Bored Panda reached out to Maria Scrivan, a renowned cartoonist and author known for her insightful humor and endearing comic strips, for another interview.
When asked about how nature and movement inspire her work, Maria recalled a memorable instance where she was hiking and saw two squirrels engaging in a playful chase. "I found it so hilarious, like they were playing a game of tag. I immediately imagined a comic scenario where these squirrels are in a serious business meeting but can't resist their instinct to chase one another. And that’s exactly what I put into one of my strips," she shared, emphasizing that "nature is such a vast treasure trove of comedic material."
Her beloved dog Toby also plays a significant role in her work. Maria spoke about a specific incident where Toby stole a loaf of bread and guarded it like treasure, which later inspired a comic strip. "The guilty look on his face was priceless! I translated that into a comic strip where the dog character is on trial, and the only evidence against him is a loaf of bread. It's these little domestic moments with Toby that can be pure comedic gold."
Maria also delved into her transition from paper to iPad and back to paper. She stated that "the iPad was wonderful for its versatility and portability. But I found that I was missing the tactile sensation of pencil on paper." Despite the challenges such as adjusting to the feel of stylus on glass and the lack of 'undo' option with paper, she found that "in both cases, the medium inevitably informs the art."
Speaking on how meditation impacts her creativity, the comic artist described it as transformative. She revealed an instance where she was stuck on a book plot, and meditation allowed her to let the story unfold naturally in her mind. "It was like I had allowed myself the space to let the story breathe and grow in its own way."
Discussing future plans, Scrivan expressed her eagerness to continue exploring the middle-grade space and her interest in a travel-themed book. "I'm also eager to delve deeper into the experiences of adolescence, particularly the dynamics of friendship and self-discovery," she said, adding that Toby will always provide endless comic inspiration. "It's an exciting time to be creating."
