, things began to move more smoothly.

When asked about the story’s unique style, Keck describes it as a blend of his neuroses and influences from underground comics, including the works of Vaughn Bodé and 70s pop culture. The bold, psychedelic aesthetic, combined with emotional extremes drawn from squash-and-stretch animation styles, brings Peepers to life.

Portland and Angoulême Influence

Having been based in Portland, a city with a thriving indie comics scene, Keck credits his surroundings for fueling his creativity. “Portland is a great comics town,” he says, recalling his early days there when he attended a yearlong program at the Independent Publishing Resource Center. He’s quick to praise the city’s comic shops and festivals but laments the absence of events like Stumptown or Linework NW.

Now spending time in Angoulême, France—home to the world-famous Festival International de la Bande Dessinée—Keck reflects on his experiences there. “I’ve only been in Angoulême for a couple of weeks, but it’s a beautiful, comics-loving city,” he shares, eager to see how this new environment will influence his work.

Crusher Loves Bleeder Bleeder Loves Crusher: Collaboration and Evolution

Crusher Loves Bleeder Bleeder Loves Crusher, Keck’s latest book, marks a different approach for the artist. Born from a collaboration with his longtime friend Thomas Stemrich, the story of vampire bugs started as a five-page comic for an anthology. “Thomas and I have made short comics together dating back to high school,” Keck explains. The collaboration resulted in a rich narrative packed into each page, diverging from the more feeling-driven nature of his solo works.

Though Crusher Loves Bleeder explores themes like survival, identity, and sacrifice, for Keck, it’s mainly about “a loving friendship and practicing empathy.” He enjoys leaving room for interpretation, allowing readers to take what they need from the story.

The Joy of Collaboration

Keck thrives in collaborations, finding that working with other creators gets him out of his own head. His experience collaborating with Josh Simmons on Dream of the Bat was vastly different, as Simmons had a clear, specific vision that Keck was thrilled to execute. “I do wonder if I’m one of those artists who tells the same story over and over again,” he muses, adding that stepping into someone else’s creative world offers him a break from his own mental patterns.

Despite enjoying collaborations, Keck is looking forward to working solo on his next project, a horror comic titled Lime Dill Halloween, which he plans to serialize on Patreon this October.

A Commitment to Honesty and Exploration

When asked about recurring themes in his work, Keck acknowledges that fear and anxiety often permeate his stories, though he aims to balance these elements with joy. His work is also deeply autobiographical, even if the details are “smeared with lies.” As he puts it, “It’s all filtered through my experience.”

Like many indie artists, Keck juggles multiple revenue streams, including freelance commissions and Patreon. While these streams help support his creative endeavors, they remain small and sporadic. “I need a day job to survive,” he says, though he appreciates the structure and sense of service it provides.

Looking Forward

Keck’s excitement for the future is palpable. After his time in Angoulême, he plans to dive deeper into his solo work, particularly Lime Dill Halloween, which promises to be another exploration of his unique artistic vision. He’s also thrilled with the reception his work has received so far, noting that it resonates with people on multiple levels, whether they are drawn to the story’s themes or its visual style.

Final Thoughts

Patrick Keck is an artist who embraces both the struggles and joys of independent publishing, infusing his work with personal experiences, emotional depth, and a commitment to honesty. Whether through collaborations or solo projects, his work continues to push boundaries, and it’s clear that his upcoming projects will only further cement his place in the world of underground comics.

We can’t wait to see what he brings to life next.

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Image Credits: www.patrickkeck.com