In a world that sometimes feels like it’s spiraling into the void of chaos and doomscrolling, Liz Climo makes art that stands out like a beacon of whimsical sanity. The internationally bestselling author, illustrator, and cartoonist, known for her charming and witty animal comics, is back with a new collection, Life in the Present: A Joyful Collection of Comics About Living in the Moment, set to release this August.
We had the pleasure of connecting with Liz to talk about her new book, her experience as a character artist for The Simpsons, and how she manages to sprinkle joy into our everyday lives. So, grab your favorite comfort beverage and prepare to be charmed by Liz’s delightful insights, stories, and official merch from her Threadless Artist Shop.
Congratulations on your new book, Life in the Present! How did you decide on the theme of celebrating life’s littlest moments?
Liz Climo: Thank you! I tried to think of a theme that encapsulates the tone of my comics. Since I usually post my comics online, and the internet can be a very dark place, I always like to come up with ideas that will give the reader a little break from that heaviness. Since many of these comics are brand new, my hope is that this book is something you can pick up for a brief respite from the chaos of your day.
Your comics often feature everyday scenarios. How do you choose which moments to illustrate?
LC: I look for inspiration in my day-to-day life, and try to find instances that I feel many people can relate to. I keep a list in my phone and write an idea down whenever it comes to me, and have discovered my favorite ideas truly just pop into my head.
Life in the Present marks 10 years of your comics. How has your creative process evolved over the past decade?
LC: I used to put the focus on animals more, and try to come up with silly situations an animal might face. While I still do this sometimes, now I really try to focus on relatable human situations, and think of funny ways they can be interpreted through animal behavior. I used to try and nail an idea down the second it came to me, but now I just keep a list of things that aren’t quite worked out yet but may be later on. For instance, I recently did a comic about a hedgehog with a tiny cast. That comic was based on a note that sat in my phone for months, that simply said “Tiniest cast?”
How did your experience as an animator on The Simpsons influence your approach to your comics and books?
LC: As a character layout artist on The Simpsons my job was less about drawing and more about acting and selling a joke. There is a ton of drawing involved, of course, but ultimately it all goes into the episode and the drawings all end up looking the same, so the real job is coming up with funny ways to interpret the writing and make the gag as funny as it can be. Because The Simpsons is a sitcom and not a zany Saturday morning cartoon, the best acting is often subtle and understated. Learning how to do this has really helped when doing my comics, since every little joke and vignette can make a huge difference.
What was your favorite book or comic strip as a child, and how has it influenced your work?
LC: I was always reading The Far Side growing up. I’m a middle child, my sister is seven years older than me and my brother is seven years younger (and the cousins all fall into one of those two age categories, but not mine). So, I often found myself off on my own at family functions propped on my grandpa’s chair reading The Far Side desk calendars from cover to cover. The animals, the dry humor, and quick panels definitely influenced the kinds of comics I do now.
You’ve collaborated with other authors, like Jory John and Ame Dyckman. What have been your main takeaways from collaborations like these?
LC: I love writing jokes and I love interpreting ideas from writers (either by illustrating a book or animating on a show) but writing is still pretty new to me. I have written a few of my own books and have more I’d love to do in the future, but working with authors like Jory and Ame is always very inspiring and opens my mind to ways I can improve my own writing. I really like doing my own work, but I also love collaborating with talented authors.
Your works have been translated into multiple languages and have found success globally. What’s it like knowing your humor resonates with people around the world?
LC: It’s really exciting! I’m also so impressed and humbled by the translators who have worked on my books. When you take something as simple as one of my comics, sometimes you have to find new ways to get the joke across so the translation doesn’t feel clunky, or even come up with an entirely new joke all together. Learning the different ways my comics are translated is so cool.
How has your time on Tumblr contributed to your growth as an illustrator and author?
LC: Tumblr was there for me as a 30 year old who did not understand social media, and continues to be there for me as a 43 year old who still doesn’t understand. I saw a couple of my posts go viral for the very first time on Tumblr. (I even replied to a comment once and said “What is viral? What does that mean?”) I have kept my Tumblr page exactly the same as the day I started because it feels nostalgic to me.
Your work is known for bringing joy and comfort. How do you approach creating content that has such a positive impact?
LC: This has actually changed for me over the course of my career. When I started making comics, I think I had a much more positive outlook in general. Now that I’m older, and since COVID, and since..well, all of the things, my approach is less “It’s all gonna be okay!” and more “Maybe it’s not gonna be okay! But you aren’t alone, and we all feel this way sometimes, so let’s laugh about it and go through it together.”
How do you decide which animals to feature in your comics? Are there any animals you haven’t used yet but would like to?
LC: I have a few repeat favorites that I choose depending on the comic. I’ll think, oh the bear would say something ridiculous like this, or the cat would probably do this because he’s a little bit of a jerk, etc. Sometimes I just pick what I think would be the funniest animal for a given joke. I do want to branch out more, there are a lot of animals I haven’t drawn yet! But no apes and no monkeys, because I can’t draw them for some reason.
Many of your books focus on the theme of family, like the Rory the Dinosaur series. How does your own family inspire your work?
LC: A lot of the situational stuff that inspires me comes from my husband (he is the rabbit and I’m the bear) and I think people tend to relate to those comics because they’re so honest. My brother and sister also inspire a lot of my work, because though we are years (and miles) apart, we text each other pretty much all day every day. I wrote my first Rory picture book when I was pregnant with my daughter, and she is about to turn eleven in a few weeks. She’s like my tiny editor, and she’ll come into my office and look over my shoulder and offer unsolicited suggestions (and the worst part is, she’s usually right).
What does living “in the present” mean to you personally, and how do you practice it in your daily life?
LC: I’m a very anxious person—I worry, I plan, I make plans to worry, etc. I find the only way I can really quiet my brain is if I focus on what’s right in front of me, and remind myself that worrying is never productive. I tend to stay away from anything too maudlin and try to find levity as much as possible.
Are there any other upcoming projects fans should keep an eye out for?
LC: I can’t say too much, but I have some really exciting things I’m working on at the moment, including some new books and super fun merch! I will be sure to post any new updates to my socials as soon as I can, so please stay tuned!
A huge thank you to Liz Climo for sharing her insights and humor with us. Her new book, Life in the Present: A Joyful Collection of Comics About Living in the Moment, is sure to bring a touch of joy to your day. Be sure to grab your copy when it hits the shelves this August, and don’t forget to follow Liz on social media for more updates and a daily dose of cheer.
Plus, check out her Threadless Artist Shop for adorable merch that lets you carry a piece of her whimsical world with you.
