The first thing Chris Meeks remembers drawing is Godzilla before he was even in kindergarten. He went on to attend both National Park College and Henderson State University on journalism scholarships earned for his work on a political cartoon titled, “Gatorboy.” Gatorboy won two national CSPA Collegiate Gold Circle Awards. Afterwards, Chris Meeks got a job at his local paper, The Sentinel-Record, as a graphic designer and occasional political cartoonist where he worked for 20 years before becoming a full-time sketch card artist.
Beckett Media: How did you get started in sketch cards?
Chris Meeks: I had just about given up on doing traditional art. Everything seemed to be going digital. Then one day, I came across one of Jessica Hickman’s Facebook posts about sketch card sets and my traditional art gears started running again. I asked Jessica if she had any contact information she could share, and she told me about Breygent Marketing. I sent them some samples, and Tom Breyer gave me [sketch participation in] my first set—Transformers Optimum Collection, in 2013.
BM: Since Transformers you have drawn for a lot of different sets. Any favorites?
CM: I’ve never counted the projects I’ve participated in, but yes, it’s a lot. Before I worked on sketch cards, I worked mostly in pen & ink. But my wife, Sandy (who’s a classically trained artist, and has had work in the Smithsonian) started giving me advice and she really helped me up my color game. If I had to pick a favorite set I’ve worked on, it has to be Garbage Pail Kids. They’re closest to my cartoon roots.
BM: Do you like the big licenses or small-press sets more?
CM: I love working on all of them. Each set has its own challenges and benefits. I enjoy trying out different styles and techniques. The smaller sets give me a chance to work on theme related art that I don’t normally get to do with the bigger sets.
BM: For sets like Star Trek and Game of Thrones you drew a lot of ships and castles. Are scenes more fun to draw than characters?
CM: The scenes and ships are way more fun to draw. Especially the ships. I have a ton of Copic grey tone multiliners that come in handy for all of that tiny ship detail. I’m always stressed when recreating a realistic likeness, especially with so many great character artists in the business. David Desbois was the one that inspired me to work harder at the character illustrations. We both worked on Cryptozoic’s Downton Abbey set, and it was the first set where I got to draw realistic characters. I thought my cards looked pretty good, UNTIL I saw Desbois. I couldn’t believe someone could get such an incredible likeness at such a tiny size. After that, I concentrated more on realism.
BM: You won GPKNews Sketch Card of the Year. Congratulations!
CM: Thanks so much! I just happened to be on Facebook when someone had posted the news on my page. It’s a huge honor, and I really appreciate how much everyone enjoys the art.
BM: Do you have a dream property, or favorite “universe” that you wish would be made into a card set?
CM: Good question! Godzilla maybe? I loved working on the Ultraman set and would really like to take a crack at the King of Monsters.
BM: Are you a full-time artist? Do you have any hobbies?
CM: At the moment, I’m a full time sketch card artist which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I was laid off from my newspaper job due to the pandemic in 2020, and my wife and I decided we were going to give freelancing a try. I’m normally at my desk for about 10 hours each day, which doesn’t leave too much room for hobbies. In the early ’90s, Sandy and I started collecting trading cards. Our favorites were the Sandman sets, Star Wars Galaxy, Marvel Masterpieces, and the Spider-Man 1995 Fleer Ultra set.
BM: What’s next? Are there any upcoming projects you’re allowed to share with us?
CM: The Garbage Pail Kids Go on Vacation set should hopefully be coming out soon. I’m also doing a few smaller sets from China that I’m having fun with.
BM: How can people contact or follow you?
CM: I do most of my interaction on Facebook, so if anyone is interested in a return, that’s the best place to get in touch with me.
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Meeks Techniques: An Interview with Artist Chris Meeks - Beckett Media, LLC
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