#women-characters in question to know details about them beyond what is discussed HEAVILY in fan-spaces... and i don't think many do tbh

[fiapple]

do i like jason todd? yes, i think about him far too often.

do i think the section of his fan-base who posit storylines, narrative positioning, & other writing choices for him that either aren't present or are deeply mismanaged/inconsistent in-text, & which have already been canonically given to comic-women (while often also being better written) should at least try branching the scope of their reading out a bit? oh, jesus fucking christ, absolutley.

[writingwithcolor]

Including diversity where there may be little

Including diversity where there may be little: Black Radium Girls as example

post-scriptvm asked: [ask clipped for length]

I have an interest in the ‘Radium Girls’, groups of women who worked at studios in America from the late 1910s onwards painting radium onto clock faces, and later took their companies to court for the horrible impacts the radium had on their body. 

I want to make a musical, just for fun. I’ve decided to use a fictionalized version of events, with composite characters based on multiple different women, rather than one of the real-life groups and the actual women from them. It will be mostly set in New Jersey, in the roaring 20s. 

Neither of the two real-life groups I know of had any Black women in them, and I can’t see any Black women in any of the big group photos of the dial factories’ employees. But I know there’s a lot of Black history and culture in that time and place bc of the great migration and stuff, so I feel like if I’m not going to use the real life ladies, I should probably take the opportunity to also make some of them Black, bc making a whole cast of white ladies in the name of potentially wrong ‘historical accuracy’ seems like a bad thing.

My question is, should I? [ask clipped for length]

I wouldn’t be surprised if there were African American radium girls. Speculating People of Color/Women of Color’s involvement is far more realistic than portraying everyone as white. Go for it! 

Perhaps look into what other races were predominantly in the New Jersey area for inspiration, too.

Hidden History

This section features just a few examples of PoC in lesser known historical settings.

The histories of People of Color are highly and actively erased. Women of Color especially get their stories left to footnotes in the textbooks. You hear about certain amazing women again and again, but there’s so many others that don’t get their time of day.

Hidden Figures (book and movie) is a prime example of that erasure and lesser known history. To summarize: It’s “the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program.”

Here’s another example:

Photo of female firefights on Pearl Harbor, 1941. Identities unknown

It would be nice to know more about these women, and i’ve seen inquiries from people requesting info from anyone who may know. This struggle to find details is a prime example of that erasure in itself.

Enemies in Love: A German POW, a Black Nurse, and an Unlikely Romance by Alexis Clark

The book pictured above is the true story of a Black nurse and German Prisoner of War who fall in love during World War II. They face many hardships (disowning from his family, racism, and shunning from towns) but stay together for their whole lives, marry, and have children (One of their sons highly informed the writing of the book!)

This book discusses the discrimination the Black soldiers and nurses faced. They struggled to even be allowed to serve their country, and were treated worse than POWs.

Video: The Unlikely Romance of a Black Nurse & German P.O.W. in WW II 

Research

Research “[RACE] + Firsts” and find many more examples of little unknown bits of history where they’ve been involved. 

First doesn’t mean it came without limitations, discrimination or hardships. But they happened, and many sooner than you’d think.

Explore beyond what you know about whitewashed history and learn the true stories of People of Color.

Making it “realistic”

People will question how “realistic” it is to feature a Black women in this position for the time period, unfortunately. It doesn’t hurt to provide an explanation until we get to a place where diversity isn’t interrogated when it shows up.

Giving her backstory. 

You can briefly explain the journey to the job, such as shortages due to a war. Take a look at those real world firsts for inspiration. 

Especially take a look at the specific region of the story. What firsts were there? Any government power influences? How did PoC break barriers to make the strides they did?

Use the web, but also go beyond. Seek books, historians, artwork. Search those “footnotes” for that one sentence mention. (That’s actually how the writer of Enemies in Love found their story. Just a quick sentence and a search for the story began. It helped that she was a journalist!)

Relationships with Peers: 

“I will cut off this right arm of mine before I will ever work or demand the ballot for the Negro and not the woman.” - Susan B. Anthony

White women weren’t, historically, welcoming to Black women. For example, white sufferists insisted Black women march in the back of the protests for, allegedly, both their rights.  You’ll need to decide how your Black woman is treated in this situation. 

You might face the following from peers, superiors, or others:

Hesitation to work or interact with her

Curiosity and intrigue (The “Other”

Unsure of how to approach or be friends with her  

Microaggressions

Blatant racism 

Your musical doesn’t seem like it is meant to focus too heavily on the hardships. It begs a mention, but just how much is up to you.

Call the Midwife, period racism example

Call the Midwife (BBC) is set in East End London, Late 1950s, early 1960s. The show features a Black midwife named Lucille Anderson. There’s a shortage on nurses so Caribbean nurses were being called in to support the growing population. 

Call the Midwife is from a midwife, Jennifer Worth’s, memoir, so it’s based on history.

Check out this short clip: Nurse Lucille Anderson - Call the Midwife 

Lucille on Call the Midwife (Take notes!)

The show handles racism and microaggressions very well. It’s not overdone.

Lucille is accepted by her peers and is especially close to one of the girls.

There’s an episode where she actively faces blame and discrimination during a case. It’s a major story line of the episode. 

She does face occasional micro-aggressions where she is othered, but it is not every single time she is on screen and not every episode. 

Her peers talk to her about her experiences and in the case where she had an aggressive family member to deal with, they tried to protect her by reassigning her from the family. Lucille asks to handle it her way and they respect her decision.

Lucille can mostly perform her job and have peace, and is treated kindly by patients.

She has a personality, a romantic life, family & friendships.

It’s about 90% allowing her to exist, 10% navigating racism/microaggressions. That’s a comfortable, realist balance for such a story and setting. 

If you want to check out how they handled these issues for yourself, the show is on Netflix as of this post (2020). She’s introduced in Season 7. (I highly recommend watching this show from the beginning. I cry like every episode, and the diversity of several ethnic backgrounds picks up a lot mid season!)

I’ll kick you three scenarios for your Black radium girl:

Peer Acceptance, Initial Hesitation 

awkward friendliness & initial hesitation, perhaps more fear of the unknown vs. hostility

Upon having interactions and talking to her, they become comfortable and accept her. It could take just one simple conversation. Perhaps they’re more used to listening to Black music or have Black staff who work for them, but haven’t had an equal one-on-one experience with WoC without a power dynamic or service involved. Now, with a Black fellow radium girl thrown in a similar situation as them, they could develop kinship.

This might not describe every one of the woman at all. Others might be just fine with her with no awkwardness.

Types of racism experienced: 

some micro-aggressions (likely ignorance from peers)

no major racism experienced

Most Peer Acceptance, Racism From Some Peers

Most peers have no problem with her, even if they have their initial awkwardness. 1-2 more aggressive racists who don’t want her there. 

Sometimes everyone else gets along, but there’s that 1 bully and their minion, and they feed off each other. If the BS isn’t tolerated by the other girls, it could shut them up to make peace or at least behave themselves. It’s likely someone like this would remain hatefully stubborn, but would grimace from the corner if outnumbered.

In the case you create a situation where someone is hostile to the Black girl but learns better: real apologies and efforts should be made if this occurs. It also doesn’t excuse their past behavior. Read our posts on redemption arcs for more info. We’re not fans, personally.

In an intense racial situation, it would be nice if the girls (with sense) protected and defended her instead of standing idly by. They’re strong enough to rise up against the agencies who poisoned them, so they can fight for their fellow radium sisters if one’s being targeted. 

Types of racism experienced: 

several micro-aggressions

maybe 1 major incident 

Peer Acceptance, Racism from Other People

Radium girl acceptance within, but experiences racism from others she interacts with on/off the job. 

The Call the Midwife example fits this one. Lucille’s peers are comfortable with her. It’s some of the ladies she care for and/or their families that may have negative things to say or show hesitance. 

I’ll repeat what I said above: it’d be nice if the girls protected and defended her and didn’t stand by idly. Solidarity is important for establishing kinship and trust when it comes to white - woc friendships. 

Types of racism experienced: 

could vary from some to several micro-aggressions 

maybe 1 major incident

Balancing race issues in the musical 

Give the intersections of your Black girl’s situation proper attention. You can achieve this without overdoing it or making her whole arc about facing racism.

Perhaps the Black radium girl(s) has a song to express major woes, like segregation and poor treatment, or experiencing dismay over even less of a fighting chance in this fight for their rights.

If anyone does know anything but radium girls of color, please share! 

–Mod Colette

[oddsnendsfanfics]

Fall to Pieces

Genre: Fan Fiction Pairing: Jai Courtney/OFC (Roo) Warnings: Language Rating: PG13 Length: Short Story Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.

A/N: Sorry that this took so freaking long, summer got busy and writer’s block still sucks hairy balls! 

Read:  Pick Me Up

"Honey, are you out here?" Jai called through the darkness, the air was chilled and he didn't recall seeing her in a sweat shirt or even long sleeves.

Shivering in the breeze, Jai made a noise that sounded something like a horse and a wounded elephant, fuck it because he didn't care. Another shiver ran through his body, in a heavy hoodie and sweat pants, surely if she were out here she'd be freezing.

"Roo? Come on, Roo!" Jai called into the dimly lit yard. "Honest to god, I swear th..." He paused when a hint of light caught his peripheral vision. The garage light was on and the small side door swung open. Being the last person in the garage, Jai knew that it had been left dark and all doors were shut tight.

His stride ate the grass as his slipper clad feet marched toward the large out building, silently cursing the situation at hand. Was there ever a moment in this family, where somebody wasn't throwing a tantrum or somebody wasn't pissed off by another person's life choices?

"Babe?" He poked his head inside the garage, relief washing over him, seeing his wife sitting in Denzi's big green wagon with a heavy sweater pulled up around her chin.

"What?" She snapped not bothering to look away from her feet. So that's where his high tops had gone.

"I wanted to make sure you were alright." Jai answered, lowering himself to sit on a kid sized skateboard. The same one that he'd demanded be picked up three days ago, the middle of the garage work space was not where such things belonged.

Grunting, she pulled her knees tighter to her chest.

"Why don't we go back inside, it's freezing out, and we can discuss this. Yeah?" Jai tried to coax her.

Everything had been a roller coaster this week, this evening was no exception, frankly Jai was tired and not in the best state to referee this right now.

"I can't do this," She sighed heavily. Her emotions difficult to read with the blank expression she wore. Her eyes were fixed on her feet and her body still. Jai wanted to fix all of this, to say some magic word and have it all erased.

They hadn't prepared for this, their own misjudgment, and it had been proving more difficult than either one had expected. Inside they had a house full of family, waiting for and no doubt gossiping about the husband and wife. Everything about this had been a risk and they had willingly accepted that, knowing that their actions were their own and in some ways there would be a consequence.

This consequence was beyond something neither had predicted.

Earlier in the day, while playing hide and seek with her grandson, Karen had taken note of a photo hanging in the master bedroom. A room which was never strictly off limits, providing Denzi followed the specific instructions and rules, giving way for anyone – within reason – to enter. The closet in the master was the perfect place to hide, with the shelves and chaos of clothing. Tucked behind a big suitcase, Denzi would be impossible to find. Or hidden under the king sized bed, his faithful Dorito laying on the floor beside him in waiting.

The photo in question was in no way professional, nor was it of the best quality, but they hadn't cared when Jai had taken it to be printed. An assigned witness had managed to capture the photo, via a cell phone, of a happy man kissing his bride. From an objective point, the photo was nothing more than the couple embraced in a sweet moment. From a mother's point, the small details gave it a different story.

"I knew we should have just left that photo in the closet," She grumbled inspecting her finely manicured, sparkly nails.

"Oh come on, Roo," Jai scoffed. "It's the only fucking wedding photo we have. I'm not hiding it in the damn closet, besides how were we to know my mum would see it?"

"It's in our bedroom, on the wall, anyone who walks by can see it."

Naturally, Karen had asked a few questions in regards to the photo. Stating how lovely it was and that she must have a copy, assuring his mother that she and Cora would both get a copy, Jai had given it little to no thoughts.

They were going to break the happy news over dinner, anyway, what did it matter if his mother had saw a photo?

"What photo is that?" She narrowed her gaze in a suspicious stare.

"The one on our wall," Jai cleared his throat, taking a sip from the coffee in his hand.

"The one over the dresser," Karen cut in, "Have you seen it, Cora? I love it! It's just so...them!"

Side eyeing her daughter, Cora nodded, placing her glass of wine on the counter top. "Where was that one taken? I don't remember seeing that dress, I like it though, the purple looked great."

Lightening on her feet, she had found the perfect excuse to feed the prying mothers. A simple dinner of accolades for her boss, a semi-formal evening that called for such a dress, but nothing overly extravagant. Before she could spin another lie, Jai stepped to the plate in what he knew would be an outta the park hit.

Slinging his arm around her shoulder, he kissed her on the temple, beaming as he spoke. "It's our wedding photo."

Easy going, fun loving, always happy to go with the flow Cora had been the one to pitch the fit. Demanding answers and reasons straight away. Hands on her hips, lips pursed, eyes rimmed with tears of betrayal, she wasted no time expressing her anger and upset to her daughter.

If they thought the fit over the wedding was shameful, adding the news of a baby had only fueled the Cora fire.

Assuring her mother that this wasn't the time, nor the place, she had almost reached the end of her rope when Cora insisted this was nothing more than her daughter's typical bullshit. Getting pregnant, getting married, and getting a divorce before the end of next year because that was just how she did things.

People said things when they were hurt or angry.

Jai was trying hard not to take any of it personal.

Furthermore, he was trying very hard not to lose it at Cora, for the upset she was causing his wife.

Cora could be dealt with later. Once everyone had calmed down and the news had settled, then Jai could talk with her. Until then, he knew better than to try and get between the two women engaged in the argument which landed him and his wife hiding in the garage.

"Oh fuck, Jai," she sniffled, wiping her nose on the tissue, "How do we fix this?"

"I have no idea, Roo, but we'll sort it out. Your mum is just a little upset."

"But it's supposed to be your mother, my mom doesn't get upset."

His parents had handled this beautifully. His father had kept all and any opinions to himself, a wise move, directing his attention to his grandson. Announcing it was time to go watch a video, Chris had grabbed some snacks ad ushered Denzi off to the den. Snacks may be the only dinner the little boy was getting, if this went too long.

Then there was his mother. Karen had sat at the table, one hand with a death grip on her wine glass and another on the bottle. She didn't speak, she didn't move unless it was to pour another glass.

"Well," He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to sort his words and thoughts in order to avoid a fight. "My parents have just gotten used to me doing shit and never telling them. You tell your mum everything, babe. It's not a bad thing, I should really tell my parents more, but this is big and your mum has a right to be upset by it."

In no way did Jai want to sound as though he was defending, or justifying, Cora's outburst. Quickly adding that he was less than impressed with some of the snarks at his character.

"I can't believe my mother," She growled with a cold glare at the wall. "She has no right to say what she did, my life is my life. Whatever we choose to do is our choice, it shouldn't matter when or how we decided to get married or have a baby."

Rubbing his hands over his face, Jai grunted. Cora was in shock, that didn't mean he would let her comparison of him and her ex son in law go. Cora knew how Jai felt about his wife's first marriage and her ex husband.

People would assume and talk, when they heard that the pregnancy and marriage happened almost simultaneously, their family and close friends didn't have to be among those gossiping. Jai thought the world of Cora, to hear her belittle him and his loyalty and love had been like a boot to the gut.

"She owes you a big fucking apology," She wiped her hand across her nose, "How dare she! I'm an adult and even if I did want to get married, again, because I was pregnant that isn't her business. Tomorrow, she is apologizing to you and I am going to make sure it happens. Oh, Jai, I'm sorry."

"Babe," He scooted closer, his hand rubbing hers, "You've nothing to apologize for. Your mum has to make her own apology."

"She knows that you're nothing like him, I know that you're nothing like him." Her whispered words floated through the cold air, almost unheard. "Jai,"

"Hmm?" He kissed the back of her hand.

"I love you and you know that I married you, because of that, nothing else. Right?" Her eyes were red rimmed and her tone made her sound like a timid mouse.

"I know," Jai replied with another chaste kiss on her hand, quietly expressing his own love.

"And my dad," She swallowed hard, shaking her head to try and stop the second flood of tears. "My dad wouldn't have said a fucking thing, against this. She can't ask me what he'd think, because I know as long as I was happy, he would be too."

The only thing her father would have disliked about Jai Courtney was his profession. He worked with actors every day and they weren't always his favourite people; she'd heard enough of his complaints on how they were spoiled, ego maniacs, who wouldn't know faithful if it hit them in the dick.

However, if Jai was the man who made his little girl happy, then her father would never speak such opinions.

"He was upset the first time, but really looking back," She huffed, "I probably should have listened to him."

Cora had stepped over a line, throwing her late husband at their daughter, who was Jai to dispute any of those words? Jai hadn't known the man, nor could he speak freely for him.

"We all make mistakes." Jai muttered feeling a heaviness in his chest. "I don't think this, us, as being one."

Between the two of them they would figure all of this out and make the best of it, as they always did. A crisp knock on the side door startled Jai and rattled the window beside it. Beckoning for the intruder to enter, Jai waited with baited breath, to see who their guest on the other side was.

"I don't mean to interrupt," Jai relaxed seeing his mother.

"You're not." Jai assured her.

"Good, um, Jai. Sweetheart, Denzi wants you to read his bedtime story." Karen smiled softly at her son, "Why don't you head in and put him to bed?"

"Get dad to read it, the joey will love that," Jai replied shifting on the skateboard posing as a bench. "I'm a little busy."

"Jai, you should do it. We've all had a big day and I think Denzi just needs his father, right now." Karen's words indicated that she was in no mood for her grown son to back talk her.

"Mum..."

"Jai, your son is waiting. Go."

"Babe?" Jai squeezed her hand tightly.

Wiping her sleeve across her nose, she coughed to release a lump in her throat from all of the crying. "It's fine, just go put him to bed."

"You're sure?" Jai asked, loosening his grip on her hand. A rasped "yes" answered his question. "Okay," He groaned trying to get up from the skateboard. His bones ached in the chill, hating to admit it at almost 32, Jai was getting older.

"Your dad has him in bed, he's waiting for you." Karen kissed her son's cheek on the way out.

In the garage the air remained cold and the short silence was deafening. Secretly, she wished Karen would turn around and follow her son back into the house. The last thing she wanted or needed was a lecture from her mother in law, on how she was some sort of tart. Ugh, what she wouldn't give for a stiff drink, right now.

"I'm sorry about all of this. Whatever you have to say, go ahead. I know, we've fucked up and made a mess, and we've ruined our lives." She mumbled from her seat in the plastic wagon. Might as well get this over with. "My mother is pissed, you may as well be too."

Jai was a mommy's boy, despite what he'd have people believe, and whatever Karen said would be out of love for her son.

"Nobody has said that you've fucked up, and I doubt your mother is pissed. She did leave, though. Richie managed to find a room at the Plaza. He said to give you his love." Karen pulled a clean-ish looking bucket across the floor to sit on. Not missing the eye roll and scoff that met her previous words. "Cora is shocked and that has caused some upset, but I don't know that she's pissed."

"And you? Hmm?"

Was Karen impressed by this? No. Was she mad that her baby decided to get married without her? Yes! Was she pissed, because he'd found someone he loved and wanted to be with? Never. Neither was Cora. Deep down, Karen knew that Cora was just as pleased as she was that these two had finally for their shit together.

"I'm surprised, yes. For fuck's sake, I'm shocked it took him this long." the older woman laughed. "Sweetheart, there is no sense in being mad, what will it change? At the end of all this, you're still going to be married and you'll still be the mother of my grand kids."

"I'm sorry, I really am."

"Sorry for what? For finding a man you love, who loves you? For wanting to start a family and be happy? Oh, for fuck's sake, Love." Karen sighed at the needless apologies. "We've all seen this coming from miles away. I knew when he bought this place," she waved a hand gesturing to the house, "it wasn't because he wanted a fancy place for Denzi to play around. They were happy in that damn apartment, but he knew that place would ever sway you. Not like this one."

"I'm not a gold digger." She furrowed her brow, defending her honour – or what seemed to be left.

"Of course not, I never meant to imply that, I apologize." Karen smiled, "Jai wasn't thinking of money, when he bought this house."

Karen knew her son well enough, she had known all along that this gesture was more to him than preserving some memory of friendship. Buying this house – the place where they'd met – was a tell tale sign that he'd been looking for a lot more.

"Jai has been in love with you for a long time, he may not have said it but the signs were there. Jai has never brought a girl home, who he didn't have feelings for. The trips to visit while he worked, the endless hours talking to and about you, my god he was relentless."

There had never been a more truthful statement. Jai had been like a damn dog with a bone and she had managed to stay blind, how stupid was she?

Slouching on the bucket, Karen tapped her foot on the concrete flooring of the garage. "I'm only going to ask one thing, one thing only, from you." She pointed at the woman in the wagon. "Look me in the eye, tell me that you love my son, and that is all I will need."

Her forehead creased in a solid wrinkle, her brows knit tightly together. "What?"

"Do you love my son?" Karen prompted with a half shrug.

"Are you being serious? Of course I love him, I...I love him and it scares me at how much I do. Jai is one of the best things to have happened."

"Then what does it matter what anyone else thinks?"

[heidi-g-blog1]

In Conversation With: Marcos Chin, Illustrator

NERD Productions illustrator on working with HBO on the 'Art the Throne' experience and changing perceptions with his art. With an impressive client list featuring the likes of Google, Starbucks, Target, Michael Kors and HBO to name a few, illustrator Marcos Chin is truly a creative chameleon; his work is as varied as it is beautiful.

The NERD Productions illustrator's work has appeared on high profile surface and wall designs, covers of bestselling books, CDs, advertising campaigns, fashion catalogues and magazines.

Here, Marcos discusses his influences, working with HBO on the 'Art the Throne' GoT experience, and changing perceptions with his art.Q> You’ve got quite an eclectic background! Please tell us about yourself and how you originally got into illustration and design?

Marcos Chin> Mine is an immigrant story. I was born in Mozambique, Africa but my parents, siblings and extended family left in the mid 1970s because of civil war. We eventually moved to Toronto, Canada after spending some time in Portugal, and it was in Toronto where I spent most of my life. I come from a working class family, my father was a janitor and worked in factories, and my mother did data entry for a company for decades. I don't come from an artistic family but I have always loved to draw. I decided to go to art college and somehow ended up choosing to pursue illustration formally when I stumbled upon the work of Illustration students whose work was displayed in the hallways. Illustration at that time was the closest thing that aligned with my love of drawing. Although I did have a short stint studying fine art for one year in University, illustration allowed me a platform to tell stories through pictures. Shortly after graduating from art college I was commissioned to work on a project for an online dating company called Lavalife. It was this project that set the trajectory for the beginning part of my career; because of its huge media buy, my work was seen by a large audience and I believe this gave me credibility as a young artist in the eyes of clients, art directors and designers - those individuals who had the power to hire me for work.

Q> You have a varied CV covering everything from high profile surface and wall designs, covers of bestselling books, CDs, advertising campaigns, fashion catalogues and magazines. Do you have a preference of projects you like to work on?

MC> I really don't have a preference on the kind of projects I work on - each one is very different. However, I have grown less fond of working on projects that are didactic or have a straight forward narrative about it. I like ones where I collaborate more deeply with the art director or designers who have a vision, and whose application (for the project) is something beyond a conventional print application.

Q> You’ve just had your first colouring book 'Mermaids in Wonderland' published by Harper Collins. How did this project come about?

MC> Actually, this is my second colouring book in a series of three. How it came about was that I already had a book idea that I had been pitching to publishers. I sent my book dummy to an acquaintance of mine, who is a designer. He put me in touch with some publishers, one of whom was (and is) an editor at HarperCollins. Although she was not interested in my book proposal, she did want to collaborate in some capacity. After our meeting, we didn't speak for about a year, and then one day I received an email from her asking if I was interested in creating a series of colouring books.

Q> Who and what are your influences?

MC> This is a tricky question to answer because my influences have changed so much over the years and continue to change. I can say that growing up I was very interested in comics, cartoons, anime and manga, and I feel these particular art forms have found their way into my work. Also, I have been very interested in fashion since I was a little boy, and this love of mine has continued into and throughout my adulthood. Although my work’s content is not heavily rooted in fashion, I draw from it very often, and use it inspire and inform the spirit of my pieces.

Q> Tell us how you landed Game of Thrones 'Art the Throne', are you a GOT fan?

MC> It's not a very romantic story. This project literally fell into my lap. It was initially commissioned to my friend but she isn't a fan of the show. Knowing that I am, she referred the project to me.

Q> Some of your illustrations focus strongly on identity and equality. Is it important for you create passion projects such as these?

MC> It is. I think especially in the social and political climate we're living in now, being able to reflect the world around me in a way that I believe is more inclusive and empathetic is incredibly important. Growing up I rarely saw myself reflected in the media, and when I did see someone who was Asian they were usually a side character, or a parody of what the media thought Asian people were like; we were unattractive, funny, and couldn’t speak English. Asian women were fetishised, and Asian men were emasculated. As I got older, my sexuality became revealed and began to exist on the forefront of my life. As a gay man, I remember what it was like growing up in a closeted space; at that time, the media supported the shame that I felt about my queerness and my body by describing gay characters on TV or in film in a negative way by calling us sissies, faggots, carriers of disease, less-than and the other.

At some point, I decided to begin to introduce characters and content into my work that reflected the world I lived in, as well as the people with whom I chose to surround myself. Sometimes these images were of individuals socialising or shopping; mundane superficial stuff, but to me the decision to colour the skin of my protagonist brown instead of white, or to make two characters kissing in an illustration of two women as opposed to a woman and a man, became an act of subversion. My work is not obviously political but as someone who has a commercial platform on which to display his pictures, my drive is to help make visible those parts of me that were forced to become invisible for so long. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book, 'We Should All Be Feminists,' she says, “If we do something over and over, it becomes normal. If we see the same thing over and over, it becomes normal.”

Q> Tell us about your relationship with NERD Productions and how your business relationship came about?

MC> Milana Karaica [Executive Producer at NERD] came across one of my illustrations that I did for MTA Arts and Design; a piece that celebrated the centennial year of Grand Central Terminal in New York as well as fashion. I’m happy it was this piece that she connected with because I think it describes the spirit of my work in a genuine way. My pictures tell stories or communicate messages and ideas, but I try to do it in a way that feels surprising to the viewer, so that it’s not perceived as being too linear or didactic. In this piece, I transformed some of the beautiful architectural details of the terminal into fashion pieces that are worn by passersby and turned the station into a runway. When Milana and I spoke for the first time, I hadn’t had an agent for over a year (although I have had several for most of my career). My decision to go solo was due mostly to my desire to expand the kind of work I wanted to do, and to have my agent act as an equal collaborator as opposed to having my work merely sit on their online shelf collecting dust. As an illustrator whose work has been rooted mostly in print and editorial, I wanted to collaborate with creative individuals who worked primarily in creative (visual or non-visual) fields outside of my own, and to work with them in a way where we could build projects together that would transcend traditional print (i.e. animations and videos, installations, etc.). I knew from looking at the work that Milana had already done, and the way in which she spoke about NERD’s intention/mission that she was someone who had foresight, and could fulfil that role. NERD’s ability to embrace and organise collaborations amongst individuals working in various disciplines is something that deeply appeals to me.