Double Book Launch with Jillian Fleck and Shea Proulx
Join us at Shelf Life Books for the combined launch of Cheryl by Jillian Fleck and Just Happy To See You by Shea Proulx, which are both being released by Conundrum Press this May! Cheryl is about “a late-blooming lesbian hell bent on reaching enlightenment, even if it kills her”, while Just Happy To See You is a conceptual exploration of observation and acceptance through the comic form. WITH THEIR POWERS COMBINED MAYBE THEY JUST MIGHT FIND THE ZEN OF COMIC CREATION. Q&A to follow.
Jillian Fleck is a comic creator from Calgary, Alberta. They received a Bachelors of Fine Art from the Alberta University of the Arts and later a Masters of Letters in Comic Studies from the University of Dundee. Their work has been published in a variety of zines, anthologies, academic journals, and stand alone publications.
Aside from making comics, Jillian has also taught classes and workshops, and given public lectures regarding the comics medium and zine making. Through comics they have been given the opportunity to share their work internationally and connect with people worldwide and within their own community. In their spare time they are known to grow orchids, chat about pro wrestling, and make ink.
Aside from making comics, Jillian has also taught classes and workshops, and given public lectures regarding the comics medium and zine making. Through comics they have been given the opportunity to share their work internationally and connect with people worldwide and within their own community. In their spare time they are known to grow orchids, chat about pro wrestling, and make ink.
Shea Proulx has a BFA from Emily Carr University and an MFA from the University of British Columbia. Through tracing and repetition, Shea constructs autobiographical visual narratives that transcend the boundaries of individual lived experience. Her books ABC Monstrosity and Alice at Naptime were both nominated for the Best Illustrated category by the Alberta Book Publishers Association, and Alberta Comics: Home, which she co-edited and did the cover art for, won the award in 2023. Shea has been the recipient of grants from Canada Council (2022), The Alberta Foundation For the Arts (2019) and Calgary Arts Development (2023).
Among the Fine Arts galleries that Shea’s paintings and installations have been exhibited are The Morris and Helen Belkin, The Alberta Art Gallery, TRUCK, and Contemporary Calgary. As Vice-President on the board of directors for Panel One, a Calgary/Mohkinstsis based comics festival, Shea helps put the spotlight on local, original sequential artwork. Her two daughters and husband, artist Ryan Proulx, routinely make her laugh so hard she spits.