C.S.: What kind of projects do you focus on?
Lex: Primarily, character design is my jam. Creating a character’s look, and creating a story to go with them. Some authors pick out actors for their characters, I take it a step further and actually draw them. Also, when I get a chance, I love to participate in the Hannibal fan art events that run throughout the year. To be honest, I’m really just Hannigram trash.
C.S.: Why do you enjoy these projects?:
Lex: It’s actually the conversations I find myself in. The greatest joy would always be drawing in public and someone tells you how good it is and they can’t even draw a stick figure. It’s something that’s uniquely yours. Unlike people telling me as an author that they want to write a book too.
But like writing, drawing is a skill that anyone can learn. It just that ethereal “it factor” that lets a person take it to the next level.
C.S.: Tell us about your work space.
Lex: I have an office with two desks, one designated for writing by hand/crafting, and the other is where I work digitally with my laptop and Wacom tablet. I have a shelf with my collection of silly toys like a plushie lymph node and plush anatomically correct heart, and action figures. With a designated section for Hannibal. Because Reasons. And a bookcase filled to the brim with reference books from role playing games, to anime art books, to concept art. Also a poster of Director Orson Krennic from Star Wars: Rogue One, better known as Director Daddy Orson Krennic, because I am trash.
C.S.: What sort of art-related items do you keep at hand?
Lex: I keep a sketchbook with some Papermate Flair pens to keep my hands busy while binging on Netflix. Mom and I are currently finishing up The Walking Dead and omg Season 6 is soooooo frustrating. I offer 10 minute off the cuff sketches while watching, because let’s be real, TWD can get fucking depressing. And of course the prerequisite laptop, which runs Photoshop, and my Wacom Intuos Pro. And of all things, my phone for looking up tutorials while I’m away from the keys.
C.S.: What’s the weirdest item you keep nearby that’s not at all beneficial to making art?
Lex: I have a giant plushie bass from Bass Pro. It was a gift from my brother. My office is also decorated with Christmas lights. Seriously.
C.S.: Do you have any ‘good luck’ charms?
Lex: The first isn’t in my office, but hanging in my bedroom is an autographed copy of a slash comic I made for the TV show Lost. Josh Holloway, who plays Sawyer, signed it.
It’s kind of a funny story. The comic was called Mechanical Rabbits, and it was the first Lost slash comic to exist. At the urging of my college professor, I sent a printed copy to Josh Holloway and Naveen Andrews, and promptly had a panic attack. And lo’ Josh sent his copy back, signed, and an autographed photo of him. I about passed the hell out. And then the local media called, where I ended up on the Lost Season 2 DVDs bonus features.
C.S.: What’s easily the most distracting item in your space?
Lex: I wouldn’t call it an item so much, but a game. Dream Daddy has consumed my soul. Aaaawww yiiiiisss. Robert has my heart. I love me some Bad Dad. *swoon!*
C.S.: Do you have any bad habits when you work?
Lex: Falling into the Tumblr hole and poking around at whatever Hot Daddy of the Day I’m obsessed about. Aidan Gillen is the current Smokin’ Hot Daddy of the Day. I’ve never even seen a single ep of Game of Thrones but I’m living vicariously through these Lord Baelish gifs. Can’t spell Baelish without Bae!
(I don’t have a thing for daddies. Nope. Nuh-uh. How dare you!)
C.S.: What time of day are you most creative?
Lex: Mostly night time, because the house is quiet, and I’m not hearing my parents shouting over NASCAR. *shudder*
“KESLOWSKI WRECKED!”
“WHAT?”
“WRECK!”
“I HEARD THAT! WHO WAS IT?”
“KESLOWSKI!”
Rinse, lather, repeat. Ugh!
C.S.: Do you have any ‘helpful’ pets?
Lex: My cats will have you know they are very helpful! Extremely helpful! They’re very helpful at letting me know it’s dinner time while trying to climb the shelves. Or let me know that they don’t approve of their entree by climbing the shelves.
C.S.: What do you do to de-stress or enjoy that’s unrelated to your artwork?
Lex: I cook like a beast when I’m avoiding something. But I also love trying out new recipes. Mom and I binge watch a lot of Netflix, like, omg. But one of my greatest joys is springing something on her that she normally wouldn’t even give a shot and she ends up loving it.
After working on her for about a year, I sat her down in front of Hannibal. First thing she says is “You didn’t tell me this was an FBI show! I love FBI shows!” I’m like….yeah…FBI show…yeah…sure. *snerk*
C.S.: Do you drink or snack while working?
Lex: I keep a 24 ounce mason jar of water on hand, sometimes Crystal Light, and sometimes grapes with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. I’m hella boring that way.
C.S.: Listen to music? If so, does the soundtrack change with projects?
Lex: Yes! They change with the tone of the project. Is it about a toxic relationship? Then I have a lot of angry hate-fucking songs mixed with heartfelt melancholy tunes. Is it an adventure? Lots of film scores. Particularly Hans Zimmer and Michael Giacchino. Sci-fi? Lots of techno and industrial, particularly VnV Nation, The Covenant, Assemblage 23.
C.S.: Question from the audience: What do you enjoy about being commissioned? Alternatively, what do you most enjoy about creating art for yourself?
Lex: For commissions, I love collaborating with clients with whatever ideas they have. Some people have a simple request of “Make it not suck.” And others have very specific ideas of what they want. I’ve drawn everything from swoony yaoi pirates, to clockwork hearts, to adorable chibis, to naughty Christmas cards.
Okay, well, it was my Christmas card that I made to give away, but…y’know. Wait until you see the one for this year.
Commissions are open! Looking for a book cover? Or something a little extra for promo? If you’re gearing up for start of the year cons like Coastal Magic, or just want a Christmas card that is just a little bit saucy, get in touch!
Artist Bio: Pop culture, comics, anime, and...cannibals?
These are a just a few things that go through Lex Chase’s head at any given moment. As an author, she specializes in stories of action, adventure, and broken yet true love. As an artist, she makes no apologies for drawing Hannibal’s Hannigram all the time.
Writing about boys who put the “massively fun” in massively dysfunctional, and drawing characters with questionable morals—or the precious cinnamon roll with questionable morals—gives her great pleasure. Lex knows everyone has a vice, and she’s willing to put stylus to tablet for yours.
Lex is open to all kinds of commissions from promo art, to swag, to social media graphics, covers, branding, posters, prints, and gifts for fans or yourself!
Contact her at lex.a.chase@gmail.com with “COMMISSION REQUEST” in the subject line!
