My graphic novel (currently untitled) takes place during the last Ice Age when people still created cave art. It’s about Hodei, a young boy around 13 or 14 years old, and his struggle to find his place in the world. He has an incredible talent for art which begins as his secret and then later becomes his salvation.

In the summer of 2006, I picked up The Mind in the Cave by David Lewis-Williams. I have always had a fascination with cave art and this book inspired me to pursue this interest of mine with my first graphic novel. Since that summer I have devoured every book on the subject I could get my hands on. While the story that fuels my graphic novel is fiction, I have a deep desire for it to be as real and well-educated as possible. I have learned a lot from my three years of book research, but I was still lacking one very important detail: context.

In September 2009 I went on a trip to France to visit painted caves to finalize my research for my graphic novel. I went on the Caves and Castles tour conducted by Steve and Judie Burman. (Who are possibly some of the nicest people I have ever met!) I spent a week with them and four others on a whirlwind tour of the Vezere Valley visiting prehistoric and medieval sites. It was AMAZING and I will never forget this experience.

I visited Lascaux II (replica), Rouffignac, Cougnac, Font de Gaume, and Les Combarelles. I also a visited the National Museum of Prehistory and several abri (rock shelter) sites. It is one thing to look at photographs of the caves, artifacts, and prehistoric sites, but it’s something completely different to experience them in person. Our host and guide, Steve, is a fountain of knowledge and I got to ask him lots and lots of questions! I learned more on this one week than I have in the past three years reading books. This trip was worth every single penny as I now have the important context I was missing and I know for sure that my graphic novel is going to be all the more rich and educated for it.

If you’re interested in the tour, check out Steve and Judie’s website.

I kept a sketch journal during my trip and took a TON of photos!

I currently have a three year production plan for my graphic novel starting September 28th, 2009 (the day after I returned from France). One year to write the story, and two years to draw it. This plan is tentative as I will extend it if I have to, but for now this is my goal. Watch this space for updates on my progress!

My graphic novel is currently untitled and I can’t tell you much more about it yet, but here is a collection of related artwork! It is arranged oldest (2006) to newest (2009).