Uncertainties

This week's cartoon: I've done what I can do today and, tomorrow, I will also do what I can do. 

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(After some time offline, I've started sharing updates again, on my blog and Ko-fi page. I'll be back on Instagram selectively. You can also sign up to hear from me directly on my portfolio website. Thanks for reading!)

Practicing Courage

Life seems to test our courage constantly, in big and small ways. It would be nice if it were easier, but maybe the practice makes us stronger in the long run. 

I definitely struggled to come back to cartooning, but I'm glad I convinced myself to be braver than I felt in this instance. Often, all we can do is be a little bit brave, everyday. 

Wishing you daily courage, wherever you need it most. - Connie

--
(After some time offline, I've started sharing updates again, on my blog and Ko-fi page. I'll be back on Instagram selectively. You can also sign up to hear from me directly on my portfolio website. Thanks for reading!)

Modern Existence

After over a year offline, I’m having to change my relationship to blogging and social media. Not easy to start up again, but I’m glad to reconnect with friends and readers. 

Does art need an audience? I’m not sure yet. I’ve been filling private sketchbooks and journals, which has been great for developing ideas and techniques. But there is something about sharing work with you all that forces me to “translate” and clarify ideas a step further.

Thanks for reading and for your patience as I get my blog up and running again. Lots of new work to share in the coming weeks! - Connie

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(Starting this month, I'll resume sharing updates and artwork regularly, on my blog and Ko-fi page. I'll be back on Instagram selectively. You can also sign up to hear from me directly on my portfolio website.)

Godzilla Algorithms

Thanks for your love and support, especially after all this time. I've been working offline to develop my ideas into book-length stories. 

Since art and algorithms don't always mix, thanks in advance for your patience as I figure out how to come back online with brand new cartoons. I'm excited to share new drawings with you in the coming weeks.

Starting this month, I'll resume sharing updates and artwork regularly again, on my blog and Ko-fi page. I'll be back on Instagram selectively.

My new portfolio website is up as well, where you can also sign up to hear from me directly.

Thanks for your patience as I get my systems up and running again. - Connie

A Long Time Away

I've been a long time away, but I'm back! Though I was offline for longer than expected, I never stopped writing and cartooning, and I'm excited to share what I've been working on with you.

Starting this month, I'll resume sharing updates and artwork regularly again, on my blog and Ko-fi page. I'll be back on Instagram selectively.

My new portfolio website is up as well, where you can also sign up to hear from me directly, if you haven't already.  

Thanks for your patience as I iron out my schedule and get my systems up and running again. - Connie

Tune Out All But the Essential

I've been navigating some life changes and feeling a bit overwhelmed, but am trying to tune out the noise and focus on what's most important. Thanks for reading. More artwork to come!

Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel comic illustration about focusing on what's important when feeling overwhelmed. Panel 1 shows a cartoon girl with a bun, covering her ears and surrounded by noisy, jagged, crackly lines. In panel 2, she focuses on the beating of her heart, which is shown thumping over her chest. The text caption reads, "When overwhelmed, tune out - all but the essential." The words "tune out" are drawn with emphasis in bubble letters. Original illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

All Of This Is Okay

I've had an eventful few weeks and am having to pause and regroup. It's a season of change and I'm along for the ride, hopeful that it will take me where I need to grow. Thanks for your patience and stay tuned <3

Connie on Ko-fi

[5-panel full-color comic page with a motivational message titled, "All of this is okay." Panel 1 shows a cartoon girl with a bun wearing a backpack, running frantically to get somewhere; text reads, "It's okay to slow down." Panel 2: She pauses to look at her phone, a worried expression on her face; text reads, "It's okay to stop and just be lost." Panel 3: She reroutes directions on her phone. Panel 4: She turns her head purposefully in another direction, course-correcting. Text reads: "You can regroup and find your way...as many times as you need." Panel 5, borderless: She walks in the opposite direction she was running and guesses matter-of-factly, "I think it's that way," as the frame pans out to show her companion, an elephant, turning to follow. Original comic illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Lifelong Lessons in Love and Belonging

Still learning! Life's work.

Connie on Ko-fi

[Full-color comic page about learning lessons in love, belonging, and self-worth. The comic page is divided into 3 sections, like a visual poem. The first part is captioned, "Searching for love vs I AM LOVED." The second is captioned, "Belonging nowhere vs I AM HERE." The last reads, "Proving your worth vs I KNOW IT." After each caption, there are 2 side-by-side drawings of a girl with a bun. The drawings on the left are anxious, sad, tense, and grayed out, while the drawings on the right are in bright colors, showing the girl affirming her sense of worth with self-hugs. Original illustrated comics page titled "Lifelong Lessons," by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Birdsong of Spring

I don't know what they're saying, but I imagine high drama :)

Connie on Ko-fi

[Single-panel comic illustration of a girl walking through Central Park, enjoying the melodic sounds of birds. There are musical notes in the background, along with colorful pink and white tree blossoms, yellow daffodils. She has a serene expression on her face, thinks to herself, "Ah...is there anything as relaxing as birdsong??" Meanwhile, there's bold text in yellow speech bubbles with translations of what the birds appear to be saying: "Get your feathers OFF my man, Susan! / Frank, you dirty, LYING CHEAT!! / Baby, just give me a chance - / Look, I can bench 3 bagels! / This next one goes out to all the lonely, broken-hearted birds out there..." Cartoon titled "Birdsong of Spring." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

More Okay

When I am okay versus when I am not okay. Thanks for sticking with me <3

Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel comic illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun, drawn in bright solid colors. She is standing next to another version of herself, sitting hunched over a desk, looking sad, and rendered in duller, more scribbly color. In panel 1, the caption reads, "Me, when I am okay, to me, when I am not okay." In panel 2, the girl puts her hand on the seated girl's shoulder and says, "You and me - we're okay no matter what." Cartoon titled "More Okay." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Life Without Love

Without you, it would be pointless to go on <3

Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel comic of a cartoon girl with a bun talking to a plushy red cartoon heart. Panel 1: Girl says to heart, "I can't promise it'll all be okay..." Heart looks looks at her warily. Panel 2: midshot of girl hugging the heart with affection. Caption reads, "-- but it would be pointless to go on without you." Cartoon titled, "Life Without Love," by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Just Enough Delusion

When the going gets tough, I need just enough self-delusion to keep going :')

Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel borderless comic about being your own toughest critic. Panel 1: Girl with a bun looks at her reflection in a bathroom mirror, discouraged, while her reflection gives the opposite of a pep talk - "You're not good enough and never will be...maybe you should just give up." Panel 2: Girl reacts defensively, pointing at the reflection with emphasis - "I'll have you know, it's going JUST FINE!" Panel 3: Girl walks off-frame with an indignant "Hmph." Heading in bold text: "When you are your own toughest critic, but self-delusion is still strong." By Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Instant Hugs

I foolishly went without even regular pillows for 6 years -- what was I thinking? Pillows are an amazing invention.

Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel monochrome comic illustration of a girl with a bun, sitting at a cluttered desk, under clouds of worry. In panel 1, she looks burdened and heavy clouds loom over her head, enclosing the word "WORRIES" in bold handwritten text. Panel 2 shows her in a medium shot, hugging a large pillow for comfort. In a lighter bubble, the text reads, "Learning that body pillows are really a necessary part of life," as she gives the pillow a light "squeeze." Comic titled "Instant Hugs." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.] 

Is That Yoga?

It's my mantra these days :')

Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel comic illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun on a yoga mat. Text heading: "A New Practice." Panel 1: Girl stands and raises hands over her head, as she breathes in. Panel 2, side view: Girl bends over, touching the floor and breathing out. Panel 3: An elephant enters the frame, as the girl is splayed on her back in rest. Elephant: "Is that yoga?" Girl: "It's 'don't panic." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Drawing a Safe Place

Wishing you a safe place, too, whenever you need it.

Connie on Ko-fi

[Single-panel cartoon illustration of a girl with a bun, drawing a circle around herself in the sand with a twig, under a full moon. Caption reads, "Just out here / drawing myself / a safe place / in the world / to make art." Original artwork titled "Drawing a Safe Place," by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.] 

Art in Progress (Part 2)

The creative process is going "well."

Connie on Ko-fi

[2- panel comic illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun, throwing a bucket of colorful paint at an artist's easel. Titled "Art in Progress, Part 2." Panel 1: Bright globs of paint hit the canvas with a "SPLAT!!" Panel 2: Artist inspects her work, an incoherent messy of paint splattered everywhere. Elephant character observes the scene, asking "What is it about?" Girl responds, "It's too early to tell," as a plushy cartoon heart character squirms around happily in the paint on the floor. Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Art in Progress

*paint coming out of my ears lol* 

Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel comic of a cartoon girl with a bun, pouring out the colorful contents of her head into a paint bucket, titled "Art in Progress." Black and white, except for the multicolor accent. Panel 1: Girl's head is tipped over a bucket, with color paint coming out of her ears. Caption with an arrow: "Artist mining the contents of her soul." Panel 2: Girl drags a sloshing bucket purposely toward an easel and empty canvas that is embossed with the instructions, "Place content here." Cartoon illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.] 

The Boss Of You

Part 10 of a series of plushy heart comics :)

Connie on Ko-fi

[3-panel borderless comic of a girl with a bun, holding a plushy cartoon in her arms, titled "The Boss Of You." Panel 1: Plushy heart looks up at girl and says cheerfully, "You're not the boss of me - I'm the boss of you." Girl looks quizzical: "Huh?" Panel 2: Girl holds the heart at arms length now and Heart goes on to say, "No matter how hard you try to stop me..." Panel 3: Heart continues, "-- I'm here to turn your life upside down." Girl drops the heart and recoils in apprehension: "What? No!" Part 10 of a series of plushy heart comics, by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Trust Backfire

Part 9 of a series of plushy heart and elephant comics :)

Connie on Ko-fi

[Single-page comic drawing of a girl with a bun, holding on tightly to a plushy cartoon heart. Heading, in all caps: "Is it healthy to never trust anyone?" Panel 1, interior scene: Elephant says to the girl, "Careful, that might backfire..." Girl, cradling the heart protectively, asks, "What are you talking about?" Panel 2, close-up of the heart in the girl's arms: Heart, looking innocent, but thinks to itself, "Just waiting for my big moment [to wreak havoc]." Part 9 of a series of plushy heart and elephant comics, by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]

Trust Exercise

Part 8 in a series of plushy heart comics :)

Connie on Ko-fi

[2-panel comic of a girl with a bun, holding a plushy cartoon heart in her arms, titled "Trust Exercise." Panel 1: Girl looks guarded, while the heart looks up at the girl with a soft, guileless expression, like a puppy. Text pointing to heart: "Trusts everyone." Text pointing to girl: "Trusts NO ONE." Panel 2: Girl scans environs with even greater suspicion, holds heart tighter, and says, "Don't worry - I will protect you." Part 8 in a series of plushy heart comics by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2023.]