A touching, wry memoir. The generational transitions are just amazing, ending with the daughters guiding the mother into the womanhood that's been waiting all her life for her to arrive.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I so enjoyed writing and drawing this, and it's wonderful to hear positive feedback, particularly since this is so personal and new for me. I am glad it spoke to some of you.
How incredibly wonderful, Liza. I loved you and your work before, but having taken this journey with you, I understand and appreciate you more. This was delightful--a must read, a must love. Bravo.
Liza, I remember you when you worked with me at The American Museum of Natural History. One day you did an ink portrait of me working at my desk. I still have it. You and I did a book proposal for a book of humorous dog names. I did the text and you did the drawings. The proposal never got anywhere, except into my files of memorabilia. Over the years I have enjoyed following your cartoons--I've been happy for your success and have saved many of them. They have perception, warmth, and wit.
I just happened onto this website today and am delighted to see and read about you and your success in the world of life, cartoons, and books. I, too, have had a bit of success with my published book about humorist Jean Shepherd, so we both have some connection to the field of humor--I like that. Cheers.
Hello, Eugene! How nice to hear from you. I just ran into that proposal the other day, cleaning out my studio. I thank you for your support of my work early on, it was important to me. Sorry the book never went anywhere, but that wasn't unusual. I have many proposals that are sitting in my studio! So glad to hear about your book, I will look it up. Did you depart the museum as well? Best wishes to you!
Thank you, Heather. I think many of us women struggle quietly with these issues. It isn't spoken about much. I am glad you enjoyed it and found things to relate to!
After thirty-four years, I retired from the Museum in 2001. Some of my permanent halls are still there--such as my work with Margaret Mead, redesigning her Pacific Peoples Hall, then designing the Peoples of South America Hall. One of my most interesting temporary exhibit designs was the Star Trek memorabilia show. I got to meet Dr. Beverly Crusher of "Next Generation," who signed her photo for me by having me bend over so she could sign it on my back. For the last ten years I've been working at home on various Jean Shepherd projects. Wow, that's a long time contemplating someone else's humor and stuff--it's fun. Your graphic bio is fascinating! I collect graphic novels and had a good talk with Harvey Pekar ("American Splendor") and his wife/collaborater Joyce Brabner--she, especially, is a Shepherd fan. I talked with her for an hour at a comics convention and she helped me, searching for Shepherd material. Excelsior!
I only have one daughter, but our stories are so similar. She taught me how to dress, how to comb my hair, and how to be comfortable being a woman. Thank you for the cartoon of my life.
This story is all so familiar to me! It made me think of a hilarious song by singer Nancy White. The lines I remember go, "Daughters of feminists always wear pink short frilly dresses and dream of successes with men!"
I LOVE this! I've just published my own two books about being a cartoonist--well, the first one is about NOT being a professional, and the second one is about using cartoons to explore my own confusions and frustrations about the feminine. I had the same problem being labeled "cute," while all the GUYS were "funny," but it's all coming around now. I just got a review from someone who was able to call my work cute and precious without making it sound belittling. It seems there is great untapped power in cute.
A lovely read--thank you.
Wonderful, funny, and poignant. I feel like you wrote the story about me.
I enjoyed the journey!
Lovely! What universal themes you have captured in these drawings. Thank you.
Wonderfully wry and honest. I really enjoyed it.
A touching, wry memoir. The generational transitions are just amazing, ending with the daughters guiding the mother into the womanhood that's been waiting all her life for her to arrive.
A superior blossoming to the last frame.
A treat. Gorgeous pictures and words that sing.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I so enjoyed writing and drawing this, and it's wonderful to hear positive feedback, particularly since this is so personal and new for me. I am glad it spoke to some of you.
How incredibly wonderful, Liza. I loved you and your work before, but having taken this journey with you, I understand and appreciate you more. This was delightful--a must read, a must love. Bravo.
Liza, thank you for this and for all that you do. You're an inspiration!
I'm so moved by this, perhaps because of my own issues with femininity. You expressed your story with such grace, humor, and creativity. Thank you!
Liza, I remember you when you worked with me at The American Museum of Natural History. One day you did an ink portrait of me working at my desk. I still have it. You and I did a book proposal for a book of humorous dog names. I did the text and you did the drawings. The proposal never got anywhere, except into my files of memorabilia. Over the years I have enjoyed following your cartoons--I've been happy for your success and have saved many of them. They have perception, warmth, and wit.
I just happened onto this website today and am delighted to see and read about you and your success in the world of life, cartoons, and books. I, too, have had a bit of success with my published book about humorist Jean Shepherd, so we both have some connection to the field of humor--I like that. Cheers.
Hello, Eugene! How nice to hear from you. I just ran into that proposal the other day, cleaning out my studio. I thank you for your support of my work early on, it was important to me. Sorry the book never went anywhere, but that wasn't unusual. I have many proposals that are sitting in my studio! So glad to hear about your book, I will look it up. Did you depart the museum as well? Best wishes to you!
Thank you, Heather. I think many of us women struggle quietly with these issues. It isn't spoken about much. I am glad you enjoyed it and found things to relate to!
After thirty-four years, I retired from the Museum in 2001. Some of my permanent halls are still there--such as my work with Margaret Mead, redesigning her Pacific Peoples Hall, then designing the Peoples of South America Hall. One of my most interesting temporary exhibit designs was the Star Trek memorabilia show. I got to meet Dr. Beverly Crusher of "Next Generation," who signed her photo for me by having me bend over so she could sign it on my back. For the last ten years I've been working at home on various Jean Shepherd projects. Wow, that's a long time contemplating someone else's humor and stuff--it's fun. Your graphic bio is fascinating! I collect graphic novels and had a good talk with Harvey Pekar ("American Splendor") and his wife/collaborater Joyce Brabner--she, especially, is a Shepherd fan. I talked with her for an hour at a comics convention and she helped me, searching for Shepherd material. Excelsior!
Loved it. Absolutely loved it. Thank you.
I only have one daughter, but our stories are so similar. She taught me how to dress, how to comb my hair, and how to be comfortable being a woman. Thank you for the cartoon of my life.
This story is all so familiar to me! It made me think of a hilarious song by singer Nancy White. The lines I remember go, "Daughters of feminists always wear pink short frilly dresses and dream of successes with men!"
I LOVE this! I've just published my own two books about being a cartoonist--well, the first one is about NOT being a professional, and the second one is about using cartoons to explore my own confusions and frustrations about the feminine. I had the same problem being labeled "cute," while all the GUYS were "funny," but it's all coming around now. I just got a review from someone who was able to call my work cute and precious without making it sound belittling. It seems there is great untapped power in cute.