Nothing brings us more joy than seeing the quirks of human life captured in relatable comics. These illustrations provide comfort helping us embrace the chaos of life and reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Life can be overwhelming, so taking a step back and laughing at its absurdities can help ease stress and remind us to not take things too seriously.
One comic artist who perfectly embodies this idea is Maritsa Patrinos, whose work highlights the peculiarities of daily life. In a recent interview, Maritsa shared insight into the message behind her illustrations. She explained There is always a core idea at the center of a comic. It’s not necessarily a profound theme but more of a feeling I’m trying to express. That feeling might tie into a larger message or it could simply depict a small relatable experience. Maritsa also mentioned how sometimes, readers offer interpretations of her work that go beyond what she initially intended. Often the reader does a better job of connecting the dots to something bigger than I do because I’m too close to the work she said. That’s a surprisingly enlightening experience for me it shifts my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.
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We caught up with Maritsa again to find out what’s been happening since our last conversation. Since we last spoke, I’ve created a lot of new comics worked on some fresh prints, and even had the chance to exhibit at the Small Press Expo one of my favorite events she shared. Maritsa also mentioned her experience teaching, I’ve been teaching a sophomore illustration course at Parsons School of Design in New York, which wraps up next month. It’s been amazing working with such a dedicated group of students who have put in the effort this semester. Watching their growth has been incredibly rewarding.
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We were curious if Maritsa had ever scrapped a comic idea after starting it. Her response Oh, all the time. Sometimes I’ll abandon it right after jotting down the idea and other times, I’ll finish the whole comic only to decide I’m not happy with it. There are a lot of reasons why I might put it aside. Usually, it’s because I like the core of the idea but haven’t figured out the best way to express it. Should it be a single-panel comic? A four-panel one Maybe even a pie chart. Sometimes, I have to sit on an idea for a while before finding the right format. And there are moments when I worry something I create might be misinterpreted or I’ll take a step back and realize that it’s insensitive which means I need to rethink things.
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The best way to support a creator is by sharing how much their work means to the audience. We asked Maritsa about a moment when feedback from a reader truly made her proud of her art. She responded, There’s so much negativity online, so I’m always touched when people reach out with kind words about my work. Positive DMs make a difference! Creating art for an online audience can feel isolating at times so the in-person interactions I have at expos are often the ones that stick with me the most.
Maritsa went on to share a memorable story. A couple came to my table and told me that one of them had bought one of my prints for the other as a birthday present when they first started dating, years ago. Now, they were moving in together and had just hung my piece in their new home as it had become a meaningful part of their relationship. That moment brought me so much fulfillment it made my heart swell knowing they sought me out to share that with me.
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