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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.

More info: Instagram | bookdepository.com | linktr.ee

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.”

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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.

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“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.”

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#9

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Black Pearl
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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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.”

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#13

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Me
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally can relate to this. One second after getting a compliment I think "but you don't know all the things I should do and don't do them"

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Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Laika-Mutton
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#17

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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MyloXyloto
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#20

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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Pirates of Zen Pants
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, Chuck! Aren't you afraid my Mom is going to sue you for using her likeness?

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#23

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Down With Agent Hedgehog!
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#24

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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Fluffy mommy panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#26

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Black Pearl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#29

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Katie Lutesinger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Don't tell me - we're about to go over a huge waterfall." "Yup." "Sharp rocks at the bottom?" "Most likely." "Bring it on."

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#31

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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Black Pearl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg I'm not the only one who has the random heart palpitations?? That's great to know that I'm not completely alone.

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#35

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Fluffy mommy panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#45

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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Shay Walsh
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#48

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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#49

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Alex Foster
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah nothing quite like: "Take these pills so you don't want to unalive yourself. Side effects: May make you want to unalive yourself"

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#50

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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#53

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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Firstname Lastname
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#54

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Fluffy mommy panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes yes. When actually tell someone all of it and they look at you like I didn't ask for all this information

#55

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Black Pearl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#59

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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#60

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Emma Dakin
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

resplendent flower! I often resent being a wall flower now I want to feel resplendent!

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#61

Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

chuckdrawsthings Report

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Black Pearl
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just keep telling my mind to stop (out loud) when that happens and normally it works pretty well

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Artist Who Lives With Anxiety And Depression Creates A Pigeon As The Narrator Of His Comics That Will Bring A Smile To His Face (Interview With Artist)

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