Little Big Bug Zine
This project is a collaborative illustrated digital zine celebrating insects. Each participating artist was asked to illustrate their favorite bug, in any medium they liked best. Much of our goal was to have fun with different methods of making. As a group, we wanted to celebrate and uplift some little bugs that bring big joy. Thank you to the artists Eliah, Julie Callahan, Linnea Dennhardt, Rose Higgins, Beth Jensen, Kiara Lime, Gabriela Sherrel, Blake Tupman, Mason Rousey, Samone Southerland, Li Vogelsburg, and Brighton Whitlock for the collaboration.
Please enjoy this online zine and take some time to explore each artist’s creation. Thank you!
-Delia Kerr-Dennhardt, Art Director for “Little Big Bug Zine.”
“Cockroach,” illustrated by Mason Rousey.
Mason is a multidisciplinary designer focused on brand systems, storytelling, and the craft of visual design. His work spans identity, editorial, digital, and environmental design, with an emphasis on cohesion and human-centered thinking.
Mason’s design work can be found at www.masonrousey.com
“Rolly Pollies,” by Gabriela Sherrell.
Gabriela Sherrell is a multidisciplinary illustrator born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She holds a BFA in Illustration, and her practice centers on bold mark-making and playful textures. Her work is versatile, spanning industries such as publishing, gaming and animation. Gabriela spends most of her time reading, rock climbing, and enjoying life in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and cat. For her, the best days involve pen and paper, lots of laughter, and extremely loud music.
Gabriela’s work can be found at www.gabrielasherrell.com
“Praying Mantis,” by Blake Tupman.
Blake Tupman is an Illustrator, Sculptor, Tattoo Artist, and Fashion Designer from Portland, Oregon who is passionate about spreading joy and embracing softness. Through his use of pastel colors, soft edges, and specific use of line he evokes feelings of comfort as well as approachability within his work. It is in this way that Blake's work provides an opportunity for viewers/wearers to approach difficult emotional topics in a comforting way.
Blake’s work can be found at www.blaketupman.com
“Cicada,” by Linnea Dennhardt.
Linnea Dennhardt is a painter, an illustrator, and a teacher. Her artwork can be found on Instagram by following @linnea.kd.art
“Luna Moth,” by Rose Higgins.
Rose Higgins is a painter and art-maker.
“Mayfly Poem,” written by Brighton Coggins and illustrated by Beth Jensen.
Brighton Whitlock is a poet currently living in Alaska, inspired by their love of nature and changing seasons.
Beth Jensen is an illustrator from Idaho. Their passion is for the natural world, and creating scenes that have a real sense of atmosphere. For them, no detail (or pebble) is too small.
Beth’s work can be found at www.bethjensenillustration.com
“Ladybug,” by Delia Kerr-Dennhardt
Delia is an illustrator and storyteller. She loves theatre, children’s books, poetry, comics, and good soups.
Delia’s work can be viewed at www.deliadraws.com
“Cecropia Moth,” by Eliah.
Eliah is an illustrator and craft-maker living in the Pacific Northwest. As a queer person raised in Sedona, AZ, they strive to convey warmth, magic, and hints of folklore in their work.
Their goal with their creative practice is to infuse a sense of wonder and whimsy in all their pieces. Mythos and faeries are a huge part of their childhood -- they believe everything around us is part of a world greater than we can see with the naked eye. Their passion is bringing that hint of enchantment to life via whatever medium they are able to get their hands on.
Eliah’s art can be found at www.sunmossart.com
“Caterpillar,” by Li Vogelsberg.
Li Vogelsburg is a Cincinnati-based digital designer with a passion for creating user-centered, visually engaging designs. They love applying their background in industrial design and visual communication to creatively solve problems with clients.
Outside of design, they love experimenting with new recipes, upcycling thrifted clothes, and exploring local restaurants and coffee shops. They also volunteer with different efforts in Cincinnati’s AAPI community.
Li’s work can be viewed at www.vogelsburgli.com
“Firefly,” by Samone Southerland.
Samone Southerland is a multimedia artist from rural Illinois. She studied ecology and works creating designing exhibits for museums and zoos across the United States. Notably, she fabricated miniatures for the Obama Presidential Library in Chicago. Her work can be found on display in various educational institutions in the United States.
“Butterflies,” by Julie Callahan.
Julie Callahan is a muralist, painter, and arts educator from Illinois. J. F. Callahan Studios is a fine art studio and gallery with art for all environments and situations. She teaches every level of art from basic beginner through professional.
“Beetles,” by Kiara Lime.
Kiara Lime is a queer Filipino-American illustrator and comic artist based in Spokane, Washington. She holds a BFA in Illustration from the Pacific Northwest College of Art (Willamette University) in Portland, Oregon.
Inspired by shoujo manga, romantic dramadies, and vulnerable lyricism, Kiara’s work centers around emotional characters and sentimental narratives. Her style is the result of blending an illustration practice with a fine arts background, drawing either digitally by tablet or traditionally with inks and markers. She has shown her work in a number of group exhibitions, art markets, anime conventions, and online-based charity fandom zines.
Kiara’s work can be found ay www.juliettelime.com