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Artist Portrays How Life Looks When You Have Depression And Anxiety Through These 30 Relatable Comics Featuring A Cartoon Pigeon
Interview With Artist
Chuck Mullin is a 28-year-old artist based in London who uses her talent to illustrate her daily reality with cute comics whose main character is a pigeon. With all of that being said, the series of illustrations follow Chuck's narrator who is a pigeon dealing with anxiety.
In her book, Chuck said that she began to suffer from anxiety and depression aged seventeen. She then turned to drawing comics as a way to make sense of her experience. She soon found that pigeons were the perfect subjects through which to explore the complexities of living with mental illness, and several years later, her funny, quirky birds have won legions of fans online.
From bad times to positivity, the comics in Bird Brain use humor to provide a glimpse of what's going on in Chuck's head: dissociative episodes; cycles of anxiety; her struggle to accept she's not alone; and the power of optimism on the days it's possible.
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Given the opportunity, Bored Panda reached out to Chuck with some questions! First, we asked the artist about how she started working on her comics.
“I’ve always loved drawing but didn’t really start making comics until I was in my early twenties. At first, I just made comics using myself as a character, but I made one comic featuring a pigeon and people seemed to like it!”
In case you didn't know, "chuckdrawsthings" is a whole project series that the artist poured her heart into over the years. We were wondering how Chuck decided to make a pigeon the main character in her work.
“The first pigeon comic I made was about a pigeon being able to understand the mean things people say about them, but staying strong and confident regardless. I think it resonated with people because pigeons get a lot of hate so they’re very relatable underdog figures.”
A lot of Chuck's followers also resonate with her thoughts and work, and though some comics hit too close to home, some of them are still really funny. We asked the artist about how she felt making so many people smile with her work.
“It’s an incredible feeling to see someone enjoy something I make. Even if it’s a sad comic, it’s meaningful to have people who can relate to what it’s about, it makes me feel less alone.”
We mentioned at the very beginning that the artist has written a book so we decided to ask her to tell us a little bit more about it.
“My book ‘BIRD BRAIN’ is a collection of pigeon comics and writings about my experiences with depression and social anxiety. My comics are very personal already, but I wanted to include some of my own writing just to make it more in-depth.”
This happened to me. When I was finally learning to handle my anxiety I realized I was asexual and now I'm stressed out just like I was before lol
We were also wondering if Chuck had any advice to share with her fellow artists who might just be starting out.
“It’s okay to have days where you feel unable to do anything at all. There’s no shame in resting or taking breaks - when you’re ready, you can come back to art with a fresh sense of vigor!”
Lastly, we were wondering whether depression and anxiety were something the artist still dealt with, and here's what she told us, “Yes, I still do - I take medication for it, I’m mostly good, but I do have my bad days still. I just take it one day at a time.”
Even if I have nothing planned, if I sleep without an alarm I'm just going to wake up to check the time every half hour lol.
I read 'You're a big, stupid uno'- who else did too? Also, I can relate to this comic in particular on so many levels.
Wow, Chuck! Aren't you afraid my Mom is going to sue you for using her likeness?
I’m like that but when I have a sudden trauma flashback to something totally stupid and embarrassing I’ve done before, and then I want to dig a hole on the ground and disappear. Better, erase all the memory from myself AND the people
Oh this me I get so nervous. Most likely I won't be there ........but if I do come I'm like this. And I usually don't talk to anyone because I am not comfortable. Unless someone starts talking to me.
This is me when someone has a slightly different tone than normal when they talk to me and my feelings get hurt by it for some reason
"Don't tell me - we're about to go over a huge waterfall." "Yup." "Sharp rocks at the bottom?" "Most likely." "Bring it on."
Omg I'm not the only one who has the random heart palpitations?? That's great to know that I'm not completely alone.
Yeah I've had this happen sometimes I'm so use to it it takes me awhile. And then I'm like well hell what was that all about
I had something similar happen when I decided to go to Zumba this week and they added freestyle dance at the end which was fun till someone I kinda know started dancing really close behind me and laughing. I was done
Yeah nothing quite like: "Take these pills so you don't want to unalive yourself. Side effects: May make you want to unalive yourself"
I know that this bird has a floating eyeball, but for a moment I thought that the think clouds had gained awareness and were actually looking out the window with the bird.
Yes yes. When actually tell someone all of it and they look at you like I didn't ask for all this information
I remember having my first panic attack in like 7th grade and then looking back and realizing that it was a panic attack. I thought I was dying in the moment.
resplendent flower! I often resent being a wall flower now I want to feel resplendent!
I just keep telling my mind to stop (out loud) when that happens and normally it works pretty well
Hey, pandas. I don't know you, and you dont know me either. But. I really hope for you to get better. Sometimes, it hurt. I'm often hurt. I have anxiety attack everydays, sometimes without any reason. I have OCD and depression. I know a lot of people are also suffering. Our pain isnt the same i guess, because we all are differents. But hold on. Dont give up. I know it can be hard. I know it can be long. But maybe, some day, you'll found a little spark in the dark. Dont hesitate to call for help when you want and need it. Take care pandas, take care. Courage!
Thank you, this was helpful! And funny! I just made the first step to accept my depression and could relate to a lot of this, hoping to relate to the ones where you can love and accept yourself soon
Good for you, Me! Rock on, my fellow depressive.
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Not sure what amazes me more, how relatable a lot of these were or how many people don’t know how to spell pigeon.
I’m normally not a huge fan of all of the cartoon things posted on bp, but I really loved these!
To anyone struggling, come talk to me. I don’t know you, but I love you. No matter what you feel you have done or if you feel you are worthless, you aren’t. I know it’s hard, and if you want recovery it’s a long and difficult process. Don’t give up. It’s difficult and seems pointless at times, but no matter what you struggle with I am here for you. Don’t give up. I love you.
Hello, my beloved minions of darkness!! Look, life sucks. We all know that. Everything seems designed to make us feel like s**t, to make us think nobody likes us. I am Raven DeathShade, the Aggressively Positive People Stealer. Look at you. You're so f*****g beautiful. You don't see it, I know. But you are. And nothing you can say can make me think any different. You are strong. You survived this far, didn't you? If your only accomplishment today was waking up, then celebrate it. It's hard to do that. But look at you! You did it! I'm in your corner whenever you need me, darling. I'm here for you.
I have a question actually, I am 11 and have like weekly panic attacks, is there something wrong with me?
No, there’s nothing wrong with you I’d assume you just have anxiety
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These are way too relatable for me but helps me accept a few things in a comedic way. Comedy is how I cope
I'd like to add that taking vitamin b6 supplements has helped my often insane anxiety and depression a bit. Doesn't fix my problems but its helped me feel a bit more stable, if that makes sense.
After years of being worn down by my depression and anxiety i finally made progress by getting on antidepressants by i changed jobs and insurance and because of that doctors and my new one questions everything about how much i really need the medication because my chest complaint was feeling exhausted every minute of every day no matter how much i slept and after being on the medicine for a few years it didn't seem to be helping as much ... Well long story short i am not on medication anymore and I'm exhausted every minute of every day again only it feels worse this time. Finding a mental health professional that can help me with my depression and medication needs has been an impossible task and my doctor (who likes to recommend me for tests any other time ) had no recommendations for me on this, just that we could try medications I've already tried with my previous doctor again.
Have you tried to see a naturopath doctor? They do their best to treat you holistically. Usually mental illness involves multiple factors like lifestyle, diet and vitamin deficiencies. I've been been see mine for awhile now and I really feel like my mental health is getting more manageable. Sifting your way through healthcare can be a nightmare and advocating for your self can feel impossible. At least it has for me. But there's hope and people that care and want to help. I wish you the best on your journey and I believe in you ❤️
Load More Replies...
Hey, pandas. I don't know you, and you dont know me either. But. I really hope for you to get better. Sometimes, it hurt. I'm often hurt. I have anxiety attack everydays, sometimes without any reason. I have OCD and depression. I know a lot of people are also suffering. Our pain isnt the same i guess, because we all are differents. But hold on. Dont give up. I know it can be hard. I know it can be long. But maybe, some day, you'll found a little spark in the dark. Dont hesitate to call for help when you want and need it. Take care pandas, take care. Courage!
Thank you, this was helpful! And funny! I just made the first step to accept my depression and could relate to a lot of this, hoping to relate to the ones where you can love and accept yourself soon
Good for you, Me! Rock on, my fellow depressive.
Load More Replies... Not sure what amazes me more, how relatable a lot of these were or how many people don’t know how to spell pigeon.
I’m normally not a huge fan of all of the cartoon things posted on bp, but I really loved these!
To anyone struggling, come talk to me. I don’t know you, but I love you. No matter what you feel you have done or if you feel you are worthless, you aren’t. I know it’s hard, and if you want recovery it’s a long and difficult process. Don’t give up. It’s difficult and seems pointless at times, but no matter what you struggle with I am here for you. Don’t give up. I love you.
Hello, my beloved minions of darkness!! Look, life sucks. We all know that. Everything seems designed to make us feel like s**t, to make us think nobody likes us. I am Raven DeathShade, the Aggressively Positive People Stealer. Look at you. You're so f*****g beautiful. You don't see it, I know. But you are. And nothing you can say can make me think any different. You are strong. You survived this far, didn't you? If your only accomplishment today was waking up, then celebrate it. It's hard to do that. But look at you! You did it! I'm in your corner whenever you need me, darling. I'm here for you.
I have a question actually, I am 11 and have like weekly panic attacks, is there something wrong with me?
No, there’s nothing wrong with you I’d assume you just have anxiety
Load More Replies... These are way too relatable for me but helps me accept a few things in a comedic way. Comedy is how I cope
I'd like to add that taking vitamin b6 supplements has helped my often insane anxiety and depression a bit. Doesn't fix my problems but its helped me feel a bit more stable, if that makes sense.
After years of being worn down by my depression and anxiety i finally made progress by getting on antidepressants by i changed jobs and insurance and because of that doctors and my new one questions everything about how much i really need the medication because my chest complaint was feeling exhausted every minute of every day no matter how much i slept and after being on the medicine for a few years it didn't seem to be helping as much ... Well long story short i am not on medication anymore and I'm exhausted every minute of every day again only it feels worse this time. Finding a mental health professional that can help me with my depression and medication needs has been an impossible task and my doctor (who likes to recommend me for tests any other time ) had no recommendations for me on this, just that we could try medications I've already tried with my previous doctor again.
Have you tried to see a naturopath doctor? They do their best to treat you holistically. Usually mental illness involves multiple factors like lifestyle, diet and vitamin deficiencies. I've been been see mine for awhile now and I really feel like my mental health is getting more manageable. Sifting your way through healthcare can be a nightmare and advocating for your self can feel impossible. At least it has for me. But there's hope and people that care and want to help. I wish you the best on your journey and I believe in you ❤️
Load More Replies... 