The older I get, the more I find myself returning to the joys of my youth.
With that, tonight I’m announcing something really exciting for my creative endeavors going forward. Fear not, lovely readers — I will continue writing novels, because the process of putting words on a page to create vibrant stories is too addicting to ignore. And the Bounty: Origins graphic novel is coming along nicely.
But starting now, I am not just J.D. Cunegan, author. I am now J.D. Cunegan, author and artist.
For the unfamiliar, this is like coming home.
Backstory for the uninitiated: in my adolescence, art was my passion. I was almost always drawing, and if i wasn’t drawing, I was thinking about drawing. I took art classes. I studied the comic book artists who were popular back then, seeing what made them tick. I created Bounty and Notna, specifically to turn them into comic books.
Well, college came and it sapped the joy of art from me. It left the writing intact, though, so while the written word never left me, I went a good decade (if not more) without picking up a pencil with any serious designs of creating artwork.
And every attempt I did make ended in frustration. Apparently, rust is very real in art.
But now, with five novels under my belt and a burning, constant desire to create, I keep coming back to art. I still get frustrated, but I also keep trying. I finish pieces. I’m seeing actual progress. In a year’s time, I’ll have a graphic novel to my name, but I find I want more.
I want to chase that dream 15-year-old me had.
So expect a lot more art, here on this site and on my social media platforms (be sure to follow me on Twitter @JD_Cunegan and Instagram @jdcuneganbooks to see what I’m working on). In addition, in the coming weeks, I’ll be announcing parameters for anyone who wants commissions.
In the meantime, visit my new DeviantArt page.
Also, mark your calendars for Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25, as I will be at Fairfax Comicon in Virginia! I’ll have my books on-hand, and the plan right now is to also have art prints for sale. Stay tuned for more details!
Keep reading, keep creating, and never be afraid to chase your dreams.
About J.D. Cunegan
J.D. Cunegan is known for his unique writing style, a mixture of murder mystery and superhero epic that introduces the reader to his comic book-inspired storytelling and fast-paced prose. A 2006 graduate of Old Dominion University, Cunegan has an extensive background in journalism, a lengthy career in media relations, and a lifelong love for writing. Cunegan lives in Hampton, Virginia, and next to books, his big passion in life in auto racing. When not hunched in front of a keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book, Cunegan can probably be found at a race track or watching a race on TV.
J.D. Cunegan 