I also. Yet, knowing how mean people can be, it would not surprise me. Anyway, Georgia, just so you know — I don’t always leave comments, but I do always appreciate your talent and the time you put into the comic, and I’m grateful for how you share your family, those with fur and without.
I’ve had my share of mean words thrown my way over the years, but I deal with it very similarly to Sophie. 🙂 I wanted to show anyone out there who wants to create something and share it with people that there will be a lot of folks who rush in to criticize, but pay attention to the good words from others who are touched by it. That’s your audience, and those are the people you work for.
Thank you Georgia, your art makes me smile when I need it, and reminds me that it’s a good world. And I make cards and memory books, so I guess I have Sophie tucked inside me, so this particular strip really meant a lot. God bless and “Keep up the good work!”
For a long time only family, and then friends, were looking at my work, too Louise! However you can start, start! 🙂 Good luck with them! And enjoy creating them!
The GoComics site and the original site are going to sync this week on Thursday! And it just so happened they were going to sync on strip number 199. Well, naturally I had make it an even 200! And so, here’s a bonus strip–a little peek behind the scenes into station life at BCN.
its the 1 nice note you get out of many that just make it all worth it! Although i hope you get way more positive than negatives about this strip because its the best Georgia!
I just wish that I didn’t somehow give more credit to the bashers than the complimenters when it comes to my stuff. It’s like I feel like the complimenters are just trying to be polite (Eg, want to say something nice rather than actually liking it) while the detractors are confirming how I feel about my singing.
I have occasionally read words that are like reading all the fears I have about my work, written down and confirmed. And it’s hard–it happens to anyone creating something and sharing it with others. It’s a really vulnerable thing. Not everyone will like it. And actually, that’s okay! There are so many people in the world, somewhere out there is a group of people who will get you and your work. It took me a long time to see that, and I still come across opinions that hurt my feelings. I know I always will. Over the years, I’ve begun to attach more weight to the kind words and hold onto the good. And take genuine constructive criticism too, which I do think is important for anyone working creatively. There will always be folks who rush forward to put something down, none of us can change that. Always guard your heart when it comes to your work; let in the good, give a lot of focus to who understood what you were going for, accept advice from good intentions, and toss the rest in the waste basket. 🙂
I work with kids in a K-12 school, so with an age range that broad, I get to see all sorts of things. Any time I see someone who is feeling down because someone is picking on them, or criticising them, or calling them stupid or ugly or fat or skinny or whatever, I just remind them that the reason that others put you down (aside from never having been taught that if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all) is because they feel bad about themselves. They think, subconsciously, that by putting you down, it will make them feel better about themselves. Of course, it doesn’t work that way, and common sense should tell them that, but then common sense isn’t all that common any more.
I have taken to using things people have said about me, or weaknesses I know I have, or mistakes I know I have made, and using them jokingly when I talk to the kids about not getting discouraged in their own work. We just finished our school play, and I run the lights and sound for the show. I told the kids, don’t be afraid or feel bad if you make a mistake. I’ve been doing what I do for thirty years, and there hasn’t been a year yet where I don’t make at least one mistake – sometimes very noticeable – on performance night. If I still can’t get it right every time, I’m certainly not going to hold it against them – some of whom it’s their first time ever performing – if they can’t be perfect.
This is wonderful advice! Sometimes I worry we don’t let kids know it’s okay to make mistakes, to have flaws, to get something wrong. It gives them a lot of room to keep trying!
The toughest ones for me emotionally, and the hardest ones to reach, are the kids who have been told – sometimes by the very people who should be encouraging them – that they’re never going to get it right so they should just give up.
Sure, you’re never going to be perfect – no one ever is. But that doesn’t mean you give up. It means you keep trying harder, so you get better. You don’t compare yourself to perfection (I know, I’m a perfectionist), and you don’t compare yourself to others. As Col. Potter said in M*A*S*H, “The only person I have to get better than is who I am right now.”
Absolutely! There should always be room to keep trying, to try things new, to want to be better tomorrow. Mistakes are good teachers, and kids need to hear that if you’re doing anything right, you’re making a LOT of mistakes along the way!
Your comments here, awgiedawgie, show a profound insight into what makes us who we are. We ALL need encouragement and lots of it! Not false flattery or praise but saying what touches us or what we find good in others. Those adults whose worse critics are themselves are the ones who were told as children they didn’t do things well or wouldn’t amount to much. Bless you for what you’re doing – helpin and teaching kids!
Jude, thank you for your remarks. I love working with kids. It can be challenging at times, but it is oh so rewarding! It has been said that everyone’s own worst critic is themselves. That is why children (all of us, really, but children moreso) need a lot of positive reinforcement, not only to overcome their own negative opinion or uncertainty of themselves, but also because there are so many mean kids and thoughtless adults who seem to want to challenge the truth of that statement.
You and Sophie take a tremendous risk putting your art out there. I’ve said it before, but it’s so important to not let the nasty voices get louder than those who love your – and Sophie’s – art. And I love Sophie. She is so much like Tabby, who toe-danced through my life for too short a time.
But that’s the thing if you don’t like something (and I love your work,) you just don’t consume that work. You don’t have to look at things you don’t like. I just don’t get people who can’t just – walk away, close a book, x out of a website, without spewing nastiness and hate. Why do people have to do that. Your strip is lovely and even if it wasn’t. I don’t have to come here and say so. That’s just rude.
This is so true for anyone in the arts – but I hope it’s not something that has happened to you, Georgia! There will always be people ready to dismiss or complain about anything, but those of us who write, draw, paint, play music, or create in any way need to focus on the good it does!
Is that an origami crane on the windowsill? My husband loves giving out origami cranes and butterflies and such to friends (And intertwined cranes for wedding presents) — I bet he’d be honored if Sophie would consider the crane as a gift from us.
What a beautiful idea to give the intertwined cranes as wedding presents!
My sister is really good at origami folding and makes the most amazing intricate geometric structures out of different kinds of origami papers that look gorgeous hanging near lamps or in sunny windows. I love the little touch of Sophie having made the envelope from Puck’s letter into the little crane on the windowsill!
An important part of creativity is editing…. Even if you’re just editing which opinions of your work to hold onto and which to let go.
I’ve wanted to share a little peek into Sophie for readers, but… Well, she’s so darn private, ha! And so this is a tiny glimpse of Sophie and who she is so the readers can know her a bit better.
Awwwwh. It’s a good reminder too, even if you think something is obvious and must surely be said all the time, sometimes it’s good to actually say it. Because everyone else might be thinking that “it must be said all the time.”
If you like how something is done, tell people! Write a quick letter/card/email, tell them in person, sing a song, draw a picture, anything. People put a lot of themselves in their work, it’s nice to be appreciated for something they have actually done. Maybe it’s the food you’re eating, or someone’s art, or a park is really picked up, or a concert is really well done, or a haunted house, whatever, tell people if you are enjoying yourself! If something is wrong, tell them too, in a a respectful way. Everyone else might be staying silent on things that are dangerous, it’s good to be aware of any problems people are having. Just be respectful and polite.
Today is so kewl, because this touched my heart. Love, love, love, this comic! Good Ole Puck, a special kitty who is part of many lives, thanks Georgia!!
I don’t know if it means anything, but the reason I wanted a print of this and asked the other day is because I am currently in a skilled nursing home & rehab, learning to walk again after developing peripheral neuropathy; I wanted a print because to remind me, on those low days, that it’s just change, and not to let it break me.
I just thought it was really funny that the grateful animal (since we don’t know if it was a dog or a cat) happened to be going through something so *very* ephemeraly similar to what I’ve got going. So thank you Sophie/Georgia/animal who wrote the card 😉
She is not working in trash, she is working with found objects. Sophie is being ecologically correct unlike some of us humans. She is working in things that have meaning to her species which is what all good artists do, be they cat or human or even dare we say, dog.
What a lovely surprise – Sunday with Sophie! Thank you – and thank you for every day that you brighten with your cats and your art. You are fantastic as are your feline friends. I never miss a Monday or a Thursday and I love the book. I gave a Kindle copy to a friend and she loves it too.
Right in the Feels!
I genuinely wanted to reach through the screen and hug Sophie as I was reading this strip. What a truly beautiful bonus edition.
Thank you for this!
“When considering others’ comments on your work, keep the following two questions firmly in mind, simultaneously:
Why the heck should I care what they think?
Why the heck shouldn’t I care what they think?”
Then there is this one, probably from an ancient Chinese sage:
“Those who can, do. Those who cannot do, teach. Those who cannot teach, criticize.” (This is not, by the way, a slight on teachers when viewed from the perspective of the ancient Chinese. Those who studied for the Imperial exams but did not pass them often became teachers, and were regarded as members of the “educated gentleman” class, or “shi,” and thus highly respected.)
There is a lot to that even in the modern western world. Because teaching requires such an intense dedication of time – often much more than 40 hours a week – those who “do” often do not have the time needed to also teach. And a teacher is constantly exposed to that which he is teaching, so even if he was not the top student in his class, he will be always learning. I know… my mother was a school teacher for nearly 50 years, and possesses a PhD, yet there was not a single year when she did not remark that she had learned something new while teaching.
Perfect, Tommy always ready with a cuppa and a smile!! I remember thinking that you hit #100 pretty quickly, but #200 my goodness, that was amazingly fast! Congratulations Georgia!!! You have a special gift and we are grateful that you allow yourself to be so vulnerable in this sometimes mean and spiteful world. YOU & SOPHIE GO GO GO!!!
This is such a good reminder that when you like someone’s work you should let the know. You might think they already know, but sometime it might just be the pickup they need. Another touching strip Georga.Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
What a little gem ! I didn’t think of Pucky as the letter writer – there are so many “damaged” kitties out there – blind (like Sophie in one eye) or with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (there’s one on a blog that is a little calico named Sophie !) or tripods – I was thinking of a “cat blogger” reaching real cats !
Georgia, I have read Breaking Cat News from the beginning and gave been tempted to comment before but haven’t done it. Today’s bonus comic was the tipping point. It made me cry for the beauty of it. I’m so pleased Sophie sees the value of her work and will continue. Thank you for all your hard work and your beautiful view of the world. It’s helped me through a lot of stressful days. Thank you for sharing a bit of your beautiful family with us. All my best wishes to the seven of you!
I see Puck listed in the credits but don’t see him in the strip, only his letter. So sweet of Puck. Love the two of them and I hope Sophie and Tommy find the sweet spot of living together.
This was a perfect strip for Sunday – so very sweet. I wasn’t a big fan of Sophie before the last strip. But, that one made me see Sophie in a new light. Today was like icing on a cake. I like Sophie now (but not as much as Pucky or Tommy).
I can’t imagine anyone not liking your work. You’re so creative in both your mind and your artwork. Let me know who they are. I have a big 25+ pound orange female cat who will take care of them. She looks like a lion.
Thanks for this lovely strip! I teach art classes at a rec centre, mostly to seniors. It is amazing how many of them gave up making art when they were younger because of people saying unkind things about their work — I am always wishing for a time machine so I could go back and fix it somehow. I’m grateful to all the Pucks out there who take the time to let artists know they are making a difference!
My Mom taught art in high school for 30+ years, and she always told her students that ANYONE can create art, and she never allowed her students to give up. I know of at least one rather successful professional artist who has credited her as the single most important factor in his being so successful. Not because she taught him a lot about art, but because she taught him that he could be an artist.
Of course, my own philosophy is this… If Picasso’s work is considered great art, how can anyone else think of their own art as being bad? 😉
I love everyone’s art. Tommy must have learned from Sophie. He had the most beautiful Christmas tree when he was lost. It even melted good ol’ Elvis’s heart.
I just adore this, Sophie is my favorite. I’m so glad we have seen some of her depth. Who else would think to turn the envelope from sweet Puck’s letter into a crane?
Sophie, as one eccentric to another, create on, and let your freak flag fly!
Aww, what a tear jerker!
Always makes me so sad when others can’t keep their mouths shut if they have nothing nice to say… We should all be trying to lift one another up, instead of trying to tear each other down. And if someone doesn’t like the content of something, well then, they can just go elsewhere!
What a wonderful and sweet comic for Sunday.
I honestly cannot say that I have one favorite character in this strip… They are all so different in their own ways; I feel each character is like a little piece of myself. 😸
Just absolutely love today’s strip. An awesome surprise.
Poor baby! How dare anyone say she is less than talented! Same as you, Georgia–what you do is important and affects the world. You’re work IS meaningful!
The old saw:
“Those who can’t—teach.”
NOT true at all!
“Those who can’t—criticize.”
Just face it…some people are plain old nasty. Mean, hurtful, just spewing negativity. They are just jealous of YOUR talent.
I saw it written this way (farther up the page here)…
“Those who can, do. Those who cannot do, teach. Those who cannot teach, criticize.”
And explained thus: In ancient China, those who studied for the Imperial exams but did not pass them often became teachers, and members of the “educated gentlemen” class, or “shi”, and were thus highly respected.
And of course we all know that those who do nothing but stand by and criticize are members of the “useless” class, and their opinions should be treated as such.
I come from a long line of artists. However, my creativity comes out mainly in yarn – knitting, crocheting, etc… Once a relative made a pretty snippy comment about out “craft vs art” and how it was a shame I didn’t do any “art”.
My quiet, calm, placid daddy snapped “what are you talking about? She’s the best fiber artist around.”
I loved my daddy and I think of that comment a lot lately as I have developed extreme difficulty with my left thumb. Maybe, just maybe, I’m changing and beautiful BECAUSE of it, instead of despite it.
He was. He also loved cats and lived on a small farm just so he could take care of any cats that needed a warm loving place. In fact, he had a cat named “Evelyn” because she was the eleventh cat!
I also create a lot using yarn (although I can’t crochet or knit to save my life!). And I love to work with wood. I have jokingly said that I’m a terrible artist – jokingly, because I know full well that even though I have never created a great painting, my art simply takes a different form. I have done some things that I was indeed quite proud of.
Please note my explanation of the phrase. I always think of this in the Chinese context, because it places no onus on those who tried and came up short. No modern examination, anywhere, compares with the ancient Chinese Imperial examinations. Everyone knew they were so difficult that even someone who merely studied for them, but never actually sat for them, had an honored place in society. I wish we had that attitude toward teachers, these days. Instead, they are underpaid, overworked, and buried in administrative drivel. School administrators should have salaries of 30 to 50K a year. Teachers should start at 50K or more. But no, instead we pay paper-pushers and bureaucrats big bucks, and teachers a barely survivable wage.
Sorry about the rant, Georgia, but when someone denigrates teachers, or thinks I’m doing so, it gets my dander up. Considering I have no hair, that’s difficult.
Georgia, I just read Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites. Jill Thompson’s paintings made me think of yours, too. Her animals don’t wear clothes, but there’s the same attention to character and detail in both your comics.
I used to lead creativity workshops using The Artist’s Way. Often those who cannot or will not work on their own creative outlets, are the worst critics. They are ‘shadow artists’ — tearing people down who are actually doing their work. In any case, don’t let critics get to you. Know your worth right down to the center of your being. Don’t waste a minute on the crazy makers.
I usually have to pay for things that make me smile or laugh; books, cinema, theatre, television, (cat food) etc. Things that are pleasing to the eye are expensive. Things which offer inspiration are even more expensive and not easily found.
And yet, someone takes their time and energy to create things which achieve all of the above…
I have always loved Sophie. Her beautiful gowns, the art, the ability to appreciate a variety of self-expression on the Blue Carpet–all remind me so much of those I know and love in the art world. And Tommy’s friendly yet steady personality is the perfect complement to Sophie. So glad that we are seeing more of her and them!
Georgia, we think that you and your characters are perfect just as you are. Please tell Sophie that we loved her, even when she didn’t care for “Thomas”.
I love how Sophie has put Puck’s card and envelope on the windowsill( making origami crane out of envelope) while tossing mean comments in trash basket. Then Tommy coming in with steaming cups completes the picture. What a wonderful way to make a picture worth a thousand words.
Yah sure you betcha, yes! Appreciation and applause for Georgia’s amazing works and positive, thoughtful responses from viewers. Thanks also for keeping the BCN website up and running, it is a sanctuary.
A couple years ago I was growing out my hair in a long mohawk (I’ve since donated it to cancer). I got a lot of nasty comments. “Why did you do this? You’d look so nice if you hadn’t done this.” “No one will love you with your hair like that.” “You look so unprofessional. No wonder you can’t find a job.”
In the midst of all that criticism, when I was starting to think maybe I should just chop off all my hair, I visited my mom, who is a teacher. At the time she had a student, one I’d heard of before, whose parents were divorced. In one house she kept getting lice. Finally her parents decided it would be best to cut her hair on the sides to try and combat the lice.
She was distraught. She was a 5th grade latina girl, and in latino culture a girl’s hair is very important. She was convinced she was ugly with her hair cut like that. My mom found her crying, and told her about her grown up daughter in LA (ME!), who had her hair cut like that. My mom told her she was very stylish, and not to worry, that if she really hated it the hair would grow back (Words I once used when justifying cutting my hair short to my mom). My mom’s student felt a little better about it.
Hearing this, I decided there and then that I would keep the mohawk. Not for me, not even for growing it out to donate to cancer, but for that little girl, and for little girls like her. My hair is currently cut short, but as soon as I can, it will be cut right back into a mohawk, because I have a promise to keep.
What’s Sophie working with for her new project? It looks sort of like aluminum foil (or maybe waxed paper?) and that stack of pages on the floor – I can’t quite identify it. Hints, anyone?
Sometimes I come across some art that I don’t *get*, but that doesn’t make it bad art it just makes it art I’m not a fan of. Why can’t people understand that art is as much about the artist as it is about the piece of artwork? If it’s not your kind of art then move on to something else. No need to be mean to the artist. I personally like art like Sophie’s. Found art is just as much art as paint and clay art. Hugs to Sophie and Georgia! Keep making your art – the people that’ll appreciate it are out there.
For the record I really liked Sophie’s work with paper towels as change. Very profound!
I love Georgia’s art and through her art I love Sophie ‘s art because she finds ordinary things and makes us look at them differently which makes them extraordinary…the gift of any artist no matter what mediums they use (medii? medius?…need to Google that lol). We may not understand what an artist is doing because art is subjective. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, so find the art you can love and remember that our honest opinion about something we don’t like or understand doesn’t have to be stated in a brutal or unkind way. I personally love beautifully derived watercolour webcomics depicting the secret inner lives of cats in creative, touching and hilarious ways. Thank you Georgia for creating another inspirational piece of art. I hope it inspires others to overcome their insecurities about their gifts so they can inspire others 🙂
I love this strip made me want to cry. Maybe if people treated people kindly there would be less fighting, meanness and war in the world. I have found that the person who made the mean comment is usually the bully who beats up anyone who is mean to them- they are not strong enough to let the mean and often uninformed (don’t know what they are talking about ) comments slide off them to become the ground underneath them.
I love all your strips and characters they depict simple things in life in such a great way. Thanks for the site and wonderful work you do!!
For the life of Cat, I can’t figure out why anyone would want to criticize your art, Georgia. I guess there are just some people who are pained inside and express it by trying to hurt the feelings of others. If you do get a comment that makes you feel down, just come back and read the kind words of your many, many fans here, and know that we will always have your back!
Beautiful, and an excellent reminder to all! I wanted to comment, for the first time, to commend Sophie for having the courage to pick up that last card. Already beaten down (and feeling it) – to pick up what seems certain to be the last straw to break you completely – takes courage to actually read it in the hope that it doesn’t break you. Good for you, Sophie!
And, obviously, thank you, Georgia. Your work is totally beautiful, meaningful, hopeful, and hilariously realistic! 😀 I hope you never run out of ideas, which you can’t possibly as long as you have cats 🙂
I did want to ask – what is Sophie making and with what materials in the last frame? It’s probably obvious to everyone else, but I can’t figure it out – probably due to a lack of an artist’s imagination. 🙂
When I see the “Breaking Cat News” new strip notice in my e-mail, I immediately get a “lift” and think, “Oh, boy!.” I love each of the BCN characters and world. Thank you so much, Georgia, for sharing your creations with us readers.
Thank you, too, to the commenters for pointing out all the little touches Georgia puts in so that I don’t miss them.
Awww, poor Sophie! If anybody is crazy enough to tell you anything like that, I hope you’re as good as ignoring it as she is, Georgia!
(Side note: I finally picked up my BCN book, but I still haven’t had a chance to sit down and enjoy it… although I did take a few minutes to flip through it before packing it for the move to the summer place. So once I get done UNpacking… *g*)
Hi Georgia: Thank you for the first 200! Quite the milestone indeed! So,in case I misunderstood,does this mean Mon and Thur. on GoComics now? You and Sophie please keep up the wonderful art! Love and light to all of you here!
What a wonderful Sunday surprise for us all. Thank you. I too was expecting a Memorial Day themed ending, but it works perfectly anyways. Love the crane, and the stared post card is reminiscent of the “BLUE STAR” or “GOLD STAR” mini flags that are once again being seen in homes of those serving our country. Beautiful.
yes, Sophie put Puck’s card on the windowsill and made a crane from his envelope.
the other letters are in the garbage, where they belong.
Sophie makes art from “found objects”, not actual trash, so the other letters & envelopes were not worthy source material.
Sophie, you are a great artist. “Real” artists use all sorts of stuff for their projects. Sometimes people don’t understand what an artistic piece is meant to convey and just dismiss it as crap, but a lot of work can go into art and it isn’t fair to the artist to just dismiss it. Keep up the good work! My cardboard artist cats love it!
That’s so true, Sionyx. Just last week I learned about great art that is being created by manipulating Rubik’s cubes into patterns to create large murals. The same article said other artists are doing something similar with crayons standing on their ends, which greatly increases the number of colors available to use. For examples of what has been done, visit cubeworks.ca
What a cool idea – had a look at the cubeworks site and they are awesome! I love the old eight bit Mario themed statues, have always had a soft spot for the old Nintendo games!
I’ve been there with my reviews, Georgia. But you and The Man have always had good things to say about my work and always make me remember that there are people out there that care about what I do. Thank you, and you will always have my support!
I hate it when people put down others, just because of preferences. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all – it’s simple as that.
I love the idea that Puck sent that last letter. I also love that Sophie folded the green envelope into an origami, I think?
As a fellow creative, I know you and Sophie are handling it the right way. Mean and unjust comments wound, but a thoughtful compliment can fix the whole day. We love your work and can’t wait to have more if it, Georgia!
There are so many things I love about this strip that I don’t know where to start. So beautifully illustrated and warm and funny all at once. I am so glad you are brave enough to put yourself out there because reading this strip just makes me happy. Love the book by the way!
Thank you. Sophie is truly inspiring and transformative. She uses what she has; gives of herself and improves the lives of us all. Love that she keeps the one “green card”, tosses the rest, and goes on newly inspired. I imagine the Woman hearing David Bowie’s “Changes” as she’s cleaning up 🙂
There is one lady where I exercise and no one talks to her because she is different, but I always make a point to say hello to her. My friend once said to me, “How come you talk to HER?” and I said, “Because no else does.”
What a wonderful message so cleverly presented. I shared your strip with all my Art Quilter friends, artist friends, and writer friends. Turned out to be a lot of people. Universally loved and appreciated. A message we all need to own in order to keep doing what we do each day in our lives. Thanks for the smile. Is it possible to get a print of this strip? I would like to hang it in my studio.
Yes! Tomorrow it will be on the GoComics site, and they create prints of each of the strips! Thank you for sharing it, I am glad your friends liked it too! 🙂
I want to thank the commenters for telling me about the crane from Pucky’s envelope . . . I hadn’t gotten that.
I also wanted to be first to comment on Sophie’s ears–so expressive!
Regarding nasty commenters, I’ve noticed a couple of them on GoComics–when folks in the GoComics crowd didn’t realize that this is a different type of comic than the normal type of snarky wit. They didn’t get it, and said so. Fortunately, there were enough of us regulars there who could both explain how BCN is different, and point out that better behavior is expected.
This is the thing about bullies: they usually can’t be stopped by the victim, they have to be stopped by bystanders. From this webpage I’m glad we’ve developed a crowd of bystanders willing to step in!
Simplicity of illustration & delineation of characters is a delight & should do well when transition to a new format in daily publications. Loved the past strips full of all manner of characters, & small details that were a little hard for me to find, or understand until others pointed them out. In my professional experience I’ve found that selective simplicity better conveys message or story concept. Not easily for a writer/illustrator who is full of jillions of images in “skill” memory & ability. Go Georgia!
Is Sophie working with aluminum foil in the last panel? I’ve been trying to figure that one out. Our tough-guy Chase freaks out and runs away at top speed when foil is used, because of the high pitched sounds it makes when crinkled. Sophie must be very brave!
I used to paint ceramics I won a couple of ribbons and, was really pleased.
Then I had someone say that painting from a mold was like painting in a coloring book. It was hurtful and, sort of made me mad. So good for Sophie just taking it in stride and, keeps creating.
I love your work any plans to start another book? You may get bigger than Garfield. My sons favorite cat.
I would love to have another book happen, I’m hoping the sales from this one make it possible. I’m so sorry someone was so hurtful to you. That’s a terribly unfair thing to say!
I love the comments almost as much as the comic itself. It’s fun to read the observations of others, and go back to see what I overlooked. Thanks Jessie for the post about the crane. I will also admit to being one of the teary eyed crowd. (pass the Puffs please).
Lovely, obviously Puck is the one who wrote the letter of encouragement.
Our fur baby, Bixby, recently met with a severe accident in the house while we were out, we got home to find him seriously injured and denning up under one of the chairs. We immediately got him to the vets fully knowing that he was going to have surgery and would lose his left eye, there was no way it would be able to be saved it was too damaged.
Sophie’s art and its unusualness came at the most appropriate of times for me, I was afraid that I would not be able to accept Bixby with his disability, seeing Sophie’s art piece about change and the beauty that can be within it made me realize the beauty in Bixby and that he is still my fur baby boy, my shadow and my soul creature. This change is just superficial it has not changed who he is or the fact that without him I would feel incomplete, he is my one eyed House Panther who greets me at the door when I come home.
This is particularly perfect, as Sophie herself went blind in one eye several years ago! (Hence her gray eye). Much healing to Bixby. He will amaze you with how he adapts, Puck wowed everyone! Cats are incredible.
Hi Georgia how can you or Sophie (the beloved) ever doubt yourselves?
Your comics are magical and your fans constantly effuse with delight at the humour, storytelling, and absolute gorgeousness of your art. Who are these people who say otherwise – Tabitha will sort them out for you and we’ll be right behind her!
Oh this is so poignant! I watched her ears going down & teared up. Thank Cat for Pucky, the sweetie. There’s too much of that in this world. You are a wonderful artist Georgia with such wit & humor. I loved watching how you create on the live streams as I can’t do it. My strengths lie elsewhere but it only serves to make me appreciate those who can & have the courage to share it with the rest of us. It brightens so many lives and that is huge.
I am going to send this to my son (34 this Saturday, where has the time gone?) He had a tough time in grade school because no one knew about Asperger’s etc back then I our tiny town. He is a genius width technology, computers, programming & I never fail to tell him that. Mom calls constantly with legitimate issues & a “HELP CHRIS!!!!” I can almost hear him puffing up over the phone & it feels wonderful.
It’s hard knowing what your child is going through from those who don’t understand. I hope I do, Linda. (I didn’t even notice your typos as your message was perfectly clear!)
My 40 year old son also has Asperger’s and works programming and fixing tough code others have trouble with. When he was being tested for Asperger’s as an older adolescent, the psychologist running the extensive tests told him and me that he had an IQ of 155 and was in awe of him. Even though we both know a person’s IQ isn’t a real measure of their ability, it still was nice to hear. The psychologist made him feel important and worth something. He’s also had problems with depression in the past and spent some time in two excellent hospitals for it. He doesn’t regret it though as he said it helped teach him empathy and understanding others better – something that folks with Asperger’s have trouble with.
Something that “ordinary” people don’t understand is that individuals with Asperger’s or autism, as well as dyslexia or stuttering, have a marked tendency to be highly intelligent. But because they often have difficulty expressing their intelligence, or because their intelligence is sometimes very specialized, the uneducated layman ignorantly misinterprets their difficulties as stupidity.
Your choice of Sophie in this strip was perfect, not just because she’s an artist, but because she has always seemed self contained, not really caring what others thought (certainly not my beloved Tommy, whom she should absolutely adore).
The truth is we all vibrate to the opinion of others in one way or another. And a perfect little cat is no different.
Tell everyone in your life how wonderful you think they are, and how special the work they do is. Everything is art, just like everything is change, and it should all be appreciated.
Perhaps a certain adorable book store cat could suggest displaying some of Sophie’s work in one corner of the store.
Georgia, thank you so much for this beautiful strip. As a maker (I dye yarn and spinning fiber for other fiber artists) it really touched me. I can’t imagine anyone responding to your work with anything less than delight, but I’m sure it’s happened. It happens to all of us.
One more thing: not only have you created BCN, which just gets better and better, but you’ve also created–along with your readers–one of the most warm and generous places on the Internet. I love how kind and thoughtful the comments are here. They are literally the only online comments I read. and your responses have set the tone.
Thank you, Sasha! I count myself incredibly lucky that somehow this comic has attracted so many kind, supportive people and brought them together here!
Until I read others’ comments, I’d never have thought anyone would ever say anything negatively about your art, Georgia! As someone with artistic abilities (not that I do much with it), I can see that your work is anything but simple or primitive. On the contrary, there’s a great deal of talent, skill and finesse creating it!! For anyone who can’t see that, it just shows how little they know and what a philistine they are.
I’m glad, despite the cruel criticism you received, that you had your ‘Tommys and Pucks’ who encouraged and appreciated what you did. If not, your loyal readers may never have known you and your family. And what a loss that would’ve been!
P.S. To all your naysayers, I hope you stick out your tongue at them, blow them a raspberry and say “Nyah-Nyah! Whose art is considered valueless now?” while waving your book in their face.
Thank you, Jude!!! The Tommys and the Pucks are crucial to every creative person/kitty. I’ve been very lucky to have a close circle of trusted Tommys and Pucks over the years, and they helped me tune out the meaner opinions. Now the circle has widened to include readers here! 🙂
Ed, all of that complaining *is* worthy material for an appropriate project, but if Sophie’s human is concerned about use of the toilet, I expect she would get even more excited about Sophie lighting up the world.
‘I call this “Bonfire of the Vanities”. The vanities being small people’s ideas that trashing an artist is a good idea. “This too shall pass.”, but I am giving it a paw along.’
About fifteen years, I volunteered to be an MC for a small-town talent show. The woman who was organising it was about 65 and had never done anything like that before. She was quite nervous. We met and discussed things beforehand and she asked me about a lot of things and if I thought they would work. I listened to what she had to say, and there was nothing wrong that I could see.
The show worked out fine. MCing ended up being much less important than the encouragement that she needed and I gave.
There are those who resent anyone who creates anything, and they will do their utmost best to tear that person down to feel better about themselves. The only way you can satisfy them is to give up and become as miserable as they are. So don’t even bother with them!
Spot on. Most true “experts” have three characteristics: They are painfully aware of the extent of their own ignorance. This gives them humility. Finally, they never stop trying to reduce their own ignorance. If someone asks me if I want to live forever, the answer is yes, and I want to spend all of it learning.
Frequently, those who “do” are not very good teachers, while those with less ability are excellent teachers because they, themselves are constantly striving to learn. The most valuable lesson i learned in my six years of college is that if you want to master something, teach it. You will learn more than your students, no matter how bright they are.
Those who create, teach. They cannot avoid it, for they also teach themselves. Creativity may be critiqued (different from criticized) but it should never be discouraged.
Having followed conversations on other sites, I can state this is the kindest and most moving I have read. None of the snarky comments found elsewhere, just animal lovers enjoying the adventures of your cast of little fur people, and sharing the adventures of their own fur children.
Her Rotundity, Jingle Bell Katt, also approves!
As I said elsewhere recently: there are two webcomics that take me longer to read than the rest do, because on these two I make sure to read the comments as well — Breaking Cat News, and Skin Horse.
Thank you so much Jude. Swyping on this phone causes lots of unique combinations of words. 🙂
I totally understand where you are coming from. So glad your son found his niche too. He sounds like a wiz in the programming. field. My son does some programming but needs formal schooling to really progress. He refuses because school was so miserable for him. I don’t want to push but still hope. He works on a help desk (phone so no eye contact) and helps people with computer/device issues,virus & malware removal. That’s right up his alley. He loves helping, Always has. Despite his Mr Spock exterior. And this work is black & white and straightforward. People have told his bosses many times how helpful he was & patient. He received a reward for those calls. I told him how proud I was and that he is really good at what he does. Depression runs in our family, so yeah, I get it. I would like him to learn more about interactions with people. That would be so helpful.
I am thankful that there are so many wonderful helpful & supportive folks out there. Thanks again, Jude. And thanks to all the wonderful people here and you, Georgia. This is what his people do. Help & support each other.
I am mystified by the described behaviour. I will be the first to admit that a lot of art, music and literature leaves me cold, but I have never, ever felt the slightest impulse to tell an artist so.
Even with very particular music that I truly love, there are concerts that touch me and concerts that don’t because to be touched a lot of circumstances have to fall in place.
Anyways, I feel inspired to write even more appreciative letters to people who *have* touched me. So, you can consider this a success.
Sigh…so poignant and so true. I love the progression of Sophie’s ear-expressions on this page. Georgia, have you ever made any little kitty flipbooks, just for fun? You’d be amazing at it! XOXO
“Always guard your heart when it comes to your work; let in the good, give a lot of focus to who understood what you were going for, accept advice from good intentions, and toss the rest in the waste basket.”
Oughta be on a sampler.
Also, great comic/visual – love all the white space changing to the room view at the end 🙂
Awww 🙁 sophie is a great artist and a lot like me. we both love art, have light brown-blond long hair, get a lot of mean remarks, and we both try our best to fight through it. She if my favorite cat. Can you make a sophie page in the meet the reporters section?
Aww…
I hope this isn’t based on real mail you get, Georgia.
I also. Yet, knowing how mean people can be, it would not surprise me. Anyway, Georgia, just so you know — I don’t always leave comments, but I do always appreciate your talent and the time you put into the comic, and I’m grateful for how you share your family, those with fur and without.
I’ve had my share of mean words thrown my way over the years, but I deal with it very similarly to Sophie. 🙂 I wanted to show anyone out there who wants to create something and share it with people that there will be a lot of folks who rush in to criticize, but pay attention to the good words from others who are touched by it. That’s your audience, and those are the people you work for.
Thank you Georgia, your art makes me smile when I need it, and reminds me that it’s a good world. And I make cards and memory books, so I guess I have Sophie tucked inside me, so this particular strip really meant a lot. God bless and “Keep up the good work!”
Thank you, Georgia. I just opened a Facebook page for my cards, and nobody but family has looked at it. But I keep making them and posting them…
For a long time only family, and then friends, were looking at my work, too Louise! However you can start, start! 🙂 Good luck with them! And enjoy creating them!
Louise – What’s your FB page? I’ll look at it!
I’m not crying, you’re crying
The GoComics site and the original site are going to sync this week on Thursday! And it just so happened they were going to sync on strip number 199. Well, naturally I had make it an even 200! And so, here’s a bonus strip–a little peek behind the scenes into station life at BCN.
“I lost a hind foot years ago.” It’s obviously Puck. Who else has a hind foot that’s missing?
Ooooh, good catch! I originally read it as “Hand and foot,” so I didn’t make the connection. I thought it was maybe a nod to Veterans or something.
Simply beautiful. When will people learn not to say anything if they can’t lift instead of smash? Sad creatures.
It’s so much easier to attack another than create for yourself. Ignore the haters. We love your artwork and the strip!
its the 1 nice note you get out of many that just make it all worth it! Although i hope you get way more positive than negatives about this strip because its the best Georgia!
I just wish that I didn’t somehow give more credit to the bashers than the complimenters when it comes to my stuff. It’s like I feel like the complimenters are just trying to be polite (Eg, want to say something nice rather than actually liking it) while the detractors are confirming how I feel about my singing.
I have occasionally read words that are like reading all the fears I have about my work, written down and confirmed. And it’s hard–it happens to anyone creating something and sharing it with others. It’s a really vulnerable thing. Not everyone will like it. And actually, that’s okay! There are so many people in the world, somewhere out there is a group of people who will get you and your work. It took me a long time to see that, and I still come across opinions that hurt my feelings. I know I always will. Over the years, I’ve begun to attach more weight to the kind words and hold onto the good. And take genuine constructive criticism too, which I do think is important for anyone working creatively. There will always be folks who rush forward to put something down, none of us can change that. Always guard your heart when it comes to your work; let in the good, give a lot of focus to who understood what you were going for, accept advice from good intentions, and toss the rest in the waste basket. 🙂
Just one quiet thankful hug. Sorry, I got your shoulder a little damp.
<3
I work with kids in a K-12 school, so with an age range that broad, I get to see all sorts of things. Any time I see someone who is feeling down because someone is picking on them, or criticising them, or calling them stupid or ugly or fat or skinny or whatever, I just remind them that the reason that others put you down (aside from never having been taught that if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all) is because they feel bad about themselves. They think, subconsciously, that by putting you down, it will make them feel better about themselves. Of course, it doesn’t work that way, and common sense should tell them that, but then common sense isn’t all that common any more.
I have taken to using things people have said about me, or weaknesses I know I have, or mistakes I know I have made, and using them jokingly when I talk to the kids about not getting discouraged in their own work. We just finished our school play, and I run the lights and sound for the show. I told the kids, don’t be afraid or feel bad if you make a mistake. I’ve been doing what I do for thirty years, and there hasn’t been a year yet where I don’t make at least one mistake – sometimes very noticeable – on performance night. If I still can’t get it right every time, I’m certainly not going to hold it against them – some of whom it’s their first time ever performing – if they can’t be perfect.
This is wonderful advice! Sometimes I worry we don’t let kids know it’s okay to make mistakes, to have flaws, to get something wrong. It gives them a lot of room to keep trying!
The toughest ones for me emotionally, and the hardest ones to reach, are the kids who have been told – sometimes by the very people who should be encouraging them – that they’re never going to get it right so they should just give up.
Sure, you’re never going to be perfect – no one ever is. But that doesn’t mean you give up. It means you keep trying harder, so you get better. You don’t compare yourself to perfection (I know, I’m a perfectionist), and you don’t compare yourself to others. As Col. Potter said in M*A*S*H, “The only person I have to get better than is who I am right now.”
Absolutely! There should always be room to keep trying, to try things new, to want to be better tomorrow. Mistakes are good teachers, and kids need to hear that if you’re doing anything right, you’re making a LOT of mistakes along the way!
Your comments here, awgiedawgie, show a profound insight into what makes us who we are. We ALL need encouragement and lots of it! Not false flattery or praise but saying what touches us or what we find good in others. Those adults whose worse critics are themselves are the ones who were told as children they didn’t do things well or wouldn’t amount to much. Bless you for what you’re doing – helpin and teaching kids!
Jude, thank you for your remarks. I love working with kids. It can be challenging at times, but it is oh so rewarding! It has been said that everyone’s own worst critic is themselves. That is why children (all of us, really, but children moreso) need a lot of positive reinforcement, not only to overcome their own negative opinion or uncertainty of themselves, but also because there are so many mean kids and thoughtless adults who seem to want to challenge the truth of that statement.
You and Sophie take a tremendous risk putting your art out there. I’ve said it before, but it’s so important to not let the nasty voices get louder than those who love your – and Sophie’s – art. And I love Sophie. She is so much like Tabby, who toe-danced through my life for too short a time.
But that’s the thing if you don’t like something (and I love your work,) you just don’t consume that work. You don’t have to look at things you don’t like. I just don’t get people who can’t just – walk away, close a book, x out of a website, without spewing nastiness and hate. Why do people have to do that. Your strip is lovely and even if it wasn’t. I don’t have to come here and say so. That’s just rude.
I wholeheartedly agree!
So true. I don’t understand why there are so many who do that.
…and the worst part about it is that their negativity tends to spread and ruins things for everyone else.
This is so true for anyone in the arts – but I hope it’s not something that has happened to you, Georgia! There will always be people ready to dismiss or complain about anything, but those of us who write, draw, paint, play music, or create in any way need to focus on the good it does!
Alas, I think it happens to all of us–but that’s why I wanted to make this, for anyone out there working on creative endeavors! 🙂
Is that an origami crane on the windowsill? My husband loves giving out origami cranes and butterflies and such to friends (And intertwined cranes for wedding presents) — I bet he’d be honored if Sophie would consider the crane as a gift from us.
It is! 😀
There is a lot of meaning linked to the origami crane – life, peace, happiness and tradition – Sadako Sasaki.
What a beautiful idea to give the intertwined cranes as wedding presents!
My sister is really good at origami folding and makes the most amazing intricate geometric structures out of different kinds of origami papers that look gorgeous hanging near lamps or in sunny windows. I love the little touch of Sophie having made the envelope from Puck’s letter into the little crane on the windowsill!
An important part of creativity is editing…. Even if you’re just editing which opinions of your work to hold onto and which to let go.
I’ve wanted to share a little peek into Sophie for readers, but… Well, she’s so darn private, ha! And so this is a tiny glimpse of Sophie and who she is so the readers can know her a bit better.
Awwwwh. It’s a good reminder too, even if you think something is obvious and must surely be said all the time, sometimes it’s good to actually say it. Because everyone else might be thinking that “it must be said all the time.”
If you like how something is done, tell people! Write a quick letter/card/email, tell them in person, sing a song, draw a picture, anything. People put a lot of themselves in their work, it’s nice to be appreciated for something they have actually done. Maybe it’s the food you’re eating, or someone’s art, or a park is really picked up, or a concert is really well done, or a haunted house, whatever, tell people if you are enjoying yourself! If something is wrong, tell them too, in a a respectful way. Everyone else might be staying silent on things that are dangerous, it’s good to be aware of any problems people are having. Just be respectful and polite.
Absolutely! I could not agree more.
What a joy!
Today is so kewl, because this touched my heart. Love, love, love, this comic! Good Ole Puck, a special kitty who is part of many lives, thanks Georgia!!
Thank you soooo much!
Aww! Sophie’s so sweet!
Love this strip–and LOVE the book! Can’t wait for the next one!
Sophie and Puck are my heroes! Embrace your individuality, my loves! We all perfect in God’s eyes!
Never give up on your art Sophie! (or anyone!) 😀
I don’t know if it means anything, but the reason I wanted a print of this and asked the other day is because I am currently in a skilled nursing home & rehab, learning to walk again after developing peripheral neuropathy; I wanted a print because to remind me, on those low days, that it’s just change, and not to let it break me.
It means very much to me that the last strip meant that to you, Stephanie!
I just thought it was really funny that the grateful animal (since we don’t know if it was a dog or a cat) happened to be going through something so *very* ephemeraly similar to what I’ve got going. So thank you Sophie/Georgia/animal who wrote the card 😉
It does seem somehow perfectly timed!
She is not working in trash, she is working with found objects. Sophie is being ecologically correct unlike some of us humans. She is working in things that have meaning to her species which is what all good artists do, be they cat or human or even dare we say, dog.
I’m actually tearing up!
What a lovely surprise – Sunday with Sophie! Thank you – and thank you for every day that you brighten with your cats and your art. You are fantastic as are your feline friends. I never miss a Monday or a Thursday and I love the book. I gave a Kindle copy to a friend and she loves it too.
Thank you, Jan!!
Right in the Feels!
I genuinely wanted to reach through the screen and hug Sophie as I was reading this strip. What a truly beautiful bonus edition.
Thank you for this!
Love this and look forward to it every Monday and Thursday..makes me smile. This was a great surprise today…Thank You Georgia!!!!
Littlemarten’s Law of Criticism
“When considering others’ comments on your work, keep the following two questions firmly in mind, simultaneously:
Why the heck should I care what they think?
Why the heck shouldn’t I care what they think?”
Then there is this one, probably from an ancient Chinese sage:
“Those who can, do. Those who cannot do, teach. Those who cannot teach, criticize.” (This is not, by the way, a slight on teachers when viewed from the perspective of the ancient Chinese. Those who studied for the Imperial exams but did not pass them often became teachers, and were regarded as members of the “educated gentleman” class, or “shi,” and thus highly respected.)
There is a lot to that even in the modern western world. Because teaching requires such an intense dedication of time – often much more than 40 hours a week – those who “do” often do not have the time needed to also teach. And a teacher is constantly exposed to that which he is teaching, so even if he was not the top student in his class, he will be always learning. I know… my mother was a school teacher for nearly 50 years, and possesses a PhD, yet there was not a single year when she did not remark that she had learned something new while teaching.
Perfect, Tommy always ready with a cuppa and a smile!! I remember thinking that you hit #100 pretty quickly, but #200 my goodness, that was amazingly fast! Congratulations Georgia!!! You have a special gift and we are grateful that you allow yourself to be so vulnerable in this sometimes mean and spiteful world. YOU & SOPHIE GO GO GO!!!
Beautiful. Never let haters get you down.
This is such a good reminder that when you like someone’s work you should let the know. You might think they already know, but sometime it might just be the pickup they need. Another touching strip Georga.Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
What a little gem ! I didn’t think of Pucky as the letter writer – there are so many “damaged” kitties out there – blind (like Sophie in one eye) or with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (there’s one on a blog that is a little calico named Sophie !) or tripods – I was thinking of a “cat blogger” reaching real cats !
I absolutely cannot imagine anyone throwing nastiness your way. Cannot.
Georgia, I have read Breaking Cat News from the beginning and gave been tempted to comment before but haven’t done it. Today’s bonus comic was the tipping point. It made me cry for the beauty of it. I’m so pleased Sophie sees the value of her work and will continue. Thank you for all your hard work and your beautiful view of the world. It’s helped me through a lot of stressful days. Thank you for sharing a bit of your beautiful family with us. All my best wishes to the seven of you!
Thank you so much, Silverstone!!! 😀
I see Puck listed in the credits but don’t see him in the strip, only his letter. So sweet of Puck. Love the two of them and I hope Sophie and Tommy find the sweet spot of living together.
This was a perfect strip for Sunday – so very sweet. I wasn’t a big fan of Sophie before the last strip. But, that one made me see Sophie in a new light. Today was like icing on a cake. I like Sophie now (but not as much as Pucky or Tommy).
I can’t imagine anyone not liking your work. You’re so creative in both your mind and your artwork. Let me know who they are. I have a big 25+ pound orange female cat who will take care of them. She looks like a lion.
Haha!! 😀
Art is art–it’s the results that count. Your’s just happens to charm my socks off.
Me too, I am so not crying. Nope, nope, nopity nope, hey don’t take my tissues I need them.
Thanks for this lovely strip! I teach art classes at a rec centre, mostly to seniors. It is amazing how many of them gave up making art when they were younger because of people saying unkind things about their work — I am always wishing for a time machine so I could go back and fix it somehow. I’m grateful to all the Pucks out there who take the time to let artists know they are making a difference!
It happens so often I think, and it is heartbreaking. I am remarkably fortunate that my Mom was very encouraging from an early age.
My Mom taught art in high school for 30+ years, and she always told her students that ANYONE can create art, and she never allowed her students to give up. I know of at least one rather successful professional artist who has credited her as the single most important factor in his being so successful. Not because she taught him a lot about art, but because she taught him that he could be an artist.
Of course, my own philosophy is this… If Picasso’s work is considered great art, how can anyone else think of their own art as being bad? 😉
I love everyone’s art. Tommy must have learned from Sophie. He had the most beautiful Christmas tree when he was lost. It even melted good ol’ Elvis’s heart.
I am feeling very weepy after this … it really touched me on an unexpected level. Thank you. I think. (I don’t like feeling weepy! LOL)
Haha!! Sorry, Karen!!
I just adore this, Sophie is my favorite. I’m so glad we have seen some of her depth. Who else would think to turn the envelope from sweet Puck’s letter into a crane?
Sophie, as one eccentric to another, create on, and let your freak flag fly!
Aww, what a tear jerker!
Always makes me so sad when others can’t keep their mouths shut if they have nothing nice to say… We should all be trying to lift one another up, instead of trying to tear each other down. And if someone doesn’t like the content of something, well then, they can just go elsewhere!
What a wonderful and sweet comic for Sunday.
I honestly cannot say that I have one favorite character in this strip… They are all so different in their own ways; I feel each character is like a little piece of myself. 😸
Just absolutely love today’s strip. An awesome surprise.
Thank you, Nicki! 🙂
Never doubt the joy you spread in this world. But if you do we are all more than happy to remind you!
Thank you, Denise! <3
Poor baby! How dare anyone say she is less than talented! Same as you, Georgia–what you do is important and affects the world. You’re work IS meaningful!
The old saw:
“Those who can’t—teach.”
NOT true at all!
“Those who can’t—criticize.”
Just face it…some people are plain old nasty. Mean, hurtful, just spewing negativity. They are just jealous of YOUR talent.
You have a great imagination, Georgia!
I saw it written this way (farther up the page here)…
“Those who can, do. Those who cannot do, teach. Those who cannot teach, criticize.”
And explained thus: In ancient China, those who studied for the Imperial exams but did not pass them often became teachers, and members of the “educated gentlemen” class, or “shi”, and were thus highly respected.
And of course we all know that those who do nothing but stand by and criticize are members of the “useless” class, and their opinions should be treated as such.
I come from a long line of artists. However, my creativity comes out mainly in yarn – knitting, crocheting, etc… Once a relative made a pretty snippy comment about out “craft vs art” and how it was a shame I didn’t do any “art”.
My quiet, calm, placid daddy snapped “what are you talking about? She’s the best fiber artist around.”
I loved my daddy and I think of that comment a lot lately as I have developed extreme difficulty with my left thumb. Maybe, just maybe, I’m changing and beautiful BECAUSE of it, instead of despite it.
I like to think that you are! And your father sounds like a smart man. 🙂
He was. He also loved cats and lived on a small farm just so he could take care of any cats that needed a warm loving place. In fact, he had a cat named “Evelyn” because she was the eleventh cat!
I love that!
I also create a lot using yarn (although I can’t crochet or knit to save my life!). And I love to work with wood. I have jokingly said that I’m a terrible artist – jokingly, because I know full well that even though I have never created a great painting, my art simply takes a different form. I have done some things that I was indeed quite proud of.
Please note my explanation of the phrase. I always think of this in the Chinese context, because it places no onus on those who tried and came up short. No modern examination, anywhere, compares with the ancient Chinese Imperial examinations. Everyone knew they were so difficult that even someone who merely studied for them, but never actually sat for them, had an honored place in society. I wish we had that attitude toward teachers, these days. Instead, they are underpaid, overworked, and buried in administrative drivel. School administrators should have salaries of 30 to 50K a year. Teachers should start at 50K or more. But no, instead we pay paper-pushers and bureaucrats big bucks, and teachers a barely survivable wage.
Sorry about the rant, Georgia, but when someone denigrates teachers, or thinks I’m doing so, it gets my dander up. Considering I have no hair, that’s difficult.
Georgia, I just read Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites. Jill Thompson’s paintings made me think of yours, too. Her animals don’t wear clothes, but there’s the same attention to character and detail in both your comics.
Bah. Art is art. An artist’s medium is his/her choice. My mom’s friend does a lot of weird art, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy of being art.
I’m sorry that some people just want to be mean like that. This is probably hypocritical of me, but don’t let it get to you! *hugs lots*
That last panel makes me smile. 🙂
That was really sweet. 💕😭💐 Thank you for the bonus strip!
I used to lead creativity workshops using The Artist’s Way. Often those who cannot or will not work on their own creative outlets, are the worst critics. They are ‘shadow artists’ — tearing people down who are actually doing their work. In any case, don’t let critics get to you. Know your worth right down to the center of your being. Don’t waste a minute on the crazy makers.
Thank you Georgia!
I usually have to pay for things that make me smile or laugh; books, cinema, theatre, television, (cat food) etc. Things that are pleasing to the eye are expensive. Things which offer inspiration are even more expensive and not easily found.
And yet, someone takes their time and energy to create things which achieve all of the above…
And they send it to me for nothing…
Twice a week…
Thank you
Thank you, Andrew! 😀
I could not agree with Andrew more. Thank, Georgia, for what you do, and Andrew, for saying what I was thinking more eloquently than I could.
Beautifully expressed Andrew 🙂 Ditto!!
I have always loved Sophie. Her beautiful gowns, the art, the ability to appreciate a variety of self-expression on the Blue Carpet–all remind me so much of those I know and love in the art world. And Tommy’s friendly yet steady personality is the perfect complement to Sophie. So glad that we are seeing more of her and them!
I wish there was a like button here, because I love all of the wonderful comments 🙂
I’ve thought the same thing. I LOVE reading the comments almost as much (but not quite) as the strip itself!
If you follow the strip on Facebook you can Like it! I do!
Sniff…bellissima! Thank you for the bonus strip!
Georgia, we think that you and your characters are perfect just as you are. Please tell Sophie that we loved her, even when she didn’t care for “Thomas”.
David and Hannah
I love how Sophie has put Puck’s card and envelope on the windowsill( making origami crane out of envelope) while tossing mean comments in trash basket. Then Tommy coming in with steaming cups completes the picture. What a wonderful way to make a picture worth a thousand words.
Yah sure you betcha, yes! Appreciation and applause for Georgia’s amazing works and positive, thoughtful responses from viewers. Thanks also for keeping the BCN website up and running, it is a sanctuary.
A couple years ago I was growing out my hair in a long mohawk (I’ve since donated it to cancer). I got a lot of nasty comments. “Why did you do this? You’d look so nice if you hadn’t done this.” “No one will love you with your hair like that.” “You look so unprofessional. No wonder you can’t find a job.”
In the midst of all that criticism, when I was starting to think maybe I should just chop off all my hair, I visited my mom, who is a teacher. At the time she had a student, one I’d heard of before, whose parents were divorced. In one house she kept getting lice. Finally her parents decided it would be best to cut her hair on the sides to try and combat the lice.
She was distraught. She was a 5th grade latina girl, and in latino culture a girl’s hair is very important. She was convinced she was ugly with her hair cut like that. My mom found her crying, and told her about her grown up daughter in LA (ME!), who had her hair cut like that. My mom told her she was very stylish, and not to worry, that if she really hated it the hair would grow back (Words I once used when justifying cutting my hair short to my mom). My mom’s student felt a little better about it.
Hearing this, I decided there and then that I would keep the mohawk. Not for me, not even for growing it out to donate to cancer, but for that little girl, and for little girls like her. My hair is currently cut short, but as soon as I can, it will be cut right back into a mohawk, because I have a promise to keep.
That is awesome! I adore that. That little girl must have felt so much better!
Didn’t need the character list to know who wrote that last one. Pucky has the beautiful soul. And Sophie deals with her mail correctly. 🙂
What’s Sophie working with for her new project? It looks sort of like aluminum foil (or maybe waxed paper?) and that stack of pages on the floor – I can’t quite identify it. Hints, anyone?
And GO SOPHIE!!!!
Sometimes I come across some art that I don’t *get*, but that doesn’t make it bad art it just makes it art I’m not a fan of. Why can’t people understand that art is as much about the artist as it is about the piece of artwork? If it’s not your kind of art then move on to something else. No need to be mean to the artist. I personally like art like Sophie’s. Found art is just as much art as paint and clay art. Hugs to Sophie and Georgia! Keep making your art – the people that’ll appreciate it are out there.
For the record I really liked Sophie’s work with paper towels as change. Very profound!
All BCN posters are wonderful people.
I love Georgia’s art and through her art I love Sophie ‘s art because she finds ordinary things and makes us look at them differently which makes them extraordinary…the gift of any artist no matter what mediums they use (medii? medius?…need to Google that lol). We may not understand what an artist is doing because art is subjective. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, so find the art you can love and remember that our honest opinion about something we don’t like or understand doesn’t have to be stated in a brutal or unkind way. I personally love beautifully derived watercolour webcomics depicting the secret inner lives of cats in creative, touching and hilarious ways. Thank you Georgia for creating another inspirational piece of art. I hope it inspires others to overcome their insecurities about their gifts so they can inspire others 🙂
<3 Thank you!
“media”, I think
Thanks Ed, it is media – I double checked on Google after I posted my comment! Learned something new! 🙂
“Mediums” is also a perfectly acceptable plural form of “medium”.
I love this strip made me want to cry. Maybe if people treated people kindly there would be less fighting, meanness and war in the world. I have found that the person who made the mean comment is usually the bully who beats up anyone who is mean to them- they are not strong enough to let the mean and often uninformed (don’t know what they are talking about ) comments slide off them to become the ground underneath them.
I love all your strips and characters they depict simple things in life in such a great way. Thanks for the site and wonderful work you do!!
Thank you, Ann!
For the life of Cat, I can’t figure out why anyone would want to criticize your art, Georgia. I guess there are just some people who are pained inside and express it by trying to hurt the feelings of others. If you do get a comment that makes you feel down, just come back and read the kind words of your many, many fans here, and know that we will always have your back!
Thank you, Fritz!
Beautiful, and an excellent reminder to all! I wanted to comment, for the first time, to commend Sophie for having the courage to pick up that last card. Already beaten down (and feeling it) – to pick up what seems certain to be the last straw to break you completely – takes courage to actually read it in the hope that it doesn’t break you. Good for you, Sophie!
And, obviously, thank you, Georgia. Your work is totally beautiful, meaningful, hopeful, and hilariously realistic! 😀 I hope you never run out of ideas, which you can’t possibly as long as you have cats 🙂
I did want to ask – what is Sophie making and with what materials in the last frame? It’s probably obvious to everyone else, but I can’t figure it out – probably due to a lack of an artist’s imagination. 🙂
Thank you!! And I’m not sure myself… I’m going to guess that she is beginning a tin foil sculpture, because that sounds fun!
When I see the “Breaking Cat News” new strip notice in my e-mail, I immediately get a “lift” and think, “Oh, boy!.” I love each of the BCN characters and world. Thank you so much, Georgia, for sharing your creations with us readers.
Thank you, too, to the commenters for pointing out all the little touches Georgia puts in so that I don’t miss them.
That makes me happy to hear, about the email, I mean!
Awww, poor Sophie! If anybody is crazy enough to tell you anything like that, I hope you’re as good as ignoring it as she is, Georgia!
(Side note: I finally picked up my BCN book, but I still haven’t had a chance to sit down and enjoy it… although I did take a few minutes to flip through it before packing it for the move to the summer place. So once I get done UNpacking… *g*)
Hi Georgia: Thank you for the first 200! Quite the milestone indeed! So,in case I misunderstood,does this mean Mon and Thur. on GoComics now? You and Sophie please keep up the wonderful art! Love and light to all of you here!
Starting this Thursday, yes, GoComics will be Mondays and Thursdays again,& just like here!
I LOVE Sophie and Tommy!
What a wonderful Sunday surprise for us all. Thank you. I too was expecting a Memorial Day themed ending, but it works perfectly anyways. Love the crane, and the stared post card is reminiscent of the “BLUE STAR” or “GOLD STAR” mini flags that are once again being seen in homes of those serving our country. Beautiful.
yes, Sophie put Puck’s card on the windowsill and made a crane from his envelope.
the other letters are in the garbage, where they belong.
Sophie makes art from “found objects”, not actual trash, so the other letters & envelopes were not worthy source material.
Sophie, you are a great artist. “Real” artists use all sorts of stuff for their projects. Sometimes people don’t understand what an artistic piece is meant to convey and just dismiss it as crap, but a lot of work can go into art and it isn’t fair to the artist to just dismiss it. Keep up the good work! My cardboard artist cats love it!
That’s so true, Sionyx. Just last week I learned about great art that is being created by manipulating Rubik’s cubes into patterns to create large murals. The same article said other artists are doing something similar with crayons standing on their ends, which greatly increases the number of colors available to use. For examples of what has been done, visit cubeworks.ca
What a cool idea – had a look at the cubeworks site and they are awesome! I love the old eight bit Mario themed statues, have always had a soft spot for the old Nintendo games!
I’ve been there with my reviews, Georgia. But you and The Man have always had good things to say about my work and always make me remember that there are people out there that care about what I do. Thank you, and you will always have my support!
And you will always have ours, Aaron!! Thank you, dear friend. 🙂
Ah-hah. I had not realized Sophie made it from the envelope. Thank goodness for other commenters!
Georgia, thank you for this wonderful strip. Reading BCN is the way I start every morning. It starts my day right!
Thank you, Karen!
Aw. I am so happy to know that Sophie’s coolness hides a sensitive heart. I think Tommy’s unconditional love and acceptance is just what she needs.
I hate it when people put down others, just because of preferences. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all – it’s simple as that.
I love the idea that Puck sent that last letter. I also love that Sophie folded the green envelope into an origami, I think?
very sweet
As a fellow creative, I know you and Sophie are handling it the right way. Mean and unjust comments wound, but a thoughtful compliment can fix the whole day. We love your work and can’t wait to have more if it, Georgia!
There are so many things I love about this strip that I don’t know where to start. So beautifully illustrated and warm and funny all at once. I am so glad you are brave enough to put yourself out there because reading this strip just makes me happy. Love the book by the way!
Thank you. Sophie is truly inspiring and transformative. She uses what she has; gives of herself and improves the lives of us all. Love that she keeps the one “green card”, tosses the rest, and goes on newly inspired. I imagine the Woman hearing David Bowie’s “Changes” as she’s cleaning up 🙂
There is one lady where I exercise and no one talks to her because she is different, but I always make a point to say hello to her. My friend once said to me, “How come you talk to HER?” and I said, “Because no else does.”
*No body else does”
What a wonderful message so cleverly presented. I shared your strip with all my Art Quilter friends, artist friends, and writer friends. Turned out to be a lot of people. Universally loved and appreciated. A message we all need to own in order to keep doing what we do each day in our lives. Thanks for the smile. Is it possible to get a print of this strip? I would like to hang it in my studio.
Yes! Tomorrow it will be on the GoComics site, and they create prints of each of the strips! Thank you for sharing it, I am glad your friends liked it too! 🙂
I want to thank the commenters for telling me about the crane from Pucky’s envelope . . . I hadn’t gotten that.
I also wanted to be first to comment on Sophie’s ears–so expressive!
Regarding nasty commenters, I’ve noticed a couple of them on GoComics–when folks in the GoComics crowd didn’t realize that this is a different type of comic than the normal type of snarky wit. They didn’t get it, and said so. Fortunately, there were enough of us regulars there who could both explain how BCN is different, and point out that better behavior is expected.
This is the thing about bullies: they usually can’t be stopped by the victim, they have to be stopped by bystanders. From this webpage I’m glad we’ve developed a crowd of bystanders willing to step in!
I agree. The emotions expressed by just the cats’ eyebrows and ears is amazing!
Simplicity of illustration & delineation of characters is a delight & should do well when transition to a new format in daily publications. Loved the past strips full of all manner of characters, & small details that were a little hard for me to find, or understand until others pointed them out. In my professional experience I’ve found that selective simplicity better conveys message or story concept. Not easily for a writer/illustrator who is full of jillions of images in “skill” memory & ability. Go Georgia!
I’d say Aluminum foil and what looks to be a Braille book (Sophie is blind in one eye.) The crane from Puck’s green envelope _is_ a nice touch.
Is Sophie working with aluminum foil in the last panel? I’ve been trying to figure that one out. Our tough-guy Chase freaks out and runs away at top speed when foil is used, because of the high pitched sounds it makes when crinkled. Sophie must be very brave!
Yes, she is! I had a cat who enjoyed chasing balls of it years ago, which was where I got the idea from.
I used to paint ceramics I won a couple of ribbons and, was really pleased.
Then I had someone say that painting from a mold was like painting in a coloring book. It was hurtful and, sort of made me mad. So good for Sophie just taking it in stride and, keeps creating.
I love your work any plans to start another book? You may get bigger than Garfield. My sons favorite cat.
I would love to have another book happen, I’m hoping the sales from this one make it possible. I’m so sorry someone was so hurtful to you. That’s a terribly unfair thing to say!
I love the comments almost as much as the comic itself. It’s fun to read the observations of others, and go back to see what I overlooked. Thanks Jessie for the post about the crane. I will also admit to being one of the teary eyed crowd. (pass the Puffs please).
Good for you!
OK, you’re right, I am. At least I’m not in a public library this time. Sometimes Georgia’s stuff hits me right in the “feels”.
Lovely, obviously Puck is the one who wrote the letter of encouragement.
Our fur baby, Bixby, recently met with a severe accident in the house while we were out, we got home to find him seriously injured and denning up under one of the chairs. We immediately got him to the vets fully knowing that he was going to have surgery and would lose his left eye, there was no way it would be able to be saved it was too damaged.
Sophie’s art and its unusualness came at the most appropriate of times for me, I was afraid that I would not be able to accept Bixby with his disability, seeing Sophie’s art piece about change and the beauty that can be within it made me realize the beauty in Bixby and that he is still my fur baby boy, my shadow and my soul creature. This change is just superficial it has not changed who he is or the fact that without him I would feel incomplete, he is my one eyed House Panther who greets me at the door when I come home.
This is particularly perfect, as Sophie herself went blind in one eye several years ago! (Hence her gray eye). Much healing to Bixby. He will amaze you with how he adapts, Puck wowed everyone! Cats are incredible.
Hi Georgia how can you or Sophie (the beloved) ever doubt yourselves?
Your comics are magical and your fans constantly effuse with delight at the humour, storytelling, and absolute gorgeousness of your art. Who are these people who say otherwise – Tabitha will sort them out for you and we’ll be right behind her!
The sixth drawing of Sophie, on my goodness, my heart is absolutely breaking for a comic kitty. 😢 How is this possible?
Oh this is so poignant! I watched her ears going down & teared up. Thank Cat for Pucky, the sweetie. There’s too much of that in this world. You are a wonderful artist Georgia with such wit & humor. I loved watching how you create on the live streams as I can’t do it. My strengths lie elsewhere but it only serves to make me appreciate those who can & have the courage to share it with the rest of us. It brightens so many lives and that is huge.
I am going to send this to my son (34 this Saturday, where has the time gone?) He had a tough time in grade school because no one knew about Asperger’s etc back then I our tiny town. He is a genius width technology, computers, programming & I never fail to tell him that. Mom calls constantly with legitimate issues & a “HELP CHRIS!!!!” I can almost hear him puffing up over the phone & it feels wonderful.
It’s hard knowing what your child is going through from those who don’t understand. I hope I do, Linda. (I didn’t even notice your typos as your message was perfectly clear!)
My 40 year old son also has Asperger’s and works programming and fixing tough code others have trouble with. When he was being tested for Asperger’s as an older adolescent, the psychologist running the extensive tests told him and me that he had an IQ of 155 and was in awe of him. Even though we both know a person’s IQ isn’t a real measure of their ability, it still was nice to hear. The psychologist made him feel important and worth something. He’s also had problems with depression in the past and spent some time in two excellent hospitals for it. He doesn’t regret it though as he said it helped teach him empathy and understanding others better – something that folks with Asperger’s have trouble with.
Something that “ordinary” people don’t understand is that individuals with Asperger’s or autism, as well as dyslexia or stuttering, have a marked tendency to be highly intelligent. But because they often have difficulty expressing their intelligence, or because their intelligence is sometimes very specialized, the uneducated layman ignorantly misinterprets their difficulties as stupidity.
Oh when will I learn to proofread. *sigh* “in our tiny town”, “with technology”
Your choice of Sophie in this strip was perfect, not just because she’s an artist, but because she has always seemed self contained, not really caring what others thought (certainly not my beloved Tommy, whom she should absolutely adore).
The truth is we all vibrate to the opinion of others in one way or another. And a perfect little cat is no different.
Tell everyone in your life how wonderful you think they are, and how special the work they do is. Everything is art, just like everything is change, and it should all be appreciated.
Perhaps a certain adorable book store cat could suggest displaying some of Sophie’s work in one corner of the store.
Georgia, thank you so much for this beautiful strip. As a maker (I dye yarn and spinning fiber for other fiber artists) it really touched me. I can’t imagine anyone responding to your work with anything less than delight, but I’m sure it’s happened. It happens to all of us.
One more thing: not only have you created BCN, which just gets better and better, but you’ve also created–along with your readers–one of the most warm and generous places on the Internet. I love how kind and thoughtful the comments are here. They are literally the only online comments I read. and your responses have set the tone.
Thank you, Sasha! I count myself incredibly lucky that somehow this comic has attracted so many kind, supportive people and brought them together here!
Until I read others’ comments, I’d never have thought anyone would ever say anything negatively about your art, Georgia! As someone with artistic abilities (not that I do much with it), I can see that your work is anything but simple or primitive. On the contrary, there’s a great deal of talent, skill and finesse creating it!! For anyone who can’t see that, it just shows how little they know and what a philistine they are.
I’m glad, despite the cruel criticism you received, that you had your ‘Tommys and Pucks’ who encouraged and appreciated what you did. If not, your loyal readers may never have known you and your family. And what a loss that would’ve been!
P.S. To all your naysayers, I hope you stick out your tongue at them, blow them a raspberry and say “Nyah-Nyah! Whose art is considered valueless now?” while waving your book in their face.
Thank you, Jude!!! The Tommys and the Pucks are crucial to every creative person/kitty. I’ve been very lucky to have a close circle of trusted Tommys and Pucks over the years, and they helped me tune out the meaner opinions. Now the circle has widened to include readers here! 🙂
Ed, all of that complaining *is* worthy material for an appropriate project, but if Sophie’s human is concerned about use of the toilet, I expect she would get even more excited about Sophie lighting up the world.
‘I call this “Bonfire of the Vanities”. The vanities being small people’s ideas that trashing an artist is a good idea. “This too shall pass.”, but I am giving it a paw along.’
About fifteen years, I volunteered to be an MC for a small-town talent show. The woman who was organising it was about 65 and had never done anything like that before. She was quite nervous. We met and discussed things beforehand and she asked me about a lot of things and if I thought they would work. I listened to what she had to say, and there was nothing wrong that I could see.
The show worked out fine. MCing ended up being much less important than the encouragement that she needed and I gave.
That is wonderful!
That should have started, “About fifteen years ago,”.
Yay and thank you for the bonus comic! Even more-so because it is a hug and comfort to artists and creativity
You’re welcome! I hoped it would be! 🙂
There are those who resent anyone who creates anything, and they will do their utmost best to tear that person down to feel better about themselves. The only way you can satisfy them is to give up and become as miserable as they are. So don’t even bother with them!
Spot on. Most true “experts” have three characteristics: They are painfully aware of the extent of their own ignorance. This gives them humility. Finally, they never stop trying to reduce their own ignorance. If someone asks me if I want to live forever, the answer is yes, and I want to spend all of it learning.
Frequently, those who “do” are not very good teachers, while those with less ability are excellent teachers because they, themselves are constantly striving to learn. The most valuable lesson i learned in my six years of college is that if you want to master something, teach it. You will learn more than your students, no matter how bright they are.
Those who create, teach. They cannot avoid it, for they also teach themselves. Creativity may be critiqued (different from criticized) but it should never be discouraged.
Sophie, I though your art on change was very enlightening. I’ve been through some changes in my life and think you are a very smart cat.
Georgia, I love your book.
Thank you, Emily!!
Having followed conversations on other sites, I can state this is the kindest and most moving I have read. None of the snarky comments found elsewhere, just animal lovers enjoying the adventures of your cast of little fur people, and sharing the adventures of their own fur children.
Her Rotundity, Jingle Bell Katt, also approves!
Sources say Sophie is a gifted artist, and that Tommy is a gifted friend.
Keep up the good work, both of you 🙂
As I said elsewhere recently: there are two webcomics that take me longer to read than the rest do, because on these two I make sure to read the comments as well — Breaking Cat News, and Skin Horse.
Still coming back to this one …… to make sure Sophie still OK
You broke and mended my heart twice with this one.
P.S. And I love Sophie’s pretty dress.
Thank you so much Jude. Swyping on this phone causes lots of unique combinations of words. 🙂
I totally understand where you are coming from. So glad your son found his niche too. He sounds like a wiz in the programming. field. My son does some programming but needs formal schooling to really progress. He refuses because school was so miserable for him. I don’t want to push but still hope. He works on a help desk (phone so no eye contact) and helps people with computer/device issues,virus & malware removal. That’s right up his alley. He loves helping, Always has. Despite his Mr Spock exterior. And this work is black & white and straightforward. People have told his bosses many times how helpful he was & patient. He received a reward for those calls. I told him how proud I was and that he is really good at what he does. Depression runs in our family, so yeah, I get it. I would like him to learn more about interactions with people. That would be so helpful.
I am thankful that there are so many wonderful helpful & supportive folks out there. Thanks again, Jude. And thanks to all the wonderful people here and you, Georgia. This is what his people do. Help & support each other.
Linda
Absolutely lovely.
I am mystified by the described behaviour. I will be the first to admit that a lot of art, music and literature leaves me cold, but I have never, ever felt the slightest impulse to tell an artist so.
Even with very particular music that I truly love, there are concerts that touch me and concerts that don’t because to be touched a lot of circumstances have to fall in place.
Anyways, I feel inspired to write even more appreciative letters to people who *have* touched me. So, you can consider this a success.
Sigh…so poignant and so true. I love the progression of Sophie’s ear-expressions on this page. Georgia, have you ever made any little kitty flipbooks, just for fun? You’d be amazing at it! XOXO
“Always guard your heart when it comes to your work; let in the good, give a lot of focus to who understood what you were going for, accept advice from good intentions, and toss the rest in the waste basket.”
Oughta be on a sampler.
Also, great comic/visual – love all the white space changing to the room view at the end 🙂
er, that shoulda been a 🙂 at the end of that last …
Oh, smiley face is not working …
Sophie –
What is clay? Dirt, with water added to make easy to work, and nasty chemicals to make it stick together after the water evaporates.
What is paint? Goop, with ground up rocks (dirt again) or nasty and sometimes dangerous chemicals for color.
Real artists make art with whatever materials speak to them. Don’t pay any attention to anyone who tells you different.
Awww 🙁 sophie is a great artist and a lot like me. we both love art, have light brown-blond long hair, get a lot of mean remarks, and we both try our best to fight through it. She if my favorite cat. Can you make a sophie page in the meet the reporters section?