Happy Comic
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
An Interview with the Artist:
Artist: Eli D. age 11
Interviewer: Amy Wazenegger (aka Mom)
Q: What inspired you to “write” your message in the form of a comic strip?
A: I do not enjoy writing. I far more enjoy drawing. And I wanted to target kids more than adults for environmental change.
Q: Why kids more than adults?
A: I feel like adults are targeted already more than kids. Kids aren’t as likely to read an article as they are a comic strip. And, I am a kid. And kids have the rest of their lives in front of them and I feel like I could affect more change from kids than adults.
Q: Describe your drawing/idea generation process?
A: I draw a shape, and then there is something in my mind that makes it into something. Like, I draw a circle and I said – “it’s a snail!” It’s not always a circle. Sometimes it’s a line, sometimes random scribbles.
Q: Do you prefer drawing digitally or on paper?
A: Digitally. I used Procreate here. There are so many options and customizations. It’s just easier to have 1 thing to draw everything. And it is probably cheaper than having all those materials.
Q: Why 2 comic strips? Why not just the 2nd comic strip?
A: Mainly, I wanted to make 1 that was totally sarcastic and 1 that was stuff that you can actually do. I like sarcasm, but part of it actually had to be serious. And, I didn’t want kids actually burning all their plastic.
Q: What do you think is the biggest problem that our world faces?
A: Pineapple on pizza . It is a PROBLEM! […commentary by interviewer: that was a sarcastic answer]
A: Global warming.
Q: How do you feel about that?
A: Your generation obviously did not do anything. I mean some people did something, but some people did not or called global warming “fake”. I don’t think my generation will see much change, but if we do something, the next generation might.
Q: So, you’re hopeful? Do you think your generation takes is seriously?
A: Yeah…I mean hopefully it gets better. Yes, I think my generation (those from 7 years old to about 20 years old) understands it. But, I’ve met some 20+ year olds that aren’t as educated on the topic.
Q: What message are you hoping that readers take away from Happy and your comic strip?
A: That they CAN do something.
Q: Are you going to draw another comic strip? Specifically, another Happy Comic strip?
A: Should I?
