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Bella Maris is a talented illustrator from Belgium, or, in her own words, a "mom who draws." She creates relatable comics capturing real moments from her everyday life, sharing relatable facts that might make you laugh.

Maris' comics usually revolve around her common challenges and lifestyle, often including her boyfriend and kid in the stories. "All I want is to put a smile on someone’s face when they read my comics. I’m happy if I could make them feel seen and they can relate to my stories," the artist told Bored Panda in a previous interview. 

More info: Instagram | bellaillustration.com | twitter.com | youtube.com

Balancing the roles of an artist and a mom may have its beautiful and challenging moments. We reached out to Bella to learn how motherhood has influenced her creative process. The artist shared, "I could go on and on about how much motherhood has inspired me, not only as a person but also in my creative process. There were countless moments where I thought, 'Hmm, this must be fun to draw about'—from my pregnancy journey to the challenges of motherhood. The truly inspiring moments for me would be how things have changed before and after becoming a mother. This topic alone gives me hundreds of ideas to draw about!"

At the moment, Bella has more than 114 thousand followers on Instagram. The artist shared that her audience is amazing. "I am so grateful for the support they have given me over all these years. When I started my comics, I was just a woman in my 20s sharing the struggles and funny moments that happened in my life. Now, as a mother, it feels like my audience has grown with me. We share so much laughter together that I usually communicate with them in the comment section of each of my comics and in Q&A sessions on my Instagram stories.

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Certainly, there are people who may find my new content less entertaining or relatable, so I take their feedback into account and try my best to provide a good balance of old and new content. Simultaneously, I get to meet a new group of people who are also parents and share their stories with me. I really look forward to this new chapter of my life with all my audience."

Balancing the roles of an artist, mom, and individual is quite a challenge. We asked Bella to share a glimpse into her daily routine. She told us that her schedule underwent a significant transformation during her pregnancy due to health conditions. This period required extensive consultations with her doctors and an extra focus on self-care. "Since our son was born, my husband and I have spent a lot of quality time bonding with him. I also took my time to recover and begin my breastfeeding journey. We would go on walks, play, read books, sing together and watch my son develop new skills each day.

As for my creative work, I have 3 full days a week where I can focus and dedicate my time to drawing. In the evenings when my son is asleep, I can relax and enjoy my favorite TV shows, play board games with my husband and our friends, also sometimes with the help of the family, we can have a date night!"

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The artist revealed that she would love to share more about pregnancy, motherhood and how challenging it can be to raise a child in the future. "As I mentioned how much this journey has inspired me, I have piles of ideas about those topics that are ready to turn into fun comics and illustrations. However, I don't want to pour everything out at once and overwhelm my audience. Since the beginning, I have been drawing comics about real situations that happened in my life, when something happens to me and I think 'I can't be the only one!', I turn those moments into comics and share them with my audience."

The artist has also started a YouTube channel where she teaches how to draw easy things. "I made them for myself and for parents who want to teach their kids to draw. I also share my work in progress, speed draws, and more! You can find my channel with the name 'Bella Illustration' and I am also now on TikTok under the same name. If you are curious about how I create my comics and other illustrations, please follow me. Thank you! I appreciate every one of you."

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#8

A Comic About Halloween Decorations

bella.illustration Report

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CrazyKnitter
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd have my Halloween decorations up all the time! Bonus: Nightmare Before Christmas decorations that you just add Christmas hats to for Christmas.

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#17

A Comic About Perfect Gift

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Robin
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just came here for the comments. But, if that's a thing that makes her happy and it's something that was given to her with love then it's wrong to take that joy away by being judgemental.

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Child of the Stars
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right?? My first Mother's Day, my kids's dad gave me a step stool that I very much needed (I'm almost average height, but the shelves in my house were particularly high for some reason). It was an exceptionally thoughtful gift that I continue to use 10 years later.

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Mike Crow
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got my wife a pot and pan set for her birthday. We don’t have much money and it was a $800 set that was 75% off so I went for it. She loves it.

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Auntriarch
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're a keeper! My husband gave me a food processor for our first Christmas, this was late 80s so a big deal. I still get misty. And he bought me an ice-cream maker with integral freezer unit a couple of years ago. What a guy...

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E Paul
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My best friend just brought me over a vacuum yesterday, and I'm ecstatic! I never thought that'd be a gift I'd look fwd too, but my previous one was horrible and a really good one can be expensive

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Kelly H. Wilder
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I definitely get excited about new household tools/equipment/appliances. I will use what I have until it won't power on any more, so if someone upgrades something for me before I would do it on my own I am very grateful. Then I pass whatever is being replaced to my little sister. She loves taking older things and working with them until they are properly functional again.

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Elizabeth Brown
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it is a well made appliance that is a needed upgrade, this is a great gift. Don't get something like this for someone unless you know they need one, and then do not cheap out on it. I tend to do the chores and the difference between a barely functional vacuum and one that costs a good chunk is huge. Not only is she saving money since she won't need to buy one later, but it can severely cut down time needed for cleaning so it is also a gift of tine

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Aitsuki Kitsune
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey man, that's a NICE vacuum, and expensive!! I'd be stoked too.

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Natty Tempest
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Mrs would skin me for that... Gifts for her should be for her (of course, I agree) while household stuff is... Y'know. That said, Robin nailed it on the head: if she likes, good gift.

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Fairy Townfairy
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For real? Idk about u all but i love a clean house 😍 and i would live this GIFT 🫶

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Peppy
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5 months ago (edited)

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Never, that’s a tool for cleaning , NOT a gift

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Katarzyna Drozd
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5 months ago

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Wtf? Did patriarchy completely washed out her brain?

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#20

A Comic About Baby Bump

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Ample Aardvark
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The usual, Rihanna has much moneys, therefore can afford chefs, PTs, stylists, muas etc

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#26

A Comic About Feeling Baby's Kicks

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Sandrapocalypse
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a video of my little alien trying to punch and kick her way through. Loved every minute of it.

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#27

A Comic About Pink Clothes

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Kai Shika
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my mom tried the same thing, cant wait for the newsflash she gets when she finds out im not even a girl anymore

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#28

A Comic About New Year's Resolutions

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Dekker451
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kilograms? What is she, Canadian? She should be measuring her weight in bananas.

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