Riposte Card No. 5: Caffeinated Creativity!

Or, Octavia E. Butler by Erika Sjule

The Riposte Card for July — an illustrated quip mailed in limited quantities to paying subscribers — is by

E. Sjule

, fellow Substacker and the first in a trio of New Yorker cartoonists I ably recruited by looking through a recent issue and sending a few emails to the artists behind my favourite drawings.

With each commission, I offer the artist a selection of quips in my capacity as witticism sommelier. Erika requested something about the creative process, and we decided on this gem:

“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable.”
— Octavia E. Butler

Here’s more about Erika and her process:

What's your go-to item in a well-stocked stationery store?

Any and all graphite pencils!

I used to be insecure about not having a professional art background, so I'd invest in so many random tools, but I have very much come back around to the glory of simple pencils.

I really love the diversity of experiences you can have between various pencils:  The grades of graphite, the eraser's type and shape, and even the aesthetic design of the pencil itself.

Where do you go for inspiration and/or information?

I find a lot of inspiration through intimate conversations with friends. 

I love friendly debate and playful banter. I'm a classic overthinker and I get very bogged down without regular discourse.

Other than that I love any museum visit. It helps me to feel even further connected to humanity and others. 

It's like an intimate conversation with (sometimes) dead people, haha.

Is there one joke, witticism, or aphorism you live by?

I wouldn't say I live by this joke, but it's been on my mind a lot recently. 

It's a Looney Tunes joke where a vampire turns into a bat, so Bugs turns into a baseball bat, then the vampire puts on glasses and says, "You wouldn't hit a bat with glasses on, would you?" Then Bugs hits him anyway.

I know, it's so random, but my favorite jokes are often extremely silly — like, stupid, but genius.

What's the best thing to put on toast?

Butter and blackberry jam. Extra everything.

What work are you most proud of, and how can people support it?

My art career feels like a bit of a blur at the moment, but I am currently very proud of my Substack newsletter!

Growing up I always got positive attention for my drawings, so it took me a long time to realize that I enjoy writing just as much as drawing.

My Substack is a cozy blend of cartoons, humor, and writing. 

It reminds me of the illustrated books I used to compulsively make as a kid, so it comes quite naturally.

You can support my Substack by subscribing! 

Or — if you're feeling extra spicy you can become a paid subscriber and I will piddle with joy and appreciation (and possibly even pay a bill!).