Stick to Connections :)

How Simple Drawings Capture Big Emotions

Thank you so much to all my amazing subscribers for believing in my work and sticking with me as I settle into a regular posting schedule. Your support means the world to me, and I love you!❤️

While I love using my iPad to draw The Shticks, there’s something raw, genuine, and wonderfully imperfect about hand-drawn stick figures in storyboards that always tugs at my heart and makes me smile.

Throughout my journey sketching stick people stories, nothing has touched people’s hearts more than when I’ve quickly scribbled their story in a hand-drawn stick figure storyboard—as opposed to when I draw cartoons on my iPad.

My sister Sara doesn’t mind spiders—she’s like Brooke Barker in this delightful spider post. But our sister Patty? She was freaking out, and Sara’s badass protective nature kicked into overdrive

Unlike polished digital art, hand-drawn stick figures carry a personal touch—they’re like the doodles we might sketch while mindlessly scribbling. To me, it’s the story, emotion, and creativity that matter most, and that has always been my passion. There’s a direct, honest simplicity in them, full of personality.

This scribble is about as rough as they come—so much so that I never even polished it up for a 'final' version! 😄 But hey, many polished cartoons start just like this, with scribbles and rough ideas. This one with the hubby was too close to home, so maybe it was destined to stay in my private collection. 😂 I thought it’d be fun to share it as it is, just to show you that even the messiest sketches can tell a story!

However, let’s not discard digitally created stories so fast!🌟

Back in 2013, I was following Elizabeth Gilbert on Facebook—yes, the Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love. She had just shared this beautiful moment: after receiving a glowing review for The Signature of All Things (SOAT), she was so happy, she turned the hose on herself while watering her garden. That image inspired me to create a quick digital drawing and share it with her.

I wasn’t expecting much, maybe a like or two from her fans. But to my amazement, Elizabeth didn’t just see it—she reposted it for all of her followers to see. It was a huge moment for me, both as an artist and as a storyteller! That simple, quick digital creation carried the emotional punch that connected me with Elizabeth and her community. It’s a moment I’ll never forget and a reminder that, whether hand-drawn or digital, every story piece has the power for deep connection. 🌸💧

Here’s the link to see her Facebook post.

That’s the heart and spirit of The Shticks! Each character and sketch represents a piece of life, family, people we love, stories that touch us, and the joy we feel in turning everyday moments into storyboard storytelling. I’m so grateful that you’re here for the ride! 😊