About Mike Ivy
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, I have been teaching Art in public school for more than two decades. Drawing has been my passion since early childhood. Teaching Art allowed me to continue growing and developing as an artist, inspired by the many artists I introduced to my students, especially Edward Gorey and Charles M. Schulz.
About My 8-Year-Old Self
My 8-Year-Old Self is based loosely on my childhood experiences and the comics I drew at the time. My initial idea was to create a character who felt awkward and out of place, which is why he wears a spacesuit. (Plus, he thinks it makes him look cool!) So, to insulate himself from the stress of everyday life, he created his own comic book characters who also populate his own fantasy world.
The Series
My 8-Year-Old Self began as a series of drawings I regularly posted on social media. I initially approached these as an Art series: planning, experimenting, and creating, similar to how my Advanced Drawing students work.
The first 50 drawings were completed traditionally with a ballpoint pen on bristol board paper.
Going Digital
As the series advanced, I experimented with working digitally, playing with color, and even simple animation. Ultimately I decided my method of cross-hatch shading was my preferred style and was able to find digital tools that allowed me to match the look of a ballpoint pen drawing closely.
The Book
I gathered the first 70 drawings and wove them into a story that follows My 8-Year-Old Self's adventures, mishaps, and triumphs through a year in his life.
My first book, My 8-Year-Old Self: A Year in the Life of a Geeky Introvert, is now available on amazon.com
The Future
I continue to create artwork for this series and regularly post it on social media. (And you can find a new weekly featured drawing elsewhere on this site.) You can use the hashtag #M8YOS to search for my artwork online.
I have in mind two more books for My 8-Year-Old Self and have a long list of drawing ideas that will keep me busy for the next couple of years.
As for what is in store for My 8-Year-Old Self, I will only say that the second book will end on a cliffhanger, and the third book will deal with the results of that cliffhanger.
The adventures of My 8-Year-Old Self will continue, and I can't wait to see what happens!