Today’s post is a special one, as we’re premiering another round of creator spotlights. As we did before the release of our first issue, we’re going to present everyone who’s involved with Outré #2. First up is Brett Uren, whose work we may have mentioned earlier this year.
Who are you?
My name is Brett Uren, I’m a writer and artist hailing from The Shire… I mean Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, England.
Sometimes I get confused, both have hairy short people, ubiquitous pubs and magic in the hills.
I enjoy all forms of art and this is reflected in the breadth of my work. However, I must confess to enjoying the streak of darkness that runs through my sci-fi, fantasy and cartoon output.
When I think of a nasty idea I light up like a kid at Christmas.
That’s probably normal, right?
Why do you write and draw?
There was once was a musician who worked for a Canadian Dreadlock Wax and Accessory company, his name was Jacob the Baker. He cut up old 70’s funk records with children’s story tapes, hip-hop beats and Slayer. And yea it was awesome.
On his only album before an untimely death, there was a track which contained a voice over for it’s whole length. The stand out passage – ‘Jacob was as a reed and God blew through him, making music of him’.
Now, I’m not a religious sort, but I understand the subconscious and spiritual connections inherent in letting a creation be born via you, almost playing the role of midwife for a memetic birthing. I am compelled to see how far down the rabbit hole I can go, then looking back at the screen or paper and thinking ‘did I do that?’.
Also, I devoured cartoons, comics and video games as a kid and i’ve refused to ‘grow up’. There is no defining biological line that states you must become some buttoned-down, sensible, societally-compliant ‘adult’. It’s just a state of mind… and one I thoroughly disapprove of. It seriously stunts your horizons.
Where can one find you?
You can have a delve around my work and blog-type ramblings at kuzimu.co.uk, thevalecomic.com and bretturen.tumblr.com. I am also part of the team at my current indie publisher, Dead Universe Publishing, whom you can gawk at via deaduniversepublishing.com and deaduniversepublishing.bigcartel.com. I sometimes write articles or reviews for geeksunleashed.me and am connected at the hip to my email bretturen@hotmail.co.uk via that home office crossed with a Tamagotchi… you know, a smartphone.
Brett’s story in Outré #2 is titled “Torsobear”. It’s a grim fable set in the cozy, cartoon-like city of Toyburg, and it’s also the only story in the issue that’s created by a single artist.
As a special treat for our readers we’re going show you a special pin-up Brett made for the story, which should also give you a good impression of what you can expect from it art-wise:
Have you ever seen a cuter cop duo? We didn’t think so. Check out more samples of Brett’s amazing art below and be sure to tune in next week.
Stay creative!
Magnus & Glenn
Editors
Outré Press
OUTRÉ 