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The Unknown Comic Transcript Big chaotic things swirl around Boor, with multiple question marks. A slightly smaller number of question marks and chaotic things swirl around Boot. Boot is stoic And fewer things again. Boot is stoic. The chaos has reduced to a few question marks and blue blobs. Boot: I’m ok with the unknown. How we cope with the unknown is a powerful thing. Boot knows how to handle it.
 

The Unknown (Comic #772), Starring Boot
Posted on December 20, 2024 by liz

When faced with the unknown I can get very fierce in my determination to tame it. Sometimes it’s absolutely the right thing to do. But it’s nice to have more options, more softness and flexibility in how I can respond to chaos. It’s so nice when things get better with practice.

Thanks to all my patrons and a special big extra thanks to Kate Webb, Erik Owomoyela, Stuart Barrow, Jesse the K, Brian Fies and Tracey Radford.

 

The Unknown Comic Transcript

Big chaotic things swirl around Boor, with multiple question marks.

A slightly smaller number of question marks and chaotic things swirl around Boot. Boot is stoic

And fewer things again. Boot is stoic.

The chaos has reduced to a few question marks and blue blobs.

Boot: I’m ok with the unknown.

Welcome!

Posted on June 7, 2022 by liz

Welcome to Thingswithout.com.

Check out comics by clicking on the arrows above.

Scroll down to see various blog style posts, news, sketches etc.

Go to my shop if you’d like to buy stuff and support my work! You can also support me on Patreon for as little as $1 a month.

You possibly know my work because of this comic, A Sad:

Thing 2: I have a sad Thing 1: Are you looking for solutions or comfort? Thing 2: I would like to be angry, then sad, then comforted, then adventure for solutions, then giggles Thing 1: Let’s start! Thing 2: Raar

It’s been many years since I created A Sad and I’m honored and humbled by the stories folks have shared with me about this comic. I love that it’s been used as a tool for folks to express their emotional needs. I love that folks can pull this out and say this! This is how I want to be treated when I have a sad. I treasure all the stories I’ve heard and it’s so amazing to think of the secret life the Things have out in the world.

It’s nice to have these reminders that sometimes just being present is enough. Asking what a person needs is often better than diving in with a solution. It’s such an easy habit to fall into, and I need a reminder from my own comics sometimes. Thank you for visiting Thingswithout, I’m so grateful the Things and all their friends came into my life, they certainly help me when I have a sad.

I hope you enjoy your stay, here are a few I’m particularly fond of:

If you have any favorites, I’d love to hear them in the comments.

FYI, comments for most comics get closed after a few weeks (sometimes a month or two, I’m not always good at remembering, but forgetting to close comments is a way to tell google you’re lame if there’s no activity!), but I’ll keep comments open on this one. Though if you want to license thingswithout art etc, please e-mail me, rather than use the comments section!

A Sad Support

Checkpoint (a non-profit providing mental health resources for gamers) has a great looking list of resources and helplines around the globe. It’s better to reach out for help than suffer alone. I also love how Checkpoint’s mental health guides (handy for anyone, not just gamers) come with fun monster illustrations and the writing is so down to earth and approachable. The Depression monster looks so cute and is a grumpy jerk!

Lifeline 13 11 14, is a fantastic general support line in Australia. The Creator of the Things called them once because she had a really rough day at work (police stations were involved, and she held someone’s hand while they were brave). It felt a bit silly to call, she wasn’t in massive crisis, but she reminded herself they said nothing to small and not to self censor yourself out of accessing support. It was nice to be able to talk through some stuff in a confidential anonymous way that respected the privacy of the person she had helped. Calling definitely pushed her comfort zone, but it was also really empowering. She went and got the help that felt best for her needs, not the oughts society tells you (especially the you ought to just deal with it).

The Australian Institute of Family Studies maintains a much larger list of help lines for specific issues and specific regions.

We Need to Talk About Mental Health talks about stuff that’s much bigger than sadness. But is a handy resource in these complex and crazy making (literally crazy making) time. I hope it helps folks navigate some of the bigger issues and have a resource to share to make certain conversations easier.

Do you know about Patreon? It’s a place where everyday folks can become patrons of the arts. One of your favorite artists might be there right now, creating exclusive content and supported by a community of patrons. The Patreon that supports the Things is https://www.patreon.com/lizargall

Transcript

Thing 2: I have a sad

Thing 1: Are you looking for solutions or comfort?

Thing 2: I would like to be angry, then sad, then comforted, then adventure for solutions, then giggles

Thing 1: Let’s start!

Thing 2: Raar

The Parakeet, by Espé reminds us of what art is about

Posted on December 19, 2024 by liz

Hello friends,

I recently wrote a review over at Graphic Medicine for The Parakeet by Espé. The book was published by graphic mundi and it’s a wonderful, powerful comic book. The book comes with a content advisory, but it is powerfully humanizing.

The Parakeet

I like creating reviews for Graphic Medicine, they’re a wonderful community that often inspires me (such as the comic On Beauty, starring Boot)

Art can be pleasure for pleasure’s sake, and that is enough. But on a good day, when the wind is right and the heart is ready, it can be much, much more than that. Comics are a beautiful dance of images and words, comics (and dance and music and art) are at their best when they are both intimate and expand the spaces within us.

You can come to my new performance from anywhere in the world!

Posted on March 9, 2024 by liz

Norwescon is just around the corner, and I’ve got an exciting update to my programming.

My Reading will now be on Saturday 9-9:30pm Pacific Time, 30 March. You’ll be able to see it at Cascade 9 or on Norwescon’s Twitch Channel. Yes, that’s right, you don’t need to be at Norwescon to come to my reading! I’m excited.

My reading will be my first attempt at a talk/performance I’m working on, called “The Life You May Save is Your Own”

Liz performs a comic, speculative, and non-fiction performance piece, inspired by her zine, Ordinary Madness, a love letter to an unread book, and various short works. Rated PG.

Norwescon in Seatac (Seattle/Tacoma airport region), WA, USA, will be the first convention I do in person programming since Covid! It’ll be on from March 28-31, 2024.

Here’s the updated programing, with a few more details about each panel.

Friday

Improv- Cartooning

Relax and have fun as you watch artists challenge themselves in quick-draw cartooning challenges. Eee! I’ve never done something like this! I have no idea what to expect!

12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Cascade 5 & 6

Sven Red Beard (M), Stan!, Eric L Vargas, Liz Argall

Neurodiversity 101

What is neurodiversity? Who is neurodivergent? Is being neurotypical just an illusion? Come learn the basics. It’s more than just autism and ADHD!

1:00pm – 2:00pm @ Evergreen 3 & 4

Caren GS (M), Liz Coleman, Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti, Liz Argall, Tom D Wright

Saturday

Autograph Session 1

10:00am – 11:00am @ Grand 2

Brenda Cooper, Daryl Gregory, David D. Levine, D.L. Gardner, Gordon B. White, Gwendolyn N. Nix, Talulah J. Sullivan, Jack Skillingstead, Jeannine Hall Gailey, Jim Butcher, Remy Nakamura, Julie McGalliard, Karen Eisenbrey, Kate Sherman, Kat Richardson, Kate Alice Marshall, Ken Bebelle, Kendare Blake, Liz Argall, Nancy Kress, Neil Clarke, Rhiannon/R.Z. Held, Richard Sparks, Sean K. Reynolds, Spencer Ellsworth, Steven Barnes, Tara Campbell, Travis Baldree, Tyrean Martinson, Dr. Raychelle Burks, Charles Vess, S. L. Coney, Bethany Jacobs, Evan J. Peterson, L.J. Melvin, Laura Anne Gilman

The Neuroscience of Neurodivergence

How and from what does neurodivergence diverge? What may be some cognitive differences and how do they express themselves in the world?

12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Cascade 9 or on Twitch

Liz Coleman (M), Danielle Gembala, Liz Argall, Brian U. Garrison, A.W. McCollough

Youth – Learn to Draw with an Artist

This will be a simple how-to-draw lesson. Bring your ideas for what to draw and ask our artist to show you how it’s done!

4:00pm – 5:00pm @ Olympic 1

Jenny Shafer (M), Liz Argall

Liz’s Reading – The Life You Save, May Be Your Own

Liz performs a comic, speculative, and non-fiction performance piece, inspired by her zine, Ordinary Madness, a love letter to an unread book, and various short works. Rated PG.

9:00pm – 9:30pm @ Cascade 9 or on Twitch

Sunday

Figure Drawing Class

Assemble some costumed models, tables, and a timer. Sprinkle in some people with drawing materials, and voilà! A figure drawing class! Until Covid came along, I’d been a life model at least once a year since I was 19!

11:00am – 12:00pm @ Maxi’s Ballroom

Douglas Herring (M), Liz Argall, Sven Red Beard, Lizzy D. Hill, Kris ‘Pepper’ Hambrick

See You at Norwescon?

Posted on February 13, 2024 by liz

Norwescon in Seatac (Seattle/Tacoma airport region), WA, USA, will be the first convention I do in person programming since Covid! It’ll be on from March 28-31, 2024.

This is the preliminary programming, I’ll let you know if there are any changes.

Thursday

Reading: Liz Argall

5:30pm – 6:00pm @ Cascade 3

Liz Argall (M)

Friday

Improv– Cartooning

12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Cascade 5 & 6

Sven Red Beard (M), Stan!, Eric L Vargas, Liz Argall

Neurodiversity 101

1:00pm – 2:00pm @ Evergreen 3 & 4

Caren GS (M), Liz Coleman, Gloria Jackson-Nefertiti, Liz Argall, Tom D Wright

Saturday

Autograph Session 1

10:00am – 11:00am @ Grand 2

Brenda Cooper, Daryl Gregory, David D. Levine, D.L. Gardner, Gordon B. White, Gwendolyn N. Nix, Talulah J. Sullivan, Jack Skillingstead, Jeannine Hall Gailey, Jim Butcher, Remy Nakamura, Julie McGalliard, Karen Eisenbrey, Kate Sherman, Kat Richardson, Kate Alice Marshall, Ken Bebelle, Kendare Blake, Liz Argall, Nancy Kress, Neil Clarke, Rhiannon/R.Z. Held, Richard Sparks, Sean K. Reynolds, Spencer Ellsworth, Steven Barnes, Tara Campbell, Travis Baldree, Tyrean Martinson, Dr. Raychelle Burks, Charles Vess, S. L. Coney, Bethany Jacobs, Evan J. Peterson, L.J. Melvin and Laura Anne Gilman

The Neuroscience of Neurodivergence

12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Cascade 9

Liz Coleman (M), Danielle Gembala, Liz Argall, Brian U. Garrison, A.W. McCollough

Youth – Learn to Draw with an Artist

4:00pm – 5:00pm @ Olympic 1

Jenny Shafer (M), Liz Argall

Sunday

Figure Drawing Class

11:00am – 12:00pm @ Maxi’s Ballroom

Douglas Herring (M), Liz Argall, Sven Red Beard, Lizzy D. Hill, Kris ‘Pepper’ Hambrick

Mystery Magnet Mega Bundle

Posted on September 7, 2023 by liz

I’m so excited about the magnets I just got in! To celebrate, I’ve created a Mystery Magnet Mega Bundle, over on the Things store.

Over the next 5 weeks, I’ll be announcing one new magnet every week!

And every week the price of the mystery bundle will go up by $1!

The mystery items are:

  1. Comic magnet value $4.99
  2. Business card size magnet with full color art, value $2.99
  3. Comic magnet, value $4.99
  4. Cute square magnet, value $1.99
  5. Comic magnet, value $4.99

The bundle will also include my existing, A Sad magnet, value 4.99

  • Pre-order all the mysteries, $16.99 (OMG what a bargain!)
  • Mystery 1 revealed, $17.99
  • Mystery 2 revealed, $18.99
  • Mystery 3 revealed, $19.99
  • Mystery 4 revealed $20.99
  • Mystery 5 revealed $21.99 (Sweet! you basically get the business card sized magnet for free!)

Alas, I can only ship to the USA, but if you’re in a different country, drop me a line. Maybe we can figure out a bulk order to your favorite book store or something!

Order now for maximum mystery and savings!

Go to my Redbubble store to get a range of Things Print on Demand merch that ships internationally  https://tinyurl.com/things-store

Magnets! Ordinary Madness, New Comics!

Posted on September 10, 2022 by liz

Hi lovely humans, I hope everyone has managed to grab some nourishing moments in the last couple of months.

Me, I’ve been so wowed by the wonderful responses to my comic. It’s been so terrific to see Ordinary Madness and Jagged Edges so warmly received. I’d like to send an extra special thanks to the therapists and other caring folks who’ve purchased extra comics to give to folks or have floating around as a resource. I wasn’t expecting that, and I’m honored and humbled.

Back Cover Ordinary Madness
Jagged Edges cover

I’m really glad Ordinary Madness has been something joyful and mind opening for so many folks. When you’re an artist, I think being of service is one of the highest things you can achieve.

Since I published Ordinary Madness I’ve been exploring a few other concepts and building on what I learned in its creation. Some are longer works that aren’t ready for the world (although Patrons can get sneak previews), but I’ve published a few shorter works over on my Patreon. They’re free for anyone to read and anyone can subscribe to the public feed. New comics published on Patreon include:

Lost Time, it’s easy to get down on yourself and not see what you’ve achieved. A nice bit of perspective, that I was finally able to draw by collaborating with Midjourney. Midjourney is an AI that generates art based on prompts. It took me much longer to create a comic this way, but I’m very pleased with the result.

  • Locker Rooms – my experience of locker rooms as a teen!
  • In Memoriam – Ladders – how I process things when someone suddenly and unexpectedly dies
  • Reflections – what it’s like seeing a homeless person ranting to themselves, now that I know what it’s like to rant to yourself on the street

If you become an actual Patron you’ll get to see work before its published as well as special behind the scenes content (including pages I couldn’t fit into Ordinary Madness), access to a password protected experimental page and occasional special discounts in the store. For example, Patrons get free shipping on “A Sad” magnets for this month.

Speaking of which! You can now buy “A Sad” magnets in the store! A little bit of joy, feeling seen, and a reminder of stuff I still forget sometimes, for your fridge.

They’re $5 plus flat rate shipping (or free shipping if you get the discount code by becoming a Patron… in which case I ask you to pinky swear you’ll stick around for at least a few months!).

Sadly, I can only ship to the USA right now. I use a super secure commerce platform that is so secure it keeps thwarting me when I try to ship to other countries! If anyone is a WooCommerce in WordPress expert who wants to help a sister out, please drop me a line!

Thanks for stopping by, if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to order (or review) Ordinary Madness. Feedback from folks so far includes, wow, wow wow wow, insightful, extraordinary and terrific!… also, there are one or two typos that slipped through, thank you friends for pointing them out. All kinds of feedback is helpful and appreciated.

Good things

Liz

Ordinary Madness – New Comic Book

Posted on July 9, 2022 by liz

Hi folks, I’ve always loved the wonderful stories I’ve heard about the joy the Things bring to folks. They have certainly brought a lot of joy to me.

And one of the ways drawing this comic has been special to me is that it ended up helping me heal from serious mental trauma. Between 2018 and 2020 I experienced three psychosises… which for me meant delusions, being lost in a scary thriller movie that wouldn’t end.

It really shook me up. The Things have played a huge role in my healing. Being able to take little aspects of my experience and turn them into more universal experiences we can all go through, helped me feel less alone and feel like I still had value to give to the world.

Most of my comics are not inspired by psychosis recovery, life is rich and diverse, but some are.

I’ve created a mini-comic/zine/book, 60 pages long that talks a bit about my experience in a way that I hope that is joyful, normalizing and a good read for anyone.

You can pre-order Ordinary Madness in my store, it’s a $9 instead of $10 for this first week.

It feels like a big, but important step to be open about my experience. Three in a hundred people will experience psychosis in their life and yet it’s still one of the most stigmatized things.

I hope you folks stick around, now that you know a bit more about what happened to me. I’m doing super well these days, I’ve gone through such a healing process and you get to see a little of it in my book.

Pre-Order – Ordinary Madness