Fadge, the first release from BT Livermore's Banner Year Press
BT Livermore is a pretty impressive artist. Not just for his passion, integrity, or artistic merit, but for his sheer business power. He’s equal parts entrepreneur and cartoonist. BT has been self-publishing zines and comics for years now and has never seen a reason to relinquish any of the labor to others because he can simply do it the most efficiently and precisely himself. He is now a master at DIY screen printing and book binding. He hopes to offer up these skills to others under his new venture, Banner Year Press.
I met up with BT across the street from his studio at Backspace to chat about his work.
BT Livermore in his Northwest Portland studio
What made you start Banner Year Press?
I found through years of making comics that there was something about the physicality of the process that was really appealing. People occasionally asked me about working on their books, but it couldn’t really be done in a way that was affordable for them. So, I wanted to start a project that could allow me to work with others and help get their art printed.
What are some of your business goals?
I haven’t published anything by just one person. I’d like to put out a very limited run of some solo work, either comic book or sketch book style.
Personal goals?
I want to make a totally screen printed book. Three color, 32-page, edition of 500 probably. I do so much screen printing for book covers that this seems like the next step for that.
BT Livermore and two of his publications, Otto Zeppelin and Bear Fight!
How much of your time is spent on straight art vs. production?
The art is usually done in one big chunk, whereas black-and-white printing is just done as needed. So it’s hard to tell since printing can span out. Probably still more on art though.
Do you see Portland becoming an easier or more difficult place for artists?
More difficult. It’s the easiest place I’ve ever been as far as getting involved, but harder to sell here because there’s so many creative people. Prospective customers will look at work and either be too poor to buy it or simply say “I could make that.”
A page from BT Livermore's senior thesis from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, B is for Beard.
You have put out multiple books about facial hair and most of your characters have some variation of beard or mustache. Talk a little bit about facial hair.
It’s a naturally occurring free source of entertainment. For 15 years facial hair has been a wonderful accessory for me and I’m proud of it. It also makes for good business for my mustache wax since no one will buy mustache wax from a shaved man.
What are your plans for the release of the Baby Otto series that you’ve been working on for the past three years?
So far I have 4 volumes out and I’m working on the fifth. There’s going to be 10 total. They may end up then being combined into larger volumes.
Work from BT Livermore, found in his Northwest Portland studio.
Are you still feeling pretty enthusiastic about the project after so long?
Yes. It’s beyond just a comic to me now. There will continue to be delays but I will always be coming back to it until it’s done, which is ideally a year and a half from now.
How does it feel to pay your rent with art?
It’s not easy. Sometimes you make more than you need in a month, sometimes you make less. You just have to be prepared for uncertainties and keep hustling. You have to really create a market for yourself with tee shirts, prints, anything. Every little bit helps.
Prints from The Weekly Print, a project BT completed in 2009.
What’s your favorite medium?
Latex paint and house paint from SCRAP and the street. I’m excited about murals right now and it’s nice to use materials that come up serendipitously. I could always mix the colors I find, but there’s something about just using a material in the state it comes to you that’s nice.
What are some influences of yours?
Anonymous sign painters, New Yorker cartoonists from the 1940s and 1950s, and friends.
BT lives in Portland OR and recently received a BFA in illustration from the Pacific NW College of Art. His most recent publication under Banner Year Press is Bear Fight, a collection of over 70 artists interpreting the title theme, “bear fight.” This and a variety of other releases can be found at Reading Frenzy, Floating World Comics, and online at Banner Year Press.
