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Comics & Illustration

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Sketchbook: Exponential Growth

* I've been keeping a sketchbook diary of these pandemic days of the coronavirus outbreak in NYC.

Pandemic diary: Awkward, bilingual conversations about the coronavirus outbreak with family. This is a halting snapshot of me trying to convince my parents to stay home. 

I've been having a lot of these conversations with friends and family and I'm noticing how information about this health emergency is spreading, socially, in different communities.

With my parents, the urgency of the communication shines a light on the challenges and stumbling blocks that we've always had to navigate through. This is a brief snapshot of how awkward it can be to get a thought across barriers of language, culture, and physical distance.

Hope everyone is staying well and keeping sane wherever you are.
comics, pandemic, diary, humor, journal, illustration, communication, exponential growth, asian american, family, codeswitching, bilingual, chinese, english, connie sun, cartoonconnie

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Rejected Ideas: Levels of Panic

I've started posting some of these just for fun :)

As I said, it's different from my usual style, but I'm experimenting.

I've been having a lot of conversations with people, trying to understand the ways we are dealing with the current global coronavirus pandemic. Reactions range from "no big deal" to aggressive panic. Our differences are testing all of our closest relationships, I think. Still, these are important conversations to have, even if they are uncomfortable.

That's where the idea for this cartoon came from. May we get through it.
gas mask, face mask, pandemic, humor, couple, relationship, cartoon, levels of panic, comic, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie

Monday, March 23, 2020

Sketchbook: Meditating in a Pandemic

NYC, along with many other places, has officially closed down to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Like everyone, I'm staying home and trying not to lose my mind.

I'm not practiced in meditation, but I'm trying to do more to help keep negativity from spiraling. Thoughts are very scattered. Worst case scenarios are very top of mind. I'm trying to quiet those anxieties and focus on what I am able to do.
sketchbook, pandemic, meditation, humor, drawing, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie

Friday, March 20, 2020

Rejected Ideas: Stress-Eating Cookie Supply

I'll start posting some of these for your amusement :)

It's a different style than my usual comics. You have to fail a lot to be a cartoonist; it's part of the process :)
rejected cartoons, cartoon ideas, creative process, humor, connie sun, cartoonconnie, illustration, comics

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Sketchbook: True Leaders

I've been having a hard time keeping up with my usual cartooning this week, as New York braces for the worst of the coronavirus outbreak and new measures to stem its spread are announced daily.

There's a lot to process, and I don't have a lot to add to the glut of news and grim projections. I'm basically self-isolating indoors and limiting exposure to others. What is helping me through is connecting remotely with friends and family and keeping a journal.

Everything is scary and concerning. On the bright side, I find myself uplifted by the leadership, courage, and solidarity of the global medical and public health community. They are showing us in real time what is critical and what is irrelevant in the face of global crisis.

It sets a heroic example for us all. May we follow their example of global collaboration, rather than the pettiness of politicians who hurry to place blame and pick fights.

May we get through this together.

Monday, March 16, 2020

Sketchbook: Oddly Comforting

* I'm keeping a sketchbook diary to help manage my anxiety over recent events.  

Posting this late, but this was me a few days ago. I had a little moment of feeling paralyzed and not knowing how to feel better. In addition to other hygiene recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I'm disinfecting surfaces at home more, which is oddly comforting. The downside is that I'm sure I look like a crazy person :)

So many changes on a daily basis now. I just hope you're okay where you are, staying well, and staying home as much as possible during this critical time. (Great visualization of why it's so important for us all to do our part to "flatten the curve.")

More guidance from the WHO, my main source of updates, recommendations and moral leadership, in addition to specific guidelines from local government sources.

Gratitude to health professionals, first responders, and everyone on the front lines of this unfathomable crisis.

Trying to do my small part too. In this together.


comics, humor, comic strip, diary, sketchbook, comic, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie, coronavirus outbreak, pandemic, nyc

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Sketchbook: Meditation Fail

* I'm keeping a sketchbook diary to help manage my anxiety over recent events. 

The WHO officially classified this novel coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic yesterday during their press briefing. As we all grapple with what this means globally and in our immediate communities, I'm noticing how my brain is reacting to the rapidly evolving situation.

Yesterday, my anxiety escalated to anger, irritability, and an impulse to blame something. I pretty much failed at meditation.

What ended up helping was texting a friend to vent and going for a run in the park. If anger is a secondary emotion, I think the underlying emotion is fear and helplessness.

Take good care of yourselves and thanks for reading.

meditation, humor, anxiety relief, mindfulness, comics, illustration, cartoonconnie, connie sun, sketchbook, pandemic

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Sketchbook: Pikachu and Jellybeans

It's early days of the coronavirus outbreak in NYC. As the situation unfolds, I'm keeping a diary comic as a way to manage anxiety and process things.

I hope you're doing okay where you are and have the "jellybeans" you need to get through this moment. Stay well, everyone.

Read on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9kxxCpgSmE

nyc, coronavirus, covid-19, diary, journal comic, pikachu costumes, overheard, comics, sketchbook, illustration, connie sun, cartoonconnie

Friday, March 06, 2020

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Keep Calm or Freak Out

Joking about the hand sanitizer ;)

This cartoon is about our brains on anxiety. The more uncertainty there is, the more anxiety.

Take care and stay well!
elephant, comics, anxiety, humor, connie sun, cartoonconnie, journal comic, sketchbook, illustration
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Monday, March 02, 2020

Coffee First (Repost)

Coffee before making any life decisions. Edited from an earlier version. 
comics, comic strip, humor, connie sun, cartoonconnie, conniewonnie, sketchbook, illustration