Jon M. Lennon is the lunatic behind PRODUCT OF SOCIETY and
the star of Matt Zingale’s documentary of the same title. Easily the most
offensive artist you’ll find at any convention’s Artists Alley, he is a major
force in indie comics.
ME: Your work has taken a new direction of late. What broke
you out of your regular style and propelled you into this new transgressive
style?
JML: Real life happened. I was shocked out of stagnation and
complacency by a sudden, unexpected confrontation with my own mortality. In
February 2013 I spent three days in the hospital with pancreatitis. A week
later I fell in love with a woman who had no interest in me. These two events
sent me on a new course that altered my life, art and future. I gave up fast
food and pop and started exercising. The woman I was obsessed with was also an
artist, so I started pushing myself to make better art to impress her. I
eventually lost over a hundred pounds and was rejected by the woman who had
been such a motivator for me. As an unexpected consequence of the weight loss
more women began showing interest in me but I hadn’t really dated anyone for
five years so I found myself unable to deal properly with normal dating
experiences. As the physical changes and emotional trauma piled up inside of me
I constantly worked on new art. I pushed my style and technique in ways I had
never attempted before as the content of the pieces became darker and
progressively nightmarish. The dust has still not settled on 2013 for me but
what is clear is that I am physically and mentally healthier and I am more
satisfied and excited about the artwork I am creating than I have been in
years.
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