Illustrations

A collection of illustrations about my experience of being trans. From gender affirmation milestones, tomboy childhood gender euphoria, to finally feeling at home in my body again. 

Post-Top (2021)

Same (2021)

  • This illustration is a revisit of an older drawing Samuel created in 2019, called ‘Inside/Outside’, about a pivotal time in his transition, (and in moments of gender euphoria), when his outside finally matched his inside.

    In this updated print, he gets in touch with previous versions of himself: from pre-medical-transition, and even his childhood self. Reflecting on moments of change, and finally being at home in his body again.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

Trans Masc Semiotics (2021)

  • This illustration showcases a collection of items, body parts and objects that represent Samuel’s trans masculine experience.

    Inspired by Hal Fischer's "Gay Semiotics" photo series on gay symbols and street fashion (1977-1979), which explored how certain fashion choices and items were signifiers for underground gay subculture, as a way of connecting to other gay people.

    As a queer trans man, Samuel feels connected to these ‘gay’ symbols like keys on a belt, one earring, and even moustaches. But he has adopted and adapted these symbols to reflect his own formative trans masculine experience.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

Trans Bodies Are Magic (2021)

Trans Kids (2022)

Pierced Mullet (2021)

  • Samuel’s love for stars, symbology and trans analogies, comes full circle with this piece. In Heraldry (designs on armoury, or coat of arms) the 5 pointed star with a hole in the middle is called a "pierced mullet". Samuel has piercings and a mullet… It felt queer, and fitting!!

    In cadency, (distinguishing descendants in a family coat of arms) The crescent moon, symbolises a "second son" on a family crest. Although Samuel is oldest child, he was the second to be called a son in his immediate family.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

In Transit: Space (2019)

  • In Transit: Space is a limited edition run of Risograph prints that Samuel created to reflect on the “1 year” milestones in his gender transition, of being 1 year on hormones, and 1 year post top surgery.

    Samuel focuses on tender moments of being alone with his body; as his body moves through space, shifting and changing. The narrative flows between the two prints, their comic panels shifting between past moments, and scenes of current reflection.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

In Transit: Time (2019)

Preparing (2020)

  • “Preparing” shows Samuel burying a chest binder in the ground, pressing it down, and watching it break-down and seep into the surrounding soil. This physically represents the act of compressing his chest while wearing a chest binder, but also saying goodbye to this experience, as he prepares to have top surgery. His breast tissue was damaged over the years, and was removed during surgery. He relates digging up the earth, and preparing the soil for nourishment, to future growth.

    ‘Preparing’ and ‘Tending’ are comics about tenderness and touch, as well as how the body heals and changes in response to trauma. He relates the experiences of chest binding and top surgery to gardening, reflecting the patience, strength and care necessary to grow.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

Tending (2020)

  • ‘Tending’ is an intimate comic that reflects Samuel’s sense of ease since having top surgery, and how he feels more aligned with his childhood self now that his flat chest has returned to him.

    ‘Preparing’ and ‘Tending’ are comics about tenderness and touch, as well as how the body heals and changes in response to trauma. I relate the experiences of chest binding and top surgery to gardening, reflecting the patience, strength and care necessary to grow.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

Primary (2021)

  • It's bittersweet to look back and be reminded of how things were, as well as how things could have been.

    'Primary' goes back to basics, using primary colours of blue, red and yellow to highlight core items from my childhood. From a time I was most comfortable in my body before puberty hit. Since transitioning and having a flat chest again, I feel more connected to my childhood self, returning to that sense of ease.

    My 'tomboyhood' was a way to express and experience an 'almost' boyhood. Those boyish interests, hobbies and activities are now a way for me to affirm my gender in my memories, all these years later.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

Inside/Outside (2019)

  • This drawing was originally created in 2019, as a part of the #inktober4queerdos19 prompt list on Instagram (created by @ranafarba) in response to “Day 3: Inside/Outside” This print reflects a pivotal time in Samuels transition, (and in moments of gender euphoria), when his outside finally started to match his inside.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.

Visible (2022)

  • A print to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility, March 31, 2022.

    I reflect on my transition, having been out as trans for almost 9 years now.

    Being trans is an absolute gift. I'm so grateful I can experience the joy of feeling at home within myself, as well as share this joy with the community I’ve found. I’m sure I would have realised I was trans a lot sooner if I had access to representation of what a positive trans future could look like for me.

    Trans youth need to see positive trans representation, to know they aren’t alone, that their stories matter, and they have futures worth living.

  • You can purchase prints via Sock Drawer Heroes.