Author: liza

August 8, 2022

Live Drawing Journalism

I love live-drawing journalism, and have been doing it for 7 years. The pandemic put a pause on my being able to do it on location, traveling to places. During covid, I did a lot of live-drawing in my studio (daily, as a matter of fact), talking with my viewers and drawing. But I yearn to be sent places and to cover events with live drawings and commentary. Please contact me (liza.donnelly@gmail.com) if interested in my work in this regard. (I even do weddings!)

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here is a video I did for the Norman Rockwell Museum about my work in this type of visual journalism.

July 2, 2022

Humor and Feminism: A funny-serious event

The other night, I had the joy of speaking with humorist, author, academic Gina Barreca at a book event for my book Very Funny Ladies. We really got into it, discussing humor and feminism and women, and we had a lot of laughs. This event was hosted by the bookstore RJ Julia Booksellers, and I am grateful to them for putting it on! Below is the video of our conversation.

July 2, 2022

Featured in Washington Post: SCOTUS Ruling against Roe V Wade

I was honored to be the featured profile in an article in the Washington Post about cartoonists’ responses to the ruling against Roe V Wade, along with my drawing. Below is an expert, click here for entire article.

“Liza Donnelly was a high-schooler in Washington, D.C., in 1973 when nearby, the Supreme Court passed the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion — or, as Donnelly puts it, “when women were finally given autonomy over their bodies.”

The future political artist and writer understood the significance. “The ruling was part of the cultural fabric I was soon to enter as an adult; I felt free to live my life as I wanted.” Now, however, the New York-based creator is responding strongly because “many women will not have that freedom.”

Donnelly, who contributes cartoons to the New Yorker, was absorbing how a Supreme Court decision Friday on Mississippi’s restrictive abortion law, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, led to the court’s overturning Roe v. Wade, leaving states free to outlaw abortion.

As she decided how to put those feelings into art, Donnelly considered that she could skewer antiabortion activists or conservative justices or supporters of Donald Trump — or could draw women “yelling at the top of their lungs demanding freedom.” Instead, she chose to render what was at the forefront of her mind: “fear for our democracy.” She drew a staggered Lady Liberty.

“Like me, I imagined she felt punched in the gut, taken off balance, in pain, insulted and crestfallen,” she says. “However, like many other women, Lady Liberty will again stand strong for the principles on which our country was founded.”

Donnelly was among many artists who published their powerful reactions over the weekend — some of whom also turned to iconic American symbols….”

Thank you to the author, Michael Cavna. Continue reading here.

May 27, 2022

Amazing Dissidents and Activists

I just got back from Oslo, where I live drew the Oslo Freedom Forum, as I have done for 7 years now. It is an amazing conference, with speakers from around the world, many of whom are dissidents and activists for global and local causes. It is run by the Human Rights Foundation, and to learn about the event in Oslo and NRF, I suggest you go to their websites. You can see some, if not all, of the proceedings and make a donation.

I am honored to be invited to draw the events, it is an incredibly inspiring few days and I meet so many passionate, committed, friendly, outstanding people. The fact there are so many dissidents having to battle so much violence, hate and oppression hurts my heart — the numbers are staggering. But it is inspiring they are amongst us, and I am grateful that they get the open and loud support of the HRF, this helps keep them safe.

In the meantime, go to my Medium page to see all of my drawings. I also tweet them in real time, so they can be seen on my twitter and Instagram.

I have to pinch myself sometimes.

May 19, 2022

Daily Live Drawing

My live draw this week

During the pandemic, I live drew from my studio and broadcast on Instagram. Every day. It was a way to connect with others, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. People told me they looked forward to my daily virutal gathering, as I would talk and draw about events/worries/ideas/concerns pertaining to the pandemic and then Black Lives Matter and then the election. People would write in the chat box and I would respond, it was a dialogue. If you have heard me speak about editorial cartooning–or cartooning in general for that matter– I have often said it is about dialogue. These daily events (usually 15 minutes) are not always political, sometimes I don’t have an idea (it happens) and we just connect and I draw something. It’s just fluid– a connection.

I took a break from the live broadcasts, but now am back, daily during the week at 5pm. If you follow me on Instagram, you will get a notification of my broadcasts.

Sometimes my live-draw is not from my studio, but outside in the world… and I will draw there. Last week, I drew and broadcast on the train! Why not?

Also, all my live draws are archived on my instagram, so you can see ones you missed or just look around.

May 19, 2022

Drawing Pro Choice Protests

Here are some live drawings I did last weekend during one of the many marches and rallies across the country to protest the potential end of Roe v. Wade. It was a lively, engaged, angry crowd, and I am sure there will be many more in the months to come.