Hi, I’m Carmanda and I… art… things…

My work lives at the crossroads of the familiar and the strange, where whimsy meets pragmatism and the pensive become playful.

It’s a strange sort of land, but if you’re the kind of person who chafes in the bindings of reality and finds yourself dreaming of other worlds, I think you’ll fit in just fine.  This is a place for daydreamers and storytellers to meet characters and creatures who do not exist.  Some of them live in my head.  Others, perhaps, live in yours.

As for me? I’m just an odd goblin ruled by the whims of a fluffy cat named Cricket, lucky enough to be along for the ride. Storytelling, be it visual or written, is the core of my existence, which is otherwise fueled by raspberry jam and most anything seasoned with garlic. I try not to take myself too seriously, as I don’t wish to run out of the serious I need to apply to my work.

I’ve taught illustration and creative writing for eight years, helping up-and-coming creators find their style and their voice. For others, I’ve applied my own learning to bringing their characters and ideas to life. Whether it’s teaching, editing, writing, or illustrating, I live to help bring stories to life, be they my own or someone else’s.

You can also find me in my slightly more ridiculous form over on the What the Folklore? podcast, where we merge the love of stories with irreverent humor, reading them through the lens of modern literary critics and people easily distracted by pop culture references.

Thank you for visiting my strange world! Get comfortable, have some jam, and enjoy your stay!