Finished Inking Act 2 for Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Abstract from Act 2

It is with great joy to announce that I have now completed the layout, lettering and inking phases for all of Act 1 and Act 2 for Badin and the Secret of the Saami. Unfortunately, besides the extreme close up abstract teaser pictures I share on the Black Rhino Illustration Twitter page, I cannot show you the work.

I am not thrilled with quality of my work. However, when a panel is done, I move on. That is not to say that I do not make changes when needed—and such changes have set me back over a week behind schedule. I just cannot expect perfection. My goal is to have everything inked by the end of July.

Meanwhile, I hope you are enjoying reading the diaries of the characters. They are so much fun to write. I put much time into researching Swedish history. So to use it for extra promotion of the graphic novel seems appropriate. The drawings are fun too. I keep them somewhat generic so I can sell them as stock art. I do not sell graphic novel artwork as stock art, however.

I am also excited that Peter Ericson of the South Saami History Blog hosts the diaries of Gaaktu. Mr. Ericson is a Swedish man of well-documented Sámi ancestry who does intense research. His blog is the only accessible source for South Sámi history of significance on the internet. Since my character Gaaktu, is South Sámi, this was the perfect fit. I am very grateful for Mr. Ericson's generosity.

Please spread the word about Badin and the Secret of the Saami. Help me. I need it and the world needs to know this story.

Curly Hair, Swedish and Finishing a Graphic Novel

Although I was oblivious to it as a small child, my Swedish-American mother endured this curious statement from other white people from time to time: "Where did your boy get that curly hair?" they would ask. 

"From his father!" she quipped with guarded annoyance. "Where else!?"

You see, no matter where I live, or who I am, I never really "fit in." The only way I accomplished such a status was when I accepted my Blackness and made a place for myself. Then I knew I could contribute to the society and be a part of making it better. Denying it because I was light skinned and could "pass" compared to my darker-skinned fellow humans never helped.

So when I wrote Badin and the Secret of the Saami, I could easily relate to the little African boy who grew up to become the famous African diasporan of Scandinavia. I did not need to put myself in his shoes. I WAS in his shoes. Like him, I struggled with racism and identity. Like him, I had a caring white mother who made sure I could have any amount of education and pursue all interests that I desired.

But I always knew I had to do something to help people of African descent feel good about themselves to take their place as contributors to their nations and communities.

With Badin and the Secret of the Saami, I want to show that not only should Blacks and Indigenous people feel good about their valuable history, but that ALL people can be inspired to make a better world and future for our children.

Please join me on this mission. Buy the Mini-Sagas, follow and read the character diaries. Two more Mini-sagas are on the way. New character diaries are uploaded every week. We have about a year until this graphic novel will be put on sale. I need your support by sharing, re-tweeting and spreading the word about this project.