Jinky Coronado

Penciller, Writer

Where were you born?  Where did you grow up?
I was born in Iloilo, Philippines, and lived there most of my life with my family.  My parents are Pepito and Judith, and I have a sister Michelle and two brothers — Pejee and Jhopet.  I moved to the U.S, several years ago to work as an artist, a writer, and a model, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work steadily as all three.

Schooling?  Art Training?
I was graduated with a degree in Marketing from the University of San Augustin and a minor in art.  I’ve also taken all the Glass House Graphics seminar courses in comics and commercial illustration.  Plus I’ve learned so much over the years from such terrific artists as Wilson Tortosa, Larry Tuazon, and Tina Francisco.  I also count Mike Deodato and Will Conrad as two of my dearest friends, and I’ve learned a bit from them, as well.

How long have you been working professionally?
As a model, I started in 1995; when I was turning 15, I was on my first magazine cover.  My most recent photo shoot was yesterday.  As an artist and writer, my first professional sales was BANZAI GIRL in 2002, which was published in 2003, so I’ve been at it since then.

What things — both in art and otherwise — have you worked on besides comics? Are comics a full-time gig for you or part-time?
My only job besides modelling and comics was a summer job behind the counter of a “Greenwich Pizza” shop in the Philippines.

Comics have become a full-time thing.  I recently finished illustrating a massive project for TokyoPop, AVALON HIGH, written by best-selling author Meg Cabot.  I’m writing and drawing BANZAI GIRLS, my follow-up series, with Arcana, right now.  And I’m developing another project for the future.  I’m still accepting writing and drawing projects from other publishers, as well — and I’m doing occasional modelling assignments, but writing and drawing are my main thing.  I’ve been in various issues of FHM, MIRROR, PLAY, FEMME FATALES, WIZARD, assorted calendars, websites, and so on.

Talk about how you broke into the business –was it easy? Hard? Ups? Downs ? Any interesting anecdotes? When you held your first published work in your hands, how did you feel?
My agent at Glass House wanted me to experience first-hand the concept of selling not only my project, but the concept of “Jinky Coronado” as a cover model and character.  I developed BANZAI GIRL as a fanciful version of my real-life story growing up as an Asian schoolgirl mixed up with my country’s own urban legends, which put me in the unique position of being the cover model, main character, writer, and artist for a project I created, and I could do convention appearances as myself and the character, all rolled up into one.  That unique “package” enabled me to sell BANZAI GIRL in a matter of weeks from first submission.

Of course, I was thrilled finally to see it in print, after working so hard to get it right.  BANZAI GIRL had not only a full-color series but an Annual, a Preview Book, a Sketchbook, multiple calendars,
posters, mousepads, watches, prints, lunchboxes, and lots of other merchandise, including a gorgeous full-color graphic novel.

Even more exciting, it didn’t end.  Now there’s a brand-new sequel series BANZAI GIRLS from Arcana Studio, a music CD my sister and I performed, a statue that I designed, a TokyoPop-style BANZAI GIRL manga trade paperback, and lots more.  It’s a great feeling.

How did your parents take to the idea of working in comics?
They’re proud of everything that I do.  Some people thought my Dad would be upset when I did multiple lingeries shoots for FHM Philippines.  On the contrary, my Dad had blow-ups made of the photos and hung them in our home!   They get a kick out of being characters in my stories, too.

How would you describe your workspace? Is it part of your home, or do you go “to the studio”?
My “studio”/office is one room in my home, where most people’s dining rooms would be.  I have a big, heavy, sturdy light table that I imported from Brazil, and I work on an iMac, as well.  The shelves are loaded with books.

What job are you the proudest of? What’s your most embarrassing?
I don’t think I’m embarrassed by anything I’ve had published, because each piece is a good as I can possiby make it at the time.  I’m proudest of the work I’m doing right now, becasue I contniue to learn and grow with each job I do.

What are you currently drawing? Comments on that project?

I already mentioned BANZAI GIRLS and AVALON HIGH.  I’ve written pitches for some new projects even as I’m working on those projects, and I’m open to drawing new projects for publishers.

What is the interest in comics where you live? Do friends and neighbors know you draw comics for a living? How do they react?
Most people don’t comprehend the writing and drawing part, but the understand the idea of modelling — because that’s my photo right there!

What’s 1 thing you’ll always find in your refrigerator?
Does Smirnoff Ice count?  If not, then:  rice!

What’s your favorite food?
Moo-shu chicken!

What are your favorite interests –Movies? Music? TV? Any hobbies? Sports?
Lord of the Rings for movies!  I also love such movies as The Devil Wears Prada, and Pirates of the Carribbean.

For music:  Upbeat, dance music.

TV:  I watch American Idol, 24, Heroes, Psych, Smallville, CSI, CSI: MIama, and Desperate Housewives.

Hobbies?  Who has time for hobbies?

The single thing you’d most like to be remembered for in your life is…?
Being everybody’s favorite Asian schoolgirl/writer/artist/model for a lifetime to come.

Any closing words for your fans?

Remember to check www.jinkycoronado.com regularly for updates and my daily Message Board postings.  Thanks and hugs to you all!

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