Yes yes it's almost Halloween! I've printed out my Horror Movie Heroine Series on little 5 x 7 cards, and you can buy the whole set in my Etsy Shop! (and psst - get 15% off through the end of October!)
And check out this post, and this one on my process drawing them.
Like a lot of the ladies I give out the Small Boobs Award to, this one also doubles as a Kick-Ass Woman. Katina Marie Choovanski, aka Katchoo, is one of the main characters of Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise - an epic, amazing series about ladies in love, assassins, intrigue, and best friends.
I first fell in love with Katchoo because she was petite, gorgeous, had HUGE bags under her eyes, chain smoked, and was always pissed off. It was the first time I'd seen a female character in a comic book allowed to be real - in all her good, bad, and awkward moments. Strangers In Paradise (and Terry Moore) is given a lot of credit for its depiction of real bodies, mainly because of the tall, realistically busty Francine. But since I am on the flat-chested side, I tended to relate more to Katchoo.
Plus you don't get too far along in the series before you find out she can hold her own in a fight, and used to work alongside a slew of assassins. That's pretty much everything I want in a story - realistic, relatable characters and secret organizations full of female assassins. With some scenes of junk food eating and TV watching thrown in, to boot.
Here's a blurry picture of a sketch I did of Katchoo back in 2009, when I finally got to meet Terry Moore in person:
There are very few characters who've influenced my comicking as much as Katchoo. I'm so lucky I got introduced to her when I did.
Hooray! In an attempt to evolve into this brave new tablet-covered world, I'm adding each of my comics to that wonderful Comixology site. First up - Boobage, my autobio tale about struggling with issues of self-esteem over my small boobs - is now for sale! Check it out!
Ahhhhhh I had SUCH a lovely slash exhausting slash wonderful slash tiring slash awesome time at New York Comic Con this weekend! So much so that my dreams last night were full of zombies even though I haven't watched The Walking Dead since season 1. How's that for marketing seeping into your subconscious? So while I'm still recovering over here in sad little Baltimore (seriously, NY is too much - randomly happening upon amazing places to eat and drink every night AND walking by Peter Dinklage on the street? HOW DO YOU PEOPLE LIIIIIIVE), I'll share with you a few of the recap pics and sketches I did over the weekend. Also, I met/hung out with some amazing peeps including Maxine Garbarini (his stuff is GORGEOUS), Matt Loter (designing super fun, feminist games), and Gary Erskine, who's embarking on a MAJOR rollergirl comic series featuring real U.K. skaters. Awesome!
OH YEAH. And Buzzfeed included me in their awesome round-up of 20 Pieces of Advice From Female Artists to Female Artists. Eeeeee!!
I'll be sharing a table with amazing comicker/longtime pal Tim Fish at New York Comic Con this weekend, table I-7, yayyy! It'll be my first time exhibiting in Artist Alley, so I'm running around all squirrelly right now, trying to figure out what all to bring (that I can also physically carry). Rest assured I'll at least have some books, prints, and will be doing sketches either in your sketchbook or on my li'l 5x7 bristol boards. Whether I'll be able to finagle my way on the train with my display banner remains to be seen, so please do come to row I since there's a possibility my table won't be that noticeable. I'll try to wear something bright and/or put more lipstick on my face just in case.
You can find me at I-7 from Thursday - Sunday, and at the Oni booth on Saturday from 3 - 4:00. I have a limited supply of Glitter Kiss's left (because apparently I hate planning in advance), BUT if you come visit me at the Oni table then, they should have plenty.
Here are some of the non-comics goodies I'll be bringing!
A couple of years back I created this drawing of the Three Furies having fun, hanging out Sex & the City style for the back of my 2nd Gods & Undergrads book:
Because really, why do they always have to be so angry and upset? Maybe they like to kick back a few cocktails every now and then too!
So, since I've been itching to do some new prints lately I figured I'd continue with some vignettes of the Furies, out and about in their every day life. I've got two so far, but already have ideas for more in the series. If you like 'em, I've got them for sale in my Etsy and Society 6 shops!
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So . . . I might be doing some posting about weddings here. Sorry guys, my bad!
My boyfriend and I recently got engaged (and by "got engaged" I mean "had a conversation and decided to get married"), the details of which leading up to our decision you can read in my new webcomic 4 States 2 Months, starting this Wednesday!
I have mixed feelings about weddings and marriage, so this whole process is going to be interesting. I debated over whether or not even mentioning it here, because who cares? My blog is about the art stuff I do, not the life stuff I weird out about! Okay maybe I do talk about small boobs and food issues here too. . . But now I'm thinking this just might be the tool for keeping my sanity over the next year - using this forum to vent and ask you all questions and keep reminding myself that IT'S ALL JUST A FRIGGIN PARTY NO ONE CARES. Or how Jezebel put it best - your wedding is a press conference for your relationship. And we should all just get over ourselves.
So if you're into how an awkward, artsy, kind of nerdy gal with a giant family will handle planning a big event, tune in here! I'm sure it'll be a fun learning experience. And embarrassing to boot!
Whew!
2 weekends of 2 back-to-back local comic conventions are over! They were SUCH a blast. Attending SPX this past weekend was a total whirlwind of emotions. SPX was the first show I ever attended (in 2001) and exhibited at (in 2002, back when I was just giving out free stickers and telling people to look at my website - webcomic marketing at its finest!). Since SPX was a regular trek for me every year and held conveniently close to my home, it's always held a squishy, warm place in my heart. Many of the connections and friends I've made over the years have been due to those close quarters in the old hotel conference rooms, the hotel bar, the hunt for restaurants that would take 20 people, the chocolate fountain.
However, the last couple of years I've missed out on tabling for various reasons, so I was starting to feel disconnected from this show that had really kicked off my involvement in comics. So THIS year, with table-aggedon (i.e. the enthusiasm with which all of us exhibitors broke the SPX online registration system) I was convinced I would yet again be relegated to showing up an hour before the end of the show and trying to worm my way into some friends' dinner plans. Luckily the wizards at SPX Headquarters managed to get me a table, and I had the joy of participating in a MUCH bigger, happier, and more packed SPX than I've seen . . . well, ever. I've read a bunch of other recap posts about how the enthusiasm and the attendees were the biggest attractions of the show and I agree - you guys all made me love and appreciate and get excited about comics all over again! I mean, I'm already obsessed with comics and stuff, but injections of inspiration are never ignored!
So anyway. Just a brief love letter to SPX 2013 and now I'm on to other THINGS! For one, you may have noticed that since Book 3 wrapped up, Gods & Undergrads hasn't been having many (any) updates. It'll be on a hiatus for a little bit, so's I can make actual progress on this Oni book and catch up on other things. But since I AM obsessed with comics, while I was on several road trips this summer I thought it might be fun to take down some notes and compile a little travel journal comic about my experiences (Lucy Knisley-style). So while Gods & Undergrads is taking a snoozer, I present to you 4 States, 2 Months, a webcomic updated Wednesdays starting October 2nd! Weee! Happy Fall, everyone. :)
Who's going to SPX this weekend, the awesomest show for indie creators on the east coast??
Here's a little map of where I'll be (if you haven't seen the amazing maps cartoonists have been doing of their table locations, just follow SPX on Tumblr):
Here's a sneak peek at what I'll have at the show!
And of course, tons of other stuff. :) Hope to see you all there!
And also, for those of you who can't make the show this weekend, check out my new store page, which directs you to where you can purchase books and prints and crafty things!
Whew! Local convention #1 is complete! Baltimore Comic Con was SO MUCH FUN this weekend. I got to do a lot of sketches (including one on a skateboard - terrifyingly easy to smudge and screw up) and chat with so many cool people. Plus Saga and ElfQuest cosplay, spotting Jay of Jay and Silent Bob walking around, seeing Dean Haspiel and chatting with old friends - SUCH FUN. And guess what? There's going to be more comic love and seeing old friends next weekend at SPX!
In the meantime, here are the sketches I did this weekend - if you want to see 'em when I post them, you're welcome to follow my Instagram, Tumblr, or Twitters!
Thanks again to everyone who came out to see me! Now on to SPX!
Since I was out of town on a whirlwind wedding weekend trip to Vermont (I don't advise driving 8 hours to another state on a holiday weekend, BTW), I haven't mentioned that I'll be at Baltimore Comic Con THIS weekend! You can find me at table #A189 in Arist Alley. I'll have Bonnie books, hanging prints, Gods & Undergrads book 3, original art, stuff GALORE, so come visit!
Watching Lost in Translation the other night. Love his craggy face!
Ohhhh Bmore Into Comics Issue #1 was SO much fun! I wrote a little recap about it on the official BIC site (sorry for the acronyms - I absolutely do NOT support the use of acronyms), you can check it out here.
Also, this happened - my friend Lani doing a RIDICULOUSLY accurate Jamie from Girls with Slingshots.
Bmore Into Comics is happening this Saturday at Bad Decisions from 12:00 - 5:00!
What is it? Why, it's a gathering of local comic creators who will be showing/selling/chatting about their work with y'all while in a bar. No cover to get in, we'll just be hanging out and having a good time.
Featuring: Rafer Roberts, Danielle Corsetto, Melody Often, Howie Noeldechen, and Carolyn Belefski, and me!
Check out the FB page here!
Oh my god I just started watching ....
I was watching the Disney Hercules movie the other day on Netflix and was checking out the line-up of gods they had in one of the background scenes in Mount Olympus ...
I came across a few problems - two Ares's or two Apollo's? The Ares on the right looks fierce enough, but his helmet is kind of sunshiney glowy and he's got a sun on his chest. Shrimpy, ironic Ares on the left . . . well I don't know who else that could be. Also, I like that Poseidon has no role in this movie since it's all about a fight between his two bros Zeus and Hades. Sorry middle brother, you're sitting out this round. Look at his face, he's totally offended.
And just look how happy Persephone is, since no one's told her she has to go down to be Hades's main squeeze yet.
Or maybe it's that huge martini glass she's holding that's making her - OH. I just realized this is Hebe, the cupbearer of the gods. Whoops. It was the flower hat that threw me.
Okay then that makes it even MORE annoying - you go to all the trouble to show Hebe, and HELIOS fer cryin' out loud, who most people don't exist, but yet WHERE THE EFF IS ARTEMIS??
The 2nd wave of con season is almost at hand! For me, I've got TWO local shows back to back in September (Baltimore Comic Con, followed by SPX), an appearance at New York Comic Con in October, and oh yeah that little local show I'm organizing in a bar on August 24th. What makes it extra fun is all the out-of-state traveling I'll be doing between now and then. Yippee!
Luckily I enjoy coming up with little crafty goodies I can sell alongside my comics, so here's a preview of some new things I'm whipping up for the fall shows.
Lately I love making these little hanging prints - i.e. prints that you can hang anywhere you want - on a bulletin board, a fridge, a rear view mirror, etc. In the past I've only done some of my animal prints:
So I thought, hey, why not do some Bonnie ones??
Since logistically I couldn't fit the WHOLE strip on my little wood flats, I've taken a couple of choice one-panel frames of some of my favorite moments. Here's what the back looks like:
Also, I'm making some regular ol' prints of Bonnie - an 8 x 10 of Work Bonnie and a 5 x 7 Vacay Bonnie. Now I just need to come up with a Beast Mode Bonnie . . .
So if you're going to be around at either Baltimore or SPX, come by and check out all the Bonnie prints! And if you can't be at those shows, I'll let you know once I've put them up online for sale! :D
Woop! Getting all ready over here for the Gods & Undergrads book 3!!
It will be 122 pages, black and white, manga sized (that's 5 1/4" x 8"). Featuring the last two chapters of the series, sketches, plus a couple lovely fan art pieces from these cool friends/wildly talented folks:
The book will be released early September (round about the time of the Baltimore Comic Con / SPX back-to-back weekends in comics yay spectacular) BUT if you pre-order it now, you get a choice of one of three of these nifty little prints:
Each are 4" x 6", printed on Epsom Matte Ultra Premium Presentation Paper. PLUS if you pre-order, you'll get a free sketch IN the book of whoever ya want! Just drop me a line when you pre-order and tell me which print and which sketch you desire.
[button color="blue" size="medium" link="http://lipstickisspress.storenvy.com/products/2064451-gods-undergrads-book-3" target="_blank"]Pre-order HERE![/button]
I just finished watching the BBC's moody, creepy, and altogether weird series Top of the Lake. I can't say it made the MOST sense in the end, but I did love Elisabeth Moss in it and her troubled emo boyfriend Johnno. Holly Hunter, I could've done without.
Monica Gallagher is a comic book creator, illustrator and freelance designer making work for hire with a positive, feminist spin.
TCAF - Toronto, ON, Canada // June 7 - 8
Heroes Con - Charlotte, NC // June 20 - 22
Tucson Comic Con - Tucson, AZ // Aug. 29 - 31
Small Press Expo - Rockville, MD // Sep. 13 - 14
Denton Comic Art Expo - Denton, TX // Sep. 27
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