Seven years for my wife Susie and I at one of America's top comedy clubs, the 'Laff Stop' in Houston, was the perfect creative environment in which to develop Marley. The most important lesson learned was to 'draw from our own life's experiences'. Taking this to heart, Marley is a world fused from our life in the mountains and now at the beach, with our years spent at the 'Laff Stop' during its 'golden age of comedy'.
Marley stars a cartoon version of our real-life border collie and features as cast members our real life friends, all professional stand-up comedians. Marley, who loves all sports, is a star on the basketball court and ski slopes, but a comical dud on stage while pursuing his dream of being a stand-up comedian. Marley lives with 9 year old Lauren and her family, actually Marley lives in his treehouse behind their home in a town completly inhabited by comedians.
Drawing has always been an easy way to express myself, especially in cartoons. I recall one night at the comedy club, I was asked why all my friends are in the comic strip, but I'm not. Before I could answer, one of the comedians said 'But Steve is in the comic strip, He's Marley'. I had never really thought about it that way before, but I guess in a way he was right.
Marley was created in a comedy club, but really became what you see today after our move back to the mountains of Colorado. When you draw a comic set in the mountains, it was easy to get motivated just by stepping outside our door. We lived on the Continental Divide above the town of Breckenridge at over 11,000 feet above sea level. I, my wife Susie, and our twin sons Terry and Charlie enjoyed everything about it. But we also paid regular visits to our friends at the 'Laff Stop'. That too was great motivation to draw comics. We had a busy schedule, but found time to enjoy our favorite activities. We especially loved the 'powder mornings off' rule.
We thought we'd live in Colorado forever, but you never know when life will throw you a curveball. Our son Charlie was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that not only led to a long hiatus for Marley, but also required us to immediately leave our high mountain home and relocate to sea level.
That is how we came to be in America's very north-west corner, Blaine, Washington. We live in an area called Birch Bay, about 150 yards from the beach and about 5 miles south of the Canadian border. We're now very excited about Marley's relaunch. You can be among the first to visit.
