When asked how his style has evolved over the course of three comic series, Chris reflected on the creative journey that has shaped "Eyewash." He shared, "I began creating 'Eyewash' with the simple goal of giving people something silly to laugh at amid all the negativity that is so common online. And after creating nearly 400 single-panel comics, I'm happy to say that my goal hasn't changed. But there has been a lot of creative growth on my part along the way. At first, the ideas came much more quickly, and I rushed to jot down as many rough drafts as possible. Now that I've picked all the low-hanging fruit, it often takes longer to come up with an idea... but I also find that the resulting comic is more original than much of the stuff I created in the early days. I've also gotten more expressive with my art, which I'm excited to showcase when the newest series debuts (hopefully in early 2025)."
Chris has built a solid following on social media, and balancing audience expectations with his own creative freedom is something he navigates with care. "Fortunately, I was very clear from the beginning that I planned on creating comics that make me laugh (and bonus points if my 9-year-old son thinks they're funny). So that means everybody who has decided to follow me on social media is either OK with that, or they've already unfollowed me. But I never intended to get rich and famous from this. It was just a way for me to translate some of the oddball jokes in my head into an artistic medium I have loved since I was a child. Whether I have 10 subscribers or 1 million, I'll keep 'Eyewash' going until it's no longer enjoyable for me. That being said, I'm immensely grateful for everyone who has clicked a like button or added an encouraging comment in response to any of my comics!"
When it comes to evolving his craft, the artist shared with Bored Panda a key technique that has impacted his creative process: "Probably the biggest change in my approach to creating comics has been the pursuit of consistency. Like Gary Larson and the many other creators who have inspired me, I'm trying to create a cohesive body of work. In addition to requiring me to find my own unique form of artistic expression, this process has involved using specific colors, line weights, and other details that remain consistent across the entire 'Eyewash' catalog."
In a world driven by trends, he remains focused on his own vision, staying true to the essence of his work. He explained, "Cultural tastes change faster than ever in our digital world, but that's exactly why I love comics so much. I can flip through a book of 'The Far Side' cartoons 40 years after they were created and still find them as funny today as the first time they were printed in newspapers. I'd love to think that someone 40 years from now will still crack a smile over one of my panels. I could probably attract more attention with posts about politics or other current social issues, but there's enough of that stuff elsewhere on social media. 'Eyewash' was created specifically as a way to provide a break from the divisive content online, and remembering that mission makes it much easier to keep doing what I do regardless of what everybody else does."
As the third series of "Eyewash" is set to debut soon, Chris expressed his excitement for what's to come. "Since 'Eyewash' doesn't have recurring characters (except for the chicken that has made an appearance in several comics), each panel has to deliver a setup and punchline all on its own. That means there's no need to start at the beginning or read my comics in order, and it also gives me an opportunity to introduce all new gags, puns, and jokes featuring an endless parade of talking animals, anthropomorphized vegetables, and whatever other strange ideas pass through my brain. And I'm excited to share the latest batch with you soon!"
