Institutional Recognition

I will confess that I've always had the desire to be recognised by an Institution: schools, libraries, museums, universities, you know. Buildings. Bodies. I want my books to be analysed and mined formally, to bridge the gap between the public and institutions, to educate, to inspire joy in learning. I love the world. I love the platonic ideal of academia: to chase a subject wholeheartedly, to share and introduce to outsiders the joy and madness and wonder that comes from seeing something unexpected in a different way, to find interdisciplinary solidarity in fellow nerds. Though I've officially left academia to pursue a career that more aligns with my way of storytelling, of learning and teaching, I'm still a scholar at heart. I want to be a part of this network, because it is where I feel most at home in.

And yet recently I was reminded of the Reason why I left academia, and it's forced me to reconsider my desire to be Institutionally Recognised, if it's even worth it.

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How I Art Direct A Graphic Novel: Cooking the Onion

This is the second stage following the Onion Method: An Outlining Method for Graphic Novels. You got the onion...now how are you going to present it? This post will talk you through how I craft the art direction of a graphic novel... weaving the thematic and character motivations established earlier in the outline into its final, ultimate mode of language: the visuals.

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Capturing a Portrait

A year in... and I think I've got him. Disclaimer: I won't deny it. Alexander is impossible to get an accurate picture of. His personhood is made out of sand and everyone brings their own bottles to shape him into. I don't think my jar of sand is the One True Alexander, nor will it ever be. But the good news is, all the other jars aren't that either. The nature of his (after)life is elusive. That's what it is. But I think I've gotten a hold of him. I mean this in an authorly, character-study sense. I think I've found something interesting. (more…)
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The 21st century Alexander Romance and Transformative Fiction (aka is it fanfic?)

Most Alexander-the-Great-inspired fiction is arguably a fanfic of the man himself. This includes that 2000 year old tradition called the Alexander Romance, which is basically (simplistically) an isekai alternate universe history of the Macedonian hero going on wacky adventures, retold over and over again by writers and artists who admire his achievements. But what happens... when the author of the 21st century Alexander Romance is not herself a fan of Alexander?

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Organisation System for Research-Based Comics

I was talking to a friend in our Group Chat the other day, and he asked if any of us had any recommendations for a system that'd help him organise the research for his food culture graphic novel. It reminded me that the system I used has changed in the past year, and besides, it's time to make an addendum on the How I Do Research for Graphic Novels post. So here it is. An update of sorts.

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A Story of Which There is No Definition

A stream-of-consciousness post today. An unfinished rumination on how an artist decolonialises the craft and meaning of what a story is.

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Alexander the Great comic by Reimena Yee

Alexander Comic Art Test // Art Directing a Graphic Novel

Thoughts on the in-progress art direction for my Alexander the Great graphic novel/comic.

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Interview: How Indie Comic Creators Are Coping with the Coronavirus

I was asked to share my ups and downs about being creative during these strange times for an article from the Nerdist. Click here for the full story!

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Art Dump / Art Thoughts

I remember when teenage me used to put out art dumps, accompanied by loose updates on my progress as an artist. So I'm bringing it back.

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Artist Asks, For Fun

Strange times abound. I've been occupied with juggling a script for a new graphic novel and my body's recent urge to sleep through everything. Still, the deadline moves ever closer... and the struggle to be a little productive during a crisis continues.

I came across this artist meme today and I wanted to do it! I used to do a lot of these back in my teen Deviantart days, before I moved to Tumblr and Twitter. Now that I have my own space to indulge in these activities, I may as well! It's good to have some fun now.

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Reimena Yee is a graphic novelist, artist and flamingo enthusiast.

She writes and illustrates quite a few webcomics and graphic novels. When not making books, she lulls away her time with essays on craft, life and experiences in the publishing industry. Some of her thoughts of art and life are rather unstructured and will evolve over time as this blog matures, as they should be.

Currently committed to being Alexander the Great's death doula. Is a nerd for all things spooky and historical.

Melbourne / Kuala Lumpur

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