Tuesday, December 10, 2024

How To Survive Yourself Online


4-panel comic strip of a cartoon girl with a bun and an elephant, titled "How to survive yourself online." Panel 1 shows the girl walking with a cup of tea. In panel 2, she sits at her desk, with a red sketchbook and a pen, while an elephant appears in the frame. In panel 3, the girl and the elephant acknowledge each other. Panel 4 shows the girl getting to work as the elephant ambles off the frame. The captions for each panel read, "You do not need to go viral...You do not need to be popular...You do not need any more than what you have...Breathe easy. You are okay as you are." Original cartoon and artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.

Needed a pep talk to cope with this weird moment in human history when our reality exists so much in our technology and devices. Here, I'm reminding myself of what actually makes me happy. What survival strategies do you have to stay centered in the fray?

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I'm back to sharing new cartoons on my blog and Ko-fi page and on Instagram selectively. You can sign up to hear from me directly on my portfolio site. More new artwork and cartoons to come!

Tuesday, December 03, 2024

This Time Of Year

4-panel comic about managing holiday stress. Panel 1 of 4 shows a cartoon girl with a bun anxiously looking at a long to-do list, while running around doing errands. Caption reads, "This time of year can feel like a lot, even if the holidays are your jam." Panel 2 shows the girl running in circles on a hamster wheel, while the text reads, "I can easily get panicky about how much I still haven't done and feel as though I'll never catch up on everything I meant to do." Original comic by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.
4-panel comic about managing holiday stress. Panel 3 of 4 cuts to dialogue between the girl with the bun and an elephant, who asks her, "How did you get through it last time?" Hands on her hips, the girl says, "I don't know, I just keep surviving, year after year." Panel 4 shows the elephant walking off the frame, unperplexed, saying, "Well, maybe just relax and do that again." Original comic by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.

I definitely feel like I'm not getting enough done, but I'm doing what I can. We'll make it through somehow. If you're surviving, you're winning. 

Sharing good, calming vibes <3

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I'm back to sharing new cartoons on my blog and Ko-fi page and on Instagram selectively. You can sign up to hear from me directly on my portfolio site. More to come!

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Looking Back At My Younger Self

1-page cartoon of a woman with a messy bun, looking back at her younger self, who sits primly and studiously at a desk. Panel 1 caption: "This is the time of year when I tend to look back and reflect on the past with a mix of nostalgia and regret." Older Self looks at her younger self in the same frame. Younger Self, serious, hands clasped in front of her like a teacher's pet, says, "Games? I don't play games...Fun? Why would I have that?...Relax?! What? Never!" Final panel: Younger Self leans and adds, "Not a fan of surprises either!" as Older Self walks away, with a pencil in her ear, and notes, "Wow I'm really going to have to work on that."  Comic strip titled "Looking Back At My Younger Self." Bookend caption at the bottom of the page reads, "But mostly gratitude that I'm no longer young." Original cartoon and art by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.

This is the time of year when I tend to look back and reflect on the past with a mix of nostalgia and regret. But mostly gratitude that I'm no longer young ;)

Thanks for reading and wishing you all the fun and games you can stand. - Connie

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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 site. 


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Permission To Be Happy

Short comic titled "Permission to be happy." Page 1: Illustration of a girl with a backpack, staring in awe at an exhibit of comic book pages displayed in a museum glass case. Text reads, "When I first got into comics and cartooning as an adult, I never thought it was something I could be good enough to do myself." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.
Page 2: Illustration of a girl with a backpack, alone, staring out into vast, unfamiliar terrain, potentially treacherous to cross. Text reads, "I had very low confidence and self-esteem and didn't know how or where to start." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.


Page 3: Illustration of a forlorn-looking girl, hunched over from the weight of her backpack, with a single rain cloud, over just her head. She's talking to her friend, a young woman named Bridget, with bright energy and clothes, who says to the girl, "You're an artist, Connie! Let yourself be happy! You deserve to be happy!" The girl thinks to herself, "That's an option?" Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.
Page 4: Illustration of a girl with a bun in front of an art easel au plein air, painting a vast landscape. Text reads, "It took one person, who believed in me before I did, to convince me to start letting myself be happy, in the face of everything...I'm still grateful to work at this everyday. Thanks, Bridge." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.

Drawing comics is how I learned to let myself be happy. My friend Bridget McElroy was the one who told me what I needed to hear to take the first step toward cartooning. Everyday, I think about the gift of what she said to me and it still keeps me going. Thank you always, B.

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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 site. 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Drawing Yourself Everyday

Illustration of a girl with a bun drawing at her desk. Caption reads, "Remember who you are today. Write it down for tomorrow." Second illustration of the girl with the bun drawing her own shape in with a pencil. Caption reads, "Draw yourself into existence daily." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024.

"Remember who you are today. Write it down for tomorrow. Draw yourself into existence daily."

These are creative mantras I build my art practice on. Sharing them here in case they are useful for you too. - 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 site. 

Tuesday, November 05, 2024

Uncertainties

3-panel comic strip showing a girl with a bun coping with uncertainties. In panel 1, she is sitting pensively at a desk, with a few stray clouds over her head. Text reads, "Life is full of uncertainties. My challenge today is to stay calm & centered." In panel 2, she holds out her hand as a cloud rains a few question marks. Text reads, "Focus on simple, self-evident truths." Panel 3: Girl is stress-eating and about the take a huge bite of a sandwich, with a thought bubble that reads, "I AM HUNGRY. THEREFORE, I EAT." Original art by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

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

(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!)

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Practicing Courage

Illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun rowing a boat with an oar-sized pen, navigating a Hokusai-style wave made of crumpled paper. Titled "Practicing Courage." Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024


Panel 1/5: Illustration of a girl with a bun on the shore of a deserted island, looking out on open water. Text reads, "To find my way back to cartooning, I had to remember why I started in the first place." Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

Panel 2/5: The girl is wielding the giant pen like a spear now and says defensively, "You know, there's really a lot that could go wrong!" The caption reads, "This thought played in my head on repeat." Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

Panel 3/5: Text: "It never stops being scary to open yourself up and risk vulnerability. And the world IS a scary place. It's not just my imagination." The girl peeks out from behind jungle cover, eyeing her surroundings suspiciously, thinking to herself: "Hah! As suspected...danger, EVERWHERE." Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024
Panel 4/5: Text: "I had to convince myself to pick up a pen everyday, regardless of outcome." Illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun rowing a boat with an oar-sized pen, navigating a Hokusai-style wave made of crumpled paper.  Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

Panel 5/5: Text: "This is what I had to do to start over." Girl in a small boat, rowing through a sea of crumpled paper with a large fountain pen, singing to herself, "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream...Merrily, merrily, merrily..." Caption reads, "Cartooning, like courage, takes practice." Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

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

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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!)


Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Modern Existence

Illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun sitting at a desk, with an elephant walking by behind her. Girl asks the elephant a rhetorical question: "If a person deletes all their social media and nobody hears what they think, do they still exist?" Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024
Illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun sitting at a desk, with an elephant walking by behind her. The elephant turns to respond to the girl's question: "Well, if there's one thing humans are good at, it's making their existence known. Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

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

(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.)

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Godzilla Algorithms

2-panel comic illustration of algorithms in 2010 compared to today (2024), depicted as a cute baby reptile that grows into a fire-breathing Godzilla that destroys big cities. Panel 1 shows a cartoon girl with a bun, cooing at a newly hatched baby lizard: "A baby algorithm! OMG so cute!" The year is 2010 and she is crouching to pet the hatchling. Panel 2 cuts to "Today" and shows an illustration of a cartoon Godzilla-like monster, towering over a metropolis, breathing fire and destroying buildings. It's gripping small figures in its giant claws, one of which is the girl with the bun in the first cartoon panel. In big bold lettering, the caption reads, "Godzilla Algorithms wreak global havoc." Original cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024

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

Tuesday, October 08, 2024

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
Illustration of a cartoon girl in a cave with a messy bun, sitting alone in front of a fire. Titled "A Long Time Away." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024


Illustration of a cartoon girl in a dark cave, making rudimentary cave drawings. Graffitied on the wall is the text, "How can you even call yourself an artist?" Caption reads, I took a break from social media for over a year to relearn how to make art offline, free of algorithms." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024
Illustration of a cartoon girl in a cave with a messy bun, sitting alone in front of a fire. The shadows cast by the light are scary and taunting. Caption reads, "It was hard to start over. Cartooning online had been my first love and longest relationship of 12 years." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024
Illustration of a cartoon girl stranded on an island, dressed in rags, looking out at the water under moonlight. There are frogs on lily pads croaking, "Fraud, fraud, fraud" at her. Caption reads, " I struggled to find my bearings again and make some sort of peace with being 'lost' for a while. There were a lot of ups and downs and difficult lessons along the way." Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024
Illustration of a cartoon girl with a bun sitting at a desk, drawing, no longer stranded on an island. Caption reads, "But most importantly, I'M BACK! And I can't wait to share what I've been working on with you!" Original artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, 2024


Thursday, May 18, 2023

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.]

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.


Wednesday, May 03, 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.]
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.


Thursday, April 13, 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.]

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.


Monday, April 10, 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.]

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.


Tuesday, April 04, 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.]

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.


Tuesday, March 28, 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.]

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.


Thursday, March 23, 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.]

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.


Tuesday, March 21, 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.] 

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.





Thursday, March 16, 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.]

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.


Tuesday, March 14, 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.] 

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.