Name, Age, City and State: Matthew Ebisch aka ArtistXero , 36, Budd Lake, NJ

Job-title: Freelance Illustrator/Graphic Designer and Webcomic Creator

Web/blog site URL: www.artistxerocreations.com www.sagaofsamuel.com

Give us your job description in 25 words or less. I am a freelance illustrator/graphic designer, which means I work independently on one-off jobs or temporary contracts instead of working for one specific company.

Describe a typical workday. If I have a paying job with a set deadline, I work exclusively on that throughout the day and night depending on what else I may have going on that day. When I'm between gigs I'm hard at work on my webcomic The Saga of Samuel.

What led you to realize that you wanted to do this type of work? In my 3rd grade spelling class we were given an extra credit assignment where we had to take two words, put them together and draw a picture. While drawing that picture I flat-out decided that's what I was gonna do with the rest of my life.

Did you have any heroes or mentors in your industry that you admired? There are lots of artists who I admire greatly. Too many to even begin listing them all. Right now though I'm immersing myself in the works of Will Eisner, a true master of sequential storytelling, who some consider to be the creator of the modern day graphic novel.

What type of education or training was required to land your job? I briefly attended possibly the most rundown art school that ever existed but, honestly, I am mostly self taught as an artist. Since both illustration and graphic design have become almost completely computer dependent fields I suggest you get proper schooling if you are able.

What do you love most about your job? The best part of being a freelance illustrator/graphic designer is the variety of work that it allows me to do. Video game concept art, book illustration, logo design and so on. The best part of my webcomic is, well, that it's mine. Creator owned and operated where I'm not beholden to anyone but myself.

What one part of your job do you wish you could hire someone else to do? With freelancing tracking down payments is the worst, with the webcomic probably flatting colors is the most tedious part.

What advice would you give to teenagers wanting to get into your field of work? Learn your craft and never stop learning it. If you can't get a proper education then learn through trial and error. Whichever way you happen to choose though you should never become complacent or self-satisfied with your abilities.

How does your job allow you to use your God-given gifts? While I'm not sure my job gives me the opportunity to use much, if any, other God-given gifts I may possess, it does give me the ability to create Art and, well, we could all use some Art in our lives.

Do you have any hobbies or off-hours pursuits that teenagers would find of interest? When I'm not drawing or painting something I'm usually reading or gathering up books that I intend to read. I still buy action figures, though only a select few these days. Playing Wii or LEGOs with my son consumes a good chunk of my free time. (though I try to keep his grubby paws off my action figures..they're mine!)