Category: Behind the Scenes

“Thighs Like A Truck” was inspired by one of the flirting patterns that I do with my partner. I tend to lean on humor with most things in my life. So, as such, I enjoy singing ridiculous songs about either love or lovemaking to her. Since we’ve been together for 17 years now, I’m going to assume that she’s into it. The unfortunate side is that sometimes our children bear witness. Or I guess it is unfortunate. I actually think it’s pretty hilarious.

Thighs Like A Truck is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

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Crisis exhaustion is a very real concept, given the current global conditions. Because of that, I created this comic strip, ‘Creative Recharge,’ as a way of reassuring you that it is perfectly okay, even recommended, to continue living your life despite the evils of the world. We’re taught that our needs and wants aren’t valid. This couldn’t possibly be further from the truth. Your needs and wants are very valid, to the point that they are important. Guilt tells you that you shouldn’t be creating while people are in the streets being killed by government-sanctioned thugs. However, your mind still needs to recharge to function correctly.

There are also people in the world who will see your creative pursuits and recharge from them as well. Additionally, they will find community and solidarity through your work, which will help them battle things like loneliness and isolation. It is a good thing to fight for what is right in the world and try to remember that your creative pursuits are a part of that effort.

“Wizards Can Make Mistakes” was inspired by a two-fold idea. First, this particular situation hasn’t happened YET to my D&D character, but my characters are known for leaping into situations they shouldn’t have and getting everything rowled up. Secondly, I like reminding people that even the “best” of us make mistakes, and it is ok to make mistakes. We must learn from them and respond to them effectively. Making mistakes gives us elasticity to bounce back when things don’t quite go as we hoped. You are human, and you are not always going to get it right. Not just in academic terms, but also in the things we say and do. But you’re not a bad person for getting things wrong.

How interested would you be in seeing a mini-comic of Levar “The Rotten?”

Wizards Can Make Mistakes is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

“9 Signs of BPD” is one of the most important pieces in my entire collection. I say this because discovering Borderline Personality Disorder and subsequently learning about it is one of the biggest game changers in my life and for my recovery. It was so monumental that reading about it felt like I was reading an autobiography. I was in my early 30s at the time, and for the first time in my whole life, I felt seen by the Universe. It immediately brought me to tears and periodically brought on more crying sessions throughout the rest of that weekend. Learning about this disorder opened up opportunities to seek out treatment that actually did something for my life. For the longest time, I thought that was impossible. I am here to tell you that it is not impossible.

9 Signs of BPD is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

Lightning Tent is genuinely one of my favorite real-life experiences that pays rent in my head all the time. We laughed so hard afterward. It was definitely one of those moments where you can’t help but wonder what you were thinking that led you to the event. Have no fear, though! The tent is safely assembled in the backyard. It’s actually pretty cool. It’s one of those clear tents that allows you to watch the rain or snow without having to get drenched. I got it for her as one of her Christmas presents.

Lightning Tent is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

“Degree In Me” was inspired by one of my favorite stories to tell people who struggle with psychiatrists. Psychiatrists, unfortunately, tend to think of themselves as superior to their clientele. Most of the time, this is because of their “vast” experience and education. But what they don’t take into consideration is that they couldn’t possibly have more experience in YOU than YOU. By default, that makes you the expert of you.

They may have a better understanding of medicine and how they treat certain mental illnesses & ailments. But that shouldn’t discredit all the knowledge that you have of your own body & needs. Your relationship with a psychiatrist should be a collaboration between the two of you. That should, at all times, be a rule with zero exceptions.

My Experience

In my own experience, I had a psychiatrist tell me that I had to be on anti-psychotics if he was going to be my psychiatrist, despite how badly anti-psychotics react with my body. I’d tried to explain my concerns to him, and he replied, “I’m the one who went to school for 12 years to learn about medicine, not you. You have to listen to me.” So I stood up, made an impolite suggestion of what he can do with himself, and stormed out of his office, never to see him again. Needless to say, I haven’t taken anti-psychotics since, and even though I had to learn many coping skills on how to function without them, I appear to be doing just fine.

Keep in mind, not everybody can do that. Each person’s situation is different and extremely specific to them. Which is all the more reason that your relationship with a psychiatrist SHOULD be a collaboration and not just them barking orders at you.

Degree In Me is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

EZ Baby was largely inspired by my shenanigans with the grandbaby. If you are either too young to get this joke or just don’t get it in general, it’s a reference to the rapper Eazy E’s song “Boyz N The Hood” while he was in N.W.A. I get particular enjoyment from making babies pretend that they are people from situations that aren’t exactly baby-appropriate lol. Additionally, 90’s gangster rap has a special place in my heart. So it only makes sense that Lil Man made a perfect Easy E.

EZ Baby is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

I love this particular piece, Baby Celebrity, for a few reasons. So, my partner’s oldest son had his first child. And if that isn’t enough to sell you, my partner was clearly made for the grandmother role. I mean, she just fell right into the role without any kind of formal training or extensive TED talk. He really is a cute little dude. I can see why she’s so transfixed with him. So I love this piece for those reasons, but I also love this piece because I really enjoy seeing my partner passionately invest in things. She struggles with a lot, both physically and mentally, so it’s nice to see a fire within her, no matter what that passion is targeted at.

When I became inspired for this piece, my partner and I were intensely cleaning the house. I thought it was because she was worried about looking dirty and disorganized in front of her son. This has never been an issue before. So, I was confused why it was an issue all of a sudden. My enjoyment comes from being wrong (this time) and realizing that it was actually just a “nesting thing” for the health & wellness of the grandbaby. I can get down with that! (Not that my opinion on the matter was really relevant at the time lol)

Baby Celebrity is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

Hello again! Dirty Happiness is one of my favorite strips for no other reason than it perfectly encapsulates my brother-in-law. In my experience, it is very common for those who struggle with chronic depression to find genuine happiness, generally speaking. Because of this, a lot of those individuals whom I have known to struggle with chronic depression tend to lean on self-deprecating humor. My brother-in-law is no exception to that observation. I also think he secretly keeps me around because of my radiant presence lol. Which, I feel, only proves that it’s the depression talking and that he actually really does love bright & pretty things. Just a theory though lol.

Dirty Happiness is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

“D&D Group” is loosely based on actual experiences. I am currently playing a D&D campaign with most of my brothers. Yes…I’m the oldest and best out of all of them. If you couldn’t tell, I am the handsome Tiefling Wizard that I am calling “Levar, the Rotten.” When my brother, The DM, had the bartender ask for our party’s name, my youngest brother, the Bard, on the spot said “Oh…uh…we are…the uh…Fellowship of…THAT GUY!” while pointing to my brother, The Ranger’s, character. It was a good laugh for all of us, and I just knew that I had to turn it into a comic strip. Yes…of course they protested being turned into a comic strip…and yes…I completely ignored them, as is the older brother tradition! Just kidding…they love it lol.

D&D Group is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

Spoiled Cats is loosely based on actual events. So, I thought you might find it enjoyable if I were to discuss the inspiration behind new pieces. As most of my comic strips are semi-autobiographical, obviously, a big portion of their inspiration stems from things that actually happen to me in my real life. This particular comic strip stems from my undeniable, non-negotiable, and everlasting love for my three cat boys (Lucipurr, Piccatso, and Purrlock), which is tied into my “inside joke” with my partner that I have no idea who spoils them, lol. Of course I spoil them, though! LOOK HOW CUTE THEY ARE!! HOW COULD I NOT?!?

All three of them are rescues, and sometimes I feel like a rescue to them, too. They always seem to know when I need some attention. Most of the time, they are very understanding of when I don’t want attention, just as I try to be with them. All in all, it’s a pretty great relationship that I’ve built with these boys. Expect to see them frequently throughout my strips.

Spoiled Cats is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.

“You Dare Challenge Me?!” is in response to an art challenge prompted by Brad Guigar on Bluesky. I created a single-panel comic strip that I decided to release early since it was already in public view anyhow. The prompt was “A magical artifact with an extremely specific user agreement.” How could I not engage with that one, right?! Well, I did…and I’ve brought it for you to enjoy! HAPPY FRIDAY!

This comic strip is brought to you by Michel Abstracto’s Harm Reduction philosophy.