Artistic pursuits

     

I will be virtually presenting at the Kweli conference on Sunday April 2nd. The last day to register is soon.

If you’re in the bay area, the Peninsula Comics Fest is in April. I will be presenting at the San Mateo Library on Saturday April 8th. You can see all the events and register here.

Doctor (rejection 15)

A new lonely

My first vinyl figure

In 2021 Disney asked me to design a vinyl figure for their Women of Star Wars program. It was supposed to release in 2022 and then … it didn’t. As of yesterday, it’s here! It’s also the first time you can buy something I made on the Disney website. I’m stoked!

There’s an illustration, The Power of Resistance, in print and canvas that accompanies the figure and it’s exclusively available in the parks.

A friend sent me photos from the Star Wars trading post in Downtown Disney, it’s already there!

Happy international women’s day!

Rejection 12 and Kohl’s

One of my many rejected comics from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

I’m so excited to share that my debut written and illustrated book, What will my story be, is part of the Kohl’s Cares program which donates 100% of the profit to charities. You can find the book for $5 at your local Kohl’s and if you do, please post and share online and tag me @nidhiart.

Rejection 11

One of my many rejected comics from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

I’m sending this email from Florida, my last day signing for the Epcot Festival of Arts. Florida, which inspired this comic. Here they are threatening to remove teacher’s licenses or charge them with a felony for their classroom libraries. Chilling photos of empty classroom shelves are populating social media in a sign of very sad times.

If you’re in Florida or anywhere book bans are taking place, the American Library Association has a useful list on ways to fight back.

Rejection 10, strawberries

Another rejected comic from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

Rejection 9 and Festival of Arts

I’m in Orlando this week as a featured artist at the Epcot Festival of Arts. I will be signing four new illustrations in the France Pavilion today through next Monday. My schedule is below, hope to see you here!

Rejection 8

I usually submit to the New Yorker on Monday and if it’s approved (hasn’t happened yet!) I will hear on Friday. No reply means it’s a pass. Sometimes, the editor sends note. I wrote and re-wrote this one and I really thought it would make it. Alas, last week I got a note encouraging me to continue but no sale.

They receive over 2,000 comics a week, so I know it’s significant for the editor to send a note. I keep that in mind while I manage my feelings around repeated rejection. It’s a rough way to start the weekend, for sure! But as I move through this often brutal process, I see growth in my writing and drawing. *I* like the comic. And that counts.

It doesn’t pay, but it counts.