We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tonie Mcelveen. Check out our conversation below.
Tonie, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. When was the last time you felt true joy?
Last time I felt true joy, was last year around my birthday. I got to travel a lot, first to Mississippi to celebrate with my friends in my old college town. Right after that I went to visit my older sister and her family to continue the celebration. What made it extra special is the fact a lot of our birthdays are in September, so it made the whole thing feel grander in scale. Spending time with my loved ones is one my favorite things to do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a graphic designer/illustrator from Una, Mississippi. My brands RABBITSDONTDIE with conjunction with ROADKILL, are centered around clothing merchandise and my webcomic. I started ROADKILL in 2013, and it later implemented into my college thesis show in 2019, where also created and sold merchandise. The merchandise including clothes, trading cards, buttons, stickers, and posters. RABBITSDONTDIE was formed in 2021, it was an expansion but separate from the comic book side, focused more on original and fan-based art such as music album posters. I think what has made my brand stand out is my art style along with my eye for design, such as my line work and ability to create a mood with my work. Currently I am still selling merchandise, doing commissions, and doing collaborations with other artists.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Before I chose to do art as a career path, I had no direction in life and where I wanted to go. Later on, I found motivation due to some of my friends that I had at the time such as Desiray, Parashay, Ariel, and Dustin. They all believed in me even when I didn’t quite believe in myself yet. Later on, I found other friends like Penny, Andy, Blake, Moesha, Lindsay, Charlotte, Maggie, Olivia, Mayuka, Tyler, Seth, Jes, Mary Ellen, Ally, and countless others, who all continued to push me in Ole Miss to further my journey.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, all the time but usually I get the calling and go running back to it. I’m good at art and gives me a certain piece of mind that I haven’t found in anything else that I’m interested in. I like to see my personal growth in it, and I want to see how I continue to get better not just illustration but other forms as well. Whether it be business or other artistic forms like 3d art.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Personally, it would be my ROADKILL and WARSTONE comic books. Comics take a long time and a lot of motivation to do especially when it is a solo venture of writing, drawing, and coloring. Despite that though I want to finish both books and have something to personally hold in my hands.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Doing art is the path I chose, and I continue to choose every time I pick up a pencil. I’m glad I choose this path because it gave me purpose when I needed it the most in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rabbitsdontdie.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitsdontdie/?hl=cs
Image Credits
Credit to Mary Ellen Cobb, Moesha Wright, Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, and Schoolboy Q.
