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Comics & Illustration

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Treading Softly Into Another Year

Happy new year and safe passage. Let us step lightly through. 

Thank you for following along the journey



Taking It A Day At A Time, Part 3

The barred owl of Riverside Park. I've recently taken up casual birdwatching. 

Safe passage into the new year. 

Thanks for reading along

Sketchbook illustration of birdwatchers in Riverside Park, New York City, barred owl drawing by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie




Taking It A Day At A Time, Part 2

Sunset and full moon, Hudson River. Taking it a day at a time and taking the time I need.

May we be granted safe passage.

Thanks for reading along

Comic illustration page of a sunset and full moon in New York City, by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie


Taking It A Day At A Time, Part 1

Snow, rain, and frozen-over puddles. Taking it a day at a time and taking the time I need. 

May we be granted safe passage. 

Thank you for reading

Comic illustration page drawn from scenes in Riverside Park, New York. Drawing of a snowman, torrential rain over cityscape, a walk in the park with kids playing on frozen puddles. Cartoon by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie


Thursday, December 17, 2020

More Heart Therapy

Me and my weird heart are currently working out our problems in therapy :)

New comic about working through difficult emotions in therapy, blaming behaviors, and learning the social skills to be "dateable."

Thanks for following the journey, lol.

Comic illustration about learning social skills for dating in therapy with a cartoon heart, emotions, blaming, by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Thursday, December 10, 2020

Friday, December 04, 2020

Life Would Be Easier If...

New cartoon about learning to deal with difficult emotions in therapy, which I recently started. Life would be less messy without 'em, but also less interesting. 

Thanks for everyone's patience as I attempt to grow as a person. 

Connie on Ko-fi

Cartoon illustration about emotional, getting therapy and prioritizing mental health wellness. Image of a woman and her heart sitting on a couch. Drawing by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie


Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Me And My Weird Heart

Quick update: This fall, I finally decided to get help and am now working with a therapist.

I’ve been struggling with depression for years, trying all manner of coping and cartooning through it. It was getting too difficult and starting to affect my creativity.

For those who have been following my comics, I want to share that I’m prioritizing my mental health. I’ll continue to post updates, in case you can relate.

It has been such a challenging year for so many of us. If you’re also dealing with something hard, you’re not alone. Wishing you solace and strength this season.

Thanks so much for reading and supporting.

Cartoon illustration about getting therapy and prioritizing mental health wellness. Image of a woman and her heart sitting on a couch. Drawing by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie


Friday, November 13, 2020

Sketchbook: What A Time To Be Alive

 Just catching up on the news this week...

Stay safe and stay well, everyone.

Sketchbook drawing by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, illustration humor, captioned "what a time to be alive! amirite, people?"


Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Maybe-I'm-Worth-It Accessory

I can't believe it took me so long to get a drawing glove.

A cartoon about minor life adjustments that make a big difference. 

(Note: If you've never used a touchscreen tablet, the cut-out glove simply prevents your bare hand from touching the screen and making accidental marks on the drawing.)

View on Instagram

Comic about minor adjustments that make a big difference by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie, photo, illustration, ipad drawing glove
Photo, illustration, ipad drawing glove, by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie





Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Diversity Plus Trust Equals Unity

What a time of high emotions. With the results of the 2020 US elections declared over the weekend, a big shoe dropped and we all felt the impact.

There's have a lot of work ahead, but I still believe in the wisdom of diverse voices and the possibility that we can make things better.

(Respecting) Diversity + (Rebuilding) Trust = (Path to) Unity

Knowing this doesn't mean we'll do it, but this is what I hope for.

Ko-fi page

Illustration of united states map with two bandages over a large gashing wound, captioned "diversity plus trust equals unity." Cartoon drawing by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie




Friday, November 06, 2020

Waiting Game

Anxiously awaiting the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. 

Caption: "I wish I ate less this week and did more to get out the vote this year." 

Grateful for heroes like Stacey Abrams of Georgia for her vision of a better democracy and all those working tirelessly to uphold the sanctity of our voices and our votes, locally.

Sketchbook drawing of anxiously awaiting the results of the 2020 general election in the U.S. Caption: "I wish I ate less this week and did more..." Illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie


Tuesday, November 03, 2020

Current Level of Coping

My current level of coping is at super-charge. ⁣

Will freaking out help the situation? No, but it would feel good, damnit. ⁣


cartoon about coping with anxiety and uncertainty, binge-eating comic, sketchbook illustration by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie

cartoon about coping with anxiety and uncertainty and being torn between freaking out and keeping calm, sketchbook comic by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie



Sketchbook: The Year of Standing in Line

One enduring impression of 2020 is how much time we all stood in socially distant lines for everything. 

Thanks to everyone who waited in crazy-long lines to vote this year. NYC had early voting for the first time in history and many waited 4 to 5 hours just to cast their ballots this year. 

It's an unprecedented Election Day in the U.S. today. I saw musicians performing in front of polling sites to keep spirits up. 

In uncertain times: may there be equal parts hope.

sketchbook illustrations of new yorkers standing in line, drawings by connie sun, cartoonconnie

Illustration caption: "I like to think that for every heartbreak in the universe, there exists equal parts hope." Artwork by Connie Sun, cartoonconnie


Friday, October 30, 2020

Sketchbook: Style of Panic

Everybody panics differently.

My style of panic is somewhere in between paralysis and the impulse to save the world. Voting is better than paralysis, hope is better than despair, and whatever you can do to keep yourself healthy and sane during this crazy pandemic-election year is worth it. 

Stay strong, friends.

caption: everybody panics differently. cartoon drawing depicting panic on a scale from denial to save the world with paralysis and voting in between, sketchbook illustration by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Sketchbook: Self-Esteem, Rain Boots

Quick sketchbook drawing about the daily negotiation of self-esteem, rainy day edition. Just for fun. 

Connie on Ko-fi

sketchbook drawing about the daily negotiation of self-esteem, rain boots, rainy day, illustration, by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Tuesday, October 27, 2020

The Emperor Wears No Mask

I believe strong leaders should be better examples to their followers and those who trust them. 

We can disagree politically, but airborne disease is straightforward. It doesn't care about our politics.

emperor penguin illustration, sketchbook, drawing, pandemic, wear a mask, editorial cartoon by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Friday, October 23, 2020

Thank You, USPS and Good Neighbors

 I cast by vote by mail this week and was touched by the kindness of neighbors. 

When I walked into my local post office for stamps, I learned that people in the neighborhood have been buying postage for absentee ballots. 

For all the ways this has been an ugly election year, this was a reminder that we are a part of a larger community and something bigger than ourselves. Just wanted to share that. 

Thanks to the United States Postal Service for holding it down in 2020 and to my neighbors for reminding me that community is everything. 

slice of life comic about voting by mail this year and good neighbors at the post office, nyc sketchbook, by connie sun, cartoonconnie, comics and illustration
photo, post office 2020, envelope with handwritten text: "free stamp for absentee ballot"


Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Illustration: Pandemic Fatigue

The fall season is beautiful, but lonely. We all have things we are struggling with during this epic pandemic election year. This is one of mine. If you understand the feeling, I hope it provides some relief. 

Thanks for continuing to read along in these days of uncertainty and limbo. 

Illustration text: (1) pandemic fatigue; (2) pandemic lonely; (3) pandemic must-stay-strong.

Illustration of a park scene where people are social distancing with masks and there's a lone character in a bubble. Illustration text: (1) pandemic fatigue; (2) pandemic lonely; (3) pandemic must-stay-strong. Sketchbook drawing about loneliness in a pandemic, by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Friday, October 16, 2020

Introvert Groceries

New sketchbook comic about self-checkout stations and the ghost of social anxiety past. 

Cartoon text: When I was younger, even basic social interactions would make me nervous. I've gotten better with practice, but I would've loved self-checkout stations back then, especially if it meant I could avoid any added social stress. 

I don't know if self-checkout is good for humanity or my social skills, but it is a tiny bit fun to "beep" my groceries.

Thanks for reading and supporting if you can.

Journal comic by Connie Sun about self-checkout stations and the ghost of social anxiety past. Cartoon text: "When I was younger, even basic social interactions would make me nervous. I've gotten better with practice, but I would've loved self-checkout stations back then, especially if it meant I could avoid any added social stress. I don't know if self-checkout is good for humanity or my social skills, but it is a tiny bit fun to 'beep' my groceries." cartoonconnie comics and illustration.


Thursday, October 15, 2020

Anxiety Aura

This is what my anxiety aura looks like today. Just getting through the week will be enough.

Early voting in NY starts next week, so I'll do that too.

Thanks for continuing to read along. I'm hard at work writing, so I'm posting less, but might share more process content in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

comic strip about anxiety and a person's least attractive qualities, by connie sun, cartoonconnie, sketchbook drawing, comics and illustration blog


Thursday, October 08, 2020

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

Single Girl, Emotional Check-in

Not as whiny, but no less feisty. 

I feel like I've been holding my breath this entire pandemic-election year. This cartoon scene sort of feels like it's in limbo too. 

I'm still drawing everyday, which keeps me going when so many things in life are uncertain.

Thanks for following along

elephant, comic strip, illustration, humor, comics, sketchbook, drawing, by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Friday, October 02, 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Mid-Autumn Mooncakes 2020

Mid-Autumn festival is a holiday associated with family reunions, seeing old friends, and pretending to like mooncake.

Since many of us are physically distant from loved ones this year, let us be extra kind to ourselves and our neighbors.

Yes, there’s a lot to be angry about and we need to vote, but also let’s be kind. I am also trying my best.⁣

mid-autumn festival, journal comic, sketchbook, drawing, mooncakes, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie

mid-autumn festival, journal comic, sketchbook, drawing, mooncakes, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie


Friday, September 25, 2020

Announcement: Leaving GoComics; What's Next

I'm ending my GoComics series, Connie to the Wonnie, after 8 years. 


Thanks so much to GoComics for letting me share my creative process and sketchbook cartoons with its readers. 


You can see what's next at cartoonconnie.com, which is newly relaunched. I'm trying something new, but don't worry, I'm not quitting cartooning. 

announcement, gocomics, connie to the wonnie, new website, cartoonconnie comics and illustration, connie sun, what's next


Wednesday, September 23, 2020

The Path of Most Resistance

Changing oneself is painful and, for me, the absolute last resort. I won't do it unless my feet are held up the fire and, even then, I'd rather let them char for a while.

Thanks for reading and sticking with me through the messy parts of the process.

comic strip, illustration, drawing, by connie sun, cartoonconnie, sketchbook, comics, humor, elephant, self-improvement




Friday, September 18, 2020

Part I'd Like To Skip

Whenever I'm facing a difficult challenge, I think how great it would be if I could just skip over this part. 

Thanks for reading along

elephant drawing, comic strip, humor, how life works, cartoon by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Cute Trauma Ghost

Lately, I've been learning about how trauma functions in our brains and what tends to happen when it is ignored and has nowhere else to go. 

I sort of imagine it as a "ghost" floating around in limbo. Of course, there's nothing cute about trauma in real life, but it would feel more manageable if we could see it for what it is.

Thanks so much for all your support

comics, humor, comic strip, mental health awareness, ptsd, trauma portrayed visually as a ghost, cartoon by connie sun, cartoonconnie, sketchbook comic


Wednesday, September 09, 2020

Scale of Emotional Pain

Experimenting with a new digital brush to get though some sadness. I've heard that suffering is less when you can "see" or name where you feel pain and that emotional hurts need as much tending to as physical wounds. 

Hope you are taking care of the parts of your spirit that need the most love this season. 

Thanks for reading and supporting

comic strip, cartoon, pain scale, emotional pain scale, sketchbook, drawing, journal comic, connie sun, cartoonconnie, illustration


Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Waste No Time, Elephant

I drew this over the weekend to help me process some emotions. Thought I'd share it. 

Let us waste no time on petty things, Elephant. We are here so briefly.

Thanks for supporting my cartooning

elephant hug illustration, comic strip, sketchbook, drawing, by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Update: Comic for PEN America's "We Will Emerge" Project

Proud to have contributed a comic to PEN America's "We Will Emerge" project, with thanks to Wajahat Ali & Dave Eggers for creating this space⁣⁣.⁣⁣  


View full project here https://pen.org/we-will-emerge/⁣⁣  ⁣⁣  


You can find my submission in the "gratitude" section⁣ or⁣ read as separate panels on Instagram.


For this project, writers, activists, and academics came together to imagine a blueprint for a post-COVID America. 


comics, submission, art activism, post-covid America, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie


Thursday, August 20, 2020

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Sketchbook: Drawing for a Rainy Day

I posted a couple of throwback comics for a rainy day on my Instagram

This sketch is from a year ago, when I first started drawing on an iPad with Procreate and was getting used to a digital workflow. ⁣The other two throwback comics were drawn on paper in my old style.

sketchbook drawing, connie sun, cartoonconnie


Thursday, July 30, 2020

Elephant Reserves Judgment

I've been leaning pretty hard into my coping mechanisms lately, like stress-eating and pining for love for all the wrong reasons. I think it's crisis fatigue. Who else?

Thanks for supporting Connie on Ko-fi
elephant, illustration, comics, humor, coping mechanisms, sketchbook drawing, connie sun, cartoonconnie

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Update: In Between the Panels

In comics, the space between panels is called a "gutter."

At the moment, I'm in that difficult, transitional, in-between space of trying to decide, "what next?"

A lot of good things can happen here, too, but still, it's not easy.

You may have noticed that I'm posting less one-off sketchbook comics, as I work to develop material for new projects and works in progress.

Thanks for bearing with me as I try to get to a place where I can continue to create comics.

Support Connie on Ko-fi
comics, panels, gutter, sketchbook drawing, climbing, illustration, by connie sun, cartoonconnie


Thursday, July 16, 2020

A Creative Fine Line

There's a fine line between creative inspiration and comparison!

Creativity and the ego have a weirdly codependent relationship.

Thanks for supporting Connie on Ko-fi
comic about creativity, ego, creative inspiration and comparison, by connie sun, cartoonconnie, sketchbook, drawing, slice of life cartoon

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Masks Or Die

This is out of my usual wheelhouse, but I'm concerned by how much politics has drowned out science in the U.S.

I'm afraid to think what will happen if we fail to come together on the most basic shared values.

*Note: This sketch is referencing a political cartoon from 1754, by Benjamin Franklin. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Join,_or_Die)
sketchbook drawing referencing benjamin franklin's 1754 cartoon "join, or die", connie sun, cartoonconnie