The Birth of an Artist
Timothy Lattie was a true child of the 90s; he grew up in the Second Golden Age of Comics and was constantly going to and fro the comic book store, absorbing cartoons, and witnessing the birth of Nintendo.
Lattie commented that he was "like a kid that always played basketball, or was always cooking". He was "always in the comics," and he knew from a very young age that he would pursue a career that would allow him to be immersed in the world of cartoons and stories that he grew up loving so dearly.
Lattie attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Savannah College of Art and Design. His first published work was Ape Entertainment's "Return to Point Pleasant" in 2008. Lattie additionally has a creator-owned comic titled "Night Stars".
Lattie currently resides in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area and contributes to IDW Comics.
Timothy's passion for comics and the stories they communicate was evident throughout our entire conversation. Lattie argued that comics were the original art form; over time, hieroglyphics and cave drawings became abbreviated and turned into the language that narrates our lives today.
His focus is on the '80s and 90's material, notably the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. Lattie's intended audience is adults his age, who can share the comic's narratives with their own children.
"If I do my job correctly, you should know exactly what's going on without the language barrier", Lattie commented.
Trials and Tribulations of Being an Artist
In discussing the difficulties of working as an artist, Lattie talked about the "head game" involved in producing art in addition to the lack of instant gratification.
"I know that I can draw a Ninja turtle, but when the moment's there you feel like you're stepping onto the stage; now it's for Nickelodeon. You have to get out of your own head."
Another difficulty is that there is no immediate gratification as an artist completes their work. Where a band will receive a round of applause following a performance, artists' work is often not seen for up to 3-4 months after the project's completion.
Despite the struggles inherent in being an artist, Lattie's work evidently brings him a great deal of joy. Each week, he does a Twitch stream where artists come together and decide how to make a comic come to life on the page. He is also working on a project with IDW involving the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which will debut in October.
Timothy Lattie Media Information
Instagram: @teamlattie
Facebook: @teamlattie
