Production
When I started this project, there were a lot of key decisions to make. For example, I wanted something that felt authentic and true to the original, but I wanted something that screamed with originality and edginess. I wanted the book illustrated, but for that, finding an artist can be extremely difficult.
It’s my thought that a project like Nonestica can’t be done by just anyone. The artist responsible for bringing the vision to light must first fit some pretty heavy criteria. The first, was that such a person must be a fine artist, with experience and skill in their field, and the ability and imagination to do with his art what the book does with it’s words. In other words, this person needed the ability to bring many of the unexplored and unconventional pieces to life with both imagination and humor.
And then, there’s style. Stylistically, I was looking for someone who can do dark and gritty, but funny as well. It sounds easy, but it’s a very tall order. Compound that with desire that the artist has an appreciation of Oz, and the stated desire to do an Oz related project, and you’re left with about three people on earth that are up to the task.
Thankfully, the first one my list was available. Al Cook has an amazing portfolio of interesting and thought provoking work. His experience as a fine artist and illustrator, and an appreciation for Oz related art past and present enables him to lend a certain dimension of authenticity to the project that would not be possible without him.
Below are some of the production sketches that he’s come up with.
