N.J Cartoon Artist Finds Himself On A Roll"
By Susan Kalan - October 10th 2008
Cartoonist Mike Jasorka of Stewartsville has dames on his mind most of the time.
That's because the 24-year old (He's marking his birthday today) has found true happiness in the connection he's made between his favorite venue -- a roller rink -- and his fine cartoon art.
The harmony is Jasorka's creation Roller Dames, a limited edition collection of all-ages pin-up roller girl prints that are hand-rendered and digitally colored drawings. Jasorka and his work are currently touring at -- where else -- roller rinks in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
"The Roller Dames are individually named with their own unique personalities, skating poses and clothing that expresses the freedom and fun found within roller skating." Jasorka talks about his girls.
"I hope people enjoy my art as much as I enjoy makiing it," he says. "It's so cool to see people of all ages expressing themselves as individuals when they're at a rink."
The young artist says many of his creations start with a title of a story or a simple word that inspires him. His Roller Dames art was a title conception that led to his female cartoon subjects posed wearing roller skates. He says the idea took off when he began posting his collection online.
Jasorka recieved a studio degree in illustration from Rowan University in 2007, also the year he made the top 50 in the international Platinum Studio's Comic Book Challenge.
When he's not drawing, he's a musician who favors alternative-pop-electronica and the tunes of David Byrne and Billy Idol.
Hometown: Stewartsville
Website: rollerdames.com
Influences: "Found my own aesthetic approach after reading comic books for years and years." Inspired by work of cartoonists Steve Ditko and Stan Lee of "Spider Man" fame.
Style: Bulbous, Stream-lined look.
Knows His Roots: He began drawing cartoons from TV, including "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Ghost Busters."
Catch Him if you can: Jasorka's Roller Dames pin-up art collection tour is featured at public skate sessions tonight at Frenchtown Roller Rink, Saturday night at Bethlehem Skateaway, Oct. 18th at Independence Family Fun Center in Schnecksville and Oct. 25th at Jamz Skating Center in Philadelphia.
