About us:

We are two great people wanting to make the internet a safer place for the consumption of TEA. TEA is sometimes abused and wasted and loaded with sugar. Sugar is the devil and must be kept far away from this lovely beverage. If you must consume TEA with something sweet please use honey because otherwise it will be the downfall of mankind.

History of BTS (Bitter TEA Studios)

            Staff:

   

Derek Davis- Artist/ Story Teller

I grew up in Monroe, NC with two brothers and a sister. I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 16 and told I had 6 months to live. That will put life in perspective. I guess you have already figured out the surprise ending. I did survive. I hope that didn't ruin the story. During that time I taught myself how to draw from the comic books I read. Oh did I mention that I was illiterate too. I also learned to read during that time and it opened my eyes to a whole new world to help me to escape my cancer treatments. This is what showed me the importance of telling stories. This is why I want to tell this one. My stepfather and mother raised me to be a God fearing man, and boy do I love Jesus. Jesus is a great story teller.

                              

   

Nikki Davis- Computer Wiz/ Know-it-ALL

I grew up in Marshville, NC. That's right the home of Randy Travis. I even look like him. Could you tell. I think we could be brother and sister. Except I am the po one. You know because I am too po I can't afford the "or".  Anyway it didn't help that I married an artist. I just keep digging that hole. I am trying my best to help this po sucker out but what is a girl to do. So that is where the know-it-all comes in. I just try to do everything I can to keep our heads above water so we do not drown. We don't even own a pool. So I don't know where all this water is coming from.

Anyway back to the topic at hand... I have a twin brother and a younger brother. I also have two parents that have been married for 35 years. Not many people can say that in this day and age. They must be doing something right. I have two full time jobs. I work for the school system and my husband. Well maybe that would be two and a half full time jobs. I forgot I cook too.

My husband and I have been married for 8 years years. We met at Camp Care in Lake Lure, NC. Camp Care is a camp for cancer kids. I was a counselor and Derek had just been diagnosed with cancer. We were just friends then and I asked him to my senior prom. We had a great time but then did not hook back up until I got out of college (UNC-G) 4 years later. We started dating and 2 months later I asked him to marry me. He said yes. The rest is in the past and we are moving toward the future.  Hope you enjoy our strip.

I have a BFA in Art-Education from UNC-Greensboro. I currently teach at two local elementary schools as an Art Teacher.

 

Walter Stegall- Editor  (Written by Nikki)

Editing sounds like such a simple thing but it is not. There are lots and lots and lots of mistakes that Walter catches that I would never catch. Walter is one of my brothers and I don't know what we would do without him. He is always willing to go over our mounds of papers to find that missing period or the sentence that just doesn't make since. He even comes over to the "studio" and sits for hours sometimes pouring over our scripts and strips.

You would be surprised to know that Walter has a BA from Wingate University in Business. He also has an Associates in Networking from SPCC. He enjoys playing lots of X-Box, DS, Computer games. (Aren't we all). He also participates in NERO-Piedmont Chapter of NC.

Chrissie Zullo- Cover Artist (written by Nikki)

Sometimes you just a little “umph” to make sales. Well a great cover artist will do that for you. That is why we are very happy to have Chrissie “Catwoman” Zullo. Not only does she have a fantastic last name but she does some fabulous artwork. She graduated with a degree in Illustration from UNC-Charlotte but they don't teach you what she knows. To see more of Chrissie's artwork you can go to http://noghost.deviantart.com. You can also find her on MySpace.

 

Clay Moore- Cover Artist, Writer, and Artist (written by Nikki)

Soon to be seen much more on this website, this artist will be creating the cover for Dead Ringer issue 1. He is also the artist for Shades of Night #1 put out by Jester Press. Shades of Night is a spin off from Night also from Jester Press. We are very pleased to welcome this artist/writer to our humble company. We are expecting great things out of this one. It is great to work with people you like. Welcome Clay "Hellboy" Moore. Check out his work at Jester Press's Deviant Art site and his own 11Zombies Deviant Art site and also contact him at MySpace.

 

John Aston- Cover Artist

Hailing from the heart of the Carolinas, John Aston works behind the drawing board and his trusty Mac independently producing three to five works a year- pencils, inks, colors, and story tellin'. Aston has produced several short works and pin-ups for Jester Press along with production work. Aston's journal of going ons and personal work can be seen at www.oldetownecomix.com.