Sitting in a museum-esque living room right now, you will find Ashley Potter, 31, surrounded by her fossil collection and artwork. Music is playing softly in the Pennsylvanian home that she shares with an abundance of plants and her partner, Austin.
“I started making comics in January 2021,” she begins. “After and during the pandemic, I found myself extremely depressed, disconnected and lethargic. However, when I shared these comics my mental health improved.”
According to America’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mental illnesses are considered as ‘common’ in the United States, with ‘nearly one in five U.S. adults [living] with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020)’. This is a figure that naturally heightened during COVID-19.
Upon realising that her comics were resonating with people Miss Potter, an ex-art teacher and former Rhode Island (US coast) resident, was motivated to take her work further by founding Gray Rabbit Comics. The Instagram page and its accompanying art store are named after Ashley’s old pet rabbit, Alice, who never failed to make her smile. In line with this, it’s the intention of Gray Rabbit Comics to spread positivity and encourage people to think deeply.
“Especially after going through a global pandemic and with all the violence and hate that’s perpetuated in this world, we need to be reminded of what makes the world better,” Potter says. “I think art is the best way to do this because it’s a universal language.”
Since launching in 2010, Instagram’s digital space has become evermore accommodating of art in its various forms. From the popularisation of “Insta-poets” such as @atticuspoetry, @r.h.sin and @rupikaur_, to illustrators including @bodiljane and @sonialazo, accessing some form of artistic expression online is only a scroll away.
Although many of us may not be particularly into art or social media, the philosophical factor around Miss Potter’s work can still be appreciated for its importance. “Many older people have told me my work is profound and important, tapping into themes of nostalgia yet in an approachable way. I tapped into this theme without realising it but as a past teacher of art, I think that helps to inform my work.”
Miss Potter explained that after having a ‘mental conference’ with herself and embracing her delve into comic-art, she felt able to truly call herself an illustrator for the first time. “I felt like an imposter when people called me an illustrator, but now I’m able to embrace the term. I never anticipated my comics being this important for the trajectory of my life.”
As for what the future holds for this artist and her comics? She would be ‘thrilled’ to one day see them on a printed page: “I’ve had many customers at market stall events where I sell my art say they’d love to see my comics printed in newspapers, and I’d be thrilled if that happened as well. What’s beautiful about where my work has led me to though is that I ended up on an adventure without even planning to.”
0 Comments