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Drawing Time-Lapse

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Process

We are living under fascism, which has always been dormant in this country but never this overt in my lifetime. People of color have always known this. American culture is still one of violence, white supremacy, and chauvinism.

However, going to protests and seeing people all over the country get visibly angry has been cathartic. Joining them in the streets has been too.

So why litigate these feelings and issues in comic form?

Well, why not? This is one way to document and investigate how the world feels to me right now. It’s my own tiny thought within the national (and global) cacophony.

Why collage?

I’ve noticed that any design created around politics in print media or in the digital space is usually handled through photography and collage. I think there’s a directness to collage, with an undercurrent of “hello reader, we’re about to get serious.”

I wanted to play with collage in a less direct way, creating a bit of chaos and visual “sound,” for Paperboy to navigate. I spent an evening under a reading lamp, rubber cementing pieces of magazines, drawings, and rice paper to a sheet of bristol paper.

While thinking about the sheer intensity (and immensity) of social noise right now, going back to the basics of composition and following my curiosity helped my mind quiet.

I’ll never be sure how to navigate times of upheaval as an artist. Or how to fully justify continuing to draw during a time like this. Artists aren’t seen as essential, and I’ve internalized that too much, creating a voice in my head that dictates with fear. That voice is fascism. Once I remember that, I’m able to find my honest truth. Today the truth is that I’m scared, feeling chaotic, proud of the people, and angry. All at the same time.

Thank you for reading.

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Things You Can Do To Help (MA)

• Donate artwork to “Art For All.” 100% of what you donate helps The Brazilian Women’s Group support families affected by deportations and ICE raids in our community.

• Donate to LUCE

• Volunteer for food drives and community events in your neighborhood.

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Happy new year and thanks for reading Tiny Thoughts Comics, especially Paperboy!

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Process

Paperboy seems to be a way for me to process my intrusive art/creative thoughts. When I’m in a museum, I have two main thoughts: “I’m jealous” (more having to do with contemporary art) and “oooh what if we broke everything in here.”

I know, it’s bad. But I think there’s something about putting beautiful, functional art pieces behind glass that feels hollow and inaccessible. After all, many famous museums are documenting the spoils of early colonization.

That’s all to say, those thoughts are hinting at some larger feeling, right? maybe?

From a visual standpoint, I was inspired by various ceramic pieces seen in the Chrysler museum of art in Norfolk, VA while visiting a friend (shoutout to big Mo).

I wanted to pull from the white and green/blue color palette of the ceramic exhibitions there. That Santorini greek palette is so clean and beautiful, the perfect style for Paperboy to destroy.

I really enjoy drawing this character and I thin that comes across well in the thumbnail sketches especially. He inspires ridiculous movement and lots of expression. I’m excited to see what he will destroy next.

It’s nice to interact with art again isn’t it?

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Process

I’ve been wanting a comics-based vehicle to investigate my creative tendencies in a fun and self-deprecating way. I also love drawing abstract folds and layers. Enter “Paperboy,” an enthusiastic and two dimensional creative force.

When I had an inkling of this idea, I created a few “gag” drawings/panels that play with colors I can print on a Risograph machine (more on that at a later date).

When I settled on Paperboy’s victorian errand boy haircut, I knew I would have a lot of fun drawing him over and over again.

To see how I built these panels from my brainstorming page, check out this short time lapse below:

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the introduction of Paperboy. There’s more to come!

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