An Interview with Illustrator Kennon James

A talented illustrator, Kennon James specialises in pen and ink portraiture of characters and fantastical creatures. I recently had the welcome opportunity to chat with Kennon, and learn about his background and career to date.

Hello Kennon, and thank you for joining us. Would you please introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Kennon. I'm a freelance illustrator living in the Austin, Texas area. I've been a freelance illustrator for about 30 years. I’ve also worked as a production and concept artist in the video game industry and as a lead animator on feature films and television projects.

And how did you career start? What were your first gigs?

I’d been doing various and irregular small art jobs for years by the time I landed m first ‘big’ freelance gig in the early 90s. At that time the The Art Institute of Houston maintained a freelance folder (yes, an actual, physical folder) full of small, freelance gigs.

I routinely perused that folder, and one day I answered a “looking for an illustrator” ad placed by a a small publishing company in Houston which was looking for an illustrator for a line of children’s books.

And how did your career progress from there?

Freelance is often feast or famine, and, as with most freelancers, I experienced lots of ups and downs. I waited on tables and worked as a bartender between jobs.

So what was your first assignment in tabletop gaming?

I drew some some spot illustrations for Dragon magazine in the early 2000s.

Dragon magazine? Wow! Talk about starting at the sharp end! And what have been your career highlights since then?

That’s a tough one. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great opportunities. I’m not sure what I’d consider my highlights.

Over the years I've worked for some great clients including Utopia Sprawl, Wolfbane Miniatures, Outland Entertainment, RBJ Miniatures, Dragonblood Miniatures, Effin Cool Miniatures, Die Hard Miniatures, Paizo Publishing, Gaxx Worx, Gaxland, Goodman Games, Slugfest Games, Satyr Art Studio, Skull and Crown Miniatures, Maceface Miniatures, AntiMatter Games, and Forge of Ice.

A comprehensive list indeed.

I think the work I’m doing now is my best though. I’m personally most proud with the cover I did for the Dragonslayer RPG. I’m not usually happy with my work after the fact but I’m happy with that one.

I’m also working on some illustrations for Dr. Greg Gillespie, the creator of the Barrowmaze Meg-dungeons & Dragon Slayer RPG. After that a cover for the Heartbreaker RPG, a few personal commissions, and a shirt design for the metal band Beholder.

And what about when you're not working on artwork for clients? How do you relax? Do you like to work on personal projects, or do you do something entirely different?

In my free time I either play RPGs or boardgames with friends, or I watch football and play PC games.

I’m always working on personal projects in the background, something is always in the works. I always have to be producing something, At the moment, for instance, I’m developing projects for my small game company, Pig Faced Orc.

Thank you for your time, Kennon; it’s been a pleasure talking to you.