Kateri, your words resonate deeply. It's not just about representation, it's about recognition. Seeing ourselves reflected in the stories we consume validates our experiences and reminds us we're not alone. Your desire for a comic series featuring a woman like yourself isn't just a want, it's a need. And I have a feeling you're not the only one. I can't wait to see what you create ❤️
Oh yes we do have superpowers!🫣🤭 Life has given us these talents, should we choose to accept them. And I agree that while we become more invisible, every now and then, we blow back our invisibility cloaks and make others pay attention and see our inner beauty… I always love your words… thank you.🙏😊
Who says we’re too old for comics! Hah One of my comfort activities is sitting down with a huge bowl of popcorn and watching a Ghibli studio movie❤️. Thanks for giving me lots of references to explore in your essay. There is an illustrator I follow on YouTube (you’ve probably found her already). She creates graphic novels and comics, has an obsession with paper and pens and classic fiction(Fran Menses). Some of her videos center around giving advice and suggestions for those who are interested in creating graphic novels. You might like her channel.
Yes, older women are often not seen or overlooked in general society and social media. If health allows, I think they are basically busy living their best lives. Invisibility can be a source of freedom. It’s a luxury to live without commentary on what you’ve got cooking in your pot. All eyes are on the young and beautiful (☺️). I look forward to your exploration in this new endeavor.
I love Fran. I have followed her since she first came to Patreon. I was a patron for a while, too. And You and I both with Ghibli! Which is your favourite? Mine is Ponyo. And my little granddaughter Freyja looks just like her! xoxo
Linda Barry is awesome, I used her method to journal each day it was the one thing that decades of failing at keeping a consistent journal, her way helped. I started in a composition notebook with no expectations with the X then went to squares. I read all her books but purchased: Comics and Picture this. My long running journal ( 2 years now) is a (almost) daily drawing of myself in one moment of the day and what I see and hear around me. It did morph a bit from her method but still hers would be the closest to what I do. After a lifetime of failing at consistent journaling and/or planning I am now happily journaling and cannot wait to do so each day only when life is truly unruly do I miss a day or two.
After reading Barry, I decided to use a composition notebook as a running journal: thoughts ideas, morning pages, mind maps, book notes, drawings, house plans, shopping lists, all written on the pages in the order I thought of them i.e. I don't try to save pages to finish making notes about a book I just annotate it well on the page and move on to the next thought list etc. Some days using 20 pages other days a half page. I save index pages at the back so I can highlight things to revisit ( but I find I dont often). I wasn't trying to be neat or have it be pretty it was just a consistent place to put everything in my head and be able to find it again because before that it was all in random notebooks and on scraps of paper that I could never find.
Now it is so fun to reflect on my day for a moment to capture my self portrait in a particular moment that stood out to me. They are 1 to 2 minute drawings they are not supposed to be precious though they can be but personally to keep me doing it each day and not overthinking it or be a perfectionist about it. I go fast and just making my "self" avatar how ever it turns out that day big feet, weird arms, no neck is all okay lol. For me they have stayed messy and adorable. ( its also a lesson in art some days are stunning and other days just dont work.) But all the self portraits bring me back to moments I would have totally forgotten as well as other things I didnt draw about that day which was surprising like a key into the stored memory of that day. The drawings are more meaningful in hindsight than the writing most days. (A pictures speaks a thousand words.) Composition notebooks are still an important thing used for everything else on my mind to have everything land in the same place and have no rules except date the front,date the day if I remember, and have the index. At the beginning of this year I was comfortable enough for my self portraits to take up residence in my precious Hobonichi HON planner each day and I back fill my day with sights and sounds from my day and my drawing. Sometimes these are taken from notes in the composition notebook but also could be on the fly. But again I am not making the pages neat or precious to show anyone just making them for me. And I feel I finally won at the journaling and now drawing everyday too.
I am so excited for you Kateri to explore this, as you said there is something so beautiful in the simplicity of black and white, in the lines. ( btw, I only use the black flair Barry recommended in my composition and my HON to keep from being precious and again to stay consistent and give it continuity. I now buy them by the dozen. I did not prescribe to the adding color bits or changing it up much to keep it interesting maybe someday but for now I like it just black and white) It truly has been life changing for me. Color can go elsewhere in my day. Please do update us on your Journey. I am off to ponder what new thing I can add to explore this winter.
a cute Anime Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again on crunchy roll, But I think it would have been more cute to leave them old and to do all the things but it is cute
and if you havent read
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún by Nagabe ( very dark and death but thought provoking?) I like the innocent vs evil and this also has Teacher who could be seen as evil but isnt which is another trope I like. Read one and see what you think.
also
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud (Author)
it talks about the ins and outs of comics, movement from panel to panel, closure, what is important etc within a graphic novel or comic. Domestika also has some great courses.
My next hope is to start creating a daily 4 panel story with the same freedom I do my daily now but telling a story.
I feel like I could write on these topic for ages ( age, ageism, the new "aging reality" we are about to show the world, monoprints, lithographs, making comics, comics, anime and manga, women our age, create what you want or need in the world etc) But if I answer all your questions Your comment section would only be filled with my excitement on the topics. I really do try to limit my enthusiastic desire to respond.
Wow, Ari. This made me smile so big. I love every bit of it. And I have The Girl from the Other Side... I love it so much. I actually bought an extra copy of the second issue so I could cut out the artwork to glue into my notebook sometimes. I love it so so much. And never hold back from responding! Your comments are treasures. Thank you for all of this. I appreciate you so much! Kindred spirits :)
First we have to recognize ourselves, then others will. If that means a graphic novel, OK then. In any case ENJOY your journey of discovery AND the LINE!
I really have no expectations, but from experience I know that trying new things enhances everything else we do! I am enjoying it a lot. Thank you, Nancy 🩶
Kateri, your words resonate deeply. It's not just about representation, it's about recognition. Seeing ourselves reflected in the stories we consume validates our experiences and reminds us we're not alone. Your desire for a comic series featuring a woman like yourself isn't just a want, it's a need. And I have a feeling you're not the only one. I can't wait to see what you create ❤️
We shall see! It would be great fun, that is for sure. And I love what you shared here. It's so true, isn't it? Thank you so much, Alex!
Oh yes we do have superpowers!🫣🤭 Life has given us these talents, should we choose to accept them. And I agree that while we become more invisible, every now and then, we blow back our invisibility cloaks and make others pay attention and see our inner beauty… I always love your words… thank you.🙏😊
Muwah. Thank you. You have superpowers for SURE. ❤️
Who says we’re too old for comics! Hah One of my comfort activities is sitting down with a huge bowl of popcorn and watching a Ghibli studio movie❤️. Thanks for giving me lots of references to explore in your essay. There is an illustrator I follow on YouTube (you’ve probably found her already). She creates graphic novels and comics, has an obsession with paper and pens and classic fiction(Fran Menses). Some of her videos center around giving advice and suggestions for those who are interested in creating graphic novels. You might like her channel.
Yes, older women are often not seen or overlooked in general society and social media. If health allows, I think they are basically busy living their best lives. Invisibility can be a source of freedom. It’s a luxury to live without commentary on what you’ve got cooking in your pot. All eyes are on the young and beautiful (☺️). I look forward to your exploration in this new endeavor.
I love Fran. I have followed her since she first came to Patreon. I was a patron for a while, too. And You and I both with Ghibli! Which is your favourite? Mine is Ponyo. And my little granddaughter Freyja looks just like her! xoxo
My favorite is Kiki’s Delivery Service. I love the cat!🐈⬛ ❤️
Linda Barry is awesome, I used her method to journal each day it was the one thing that decades of failing at keeping a consistent journal, her way helped. I started in a composition notebook with no expectations with the X then went to squares. I read all her books but purchased: Comics and Picture this. My long running journal ( 2 years now) is a (almost) daily drawing of myself in one moment of the day and what I see and hear around me. It did morph a bit from her method but still hers would be the closest to what I do. After a lifetime of failing at consistent journaling and/or planning I am now happily journaling and cannot wait to do so each day only when life is truly unruly do I miss a day or two.
After reading Barry, I decided to use a composition notebook as a running journal: thoughts ideas, morning pages, mind maps, book notes, drawings, house plans, shopping lists, all written on the pages in the order I thought of them i.e. I don't try to save pages to finish making notes about a book I just annotate it well on the page and move on to the next thought list etc. Some days using 20 pages other days a half page. I save index pages at the back so I can highlight things to revisit ( but I find I dont often). I wasn't trying to be neat or have it be pretty it was just a consistent place to put everything in my head and be able to find it again because before that it was all in random notebooks and on scraps of paper that I could never find.
Now it is so fun to reflect on my day for a moment to capture my self portrait in a particular moment that stood out to me. They are 1 to 2 minute drawings they are not supposed to be precious though they can be but personally to keep me doing it each day and not overthinking it or be a perfectionist about it. I go fast and just making my "self" avatar how ever it turns out that day big feet, weird arms, no neck is all okay lol. For me they have stayed messy and adorable. ( its also a lesson in art some days are stunning and other days just dont work.) But all the self portraits bring me back to moments I would have totally forgotten as well as other things I didnt draw about that day which was surprising like a key into the stored memory of that day. The drawings are more meaningful in hindsight than the writing most days. (A pictures speaks a thousand words.) Composition notebooks are still an important thing used for everything else on my mind to have everything land in the same place and have no rules except date the front,date the day if I remember, and have the index. At the beginning of this year I was comfortable enough for my self portraits to take up residence in my precious Hobonichi HON planner each day and I back fill my day with sights and sounds from my day and my drawing. Sometimes these are taken from notes in the composition notebook but also could be on the fly. But again I am not making the pages neat or precious to show anyone just making them for me. And I feel I finally won at the journaling and now drawing everyday too.
I am so excited for you Kateri to explore this, as you said there is something so beautiful in the simplicity of black and white, in the lines. ( btw, I only use the black flair Barry recommended in my composition and my HON to keep from being precious and again to stay consistent and give it continuity. I now buy them by the dozen. I did not prescribe to the adding color bits or changing it up much to keep it interesting maybe someday but for now I like it just black and white) It truly has been life changing for me. Color can go elsewhere in my day. Please do update us on your Journey. I am off to ponder what new thing I can add to explore this winter.
recommend :
a cute Anime Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again on crunchy roll, But I think it would have been more cute to leave them old and to do all the things but it is cute
and if you havent read
The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún by Nagabe ( very dark and death but thought provoking?) I like the innocent vs evil and this also has Teacher who could be seen as evil but isnt which is another trope I like. Read one and see what you think.
also
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud (Author)
it talks about the ins and outs of comics, movement from panel to panel, closure, what is important etc within a graphic novel or comic. Domestika also has some great courses.
My next hope is to start creating a daily 4 panel story with the same freedom I do my daily now but telling a story.
I feel like I could write on these topic for ages ( age, ageism, the new "aging reality" we are about to show the world, monoprints, lithographs, making comics, comics, anime and manga, women our age, create what you want or need in the world etc) But if I answer all your questions Your comment section would only be filled with my excitement on the topics. I really do try to limit my enthusiastic desire to respond.
Wow, Ari. This made me smile so big. I love every bit of it. And I have The Girl from the Other Side... I love it so much. I actually bought an extra copy of the second issue so I could cut out the artwork to glue into my notebook sometimes. I love it so so much. And never hold back from responding! Your comments are treasures. Thank you for all of this. I appreciate you so much! Kindred spirits :)
First we have to recognize ourselves, then others will. If that means a graphic novel, OK then. In any case ENJOY your journey of discovery AND the LINE!
I really have no expectations, but from experience I know that trying new things enhances everything else we do! I am enjoying it a lot. Thank you, Nancy 🩶
It’s amazing. What a storyteller!