Back in 2003, Sara Varon made her debut with a graphic novel by the title of ‘Sweaterweather’. She’s been charming the socks off readers ever since. She followed up her initial foray into the world of graphic novels with ‘Robot Dreams’, which won enough accolades to build a small fort, making it onto lists like the Kirkus Best Book of the Year, the Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, the ALSC Notable Children’s Book, and the YALSA Great Graphic Novel. She even landed a coveted spot on Oprah’s Kids Reading List. The novel has since hit the silver screen in an Oscar-nominated animated film, proving that robots, quite shockingly, also dream in technicolor.

In between drawing and publishing, Sara found time to sit down for an interview with Gina Gagliano about her career, the majesty of dogs, and lovely Chicago.

When asked about her first steps into the world of comics, back in the days where dinosaurs still roamed the earth (well, not quite that long ago, but time does have a way of slipping), Varon chuckled and said, “I read Donald Duck comic books as a kid. I lost interest when all I found were superhero comics. Then, in the late 90s, I stumbled upon comics published by Highwater and Top Shelf. That’s when the dormant love for comics rekindled. I wanted to create my own but lacked the confidence in my writing skills or the belief that I had stories to tell.”

A move to the ‘city that never sleeps’ in the pursuit of a MFA Illustration program at the School of Visual Arts changed things for Sara, particularly the required creative writing classes. Time in New York helped her discover her voice, inspired her deeply, and handed opportunities to her on a silver platter. However, when pandemic hit, Varon packed up her bags and said goodbye. She does miss the city, she says, particularly its creative community.

Sara Varon’s artistic style is infused with an infectious and cheery vibrancy. She surrounds herself with bright colors, both in her art and in her living space. “Colors are very emotional. I find it really important to surround myself with them. In fact, coloring is one of my favorite steps in the process of making comics,” she notes. Her art also often spills out from the pages of her books to create physical objects like screenprints, clay figures, and cards, owing to the slow pace of creating books and the need for quick satisfying projects.

Travel, in Sara’s view, is a powerful inspiration. “I stop paying attention to things when I fall into a routine. When I am in a new place, it forces me to be present,” she says. Her love for exploring different ways of living led her to regular trips to Guyana with her husband, finding inspiration in the creative ways people cope with limited resources.

As for sporty hobbies, she says, “I find myself always looking for community. In addition to being a way to expend my energy, I’ve found community in participating in sports.” She quashes the stereotype of cartoonists being physically inactive, having previously indulged in boxing, marathon preparation, and now regular tennis in Chicago.

Food is also a recurring motif in Sara’s stories. She relishes the opportunity to draw instructional diagrams and watching characters enjoying themselves while eating. Her recent series, ‘Detective Sweet Pea’, based on her very own rescue dog, is rife with depictions of foraged snacks and disgusting street foods.

About her transition from picture books to graphic novels, Sara says, “Telling stories with pictures, in both formats, is a way to bring an imaginary world to life. But graphic novels give you more room to go down side roads and off on tangents.”

Varon’s journey in the creative world took an exciting detour in 2013 when she was chosen as a Maurice Sendak Fellow. Here, she was granted the opportunity to co-exist with three other talented artists, creating art sans the need to deal with mundane everyday tasks. “I got to know other artists, and it gave me the confidence to quit my job and make a living primarily as an artist,” she says.

On her move to Chicago, Varon admits it’s been rocky. Especially challenging was the transition from the vibrant and diverse comics scene in New York City to the smaller, “indie” and underground vibe she’s observing in Chicago. “I haven’t really found my people,” she admits, “From what I gather, the Chicago comics community seems to have more of an indie and underground vibe and appears to craft more comics for adults than kids.”

Sara’s work has seeped into more media – “Robot Dreams” has been adapted into a movie set to release in 2024, a whole 17 years after the book’s publication. About the journey of the book becoming a movie, Sara chuckles, “They came to me! I did not work on the adaptation. The director had his ideas in place and I think he nailed it. He made the version he wanted to make, and I’m glad I wasn’t involved, I might’ve resisted the changes.”

Another of Sara’s recent creations is “Detect