Meet AC Canales | Artist and independent comic creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with AC Canales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AC, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Realize that you’re human and can’t possibly remember everything you need to remember when you’re running a creative business. And then buy a notebook and a calendar. Digital or physical is fine. As soon as you have a request or a future plan, write it down immediately. Check your calendar and notebook every day or every few days. You might not need it at first but as things progress you’ll soon reach the point where you need a reminder to help keep you from disappointing someone that was counting on you.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always enjoyed creating art – drawing on my walls, making Transformers figures out of cardboard boxes, writing stories on any available piece of paper in my home. In 2015 I went to (formerly known as) Denver Comic Con and checked out artist alley. After many setbacks on collaborations with other creatives, I was looking for a new outlet for my creativity. When I saw what locals were doing at artist alley I saw a viable outlet for my interests. By the next year I had a table and had been approved to design the artwork for 2 of the weekend badges for the 2016 show. Shortly after that I started going to every convention I could get in to. I’m constantly looking for new ways to bring my artwork to people and I’ve had amazing opportunities. My dream of creating my own comic came through with the help of Vision comics publishing an anthology book for local artists (which I do all the paperwork, editing and red tape management for). I now take my book to shows across the country and expand my reach outside of Colorado. The journey to this point had many unexpected and unpredictable challenges, but perseverance and an professional way of handling scheduling and organization have made it possible. I see more interesting things coming in the near future!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Denver is a fantastic place for food tourism. I would bring a guest to Wild Ginger in Littleton for incredible thai food. Also Mi Cocina which is basically the definition of a hole in the wall diamond in the rough. Local comic stores like Vision Comics & Oddities, Aamazing Fantasy Comics, and the famous Mile Hi Comics megastore need to be on any comic fan’s list. Enchanted grounds of Bowles Ave has board games, a coffee shop, and tables to hang out and play, so its not to be missed. Game Train on County Line is a train themed board game destination and restaurant that’s tons of fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Humans are pack animals that benefit from cooperation. I’d like to thank a few important individuals for helping me get to where i”m at with my artwork. Tim Moret pf RMC Collectables, for helping connect me with comic convention leadership that has opened opportunities for me to showcase my independent comic book across the country. Chris Lanham, owner of VIsion Comics & Oddities, for publishing an anthology showcasing local creators and helping me get my comic book off the ground. Bob Conway at Avanti printing for being amazing at tight deadlines for printing my comic. My parents who never resisted my artistic interests in favor of more concrete future careers. And my supporters and friends for buying my work, hiring me for commissions, and helping me feel like its worth all the effort to share my art.

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