We recently connected with K. Woodman-maynard and have shared our conversation below.
K., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents recognized from a young age that I was creative and they nurtured that through words of encouragement, but also in practical ways—giving me loads of art supplies, signing me up for classes, and taking me to museums, gardens, and the woods, all visually rich places that fueled my imagination.
I didn’t realize how unusual that was until college. At Harvard, I met other art students who were actually hiding that they were studying art from their parents because they knew their families would be disappointed—they felt pressure to study something more “prestigious” or lucrative. I’m really grateful my parents never put that on me. They always seemed to trust that I’d figure things out, even as a cartoonist, and that confidence made a huge difference in giving me the confidence to pursue a career totally different than my peers.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I studied animation in undergrad and after graduation I worked on a small animated web series. We made a companion comic and I quickly realized I preferred making that to animation since comics matched how my mind worked and I liked the level of control and expression it allowed.
I started making graphic novels while freelancing as a graphic designer. My debut was a graphic novel adaptation of THE GREAT GATSBY (Candlewick Press) which was called “hugely rewarding” by the Wall Street Journal and was a finalist for best book of the year with Foreword Revies. That led to another graphic novel adaptation of TUCK EVERLASTING by Natalie Babbitt (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), coming out in September 2025, to coincide with the book’s 50 year anniversary.
Over the past couple of years, I transitioned from graphic design to focusing entirely on comics, and a big part of that shift has been comics coaching. I work one-on-one with cartoonists to help them gain confidence in their creative decisions, stay accountable, and figure out their next steps—whether it’s structuring a story, developing a process, or navigating graphic novel publishing.
I love helping artists find clarity and momentum because comics can often feel overwhelming and isolating, and I know firsthand how valuable support can be. It’s incredibly rewarding when something clicks for my clients—whether that’s unlocking a new direction in their story or helping them avoid months of struggle with a more efficient approach.
I also write Creating Comics, a weekly Substack, where I encourage artists to create more and feel less bad about themselves in the process. I share the tools, structures, and mindset shifts that help me (and my coaching clients) overcome creative obstacles—because I believe in the power of self-expression through art.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I believe that personal growth—both as artists and as people—comes from facing internal barriers. We need to recognize, name, and talk about the psychological barriers that are preventing us from making art. For me, a big part of making art is developing the confidence and bravery to do so.
It makes me really sad when I see people write themselves off as “not artists” just because they don’t consider themselves “good enough.” You can find so much joy in things you’re not naturally good at. I’m not a particularly good runner, but I love it, and if I stopped because I wasn’t great, I’d miss out on so much. Yet I see so many people applying that same thinking to art, and they miss out on the joy of art creation as a result.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Looking back, I wish I’d been more intentional about building a community of fellow artists and creators earlier in my journey. As I’ve advanced in my career, having that support system has become such an important part of my practice. The feedback, understanding, and sense of camaraderie have been invaluable, but just feeling less alone in the process is huge. When I was younger, I was too self-conscious and scared to reach out—I was too fragile. I wish I had built that community sooner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.woodmanmaynard.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodmanmaynard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodmanmaynard
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharine-woodman-maynard-06508460/
- Other: https://woodmanmaynard.substack.com/
Image Credits
K. Woodman-Maynard