About this project
I’m Valya Dudycz Lupescu, author of the novel The Silence of Trees, and together with artist Madeline C. Matz, I’m here to talk about our new project, the fairy tale comic Sticks and Bones.
While working together on The Silence of Trees, Madeline and I discovered a shared Eastern European ancestry (she’s Lithuanian American, and I’m Ukrainian American), as well as a love of comics and graphic novels. Seeking to explore and bring to life some of the mythological creatures that made cameos in my novel, we decided to work together on a comic that explores issues of home, roots, identity, and sacrifice.Home Is Where the Hearth Is tells the story of Yaroslav, a displaced house spirit in America looking for a new home. At its heart, this is a fairy tale about love and transformation, and the sacrifices we make to find our place in the world.
Our 24-page comic will be beautifully illustrated with fully painted pages by Madeline in a style that echoes the art of Czech Art Nouveau painter Alphonse Mucha.
Fully painted means that each page will be done by traditional painting rather than being colored ink drawings or digital images. This process is time consuming for the artist, but the results are beautiful.
Madeline will start with small thumbnails in ballpoint and then use pencil drawings and digital rendering to create a rough underpainting that is printed out onto bristol board. Next she’ll paint in acrylics, and this is where the image comes into focus. Changes and adjustments are made as needed, and in the end, the final image is executed entirely in paint.
We decided to use kickstarter to fund our first issue as a way of connecting directly with you--our audience. By becoming a backer and pre-ordering this beautiful comic, you can help us to raise the $3,500 will need for production costs, printing, shipping, and some special incentives for backers. We’re hoping to bring the comic with us to San Diego Comic Con in 2012, as well as to World Con 2012 in Chicago.
We plan to have the complete PDF by April or May 2012. By donating just $1, you’ll be able to follow our progress on our special Kickstarter Backer’s Blog where I’ll post updates and sketches.
Thank you all for checking out our project, and we hope that you decide to contribute and spread the word about Home Is Where the Hearth Is!
Sincere thanks!
Valya Dudycz Lupescu & Madeline Carol Matz
FAQ
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In that very happy situation, we will put the money toward paying for printing and shipping additional books. If we are able to print enough books, we'll begin to work on Issue 2: The Queen Ant.
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If this project gets fully funded, our goal is to have the books printed and shipped to us by June 2012. Once we have the books, we'll start mailing out reward packages, so you could expect delivery some time next Summer 2012. Digital downloads of the comic will be made available as soon as the design is finalized. We plan to provide a high-quality PDF download of the book, and we'll make it available in other formats if we can.
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The next best thing you can do is spread the word. Please post about it on your blogs, Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Google+, or whichever social network you prefer.
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To learn more about Valya’s writing, please go to www.vdlupescu.com
To see more of Madeline’s artwork, please go www.mcmatz.com
You can also follow us on Twitter: @valya @mcmatz
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Madeline is scheduled to finish the art in April/May 2012. After that, it goes to the printer. We hope to have them printed by June 2012.
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Yes! We're working out the details, but we plan to have them available for sale online, as well as at select conventions.
We are also working on getting it into comic book shops. If you own a comic shop or know someone who does, encourage them to pledge on Kickstarter at a Retailer Level!
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Yes! Non-U.S. backers, please add $10 to your pledge amounts for additional shipping costs.
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The poster is an 11”x17” digitally painted poster from Issue 1: Home Is Where the Hearth Is. It will arrive in its own mailing tube. We’ll post the preview soon.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on October 8.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
A PDF digital download of the completed book and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
Your name on a special acknowledgments page in the comic, a PDF digital download of the completed book, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Your printed copy of the finished comic, your name on a special acknowledgements page in the comic, a PDF digital download of the completed book, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog. (NON U.S./Canada ORDERS: Add $5 for shipping.)
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
Your name on a special acknowledgement page in the comic. Includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog. (NON U.S./Canada ORDERS: Add $5 for shipping.)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
SPECIAL UNLOCKED REWARD! - Get a limited edition "Home Is Where the Hearth Is" Spiritual Mist Spray, designed to create a warm, welcoming energy in your home! You will receive a 2-ounce bottle of Rita's "Home Is Where the Hearth Is" Spray, hand brewed with all natural herbal powders and essential oils. You will also receive your name on a special acknowledgement page in the comic, a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog. (NON U.S./Canada ORDERS: Add $5 for shipping.)
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
A signed/numbered poster with artwork from the comic: Home is Where the Hearth is. This special poster was created just for this kickstarter! (Shipped in a tube for protection.) This also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
In the comic, Yaroslav is a handyman and tile installer. You can own your very own hand-decorated 4” x 4” tile, signed by Valya and Madeline. Use it for a trivet or hotpad, or incorporate it into your own kitchen backsplash. Also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Hard Cover Collector's Edition: A limited edition hard cover copy of Home Is Where the Hearth Is, numbered, signed, and shipped to you. This is a Kickstarter backer-only option, and the hardcovers will not be available outside of this project. Also includes a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog. This is the ONLY pledge that will get you the hardcover edition. All others refer to the paper comic book.
Pledge $60 or more Pledge $60 or more
Retailer Level 1: 10 copies of the printed comic, Home Is Where the Hearth Is. Your company's name on a special acknowledgement page of the comic.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Valya will review up to 24 pages of your writing (poetry, prose, or comic script) and give you a one-page personal critique and advice on your writing. Also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.
Pledge $110 or more Pledge $110 or more
Retailer Level 2: 20 copies of the printed comic, Home Is Where the Hearth Is. Your company's name on the acknowledgement page of the comic book.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
Get one of three 6-inch custom-made figures of the domovyk (house spirit) from the comic, Home Is Where the Hearth Is. Created by toy designer JACKOFTRADZE, each one will be one-of-a-kind. Also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Retailer Level 3: 40 copies of the printed comic, Home Is Where the Hearth Is. Your company's name on the acknowledgements page of the comic book.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Get yourself a cameo in the comic! Madeline will draw you into at least one panel of Home Is Where the Hearth Is! Also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog. You will be asked for a photo after the Kickstarter has closed.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Unleash your inner troll or gorgon (or whatever the case may be). Madeline and Valya will create/re-vision a mythological character (i.e. turn you into a mythical creature) based on your answers to five questions. Madeline will draw a black and white sketch of you as the character, and Valya will write a flash fiction fairy tale/myth based on the character. You will receive the story and sketch signed by both Valya and Madeline on a single page suitable for framing. This package also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.You will be sent the five questions and asked for a photo after the Kickstarter has closed.
Pledge $750 or more Pledge $750 or more
This very special "Family Portrait" cameo is for three people to be painted into the comic together! From your photographs, Madeline will draw them together into at least one panel of Home Is Where the Hearth Is! Also includes three printed copies of the finished comic, signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, their names on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog. You will be asked for photos after the Kickstarter has closed.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
A16"x20" fully-painted color portrait of your inner troll. Unleash your inner troll or mermaid (or whatever the case may be). Madeline and Valya will create/re-vision a mythological character (i.e. turn you into a mythical creature) based on your answers to five questions. Madeline will paint a full color portrait of you as the character, and Valya will write a flash fiction fairy tale/myth based on the character. You will receive the painting and printed flash fiction story. This package also includes a printed copy of the finished comic signed by both Valya and Madeline, a PDF digital download of the completed book, your name on a special acknowledgement page, and immediate access to the Kickstarter backers-only development blog.You will be sent the five questions and asked for a photo after the Kickstarter has closed.
Project By
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I'm a writer, and I tell my stories in different shapes and sizes. In addition to poetry and prose in various journals, my novel, The Silence of Trees, was published in 2010, and I'm working on final edits for a middle grade eco-steampunk adventure, The Supper Club. I first began to consider the intersection of text and image at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I received my MFA in Writing. I occasionally teach workshops around the city and online, and I help to facilitate “The Coop,” a monthly gathering of writers and artists in Chicago. I see stories everywhere; I love mythology and folklore; I'm inspired by bold acts of creativity and collaboration; and I'm fueled by coffee.
The Artist: Madeline Carol Matz
Madeline’s head bubbles with thoughts and images, and her artworks are what spill out: vintage-looking humanimals, fantastical creatures and other improbable beings worked in water media, ink, and acrylic. Her work has been displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Wyler Children's Hospital, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Madeline lives in the oak forests of the Missouri Ozarks with her husband and their two dogs in a small house that she and her husband built with their own hands.
