THONY AIUPPY

Blog

  • 5 Things Friday – January 16, 2026

    This is has been a productive week for me both in art and in teaching.

    1. One of the biggest things going on for me is my upcoming show with James Greene at The Unicat called FULL BLEED. Super excited for this one. As I continue to grow, expand, and develop my artistic voice I am thrilled to share some new work in the vein of comics, painting, and more.

    The opening reception is at The UNICAT Gallery in Jacksonville, Located at:

    602 East Union Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202 from 6-9pm. It is across from the Olde City Cemetery.

    2. I’ve been having a blast leading the Comic Book Club at Black Cat Comics. It’s a super special crew that we ride with and I’m reading a lot of different types of comics, getting exposed to things I’m not necessary drawn to. Here we are (some of us) playing some old 80s Ninja Turtles Board Game.

    In 2026, we will continue the Comic Book Club. We hang out from 6:30-8pm on Wednesdays at Black Cat. Come swing by and hang out for a while.

    3. Since I have so many irons in the fire, I don’t have a lot of time to read long form novels or graphic novels. That is one of the reasons I love comics so much. Recently, I’ve been most keen on reading various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles titles, Oni’s EC books, the Twilight Zone, and some other stuff in the horror, sci-fi vein.

    What have you been reading that’s interesting?

    4. This semester I am teaching 2 Drawing classes at UNF (University of North Florida) and 1 Painting class at FSCJ (Florida State College at Jacksonville). Still learning the ropes on how to teach oil painting to a large group.

    Check out this awesome painting studio I get to teach in! C’mon!

    My students are giving me a lot of grace and allowing me to learn how to teach as they learn how to paint.

    Also, I forgot how much I love to teach Drawing!

    5. As things are starting to wrap up for my upcoming art show, I am gearing up for my big graphic novel project on the architect Henry Klutho and his impact on me and Northeast Florida over the last century. I have secured an editor. I have begun some research, but I will be ramping up the research and writing starting in February.

    And while I’m researching and writing out the graphic novel, I’m going to get the next Aquabarian comic under way. My goal is to have it ready for DCAZ Fest and HeroesCon, which are in June 2026.

    The breakdowns are almost done. If I can get it done the way I want, The Annals of the Aquabarian will be a 24-page comic.

  • 5 Things Friday – January 9, 2026

    2026 is already rocking and rolling along. Here’s 5 things that’s been going on.

    1. I got to celebrate 20 years of marriage with my wife Melissa. We got to get away to South Florida where we went to the Perez Museum in Miami, visited the Everglades, ate Mahi tacos, and traveled down to the Florida Keys to see coral reefs.

    2. Teaching is picking up. Not only am I teaching at the University of North Florida this semester, but I will also be teaching at the Florida State College at Jacksonville (South Campus). I’m really excited and hope to share some student work soon.

    3. 2025 was my first real year of tabling. Ended the year with the Orlando Zine Fest (shout out to Black Bird Comics who puts on an extraordinary event!) I will be tabling at more zine and comic fests in 2026, including DCAZ 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida and Heroes Con in Charlotte, North Carolina. Some more announcements will be forthcoming. I did put in for the Fluke Athens fest in Georgia. Fingers crossed.

    4. I received an Art Ventures grant in December 2025 through the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. You can read more about the Awards HERE. With the grant, I will be making a graphic novel about the architect Henry Klutho and his impact and contribution to the city of Jacksonville. I’m very excited about this project and I will officially start working on it in February. Part of the funds from the grant will go towards hiring an editor so that I can make this the best book possible!

    5. I will be having an art exhibit with James Green at The Unicat Gallery in Jacksonville. The show is called FULL BLEED. James and I are including original comics pages that we’ve made for our comics as well as new paintings and prints. You don’t want to miss it if you live in Jacksonville. The show’s opening reception is Saturday January 24th.

    Screenshot

  • 5 Things Friday – October 10, 2025

    Here are 5 things I’ve got in the hopper:

    1. Treasure Island Comic Con

    Tomorrow, October 11th, from 10-5, I will be in Fernandina, Florida for the inaugural Treasure Island Comic Con. There are some amazing talents that will be at the con and I’m super excited for the opportunity. I will be going up with Dan from Black Cat Comics (located on Stockton Street in Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood). I’ll be selling Haint Tales and Aquabarian comics. Come out if you’re in the area. Would love to see you.

    2. Savage Fest

    Next weekend I will be tabling at Savage Fest, in Savannah, GA, with my buddy Andy Kozlowski. I’m super pumped to get up to Savannah. It’s been a while since I’ve been there and will be good to see some familiar faces. Andy will be selling rise comics and I will be selling Haint Tales 1 & 2, Aquabarian, and Cryptids from the Damned Platoon. If you live in, or near, Savannah, come out for a great fest. It’s going to be a blast. Hopefully, I can get a chance to run over to Neighborhood Comics, too before we dip out.

    3. Black Cat Comics Halloween Anthology

    This Halloween, Black Cat Comics (Riverside, Jacksonville, FL) is releasing a Horror Anthology of 1-page comics and stories centered around the spooky aspects of Jacksonville. You can expect tales of School No. 4, the Betz Sphere, and even ZAAT! All the submissions have been turned in, work has been scanned, the covers and interiors are ready to go. If you want a copy, you’ll have to go to Black Cat Comics on Halloween. We’ll be having a release party. It’s going to be a total blast.

    Here’s a little snippet of what to expect:

    4. Spooky Season Reading

    Tis the season for Spooky Books, especial spooky comics. I an infatuated with horror comics both old and new. I’ve been reading a lot of Jack Davis horror comics Jack Davis did for EC Comics back in the day. I’ve been poring over the Fantagraphics Black and White reprints (Taint the Meat & The Living Mummy). As I continue to grow as an artist, Jack Davis has been a boon for me. He’s in my “Top 5” most influential artists that I continually go back to.

    Another comic I can’t get over it the newly released Facsimile Treasury Edition of DC’s House of Mystery. If anyone knew how to put to gather a horror anthology in the 1970s, it was DC Comics and the talent attached to this volume is top notch, including the likes of Berni Wrightson, Gil Kane, and Alex Toth (just to name a few).

    5. Art Show in January 2026

    In January, I will be having an art show with my good friend James Greene. If you don’t know James or his comics, you need to check out his Larry Loathman series. We will be exhibiting original pages and creating new work for the exhibit, which will be at The Unicat Gallery. My hope is to be able to share some of the process and development of new work through the newsletter. Be on the lookout for more information and chatter relating to this upcoming show.

    All I can say now is that it’s time to get grinding.

    Thanks for sticking around and coming along with me on this art journey. If you are around for any of the upcoming events I’ll be participating in, please come say hello. It would be great to see you.

    Til next time,

    Thony Aiuppy

  • 5 Things Friday – September 25, 2025

    5 Things Friday – September 25, 2025

    Life is full (a nice way of saying crazy busy) these days. A new semester of teaching is underway in all my capacities (college, private students, workshops, etc.). My 3 kids all leveled up: Blaise is in high school, Soren moved up to the older kids building at his school, Bijou entered middle school. Needless to say, there’s a lot going on and a lot of juggling of schedules and expectations. So in this season, I want to try out sharing just 5 things that’s going on with me either related to work, art making, or things that I’m enjoying.

    Here we go!

    1. I’m in the home stretch of a project I’ve been working with the LJD Jewish Family and Community Services on. It is called WE COULD NOT BE SILENT. This project is part traveling exhibition and part comic book. The comic and exhibition tells the story of 17 Jewish leaders who went to St. Augustine, Florida to stand in solidarity with the local community in 1964 and stand up against injustice during the Civil Rights movement. It is an under known story and I am looking forward to sharing more of it with you.

    2. I’m currently working on putting together ah horror anthology comic with Black Cat Comics and 30+ local creators who are contributing 1-page comics or flash fiction. My good buddy Andy Kozlowski, the great printing wizard, is helping with printing this book (risograph!) and we’re having a release party at Black Cat Comics on Halloween (a Friday this year). More details to come.

    3. New comics I’ve been digging lately include: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Drome by Jesse Lonergan, all the EC Comics, and several comics from DC’s Absolute line: Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, and Batman. Starting in October on New Comic Book Wednesdays, I will be leading a Comic Book Club where we will be diving into the first Absolute Batman Trade. Reach out to Black Cat Comics in Riverside for more information.

    4. Cool, old, stuff I’ve been into reading lately has basically revolved around Spooky Season. Been reading Edgar Allan Poe short stories, I reread The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, but I’ve also been reaching back to a bunch of the old EC Horror comics. In addition, I recently picked up Weird Tales of the Macabre, a 70s black and white horror comic magazine that ran for only 2 issues and was put out by Atlas Seaboard. Wild stuff!

    5. This new semester of teaching has been excellent so far. At the University of North Florida I am teaching Figure Painting and Painting 1. I am also teaching a handful of private students. I had some drops off, but we’ll see if that picks up over the next month or so. On Saturdays at the South Mandarin Branch library I’m running a month long workshop on Digital Art for students ages 8-13.

    That’s about all for now. Thanks for checking out the newsletter. I appreciate your being along with me on this awesome journey of making an artful living. Til next time!

    Sincerely,

    Thony Aiuppy

  • March 2025 Updates

    January and February have been good. Lots going on with teaching and making art.

    There will be a lot of events that I am participating in during the month of March.

    On March 8, I will be hosting a workshop at Panel Palooza in Gainesville, Florida.

    On March 15, I will be in New Haven, CT for Indie Comics Creator Con!

    And on March 22, I will be participating in the Jax Nerd Market at Solune Coffee in Riverside.

    Needless to say that my month is pretty booked with cool events.

    On a side note I ran my 5th GATE River Run on Saturday, March 1st. I kept it slow and steady as I’m trying to get back into a regular running habit after injuries.

    It was a perfect day to run a 15K (9.3 miles).

    As far as comics go, I’ve been reading a lot of current DC titles lately. Been loving the Absolute Wonder Woman series. The last issue dropped this last week. Also been reading the New Gods, Metamorpho, and Challengers of the Unknown. I have also been following Marvel’s Hulk and Fantastic Four current offerings. I’m really enjoying them. Death of Copra is top of my to-read pile. Michel Fiffe’s vision for the series has been nothing less than stellar. And if you haven’t been following it, Tom Scioli’s Godzilla’s Monsterpiece Theatre is balls to the wall fun!

  • January 2025 Updates

    There are a lot of new things happening around these parts.

    First off, I started teaching part time at UNF (University of North Florida) again. This semester I am teaching Figurative Painting. It’s going alright so far and I am adjusting to doing more demos. Currently students are doing self-portrait paintings that I look forward to seeing. Here’s a quick demo of my self-portrait that I gave on Wednesday. I’ll probably finish it in class over the next week or two.

    Second, I’m also starting a new part time gig teaching adults with autism at the Rainbow Center, part of L’Arche (an adult autism care facility). I’ll be teaching ceramics and very much look forward to working these amazing humans!

    Third, I’m still teaching private lessons. This semester I’m teaching Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4-5:30. If you know anybody in Jacksonville, Florida looking for art lessons on Fridays, send them my way.

    THONY AIUPPY Under Deaden Days Q2 COMICDownload

    Fourth, this weekend I finished a new comic titled Under Deaden Days. It’s an 8-page weirdo western poetry comic. Feel free to download and read at your leisure. I may do a few tweaks, but this is something I plan to do more of: mixing comics and poetry.

    Fifth, I just got a proposal approved for a large project. That means a couple of things.

    For the rest of January and probably most of February, I will be spending a lot of time researching, writing and doing some preliminary sketching for a large sequential art project. I have a deadline in the middle of the summer. Can’t give too many details, but I will be sharing some process stuff along the way here. If you’d like to get updates from me, this is where they will most likely be posted. Because of my tight deadline, I won’t be engaging too much on social media over the next several months.

    You can sign up for my Blog/Newsletter HERE! Please share with your friends!

    Happy MLK Day!

  • Some New Updates!

    Hi everyone. Just wanted to give an update because a lot has been going on in my corner of the world.

    I have new comics up in my STORE.

    There are 2 different Comic Bundles that you can purchase at a discount (and I’m covering the shipping for orders during the next month).

    1) Risograph Bundle

    My friend Andrew Kowzlowski over at Paper City Publishing created these Risograph versions of The Aquabarian and Cryptids from the Damned Platoon.

    2) Black & White Bundle

    There’s also the 3 Black $ White Comix Bundle that comes with The Aquabarian, Cryptids from the Damned Platoon, and Collage Comix.

    Two weekends ago I got the chance to table at Small Press Fest in Dania Beach (Fort Lauderdale area), Florida.

    It was the first time I ever tabled outside of my city, Jacksonville, Florida. The experience was great all around. It was amazing to connect with people and share my work with a new audience. Highly recommend if you are trying tabling. Being a newbie, I didn’t have the best spot, but I totally made it work. My neighbors were super-chill and when we hit a lull, we chatted about process and future projects/endeavors. Also, just found out that I will get to table at the Orlando Zine Fest next month (December 14, 2024).

    This last weekend I taught a comic zine workshop in my city.

    I was able to partner with a local roastery, the super rad Solune Coffee. The workshop was small, but helpful to people wanting to make more zines and comics. There was a cool mix of young people and adults. It was a great time and I was able to practice and sharpen my teaching (comics and zines) skills. 

    Oh, yeah, I got a new dog. Her name is JuneBug  she turned 1 on Halloween. 

    Between making and selling comics, tabling, and trying to do art workshops, life has been very full.

    This is all on top of teaching private art lessons (I have over a dozen private students now, and hoping to grow more during the Spring) and participating in the SAW Yearlong Comics Program for the second time.

    Thanks for your time,

    Thony Aiuppy 

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  • New Art Classes coming FALL 2024

    Coming Late Summer // Early Fall 2024, I will be starting a new business teaching private art and group art classes in Jacksonville, Florida. Get more information HERE!

    Let me know how I can accommodate your art needs. Send me an email at thonyaiuppy@gmail.com

  • Colored Pencil Drawing

    Colored Pencil Drawing

    One of the classes I’m taking this semester during Quarter 3 of the Sequential Artist Workshop is about process and different ways of finishing comics. This week we worked in pencil, either graphite or colored. I picked colored pencils because I wanted a challenge and I’m not very good at the material, as opposed to others I’m more used to working with.

    The image I came up with is pulled from a photo of a boy who is enamored with with a large metallic sphere. A specific sphere known as the “Betz Ball” or “Betz Sphere.” If you’ve never heard of it, look it up. It’s a wild story about a family that finds a mysterious ball on their North Florida property. I ultimately want to do a comic based on the story, so I thought I’d do something towards that goal.

  • Polyominos

    Polyominos

    I’m in the 3rd Quarter of my Year Long Certificate Program at the Sequential Artist Workshop. This week we’ve been looking at Polyominos in comics. Polyominos are often wordless in nature and you can mix up the panels to create different stories using the same panels. The end results can be fun and surprising. Here’s what I came up with for the assignment.

    Polyomino – Version 1
    Polyomino – Version 2