031: Sonny Kang Chargualaf
Also known as Heroes and Headkicks, Sonny Kang Chargualaf is a Korean-Chamoru secondary art teacher and freelance comic/digital illustration artist from Guam.
Sonny Kang Chargualaf
His love for comics began when his mother bought him his first comic book, sparking a lifelong passion for the art form. Influenced by both his parents' youthful drawings and the comic artists he admired growing up, Chargualaf chose comics as his primary medium. His style reflects his interests in martial arts and local culture, often incorporating dynamic poses and homages to comic book covers into his work.
Chargualaf credits his high school and college art teachers for pushing him to develop his skills. He draws inspiration from various sources, including martial arts, games, and pop culture, as well as local influences like Jesse Toves and Josh Aggerstrand. When faced with artist's block, he finds that taking a break and working out helps him regain his motivation and focus. His creative process typically involves gathering client briefs, researching reference images, and developing multiple drafts before finalizing the design. The joy of drawing at home with his wife and dog in Guam is also another source of comfort and inspiration, reflecting his deep connection to his roots and the island's culture.
Sonny Kang Chargualaf
As a comic artist, Chargualaf acknowledges the significant challenges of creating print-ready comics but feels fortunate to have an experienced team supporting him on his current project, "Taotaomona." He believes that artists play a crucial role in society by helping people navigate their emotions through various forms of art. Despite the public often overlooking the arts, Sonny feels that art has the power to make sense of the human condition and express what it means to be human.
Sonny Kang Chargualaf
Chargualaf’s journey from traditional to digital art showcases his evolution as an artist. Influenced by a family that valued creativity, he was encouraged to pursue art from a young age. His advice to aspiring artists is to draw every day and treat art as a lifestyle rather than a means to fame or wealth.
To read Sonny Kang Chargualaf’s full interview, continue reading below. Also, check out his impressive body of work on Instagram (@heroesandheadkicks). Thanks again!
Sonny Kang Chargualaf
Please introduce yourself and describe what you do.
Sonny Kang Chargualaf, secondary art teacher and freelance comic artist
How would you define art?
To me, art is how we make sense of the human condition. Art is how we express what it is to be human.
Why did you choose your art form?
I chose comics as my style because I've loved the art form since my mom bought me my first comic book. The panels stood out to me so much that I started trying to redraw the comics I collected. I also saw old drawings my parents drew when they were young that had a big impact on me.
How did your high school/college years affect the work you make today?
My art teachers both in high school and college really pushed me to develop.
Who do you idolize?
My primary influences are the comic artists I read growing up - Arthur Adams, Jim Lee, Alan Davis, Paul Smith, and Dave Cockrum, who lived on Guam for a bit and created Nightcrawler here. Local comic style artists as well - Dela Cruz, Jesse Toves, Josh Aggerstrand, etc.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from my interests - martial arts, comics, games, pop culture and local culture.
What do you do when you're stuck on an artwork or lacking motivation or inspiration?
Typically I'd take a few hours to a day doing something else. Working out helps a lot when I'm experiencing artist block.
What do you like incorporating most into your art?
Since I've practiced and competed in martial arts since I was eight, and I've been reading comics for about as long, those two themes tend to show up most in my artwork.
What is something that you add to your art as your signature?
I think people might recognize my use of dynamic poses and comic cover homages.
Take us through your process for making art.
Typically get the client brief, look up relevant reference images and work on 2-3 drafts. After consulting with the client on their choice, start tightening up the design.
What do you struggle with the most when making art?
Creating comics that are print ready is a huge task. I've been lucky enough on my current comic, Taotaomona, to be working with an experienced team.
What role do artists have in society?
I think the importance of the arts can be overlooked by the general public who aren't creative by nature. Until something big happens in your life, a painting, a poem, a song or a movie can help us navigate through our emotions and can help us make sense of what's happening.
What characteristics do you think all artists share?
I think most artists have a strong inner dialog with themselves. I'm in my head a lot.
What’s your favorite place in Guam?
My favorite place is drawing at home with my wife and my dog.
How has your artwork evolved over time?
I've gone from traditional media to learning digital art on my own. I'm almost exclusively digital now.
Why did you choose to become an artist?
A few main reasons - most of my immediate family can draw. My brother went to school for landscape architecture and drew for his college newspaper. My sister is a writer and I spoke earlier about my parents' old drawings. So art was always encouraged growing up.
Is your art geared towards a specific audience?
Anyone who appreciates comic art.
Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?
Draw everyday. Treat it like a lifestyle - something you do for yourself and not the end goal of getting rich or famous.
