Today we’d like to introduce you to David Gorden.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an artist/illustrator/writer that creates original works in comic book and graphic novel formats. I am also a content creator and I specialize in art vlogs, tutorials, and product reviews. I got started in comics in the early 90’s. I worked on local projects and did illustrations for hire. I’d founded my own studio 4Sight Studio in 1992 and I was part of a legendary art crew in St. Louis called Air Assault and we did everything from illustration and graphic design to airbrushing clothing, murals, you name it, we did it. Eventually, the younger members of Air Assault formed a collective of artists called Mach One. Again creating comics, cartoons, graphic design and general illustration was what we excelled in. By the time of Mach One, I’d put 4Sight on hiatus. During that time I was building a reputation as an artist/writer and would work on books I created or books for clients.
In 2012, I was hired to be one of the first four writers that built the foundation for Lion Forge Comics. I readapted the old 80’s tv show Airwolf into comics form as well as writing books for Rampage Jackson the MMA fighter. I also wrote a book called Trimaxx, and the original incarnations of Quincredible and Accel. I was downsized from my job in 2016 and began freelancing and working on my own creator owned projects. I revisited a character I’d created in 2002, Kwame Hightower and began writing and drawing the graphic novel Kwame Hightower and the Man with No Name. I released that book in 2018. In 2019 I decided to reactivate 4sight Studio and began to slowly reintroduce the brand by doing freelance work for clients and creating a social media and web presence. In 2020 I’d lost my job due to COVID-19. I’d sustained myself by freelancing but was rapidly moving to the decision to publish. Right before I was to launch my first project…I got COVID…
Fortunately, it was a mild case and I was able to make a full recovery. Since then, I have released coloring books and rereleased the special edition version of Man with No Name. This year I am working on 4 graphic novel projects and as well as planning out four more adventure comic/coloring book projects.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, it’s never been a smooth road. You have to deal with learning how to run a business, dealing with clients, collections on fees. I mean in 2020 I got COVID 19 and had to spend pretty much the last two months quarantined. I am working to expand my business so I can bring on help because as it is I’m handling all the production of the projects then I have to switch into marketing and promotions and still have all my duties as the founder/owner. Thank god for manager Michelle Roundtree who has come on to help steer this ship in the right direction!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a artist/ illustrator/ graphic artist/ writer/ content creator. My specialty is creating original intellectual properties and works of art for people to consume. I have worked with some pretty big businesses here in St. Louis and my work has appeared on billboards and bus stops all over the city. My work I am most proud of is my latest work Kwame Hightower and the New Knights. I think what sets me apart is that I’m not just doing coloring books that are just an illustration that you color. My books are full on stories, adventures, that draws the audience in. All of my books are comic book themed, even my second coloring book Black Love Chronicles which is a collection of illustrations done up in the style of classic romance comic book covers. Literally, each page tells or introduces the reader to a story that I have received emails, dms, and texts because people want to know what happens next.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Complete the project. I don’t care if it doesn’t come out exactly as you want it to…complete it. You will learn ten times as much from completing your project then you will if you give up in the middle and quit. Those maddening mistakes will prep you for the next project and the next after that. Plus this world only judges you by your body of work. So if you have a bunch of abandoned work that no one has seen well then you have nothing for anyone to see and nothing to build rapport or trust with. Finish your projects.
Contact Info:
- Email: david.gorden@4sightstudio.com
- Website: www.4sightstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkg72/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4SightPublishing
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DKG72
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DKG72
Image Credits:
4Sght Studio
Stephen Kennedy
