Jan 31, 2012

Women and Comics

A while ago I was on Joy FM talking nonsense in a much nicer studio than 3CR, with actual windows, individual headphone volume controls and a cough button if you can believe it. I was asked a simple question, but I don't think I answered it very well.
(if you want to hear it http://www.cpod.org.au/page.php?id=215&page_style=joy.css&no_brand=1)

Sonja asked me how women were supported in comics in Australia.

I think I gave a fairly inadequate answer, basically complaining about how major publishers had failed to support me in the style to which I would like to become accustomed, but the question is not as simple as it sounds. I could have said, there is no real comic publishing machinery that we can fit into, or a literary patronage system that women practitioners are excluded from. Women comic artists don't compete with male comic artists for prizes, the attention of a range of comic publishers and fight exclusion on the basis of sex. Like in most democracies women's oppression and exclusion is more subtle than a sign saying 'no girls allowed'.

Jan 16, 2012

Sundew


This picture is entered into the Linden Post Card Show. The opening day is Saturday the 2nd of February, which is by tradition, unspeakably hot, or raining, but usually part of the St. Kilda Festival.