Jonathan Myers
Illustrator & Cartoonist
Introduction
BIOGRAPHY
"My job as a cartoonist and illustrator is to convey the authenticity of the given assignment in my work; with passion, clarity and original vision." - Jonathan Myers
Jonathan Myers was an imaginative boy who enjoyed scribbling doodles of knights, far away worlds, space ships and odd creatures on any type of paper he could get his hands on. This led to his parents recognizing his uncanny talent to draw; and they encouraged him to explore all forms of art and its many mediums. In elementary school his potential was recognized by his school teachers and they helped focus his development in the craft. His father encouraged him to lend his abilities to his Middle School newspaper and exposed him to comic strip legends such as Hal Foster, Alex Raymond and Al Williamson. He also introduced the young boy to the classic art masters of animation such as; Don Bluth, Chuck Jones, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. This enabled a deep passion for cartooning within Jonathan and he sought to develop his skills to a greater level.
In High School, Jonathan studied under his art instructor, Nikki Corgel. She had a profound influence on the young man and she encouraged him to follow a career in cartooning and illustration. Upon graduating he recieved a brief stint as a cartoonist for the short lived independent studio Dark Glass Comics. He attended Pensacola Christian College thereafter, and enrolled in their outstanding commercial illustration program. Here he studied under Biblical illustrator, Brian Jekel, and further developed his abilities. Jonathan was taught techniques that were implemented by illustration masters, George Brandt Bridgman and Norman Rockwell.
Upon departing from PCC, Jonathan recieved his first freelance illustration job through the gaming company Maximum Games; an experience that left him a bit disillusioned with the industry. Fortunately Jonathan befriended the veteran fantasy illustrator, Mark Ryberg, whom graciously took the young illustrator under his wing and educated him in the business side of illustration. During this period Jonathan befriended professional illustrators such as Michael Kaluta, Tony Diterlizzi, Ed Beard Jr., Tommy Castillo, Larry Elmore, Bill O'Connor, Jean Pierre Targete and Joe Jusko. Jonathan did work for many gaming companies during this time such as Z-Man Games, White Wolf Publishing and Bawn Shaunts Design Studio. These opportunities enabled the artist to establish a strong and recognizable style and taught him the importance of draftsmanship, craft and meeting tight deadlines.
Jonathan balanced a career in freelance illustration with opportunties to teach art at a local art school in Vestal, NY, the Roberson Museum, several local libraries and ultimately he became an instructor at the Saint Joseph's School in Endicott, NY. He also joined and helped found a comic book group called Ambition Studios along with professional cartoonists Alexis Fajardo, Michael Sturgulewski, Brian Kolm, Robert Zuniga, Tim Chupka, Joe Holley and Ruy Fernando Estrada. During this venture Jonathan created the graphic novel Swamp Fox; which followed the adventures of the legendary Revolutionary war hero as allegorized with the use of animals. The book has been published internationally and garnered modest attention. It has been recently republished with Odyssey Illustrated Press. Jonathan has worked for several commercial clients ilustrating coloring books, paint by numbers sets, technical manuals, magazines, theatrical programs and various other jobs.
Jonathan is a serious student of the Golden Age of illustration and is influenced by masters of the period such as Joseph Clement Coll, Franklin Booth, Howard Pyle and N.C, Wyeth. This was the inspiration to his success as an interior book illustrator. Jonathan has completed a thoroughly illustrated edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes. The effort required over three hundred illustrations and took two years to complete. He is currently working on similar illustration efforts with Frank L. Baum's Oz series.
Jonathan continues to take on new oppurtunities in cartooning and illustration, hoping to improve his abilities with each work. He is an experienced draftsman who takes his work with the highest sincerity. He seeks to bring a level of mastery to each effort he embarks upon and desires to take on new chances in the future.