Welcome to ReesaBoBeesa world, let’s take a look behind the curtain.
Hi, I’m Reesa! An illustrator and designer of things running an independent online art business.
My art is about finding your place in this big magical universe, building unconditional self love, and leaning into life’s seasons and transitions. As I've found my own way in the world as an illustrator and designer my mission is to invite you into my magical dream-realms. And hold up a mirror to your own unique beauty and purpose.
Recently I have been wanting to dive in deeper and explore narrative type work. And at the same time, I am undergoing a career transition. We are seeing a very concerning cultural shift back towards an obsession with thinness and diet culture (has it ever really left?). And I am finding myself under-employed as an illustrator who prioritizes body diversity in her work! Celebrating bodies as they are is so important to me and that’s not something I am willing to compromise on. I want to keep creating and sharing my art with you on our terms, and that means asking directly for your support.
I built my career sharing intimately about my own thoughts and feelings alongside my illustrations. I am craving a space that feels intimate and honest and supports building those kinds of connections with my community again. Which is what I hope this will be.
I am also making space for longer-term projects here! That will help me explore more deeply and share those explorations with you along the way.
Why subscribe to ReesaBoBeesa News?
ReesaBoBeesa News is the only place to receive transmissions from behind the curtain; more in-depth updates on art, life, the shop and my longer-term projects.
The first of these, and a cornerstone of my Substack is my web comic called “Oh, There You Are!”. Comics are released bi-weekly for paid subscribers first, and unlocked for everyone else a month later. You will receive new installments of Clarice & Tabitha’s adventures and musings right in your email inbox so you don’t miss a story!
I also plan to start sharing more about my Tarot Deck here and here only! It is already under-way, and I can’t wait to share sneak peaks of the art with you.
Personally, I’ve also really been enjoying the Substack app. It’s sort of like if Tumblr was also a newsletter!
The Comic:
“Oh, There You Are!” is a comic of sorts, from the perspective of our main character Clarice who goes by “Reese”. Here she is with Tabitha the tabby at her desk, drawing something like this very comic! It’s a stream-of-consciousness exploration on woman-hood, losing sight of yourself, finding yourself again, love (all kinds!), the joy and beauty of the mundane, and, of course kitty cat antics.
Yes, Reese is based on me, Reesa, but she is definitely not me.
Tabitha is based on my cat Abigail (Abby the Tabby), but she also embodies my other girl kitty Clementine (Tiny) and my thick sausage dog Lady Bruce. The third cat, a rambunctious orange boy named Lenny, will be the inspiration for Tabitha’s love interest eventually.
Here’s a picture of me and Abby the tabby she was just a kitten! July 5th, 2022 - the day after I found her under a car meowing over the fireworks:
The Process / where is this going?
The art for this comic is watercolor and pen, and the final pieces that make it online are all enclosed in this little book. I’ve committed myself to creating one story every two weeks for the next year…and revisiting wether or not to go on after one year. So, from September 2024 - September 2025 there will be two comics posted per month! One day, I hope to publish a collection of Clarice & Tabitha’s stories~
And I could see her taking me through some other major life changes and phases, to help me cover topics I’d like to make art and write about as I navigate them…
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
