Thought Bubble and Travelling Man are extremely happy to showcase the Micro-Bursary Recipients for 2023!
These micro-bursaries are intended to encourage and uplift creators in the UK who are under-represented in comics. Five creators have been selected from the following: Disabled Comic Creators, Comic Creators of Colour and Trans/Non-Binary Comic Creators. We’re sure you’ll agree that they are all incredibly talented - catch them exhibiting their work at Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2023!
Kat Rose Illustration
Kat is a queer non-binary illustrator working with themes of nature and environmental activism. They live with chronic pain, a condition that affects their muscles and pain receptors. As a textile artist and printmaker, you can often find them foraging in the woods and drawing mushrooms (and even taking some home to cook!) Having graduated from Leeds Arts University in July 2023, Kat is a freelance artist, taking up work for clients making textile banners and internet content as well as taking part in various community voluntary opportunities. They are one day hoping to go into teaching as well as hosting more events with their collective, Studio Greenly. They are very excited to be exhibiting at their first ever Thought Bubble and make new friends as well as meeting their favourite artists. You will be able to buy their recycled paper prints, zines, stickers, posters, lino originals and much more!
FINd more info
https://www.instagram.com/katroseillustration/
https://katroseilllustration.squarespace.com/
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KatRoseIllustration
Alexandra McCarthy
I am an Autistic illustrator and writer. I received both a BA (Hons) and MA degree in Visual Communication from BCU. I contributed two full paged comic illustrations to Frontier winner and Eisner nominated anthology comic “Sensory”. I am currently working on my own manga series "Reluctant Hero" with an indie publisher “Band of Bards” and editor “Nicole D'Andria”. Chapter one is available right now on GlobalComix.com. More chapters are scheduled to be released in time for thought bubble.
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Ivy Rae Robinson
I’m Ivy and I’m a comic artist based in Leeds! I love making dramatic gay comics and I’m currently working on a long form webcomic called Souvenir about a young french spy called Héloïse who’s accused of murder. I’d love to make more collaborative stories with other artists, and work with writers in the future to help bring their stories to life.
FIND more info
https://instagram.com/fogswirls?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://fogswirls.portfoliobox.net/
https://m.webtoons.com/en/canvas/souvenir/list?title_no=792941
GalacticJonah
Jonah Walker is a local wizard. Local to Scotland, at least. When he is done casting spells, he works as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer in the realms of fantasy and TTRPGs. Recently he has rekindled his passion for comics and is inspired by old folktales and the beauty of queer love as he works on his debut project 'Water Blood and Wine'
FIND more info
https://www.galacticjonah.com/
https://galacticjonah.carrd.co/
TabbyColours
I'm a Trans Non-Binary Artist and Animator based in the North, and I'm currently working as a Junior 2D FX Animator. I make comics in my spare time, and hope to publish a graphic novel in the future! My comics focus on my trans journey, neurodivergency, my special interests, and important things like cats.
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https://www.instagram.com/tabbycolours/?hl=en
https://tabbycolours.wixsite.com/mysite
DishSoapAddict
My name is Simon, and I am a polish artist currently studying animation in Scotland.
I absolutely love visual storytelling, and I've always been inspired by independent animated films and comics.
I am currently working on a short comic, a slice-of-life comedy called "I Hate Public Transport" which will be making it's debut in November!
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Shri Gunasekara
My work at its core is about wholesome family relationships. I want to make stories depicting heart-warming family interactions and relationships, especially between siblings. Where the story isn't reliant on family drama or romantic endings. These ideas are explored through experimental formats, testing the boundaries of picture books, graphic novels and comics. My main influences are Molly Mendoza, John Todd Stanton and my four lovely siblings.
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https://www.smileyshri.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/smileyshri_/
Kayla Lui
Kayla Lui is a comic artist and illustrator from Hong Kong who currently resides in London. After graduating from BA Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts in 2020, she participated in FEVER Comics Masterclass in Hong Kong Arts Centre, which rooted her work in comics and small press publishing. She self-published her first comic book Dailongfeng Restaurant (2021), followed by Heavy flavours magazine (2023) and multiple zines. In her works she explores a tone of playful absurdity, and at times reflect themes of diaspora and subcultural identities. Her recent collaborators include Hackney Comic+Zine Fair, Bikini Zine and HOKO. She is excited to join Thought Bubble as an exhibitor this year, selling some debuting zines and goods!
FIND more info
https://www.instagram.com/kaylaluisikchi/
https://dailongfeng.com/
Han X. Rivers (@piggyhammer)
Han X. Rivers (@piggyhammer) is a published Vietnamese mangaka/comic artist based in Bristol, England. She creates art that promotes diversity and self-esteem, inspired by Vietnamese culture, her transcontinental travels, and inspiring little things that are usually overlooked in life.
Han’s work is locally published by UK indie publisher Koguchi Press and internationally published by US publisher Saturday AM, a well-known champion for diversity in manga, and Quarto Group. A fully self-taught artist, she also self-publishes on Webtoon and MangaPlus, makes zines and has a passion for lifting other artists up. She is the creator of the Manga-making challenge #MANGAugust and the Piggy Patrol manga club.
You can find Han showcasing her work at Thought Bubble on November 11. Come say hi to receive a Piggy Patrol sticker.
FIND more info
https://instagram.com/piggyhammer
https://piggyhammer.wixsite.com/home/
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/piggyhammer
Torgo Wells
Torgo Wells is a nonbinary comics creator from the clinker-pits of North East England. Raised on a steady diet of 2000AD and potato smileys, they are currently working on their first full-length self published issue of Stardozer - a hauntological Space Horror. Their work can also be found in the pages of Bolt, CCUK, Paper Jam and scrawled on the walls of an antehuman catacomb, deep beneath the surface of the Earth.
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https://linktr.ee/torgowells
https://www.instagram.com/torgowells/
https://bsky.app/profile/torgowells.bsky.social
Leo Ioviero
I'm Leo, an animation and comics enthusiast in south London. I graduated with a BA in Illustration this year and I love risograph, brain-scratching textures and the work of Atsushi Ohkubo. In future I'd like to find a way to make work about the trans, autistic experience without it being too autobiographical as I want to tell strong, exciting stories over personal anecdotes.
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https://www.instagram.com/iov.leo
https://leoioviero.wixsite.com/illustration
Emma Reynolds
Emma Reynolds is a children’s illustrator and author based in Manchester, UK.
Her latest book Drawn to Change The World: 16 Youth Climate Activists, 16 Artists, is a middle grade graphic novel with each activist bio illustrated by an acclaimed artist from around the world. Emma's author-illustrator debut picture book Amara and the Bats about bat conservation, peaceful protest and community action is a Nautilus winner, JLG Gold Standard, NSTA ‘Best in STEM’, and an Empathy Lab selection. In early 2019 she started #KidLit4Climate the first global illustrated climate campaign, bringing together thousands of children’s illustrators and authors from over fifty countries in solidarity with the youth climate strikes. Emma is passionate about storytelling and making accessible SciComm, and is happiest when she’s outside in nature and exploring new places, or curled up in soft clothes gaming and reading illustrated books. Her favourite food is pizza.
Emma will be exhibiting her books, along with bat and nature themed merch! Come say hi and chat about bats and how amazing visual literacy is.
FIND more info
http://www.emmareynoldsillustration.com
http://www.instagram.com/emmaillustrate
https://twitter.com/EmmaIllustrate
Dominica Claribelle
Dominica Claribelle is a 23 year old Indonesian illustrator based in the UK, specialising in comics, concept art and sketchbook-ing. Visual narrative is emphasised throughout her rich, colourful work, and her experimental nature allows her to create art in numerous art styles and mediums with ease. Growing up an art enthusiast (and still is), her ultimate goal is to be a big, positive impact in the art industry and make younger her proud. Dominica also loves to go on picnics and spend time with her loved ones when she's not in her studio.
Having just completed her first comic called 'At Our Peril: Riak', Dominica is proud to present this new Balinese-inspired fantastical tale to comic lovers at Thought Bubble, in hopes to shine a light on the beauty of South East Asian culture which she admires and believes should be given more appreciation in the media.
FIND more info
https://domiclaribelle.carbonmade.com
https://www.instagram.com/thenames_domi/
https://twitter.com/domiclaribelle
Juno
I like to make comics, books and crafts. Some of my comics are about myself, some are inspired by music.
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aZBT
azbt is a transmasc genderqueer queer artist, currently based in London. Influenced by his international background, queer identities, and experiences with mental health, azbt works primarily through illustration, comics and zines to explore emotional landscapes, human relationships, and the deconstruction of gender. Though relatively new to the world of comics, azbt is very excited to be involved!