Sharing is Caring (or something like that)
Using old skills, bringing your art to life, and a special little comic about my sweet Owen.
Dirt
What’s going on over here and what am I working on?
I made an Easter PSA comic for House Rabbit Society, a nonprofit rabbit rescue and educational resource in Richmond, CA. If you didn’t know, I have a sweet blind 10 year old bunny named Owen. I adopted him and his late brother (Oliver) in 2015 from BunnyLuv rescue and these boys have been my world. Adopting a bunny is a 8+ year commitment and sometimes they have special needs you have to attend to — like Owen does now.
When House Rabbit Society reached out for a comic, I knew I wanted to highlight how important it is to take the time to care for your pet. Rabbits often get the short end of the apple-stick on these things due to people focusing on dogs and cats. The Washington Post did a great article on adopting a rabbit called “Why you should consider bunnies as your next pet” and I agree with them! However, in time for Easter, it’s a good reminder that rabbits live over eight years and have needs like a dog or cat. They aren’t a pet for kids, nor are they a starter pet.
Water
What’s helping nourish my mind and creativity right now?
I’ve also been working on some gifs for House Rabbit Society as well. I majored in animation and while I worked in the animation industry, I always worked on the art development side (aka not an animator). Animation is fun but I don’t often do it these days. Gifs are an excuse to exercise that skill again.
Randomly, Giphy is the only social media site I’m verified on and I have close to 1 billion views on there! Wild!
I started uploading gifs there during the pandemic and have continued making gifs since. I’ve been having a lot of fun over the last few years making gifs. I don’t talk about it much but you can search my name or instagram handle (“Lily Williams” and “LWbean”) on any/all gif and sticker searches and find gifs and gif stickers I’ve made.
Grow
The results of the hard labor.
I got news that Is It Okay To Pee In The Ocean? written by Ella Schwartz and illustrated by me has made the long list for the Green Earth Book Award! This isn’t the first time one of my books has been on this list, but each time it’s exciting. I think the eco/green awards are really a lovely piece of recognition because climate anxiety is high right now. A lot of these books can help us see the world differently, fuel passion, or help calm anxieties. Check out the other long list books here!
Seedlings
Seedlings is the paid portion of Planting Seeds.
This month’s Seedlings Roundup features a write up about my most popular gifs, including statistics, and the background behind why I made them.
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