Sierra Barnes
Sit down with Washington, DC-based creator Sierra Bravo as we discuss what the Lower Your Sights project means to her, her contribution to the anthology, and her thoughts on the unifying power of art.
Q: What does this project mean to you?
Sierra: My family fled Lithuania for the United States in the 1920s, and that Balto-Slavic family
legacy is important to me, my identity, and my work as a comic creator. When the war in Ukraine
started, I was reminded of my family’s stories and knew that I had to do what I could to give back and help. I am grateful for the chance to use my art skills to help people and hope this anthology can make a difference.
Q: What is your contribution to Lower Your Sights? (Short Story, Pinup, Etc.)
Sierra: I illustrated the short comic on Ukrainian writer and political activist Liudmyla Starytska-
Cherniakhivska.
Q: In addition to supplying food and essential supplies, Voices of Children also provides art therapy to help kids cope and overcome the stress, anxiety, and trauma of living in war conditions. Do you believe art has the power to heal?
Sierra: I would certainly like to think so!
A Note From Sierra
I am a historian-turned-comic-creator who makes webcomics and print comics based on
history and folklore. I am particularly interested in the relationship between history, mythology, and memory, and my comics (including graphic novel HANS VOGEL IS DEAD) reflect this. I draw inspiration from my family’s history and studies in Eastern and Central Europe. When I’m not making comics, I can usually be found haunting cafes and museums like a very nerdy ghost.
Twitter: @sierrabravoart | Instagram: @sierra_bravo_art
Sierra’s illusrations will be featured in the short story, The Arrests and Exiles of Liudmyla Starytska-Cherniakhivska, from our upcoming Ukrainian benefit anthology, Lower Your Sights. You can check out more of Sierra’s work here!
Mad Cave Studios and Voices Of Children are teaming up to publish Lower Your Sights, a graphic novel anthology, to raise awareness and proceeds for children impacted by war. Earnings from the book’s sales are going directly to the Voices of Children foundation.
Lower Your Sights is available for preorder (FOC on August 29th 2022), and officially in stores on September 14th, 2022. You can pre-order your very own copy of this benefit anthology here.
