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What is Steam Crow?
Steam Crow LLC. is a little studio based in Phoenix, Arizona, where we make characters, illustrated products, and stories. We were established in 2005.
Who is Steam Crow?
It’s Daniel m. Davis and Dawna Davis. We’re a husband and wife team, and we couldn’t do this without each other. We have a Goblin Boy, who we call “Goblin Boy”.
Daniel does most of the art and communication stuff, while Dawna helps pack orders, get stuff done, and is the show master.
Where did the “Steam Crow” name come from?
We had another name that we started with, but it was trademarked. (Always do a trademark search when you start your biz.) So, I had this story in my back pocket about a mechanical scarecrow that gets struck by lightening, and comes to life. It’s pretty unique, so we like it.
When did you start doing art?
We’ve been drawing and making things our whole lives. We can’t stop. Please help.
What inspires your work?
Daniel is inspired by vintage Halloween, monster movies, old advertising mascots, old time design, steampunk and dieselpunk, Dungeons and Dragons, and pie.
Why do you like drawing monsters?
Our monsters are just like people. They’re not perfect, and some are a little broken. But, they still need love and attention, and we help import their stories from the monster world (Monstru.)
Do you do this full time?
Daniel started working full-time for us in May 2011, after 6 years of work. Daniel’s not in love with working for other folks, though he did it for 24 years already.
Have you ever had any other jobs?
Well, sure. Daniel has been a farm-hand, a baker of bagels, a t-shirt designer, a web designer, and a designer for the Credit Union industry. But, his passion is in designing and making monsters. He first began as a graphic designer in 1994.
Dawna is a veteran art teacher, in her 15th year of teaching. She’s pretty well rounded and can do most media with ease, including ceramics, acrylic/gouache painting, sewing, and drawing. She’s red/green color-blind (rare) but that doesn’t slow her down.
Do you ever help out other creators?
You bet! We founded TINY ARMY, a Phoenix collective dedicated to helping each other grow, become better marketers, and more successful business folks. We meet once per month at the Phoenix Art Institute. If you’re around, you should drop by for a meetup.
Daniel also writes articles at Webcomic Marketing every once in a while. There’s a bunch of stuff there that might be helpful for indie creators, even if you don’t do a comic.
Will you publish my book?
Probably not. We’re really not set up for that, and you really don’t need us anyway. Steam Crow is about us publishing our own work. If you want something published, we think that you should go for it and publish yourself. That’s what we did!
What’s a “Patriot”?
No, it has nothing to do with football or political parties. It’s the name of our supporters, friends, and fans. (But we hate the word “fan”.)
It comes from Monster Commute, and is what Abraham Lincolnstein calls his followers.
Do you do freelance illustration or design?
No, that’s not really what we’re about. We’re way more focused on making cool stuff, and running our business. Every time we take on other work, it distracts from our real goal: making our Patriots happy.