We’re looking forward to introducing you to David DeGrand. Check out our conversation below.
David, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I took up leatherworking about two year ago shortly after my dad passed away. Leatherworking was something he did for years and I picked up some techniques from him, but it wasn’t something I was super interested in myself until I needed a leather sketchbook cover and just made one myself. I found the process of designing the cover and putting it all together very calming and a way to exercise a different part of my brain creatively. After my dad passed I brought all of his leatherworking tools home and started making simple items like small notebook covers and wallets, and I found it really helped me to work through my grief of losing him by using his tools to make new things. I felt like I was still keeping a part of him alive in some way, and it really helped me get through the loss.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is David DeGrand and I have been a fulltime freelance cartoonsist for about 12 years. I have written and illustrated comics for various magazines and comic books including MAD Magazine, SpongeBob Comics, The Simpsons, Garfield, Adventure Time and Rocko’s Modern Life. I have illustrated a number of kids books including The Zombie Chasers and The World of Weird Animals series. In 2020 I worked with the animation studio Augenblick Studios designing the animated series Death Hacks for Snapchat, and in 2024 I worked with them again to design a segment for the music video “Polkamania” from “Weird Al” Yankovic. I illustrated the kids graphic novel Snot Goblins and Other Tasteless Tales, and most recently I wrote and illustrated the graphic novel I Am Not Okay.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
In the fifth grade I had an amazing art teacher who was very encouraging and inspired me to be a cartoonist. I had always enjoyed drawing but it wasn’t until she assigned the class to write and draw a comic strip that cartooning really clicked with me. The combination of coming up with a funny idea and bringing it to life in four panels was just very fun, and she thought my comic strip I turned in was really funny and well drawn. That was the first time I realized I could express myself through art, and it was very powerful.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of rejection really hindered me after I graduated college and was trying to make a living with my art. For the longest time I was afraid to show my portfolio around or send samples to publishers as I was just so scared of getting negative feedback, which I soon realized was really stupid and unrealistic. Rejection is just a natural part of doing art for a living and you have to develop a thick skin quickly, or you will simply spend the rest of your life being afraid and never taking a chance. That is truly the death of any artistic pursuit.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
With the rise and current popularity of AI generated art, I feel it is so important these days for any artist that values true human expression to not be deterred from creating the art that they want to and that lets the world know what they have to say. With machines that can instantly make any image with a prompt with zero actual thought, I find it so important to find art that is made by an actual artist and that expresses real human ideas.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would completely stop looking at social media and would focus 100% of my time and energy into spending time with my family, as well as making art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://degrandland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daviddegrand/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-degrand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daviddegrand/
