"just barely" Comic from Local Artist Veras Connolly Comes to Burlington Buzz
Veras Connolly joins as a Buzz contributor, designing and creating a new comic every Friday.
The first time I met Veras Connolly, they were interviewing my daughter about a book we published together three years ago. As time has gone on, we've continued to cross paths at events Veras is covering as a production coordinator for Burlington Cable Access Television (BCAT).
After watching their story on the Fourth of July Picnic, I noticed in their bio that they studied digital media in college, and I reached out for a meeting.
Since the beginning of Burlington Buzz, we've done a Friday Funny (almost) every Friday in the newsletter. Usually it's an internet joke or meme I've come across or been sent by a reader. Many readers have said they enjoy the Friday Funny, but I've always wanted to make it more unique to the Buzz.
Luckily, Veras was super down with the idea. A Burlington resident who more or less grew up in BCAT studios before graduating from UMASS Lowell and returning to work there part time, Veras also has developed a slate of comics on their own. "I was happy to join," they said. "Creating fictional stories is my biggest passion in life!"
In developing the Buzz comic, just barely, we both agreed it needed to include one foundational principle: humor. In keeping with the newsletter's neighborly tone that doesn't take itself too seriously, just barely features characters trying to make the most of life despite challenges that come up along the way.
Said Veras, "I love writing inclusive stories where obnoxious or crazy situations crop up all around the protagonists, and through sheer force of will, they persevere. But, life has a funny way of road blocking even the toughest of individuals, and so that is reflected in the comic as well. Mix that with a little bit of satire and you get just barely."
An emphasis on inclusive storytelling extends through all Veras's work, which strives to show diverse characters and tell stories – particularly LGBTQ+ stories – that don't always get told in the mainstream. Another common theme throughout their work isa passion for the weird. In a sea of creators, they said, making your work stand out often comes down to "mak[ing] your stuff super weird, but authentically you."
Veras produces their comics using Adobe Illustrator with the mouse and keyboard using the Pen Tool, giving the comics a clean, professional look and making them easier to color. For just barely, they chose to use animals as the main characters because they give the story a "cartoonish buffer" and to avoid over- or under-representing any one group.
"To begin the process," Veras said, "I always start with a two character dynamic and work my way out from there. What would their friends be like? What would they wear? What kind of animals would look the strangest standing next to each other? These questions help build a solid base for the characters in the series. In Holly and Freddy’s case, they are actually based off of the two lead characters from a cancelled comic I had a while back. I’m glad they can finally have their chance in the spotlight!"
Initial conceptual ideas for just barely. In the final development, Harry became Holly.
When they're not producing videos for BCAT or drawing comics, Veras makes videos highlighting creators and works that don't get the attention they deserve. "Some of my favorite media as a kid weren’t nearly as popular with my peers, so I developed a fascination for the weird and obscure. This mentality is then carried over to my own personal comic series, Zany Zooland, which seeks to be one of the strangest, yet memorable adventures I have ever written."
Why is Veras creating for the Buzz and what do they hope readers get out of it?
"I want people to be able to laugh at how absurd the world can be. Things are intense right now, and it has been a very difficult moment in time for a lot of us. But the world also offers so much in terms of its strange and bizarre corners we tend not to look at. So, why not wear a bunch of hats on top of each other or use an industrial grade shovel at a beach?"
Final thoughts from Veras: "The memories and adventures you share with your friends help to make everyday life just a little bit easier, even if only just barley."
Join us in welcoming Veras to the team!
