Happy September!
Hello hello and happy September!
Ahhh, I'm so eager for the crisp fall air to arrive soon-- sweater weather always makes me so happy 😌✨
Also, before I keep going, did you know I'm on BlueSky now? Let's hang out there! It's been so lovely so far, it's the first time in a long time that I've enjoyed social media again since I don't have to battle terrible algorithms there 🥲🩷
Also also! I am creating a Discord server! I'm figuring it out in my downtime, but I wanted to let you know because I hope to be sharing it in the next few months, and I'm excited to use it as a space for us to hang out, if that's something you're interested in. So keep an eye out for an invite to that!
Silver Sprocket Pitch Update
I'm very pleased to announce that I made that deadline for Silver Sprocket just in the nick of time! 😁 I originally planned to share the entire pitch packet with y'all here, but I realized that if I did that, then the comic would be ineligible for the ShortBox Comics Fair that I plan to submit to in fall as a backup in case Silver Sprocket rejects it.
So I shall have to save that particular packet of goodies for another day, I'm afraid 🥲 I think it should be safe to show you just a snippet, though-- my favorite panel!
#MicroComicSummer
Yesterday was #MicroComicSummer on social media! I've largely been absent on socials the last couple weeks while working on the Silver Sprocket pitch, so it was nice to be able to come back with a full comic to share. If you haven't heard, #MicroComicSummer is an online event hosted by Hiveworks where artists share a four page comic on August 31st.
Basically, it's a ton of free micro comics to check out on social media, so check out the hashtag! Great way to give your brain a treat during a lunch break or after work 😄
Here's my contribution to this year's event:
Content warning for nudity, anxiety, ableism, trauma, negative self-talk, and emotional abuse. You can skip past the 4 page comic for more of the newsletter following it!
September Offerings
Here's what's up on the blog for you to check out this month, with more coming soon!
Interview with Teo Hernandez DuVall
Here's an excerpt of my interview with the very kind and chill Teo Hernandez DuVall:
Jessi: If money and time were no issue, what do you think you would do?
Teo: I would love to luxuriate in more drawing time. I have a graphic novel idea based on my heritage and favorite genres that I would love to bring to fruition in a way not tainted by the pressures of capitalism.
The rest of the time I would be cultivating my city apartment garden and growing spider plants, cast iron plants, California poppy, and herbs for my spouse’s kitchen!
In celebration of August AdiPOSE, I've compiled a list of 10 comics featuring fat characters! There are some really cute fat comics out there!
✦ Read The Hazards of Love: Book 1: Bright World if you're in the mood for a modern day Mexican fairy tale with a deliciously dangerous edge and queer Brown love.
✦ Read A Lightness if you're looking for a short and sweet story of searching for that place you belong, a fat, queer main character, and a sprinkling of magic.
✦ Read Something Is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 if you're eager to get into the Halloween mood or if you just love gory, creepy stories and haunting visuals.
In the Studio
The studio is taking a bit of a break this month-- in our home, September is time for fall cleaning! My partner and I have an annual commitment to decluttering and moving all the heavy furniture around at least once a year to get things clean for the colder months. It's a nice way to greet the mice that will be moving in for winter 😂
I also have plans to use this month for setting up more blog posts, focusing on some marketing, brainstorming comic ideas for the ShortBox Comics Fair application coming up next month (omg, October is NEXT MONTH, Y'ALL!!), and my volunteer work with the Fat Artist Network and the Cartoonist Coop. For art, I plan to work on a standalone illustration and that short horror comic I've been struggling to make time for completing! lol
As a treat for busting my ass on the comic pitch last month and in my anticipation for fall, I ordered some squirrel and hedgehog fabric I've been lusting over for about a year now, so I hope to also make some time for that in my studio this month (the studio doubles as my sewing spot lol).
Look how cute this fabric is! 🥺🩷 I'm very excited to turn it into another skirt when it arrives!
Comics in August
Here are comics I read in August: I can't believe I was able to read so many! lol I have a reading journal now that I really enjoy using, and I think it's spurring me to read even more, which I love.
A Sign of Affection, Volumes 1 through 6
Sweat & Soap, Volumes 1 through 5
Micro Comics Online Read in August
Dedicated to all my fellow mentally ill/depressive/burnt out artists!
Comic about Love at Eastern European Block-Building Neighborhood
A Few of My Favorite Things
Here are some things I've been really enjoying lately-- they kinda have a nice fall theme to them, now that I think about it!
Pumpkin chai from DavidsTea with milk and brown sugar
Accented Cinema's videos
Apple Crumble brush from Magdalina Dianova's Cosmic Cookie brush set
Dinn and Son sticker (option B is my favorite!) from KaylaBeeMarie
homemade buttered popcorn on the stove
See You Next Time!
That's all for today! I hope September is kind to you, and I hope you stay nice and cozy wherever you are, and get some rest in. 💖 Feel free to reply to these emails, by the way; I'd love to hear from you! Talk to you soon!
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Thanks for reading! 💖
With love,
they/them