Steenz gave an amazing presentation last week. Her thoughtful presentation showed the step-by-step process of how a cartoonist makes cartoons for her job. She integrates digital art, storytelling, and inking into her process. Her path to becoming a cartoonist seemed convoluted at first, but once she explained her decisions, her journey is a great example of how someone can pursue a career in comics! Steenz can understand her job from the lens of a librarian, a digital artist, an editor, and many other experiences she had along the way. I was continually impressed by her confidence. She is extremely talented and knows what she deserves inn return for her work. She is unafraid of backlash due to her creations and continues to blaze a path of inclusion with “Heart in the City”.
I loved seeing Steenz’s work in her community! “SLICE” seems like a great way to involve her community of St. Louis with comics, zines, and other forms of digital art. Her passion for outreach is clear and encourages her community to show up to these events. This outlet is often forgotten in the realm of digital humanities. Digital comics are often shared exclusively online, which can increase inclusivity and accessibility, but can fuel hateful comments. By bringing digital comics to the light of day through events like “SLICE”, creators can interact in-person with a lowered fear of hurtful reactions.