Keep Bitch in Print: Because Print is Beautiful

One of the absolute best things about my job is the opportunity it gives me to work with amazing illustrators. Since I started here as art director last spring, I have already been able to collaborate with more than 30 different artists, from all over the world, and have been able to connect with many more.

(Left: Lorraine Nam, issue 49. Right: Zachary Zezima, issue #51.)

Times are changing for illustrators.

Traditional print markets are dwindling, but even as publications struggle, there is a growing appreciation for beautifully printed materials…stores are brimming with letterpress cards, silkscreened wares, and archival prints of artist works. Illustrators have to create a lot of this work themselves.  They have to be entrpreneurs, designers, communicators, gallery artists, and product designers. It's always exciting to be able to use more of your brain in your work, and one of the benefits of this changing market is that some of the best artists are creating an inventive, fluid, and savvy business of illustration.

I want Bitch to remain a vital part of the market for artists, to give new illustrators a chance to invest in editorial content and get their names out into the world, and more established artists a chance to respond as feminists to pop culture. We pride ourselves on being an open market to showcase male and female illustrators, comic artists, and writers.  The rest of the market is suprisingly male-dominated, and I want Bitch to be a part of opening that up.

When I tell illustrators I work for Bitch, the response almost always delights me…people excited to tell me that we were the first to publish their work, people who are willing to donate a part of their normal rate because they believe in what we do, newer illustrators who admire so many of the people we've published in the past, and comic artists who get to focus on a feminist from history who they admire. If you subscribe now, you'll see a new Feministory comic by Mimi Pond, who did the back page for Seventeen magazine and was an art hero of mine growing up. Issue #49 features Kristopher Pollard, who was visiting from the midwest, came to our anniversary party, and gave us big hugs.

It's even more rewarding to be able to support these artists when they go above and beyond for Bitch. The blog, podcasts, and community programming Bitch Media supports are not going anywhere, but the truth is, we couldn't support these amazing artists in print without you! Take a look at some of the amazing artwork we've been able to showcase this past year and subscribe, renew, give a gift subscription, or become a sustainer now.

(From top left: Ryan Brown, issue #51; Kristopher Pollard, issue #49; Yoswadi Krutklom, issue #49. Bottom left: Wendy MacNaughton, issue #47.)

(Top row, from left: Leslie A. Wood, issue #52; Elisha Lim, issue #52; Mimi Pond, issue #52. Bottom row, from left: Jen Sorensen, issue #51; Rebecca Green, issue #50.)