As I’ve mentioned here before, I am currently living in Angoulême as an artist in residence at the Maison des Auteurs. The MdA is part of the Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image, and it welcomes cartoonists and animators from France and abroad to come to Angoulême and have a place to focus on their projects in a nice, well-equipped studio building.
Nathan Schreiber is the other American cartoonist here, currently working on his book Power Out, which has been seralized on Act-i-Vate as well as MTv Geek. Nathan thought it would be cool if the two of us started a blog of autobio comics about what its like to be American and living in Angoulême and I thought sure why not? We discussed names. I really wanted to call it La Classe Americaine because that movie is funny even if you can’t understand half the cultural references (just watch the opening scene; you don’t even have to speak French). Nathan correctly pointed out that no one would have any idea what the hell this was referring to. Ok so we decided on BDville for the blog title.
“When can you have something ready?” he asked. “By next week!” I said. This was in the beginning of February. More than a month later, I finally made my first post on BDville and its not a comic at all but a 2,000 word picto-essay. Oops? But it’s still about moving to Angoulême, so at least I got part of the assignment right.
I can’t honestly say how regularly I will be posting on BDville or whether any of my posts will actually be comics. But at least one of us is consistent. Nathan has posted three comics in the time it took me to make one essay. So go check them out. Meanwhile, my picto-essay is posted below. Enjoy!
5 comments
BeN_TeK says:
Apr 6, 2012
I didn’t know someone had posted “Le grand detournement” somewhere on the net! I have heard so much good about it but it’s the first time I get to watch it! Sooo funny – yes, you’d better be native French to catch the jokes… BTW, good effort for your essay
Brilliant as usual… I don’t know if you are trying to escape the city or yourself. Maybe both. When you grow in a city, town or village, that place becomes a part of you eventually. The most important thing is to have the opportunity to move and visit new places, cultures, etc. Besides, I believe moving from NY to a place like Angouleme is a bold move but it’s not like moving in the middle of nowhere. You know, it’s one of the few places to be when you are a comic artist. The real bold move was for you to quit that “real job” (what was it??) for living doing something you love, for less comfort. I respect that a lot. I wish I had done something like that… Anyways, keep on doing a great job. Like some French people would say: La classe americaine Sarah!!
gaffe says:
Apr 6, 2012
Alors, y’a une «version française» de cette BD?
sarahglidden says:
Apr 6, 2012
Si quelqu’un veut le traduire, oui! Car je ne suis pas prête écrire comme ça en Français (évidemment).
Graeme says:
Apr 12, 2012
Amazing, I really look forward to reading this. I was on holiday in Charentes last week and ended the trip in Angouleme – a great city. You’re very lucky to be there.
MYOS says:
Apr 28, 2012
I can translate it if you still haven’t found someone.
Would you be interested in meeting local students? (some are into art, some I might convince to read _How to understand Israel in 60 days or less_ + your pictorial essay about the elections… or/and some teens whom I will definitively never convince to read much of anything but who might be thrilled to meet you nevertheless, although I can’t even promise that because they’re at that jaded age… armpfff)
Anyway if you’re still around, there are teenagers who’d learn a lot by meeting you if you’ve got time and if you’re used to kids. :p
Also, it’s likely the local political parties will organize a giant “Watch The Debate” party on May 2 which might be interesting for you to watch and compare to similar occasions in the US.