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Story by
larrybear,
TeenAngster,
weirdwolf
Published on November 14, 2008 in This Handmade Life |
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YouTube | MP4 | blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes
(music by Prince Ruperts Drops)
Leslie Stein, aka larrybear, spends most of her time drawing comics, listening to old time radio shows and playing records. Leslie started her first comic series, called simply Leslie, back in high school. It revolved around her wacky adventures with her magical bunny and bird that helped her out in gym class and other misadventures.

After discovering underground comic book artists like Dan Clowes and Peter Bagge when she was an angsty teenager, Leslie decided comic books would be the perfect medium for her to tell her stories. Both of her comics — Eye of the Majestic Creature and her more experimental construction paper comics — are hand drawn and printed at a small printing press. Unlike mainstream super hero comics, her stories are autobiographical and don't have a typical plot. As Leslie says, "If you're looking for thrills and drama, this might not be for you, but if you're interested in seeing the world the way I see it, pick one up."
Leslie decided long ago that rather than work professionally as an illustrator, that she would hold a regular job and save her creative energy for her own work. She dedicates all of her free time to her creative pursuits and she finds inspiration everywhere. From walking down the street in Brooklyn to looking at an empty field, humanity and curiosity light the way to new adventures and new tales to tell.

Leslie won a Xeric Grant to print her work "Yeah, It Is!" and was nominated for Best New Talent in 2004 by the Harvey Awards. Keep you eye on this one!
Watch more Handmade Video Portraits on Etsy's blog!
Books and Zines Category | Book Worms and Writers Gift Guide
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larrybear
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TeenAngster
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weirdwolf
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31 comments Login to add your own!
PearsonMaron
Leslie is so talented. I love the comic book made out of construction paper. So good!
JustFeltHungry
It's so great to see comics on Etsy!!!! I love the little inanimate / animated creatures...
kinsellaart
this is great-great answers from Leslie stien and great work! thanks etsy
crankbunny
woo! i have a bunch of her comics - no idea she was on etsy! yay!
jascamille
I *instantly* knew that was Bushwick as soon as I saw the picture of the building!!!! I just had to watch to make sure.
weirdwolf
Leslie Stein's autobiographical underground comic books are funny, insightful, vulnerable and brave! Leslie says you have to be fearless to make the best art you can. A wise woman indeed.
lucie39
I adore Leslie's work!I read 'Yeah,It Is' and thought it was wonderful:)
LaCometaLab
God, I have just discovered this etsy (handmade) stories and love them! I am subscribing to them. They remind me a little of the "Magnum in Motion" at Magnum Photos.com, where photographers talk themselves about their work.
Oh, and in the future I will but one of Leslie's comics, I just checked her shop and she doesn't have any available at the moment.
topsyturvydesign
I love this portrait Tara!
Leslie is such a talent & it was so wonderful to see her at work.
I too was obsessed with Daniel Clowes/Eightball as a brooding teen & this portrait took me back.
moddyboy80
Love it.Great to see comics and zine related stuff getting their day on Etsy. More please!
alustgarten
Weirdwolf, you're camerawork looks awesome!! Especially like the comic book/bakery shots. And a great interview too.
larrybear
Thanks so much to Tara (weirdwolf) who made this video, she's so talented!
vivikas
I really love to check This Handmade Life, it gives me such a inspiration, and I believe that we sellers can all related with everyones history.
Congrats Etsy for the good work!
meluseena
oooh such an amazing talent.. Can't believe you cut out all those comic book pages that's INSANE!! ♥


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