Meet wufargia | Webcomic Creator // Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with wufargia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi wufargia, what matters most to you?
When it comes to art, I really value vulnerability.

By creating something from deep within yourself, and being unafraid of other people’s expectations and judgment, I think you’ll really be able to find your own unique voice and art. It’s a liberating feeling being able to release pieces of your inner world out into the world – almost like sharing journal entries anonymously. Being vulnerable in that way helps you reconnect with your own humanity, and I think that will resonate with others as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think much of my art and storytelling stems from the emotions and thoughts that I have difficulty communicating directly. In a way, creating comics has become a cathartic medium for me to release and make sense of those bottled up feelings. By taking those experiences, emotions, and thoughts and dressing them up with fantastical elements, cryptic meanings and symbolism – I felt that I could transform them into something much more fulfilling and purposeful.

SHELTER is the first creative project that I really committed myself to and is still being published on a number of free publishing platforms such as Webtoons, Tapas, and GlobalComix. The comic is about a boy who is facing severe abuse behind closed doors, but when his friend gifts him a virtual reality gear, he encounters a strange spirit offering a way out of his predicament… but at what cost? It’s a story that explores sensitive topics that I believe should be destigmatized and approached in a more in-depth way than what I’m used to seeing in the media. Despite the “dark” themes addressed throughout, it is ultimately a story of empathy, love, free will, and resilience in the face of, what feels like, insurmountable odds. It contains creative influences, mostly from my childhood, and characters that have grown up alongside me. By sharing their story, I hope others can also resonate and find comfort in them.

I’ve learned that one of the most important ways to stay motivated is to make something that is meaningful to you and that you’re passionate about personally – I truly believe that the audience will be able to see that love within your work. It’s important to set up goals that you can control – such as finishing a story or improving your skills rather than relying on external validation to push you forward. Audience engagement should be bonuses – treasures that you did not expect, but gratefully picked up along the way.

As a webcomic creator, the entire process is incredibly time-consuming and takes a massive amount of dedication and effort, but the end result, in my opinion, is always worth the effort – being able to continue sharing a story you put your heart and soul into is one of the most fulfilling works I’ve ever done in my life. The first steps were definitely difficult, but I’m thankful that I took the initiative to start that journey and be able to hear the positive impact it has had on so many readers from around the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It might be a cliche, but as an astronomy nerd, I’d highly recommend Griffith Park/Observatory, which also has an incredible view of the city. Runyon Canyon also makes for a great morning hike with amazing views. In terms of good eats, I love being outdoors and enjoying late night carne asada fries as comfort food while having intimate conversations with friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My art and series would not have the recognition it has now without the love and encouragement from the readers, who have kindly shared their enthusiasm for my work – whether it be via heartfelt messages or incredible fan works, they are incredible. I’m continually blown away by the amount of support that SHELTER has received over the years – it has exceeded my every expectation and motivates me to continue creating. And of course I need to shout out the wonderful readers who have become patrons – who have supported my work financially. I want them to know that their continued generosity is always appreciated and has allowed me to dedicate more time into projects that I’m passionate about and that I hope they’ll love as well.

Website: https://linktr.ee/wufargia

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wufargia

Other: Read SHELTER: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/shelter/list?title_no=194264