Number 5 and Stonewall Honor!

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

I woke up very early this morning because our picture book STRONG won a Stonewall Honor from the American Library Association!

After the announcement, I was in a stupor partly from tiredness and also from the knowledge that in a time when LGBTQ+ books are being banned across the country, this acknowledgment means so much. Teachers and librarians are the backbone of the book world, they’re on the front lines facing unbelievable opposition. I’m so proud of our book and librarians work diligently to keep our stories visible and accessible to all. There’s so much to fight for right now I often feel crushed by exhaustion.

But today I will celebrate.

 

 

Number 4

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

Rejection #3

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

Rejection #2

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Rejection #2! This is one of my many rejections from the New Yorker which I wrote about here.

Thank you all for your kind words after the above post! It makes me feel a little less vulnerable sharing my failures to know that so many folks are cheering me on. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

San Francisco and Santa Clara

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I will be at the Cartoon Art Museum with Corey Peterschmidt (Amelia Erroway: Castaway Commander, Scholastic Books), Dana Simpson (Phoebe and Her Unicorn, Andrews McMeel Publishing), and Judd Winick (Hilo, Penguin Random House) for the YAY Comics! Artist Reception! Real Live Cartoonists! this Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 5-7pm. We will draw live, take Q&A and draw in folks books. I hope you can join us! Advance registration is recommended.

These days I am hyper focused on finishing Super Boba Cafe. Sparkles is always in the studio making sure I’m keeping on task.

Meanwhile I am enjoying the dip in temperatures as we slowly ease into fall and took a moment away from comics to draw with ink.

Later this month, on October 22nd, I will be at the Santa Clara Library Comicon. My panel and signing will begin at 12:30pm and I will lead folks in a drawing demo.

I hope to see you at an event in the near future!

Gimme

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Happy pride!

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I’m thrilled to share that our book, STRONG, was featured in the Boston Globe!

This morning I turned in the final art for Shark Princess 2, my early reader graphic novel series about two shark friends (the first book is out in September). I’m slowly inking pages for Super Boba Cafe, my next middle grade graphic novel about a grandma and granddaughter who help each other face monsters over a summer together.

Over the years, ten books in (!!) when I’m in the process of creation, I remind myself to savor the time. Before reviews deflate my energy or the business side frustrates me… I spend years with my characters, loving them into life. I spend my days hunched over a desk, drawing. Often it’s hard and at times boring but when I look at the work I’ve made, I feel overwhelming gratitude.

My deadlines span into 2025 but my days are spent drawing sharks and boba-loving characters so… it’s a joyful balance.

I hope you find joy in your days.

Turning Red

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We watched Turning Red this weekend and haven’t stopped listening to the songs since. My 6 year old and I are definitely 4 townies! I think Turning Red might be my favorite pixar film to date.

Meanwhile I’ve been traveling a bit and invested in an ipad and pencil, so I am able to quickly sketch and it feels exciting to be able to draw from life again. I was recently in Houston through the Texas Book Festival and was able to read to some kids and it was precious.

I look forward to being able to share more drawings this year!

Weekend comics

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The best part of my weekend was reading comics with my 6 year old. I hope you found some good moments, too.

Today is the last day of my $2 card and magnet sale.

STRONG cover reveal

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I’m happy to share the cover reveal for our new children’s book, STRONG, written by Eric Rosswood and Rob Kearney. This was a joy to illustrate! It’s my first non-fiction picture book. It is an inspiring story of Rob Kearney and how he broke records as the world’s first openly gay strongman! Preorder here. Releases in May 2022.