Nambla.: You do all of this from prison? Chris: Yep. I sit on my bunk using my knees as a platform with a homemade drawing board. I usually have my TV on or I listen to Def Leppard.
N.: Does anyone around you know what you’re drawing?
C.: Only my very closest friends.
N.: Do you prefer the writing or drawing aspect.
C.: Drawing is much harder for me, which is probably why my artwork looks the way it does.
N.: Aren’t you a bit hard on yourself? After all, even the early works of Walt Disney lacked the polish he later developed. Isn’t it the concept that is of greater importance?
c.: I suppose you’re right.
N.: The protagonist in StarGazing, Evan, is a musician. You were a composer in the music world and you played guitar at the professional level. Is Evan based on you?
C.: His personality and talents are mine, including the juggling and the way he’s led by his emotions. He doesn’t look like me though. I drew him more handsome.
N.: Where did you get the idea for the graphic novel?
C.: The news, TV, articles I read. When I started the story, I thought I’d struggle to come up with ideas, but that hasn’t been a problem at all. Focusing on the theme of boys’ lives inspires me.
N.: Some of the cartoon situations are quite funny. Others are of deeper meaning.
C.: Yeah, the funny ones are more fun to draw and they actually do make me laugh sometimes.
N.: Why are you incarcerated.
C.: I loved a boy deeply who loved me back. We weren’t allowed to express that love physically, and so here I am. But we were both very happy together. Thankfully, he’s led a successful, healthy life.
N.: Are you doing OK?
C.: I miss him terribly, but I am sustained but I’m sustained by what we once had. I’m doing very well, I feel strong. Contributing to Nambla helps give me a sense of purpose.
N.: What’s the worst thing about prison?
C.: The food. And no boys to cherish or even look at. Thank goodness for TV.