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Jane Zei has never received any formal art training but her online comic series, The Pigeon Gazette, has over 200,000 followers on Instagram. Granted, she was always drawing as a kid to express herself and have fun, but it's still very impressive to see how far she has come.

However, I would even argue that the size of Jane's fan army isn't the determining factor when talking about the importance of her work. That's the result of her hard work. Rather, it's her honesty and bravery that separates the artist from the crowd.

Like we pointed out in our last article on The Pigeon Gazette, the series revolves around a nerdy girl who struggles with social situations, love interests, career, but always seems to get by. To grow from these experiences.

Jane admits that some of these stories come from within, and you can really tell. Whether it's a snippet from a conversation or a little detail in the background, each frame of The Pigeon Gazette is full of sincerity, full of life, and that's the beauty of it.

More info: thepigeongazette.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | tumblr

#1

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CodenameElephant
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my daughter's absolute favorite comic, she even has a print hanging on her wall.

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Jane said the idea to start The Pigeon Gazette came to her naturally. "It was that classic thing where everyone keeps telling you 'Oh, you should make comics' or 'post your art online' and I tried a few times," the artist told Bored Panda.

"I just don't think my artistic skill or comedic timing was where it needed to be because all those past efforts flopped."

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    "Then after a breakup (how cliche!), I had to throw myself into something and tried again. I think finally I was at the right point in my life and the internet/social media was where it had to be because The Pigeon Gazette just took off beyond all expectations."

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    Jane went into it thinking to herself it'd be fun and cute to have 10 or 20 people who liked her stuff. Related to it. How tight-knit they'd be. Little did she know.

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    The artist believes that The Pigeon Gazette wouldn't resonate the way they apparently do if its emotions and topics didn't come from a genuine place.

    "Growing up as a first-generation Asian in American suburbia, just being born kinda awkward and spacy, I had a lot of self-consciousness and self-doubt and still do," Jane explained. "But I'm constantly trying to learn and grow and I hope that comes through in my comics as well."

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    #5

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    tuzdayschild
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and Maddie's credibility took a nosedive

    #6

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    A.J Milne
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is me, but with my friend's friends who I barely know.

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    "That a bombed date, a cringey person encounter, or a stressful social situation doesn't have to destroy you, that it's okay to lick your wounds, take a deep breath and step outside your comfort zone again.

    It's a really big part of why The Pigeon Gazette is so appealing too. You, as a reader, can sense that the main character, her reactions to (extraordinary) everyday life situations aren't just static, formulaic drawings—she's changing together with Jane, making the series a continuous, ever-evolving story.

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    #7

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    #9

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    CrEaTiVe_duck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lmao when im on my periods i wanna die in a pool of chips ;)

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    But there are some things Jane doesn't want to talk about in her comics. For the most part, they're political. "[It's] not because I don't have opinions or positions that I support, but I think comics and social media, in general, are too short and fast to promote nuanced, productive conversation," she said.

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    #11

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    CrEaTiVe_duck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh wow this made me feel muchhhhhhhhhhh better (yes there was crying involved :)

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    #12

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    52 Blue
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow this is me I love dissing movies for some reason

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    "Some people can do it well but most instances of political tweets/comics I've seen just have a lot of nasty fighting in the comments, everybody dropping their angry two cents without listening. If I can't make something productive out of it, then I'd rather not bring it up in the first place," the artist explained, adding that there's also a part of her that thinks deep down, most of us are exhausted by politics invading every conversation and form of media.

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    #13

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    Hadesdaughter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would want see an episode of Dr.P.P. with this

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    #15

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    "It's important because ultimately it fosters the necessary societal changes, but people also get burnt out. They need places to rest, places where they can take their mind off things and maybe The Pigeon Gazette can be such a source of positivity."

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    #17

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    CrEaTiVe_duck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that is me only the worker is my mother and my mother isnt positive about me succeeding :)

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    Since The Pigeon Gazette reflects Jane's real-life struggles and experiences, its topics and voice naturally changes as she grows, so for those who have loyally followed the artist over the years, she hopes you all have grown as well. "Whether that eventually veers your tastes away from The Pigeon Gazette or not, thank you for reading, what a blessing. For those who are new to discover [the series], or check in on it only occasionally, same best wishes to you! Hope you got a good laugh!"

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    #20

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    Sasha Kuleshov
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yay, expensive clothes made from transparent materials :D

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    #21

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    #28

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    Waffles
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    as a Californian I can confirm the accuracy of this post. WAIT- I smell organic chia seed bowls... I MUST GO *skateboards with vigor*

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    #29

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    Micheal With A B
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tried it once and my dad told me he thought I looked like a smiling monkey-never again

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    #34

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    CrEaTiVe_duck
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I R I S H grass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This delete has been commented.

    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Irish grass is like french food : it is better than everything else for some unknown reason.

    Oisin Doyle
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    its not unknown, the never ending rain and great soil

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    #35

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    AbbiTabbi
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Umm... I know this isn't normal to most people but snow here in April is normal. It has snowed in August around here before...

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    #36

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    Mohsie Supposie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Covid has brought out so many artists!

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    #39

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    Eaglez404
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Her bird shirt with the wheat toothpick LOL

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    #43

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    #47

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    Marcia Cash
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I feel your pain, dear. Let me put you out of your misery."

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    #49

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    #50

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    Kendra Miller
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Today I learned that doctors in the UK can prescribe library books as part of mental health care

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    #52

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    *sneezes in pansexual*
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... my name is Olivia and i work out a lot .... but my skin is rly dry...

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    #53

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    Sam (He/They)
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's so ridiculous and mildly irritating when people born in a year that started with 19 try to do that

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    #57

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    #58

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    #61

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    JustABoredPanda
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looking like will from Stranger Things, but sadly relatable

    #62

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    Allan Breum
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, I may be a man-slut, but that would work on me.

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    #63

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    #64

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    #66

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    Kylee Mcelroy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why does the "NYEEEHH SPIDERS!" remind me of patton from sanders sides lol

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    #67

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    Idaaoyama
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like the Matchmaker from Mulan :-)

    #68

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    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the inner Jane is just my mind 99% of the time lol-

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    #72

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    #75

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    AccioQueenFans
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love playing that game! Mostly the teams though.

    #77

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