"The Begin of Two Clouds" (Collaboration with Won Taek Hong) (Patreon)

Collaborating can be tricky when expectations are lost in translation. That was literally the case with this special piece drawn by the amazing Won Taek Hong.

He messaged me recently (two of the same messages in fact) about introducing his account to my audience. I told him that I don't usually do that sort of thing, but that I would be happy to collaborate with him on an idea. Looking at his Instagram, there wasn’t much content (and only 83 followers), but wow! What was there was tremendous.

I wondered if he was some scam account copping images from a master artist to pass them off as his own. Intrigue got the better of me. I asked him to do a video call.

Our shared patience helped us learn a little bit about each other before addressing our agreed upon “collaboration”.

Unable to speak Korean, I did my best to act out the premise of a comic idea: Two clouds taking human form and getting into a fight in which one of them viciously bludgeons the other- causing rain to spurt on some appreciative flowers. He indicated in broken English that he could draw it. I had no idea what to expect considering that it was hard to be clear about anything- including whether or not this man possessed the talents I had seen on his Instagram.

Less than 24 hours later, this hard-working man delivered 8 magnificent panels. I was stunned. Not only by the staggering beauty of what he sent, but by his stunningly sweet -and quite different- interpretation of the idea.

Normally I like to go back and forth with a collaborator about things should look. However, rather than wrestle him further out of his comfort zone through a language barrier, I have followed the example of the clouds and let this collaboration just be what it is.

Please kindly welcome Won Taek to the United States (and social media). He is currently working long hours at a restaurant to support his family, but I think he is one of very few people whose glowing imagination could design epic animated films of any length. His work is incredible- especially the vignettes with his daughter.

Follow his Instagram.

His Etsy featuring dogs drawings.

He also made a video about creating our comic!

Here’s his Facebook if anyone wants to follow along there.