Hello friends,
Summer is over, and the cold weather is here! I’ve been enjoying my Radiator hoodie (Thanks, Neil! And that’s my comic on the back!). Here’s a short list of what’s in this edition:
Table of Contents
Where Have I Bean?
Where Am I Going?
What Do I Hope For? What is Next?
Where Have I Bean?
I have been near and far sharing my book and inviting people to doodle or draw comics with me. My favorite memories are of the wonderful hugs I have received from loved ones and people I just met. Kids, teens, college students, parents, librarians, therapists, and educators have connected with me to say that Here I Am, I Am Me has been useful.
While in Europe for the Graphic Medicine Conference, my partner Smatt and I went to Paris, France to see the amazing five-floor comics exhibition at the Pompidou Centre. My brain is still vibrating with all of the goodness my eyes witnessed and I intend to take the inspiration into the cold winter months ahead. In addition to this, I’ve returned from the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland, and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus in Ohio to share my work and to absorb energy from a dynamic and exciting cartooning community. Comics are alive!
Where Am I Going?
I am a featured guest at 3 upcoming festivals:
Short Run Comix Festival, Seattle, WA
Saturday, November 2nd at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center
11 am – 6 pm. FREE admission.
Non-Fiction Comics Festival, Burlington, VT
November 16, at Fletcher Free Library
11 am – 6 pm. FREE admission.
Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, Boston, MA
December 7-8, at the Fuller Art Gallery at Boston University
Saturday 11 am - 6 pm | Sunday 11 am - 5 pm. FREE Admission
My mission continues to make mental health conversations easier in communities, schools, families, and within our minds. I seek more partnerships with schools and libraries to share my presentations and mindful drawing workshops.
What Do I Hope For? What is next?
The world is a challenging place for a heart that wants to be optimistic. There is so much that I hope for the earth, nature, our species, my country, my community, and my family. It’s overwhelming to coexist with the uncertainty of all pain, grief, and suffering and what might happen next.
I am a simple person and doodling and drawing comfort me. I return to it over and over. I’ve asked people to draw with me for as long as I can remember. I’m working on a new book that explores the art of drawing—how people approach it, and the emotions it evokes. While still rooted in my interest in mental health, this project will shift the focus to what happens when someone faces a blank page, ready to create. I’m curious about the thoughts and feelings that surface in that moment. Over the winter, I plan to interview people and host drawing sessions to inspire creative insights, both in myself and others. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to be a part of it.
