Claire Duplan is a Parisian illustrator and comic book author. She graduated from the printmaking department of the Ecole nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD), Paris, in 2016 and has been teaching illustration, comics and micro-edition at Prep’art Paris since 2018.
Passionate about fiction writing and micro-edition, her work revolves around inclusive feminist matters and her interest in nature and plants. She published the graphic novel The Amazing Camel Toe.
Andrew, the publisher at Black Panel Press, interviewed Claire to get the author’s perspective on The Amazing Camel Toe. The following includes what was discussed;
- Who is Claire Duplan?
- What is the Amazing Camel Toe about?
- How does Claire think feminism has changed for our generation?
- Why did Claire choose comics to tell her story?
- Is she trying to piss people off with this book?
- How much of this story is based on her real life?
- Who did Claire write this book for?
- What is the main message Claire hopes people will take from this book?
- Can one fertilize plants the way the book cover shows?
Who is Claire Duplan?
“So, I draw as much as I can. I live in France, close to Paris, and I have about a hundred and fifty plants at home, so that takes a lot of time. I also teach in two different schools, so I don’t have much time for my work.
I just like writing stories mostly from experiences, and I might experiences or things yeah little stuff people tell me, and I like to turn it into a story, and that’s it. I read Comics all week long and get my inspiration from a lot of books, mostly from Julie Doucet, who’s Canadian and won a prize in Angouleme last year, so she’s finally very famous in France which is great.”
What is The Amazing Camel Toe about?
” The Amazing Camel Toe is the story of the young illustrator who drives comics of a superhero who succeeds in defending herself, being a badass, and being a feminist whereas the author herself is having a very hard time getting the respect she deserves.”
How do you think feminism has changed for our generation?
“I think people are a lot more outspoken like young women or young people in general about issues that they’re facing harassment and also I think there’s more space to express themselves and there’s just more space to talk about it. People are more heard now, and back then I feel like it was at the beginning of ‘me too.’ It was really different.”
Why did you choose comics to tell your story?
“Actually, I just started drawing when I was a student. I studied in in an art school in Paris, it’s called decorative arts, and so I was studying printmaking I was doing more woodcuts and linocuts etching silk screen yeah fanzine stuff like that. And I started drawing, just conversations of my girlfriends and I and guy friends too actually.
And they will always be like, I remember this scene and I would like people who would read them to think, “I recognize myself in this and just made people love in general. So I thought maybe it’s a good way to tell stories.
I learned by doing it and seeing what would work or not and it felt like it was the best way to have both.
Yeah to tell a story and you can do both, you get your message through and have fun with the drawings too
And so this is how it happened but yeah I guess it’s also when you’re drawing and being funny it’s a bit of an excuse you’re like yeah I’m talking about something serious but it’s not like I’m writing a boring book you know you’re having fun so it’s okay”
Are you trying to piss people off with this book?
“Yeah well, the moments where the characters are very pissed, most of them it’s things I’ve been through or I’ve heard I’ve had, like people telling me about stories or listening to podcasts stuff like that. It’s mostly testimonies of actual people going through outrageous stuff so I wanted them to be really shocking.
But yeah, always show how maybe you wouldn’t, like as a victim, you don’t really have the right thing to answer at the right time. You don’t have the right reaction. Sometimes you’re stupid. Because, I mean, my characters like none of them are 100% right or wrong that’s what I wanted to convey as in real life
And,
I guess I wanted to make something both funny and that may make you want to scream at some point I don’t know just to get a little strength and power from the story.”
How much of this story is based on your life?
“Well, she has the same passion as me.
She’s a comic book artist with the same issues as she’s living in a city which would be somewhat similar to Paris, where I live in France and she has to face stuff such as difficulties with working, and getting money, and living as a young adult, and living from your art, and having to compromise sometimes like by doing illustrations for stuff you don’t believe in or the stupid or is playing sexist to make a living and yeah.
Also a lot of experiences such as harassment. Sexism in general in society it’s very based on stuff I’ve heard or I’ve been through
We might have a very similar temperament like getting super pissed off at some point and very very angry. You feel like defending yourself but all of a sudden when you’re in the middle of a conflict and you’re mute and you don’t know how to react. I feel like that’s a very common situation, I guess.
Women and people in general are victims of those situations. And so, a lot is similar but we’re not the same person exactly.”
Who did you write this book for?
“I didn’t really know writing it, but I guess there were a few voices in my head of people who would read it and be offended or angry or think it’s stupid or vulgar.
In the end, it wasn’t specifically for women or young women but I felt like what comforted me in the writing and drawing was that a lot of women friends and gay friends and people around me who were feminist and interested in that read a few parts and felt like it really helped.
I had fun, and it gave me confidence or whatever, and I could talk about this issue with my partner, and I felt like okay, then I guess this is the people I want to talk to and to address.
It kind of worked because when I do signings when I’m at festivals or bookstores it’s mainly women coming and telling me that it’s helped at some point and it’s yeah they felt like they needed a superhero to help them.”
What is the main message you hope people will take from your book?
“I think in general I tried to put some humor into it to make it more acceptable but then it’s more about respect which is both towards other people and to be willing to do good. I guess it’s kind of like kindness like towards yourself and toward others in general like just mutual respect and just considering more people around.
Obviously, people you know who you would assault or disrespect. It’s not okay so don’t do it.
I try to make it with humour like one of the main guidelines for that is to sit on your own penis for people who have penises. It’s kind of like we have a saying in France,
‘You should turn your tongue like seven times in your mouth before you speak’
It gives you time to think before you say something nasty or disrespectful or hurtful. I guess if you focus really hard to sit on your penis, then you have a lot of time to consider what you’re going to say and be like, ‘Am I being, you know, disrespectful, or not nice or is it okay what I’m going to say?
it’s more about, just taking a moment to think of what you’re doing in the consequences and also for potential victims or people who have a hard time dealing with harassment and sexism in general or discrimination in general.
It’s okay not to be able to face it or to respond and it’s fine if you need time, and it’s fine if you need help and people around you and support, so also kindness and respect towards yourself and your timing.”
Can you really fertilize your plants like the cover shows?
“If you want to try it, like watering plants with menstruation, you have to dilute it in water contrary to what’s on the cover of the book. Also, it’s not recommended for people who have medication or birth control or stuff like that because it’s not good for plants but yeah it was an Instagram “witch” trend a few years ago, and I just thought it was so fun. Actually, yeah, it’s a good fertilizer in small quantities, but it’s like compost or stuff like that.”
