Lakes Festival Focus 2019: An Interview with Belgian artist Ephameron

By John Freeman on September 3, 2019

Every year, in the countdown to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in October, we bring you a series of interviews with guests at the event. This “Festival Focus” for 2019 is with Ephameron (Eva Cardon), a Belgian artist who explores a sensitive side of the world, where small and intimate dramas of life are documented.

Ephameron is the creator of Wij twee samen (Us Two Together), published in 2015, a moving autobiographical story about her father’s struggle with dementia and the impact of the disease on the family.

Her publication re/collection, published in 2017, collects 320 pages from her travel diaries.

She has also had illustrations published in a.o. De Standaard, De Tijd, L’Echo, Knack and The New York Times.

Ephameron also curates and participates in group and solo shows all over the world and holds masters degrees in both Fine Arts and Illustrative Design, and currently teaches at LUCA School of Arts / Sint-Lukas Brussels while preparing her PhD in the Visual Arts, researching autobiography in graphic narratives.

What are you working on, comics-wise, right now, and when will it be published?

Ephameron: My new graphic novel Never Alone Again, on different aspects of motherhood and human relationships that shift after having a child, will be published in Dutch the fall of 2021, with the publishers Oogachtend.

Which comic project you’ve worked on are you most proud of and where can people see it or buy it?

Ephameron: The English translation of Us Two Together will be out in October with Penn State University Press. The book is an autobiographical account about the way my father’s illness — primary progressive aphasia — touched his surroundings over the last ten years he was alive.

How do you plan your day as a creator? (Do you plan your day?)

Ephameron: I’m an artist, curator, researcher, teacher and mother, so I have to keep a very meticulous calendar to keep deadlines, meetings and projects organised. I try not to get too overwhelmed by writing emails, because it weighs on me when I’m supposed to be creating, but it seems like the problem is only getting more out of control each year 🙂

What’s the best thing about being a comics creator?

Ephameron: I get to create something new every day

And the worst?

Ephameron: Yearning to create when I’m doing other tasks

What most distracts you from getting your work done?

Ephameron: Emails 🙂

Do you think it’s easier or harder for young comic creators to get published today?

Ephameron: Easier in the way that the internet has become a beautiful platform and self-publication is easier than ever, harder in the way that there’s more competition.

Have you ever been to the Lake District before and if so what did you think of it? If you haven’t, what are you expecting?

Ephameron: Beautiful landscapes and a strong wind.

Which one comic creator would you most like to meet, and why?

Ephameron: In Antwerp, I organise Grafixx, a festival for comics and illustration. I get to invite and meet my favourite artists every year, it’s a dream job!

How do Festivals and other comics events help creators most, do you think?

Ephameron: By providing space and time to create a network, meet inspired people and make plans together. I strongly believe in the power of action, in starting projects as much as possible instead of waiting around to be approached.

What one piece of advice do you offer people looking to work in the comics industry?

Ephameron: Take action. Self-publish your zines, pitch your stories to publishers in an original way. Never stop. If you have enough passion, stay original and do the hard work, you will get noticed.

What’s your favourite comic right now and where can people get it?

Ephameron: I love The Blonde Woman by Aidan Koch (2012), paperback available from Copacetic Comics Company. It is also available for free digitally from The Study Group.

Ephameron, thank you very much for your time. Looking forward to seeing you again in Kendal!

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EPHAMERON ONLINE

Web: ephameron.com
Instagram: @ephameron

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.