The Astronaut’s Journey

The Astronaut’s Journey

The Astronaut’s Journey

Co-Author | Co-Illustrator

Uth Story Group

2023

Project Synopsis

Embark on an interstellar adventure with “The Astronaut’s Journey,” a captivating activity and coloring book that seamlessly combines storytelling with interactive puzzles and educational fun. Follow our brave space scavenger as he explores the eerie corridors of an abandoned ship, meticulously looting for valuable parts while uncovering hidden surprises lurking in the shadows. Each page invites children to engage with the story through exciting challenges that weave together logic and creativity, encouraging them to solve puzzles that help propel our hero forward. As they color vibrant scenes of cosmic exploration, young readers will not only develop critical thinking skills but also spark their imaginations, transforming learning into an unforgettable quest among the stars.
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THE ACTIVITY BOOK

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STORY + PUZZLES

This exciting kids activity book blends brain-teasing puzzles with a thrilling, interactive narrative. As readers turn each page, they’ll solve mazes, decode secret messages, complete word searches, and crack riddles — all to help the main characters on their journey. Each puzzle unlocks the next part of the tale, making kids active participants in the story, not just readers.

THUMBNAILS

This series of thumbnail drawings by Henry Cram outlines the visual pacing of an interactive activity book, mapping out the flow of story, puzzles, and page compositions. Each sketch captures key beats in the narrative, ensuring a balanced rhythm between action, problem-solving, and quiet moments — all while guiding the reader’s eye and maintaining engagement from start to finish.

CONCEPT ART

This concept art series explores the imaginative world of The Astronaut’s Journey. On display are early designs and variations of the brave protagonist, his loyal robot companion, and the unique starships they pilot across the galaxy. From bold silhouettes to expressive details, each piece captures the playful spirit and wonder of space exploration, showcasing the visual development process behind the book’s characters and settings.

The UTH Series

The UTH Series

The UTH Series

Co-Writer | Co-Artist

Uth Story Group

2023

Who is Uth?

Meet Uth, a little planet with big emotions. Sometimes, Uth feels overwhelmed, especially by a stormy feeling called anxiety. But Uth isn’t alone. 

As Uth explores their world and learns from their friends, they begin to discover that emotions—even the tough ones—are part of what makes them whole. With curiosity, kindness, and a little help from nature, Uth learns how to listen to their feelings, understand them, and gently let them go.

A heartwarming series about mindfulness, emotional resilience, and the beauty of self-discovery, Uth is a tender guide for children learning to navigate their own inner universe.

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Art by J Salvador

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THE SERIES

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“I HAVE ANXIETY”

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THE STORY

Uth is a small planet with a very big feeling: anxiety. Sometimes it feels like his worries are spinning out of orbit — too many thoughts, too fast, all at once. Uth doesn’t know how to make it stop… until three unexpected visitors arrive to help.

A calm cave painter teaches Uth how to slow down and express his feelings through art. A wise fish shows him how to breathe deeply and ride the waves of his thoughts. And a kind farming mushroom helps Uth create simple routines that make each day feel a little more manageable.

Through gentle lessons and quiet discoveries, Uth learns that anxiety doesn’t have to control him — and that with the right tools, support, and self-understanding, he can feel safe, strong, and whole.

I Have Anxiety is a heartfelt, hopeful story for children learning to understand and manage big emotions — with the comforting reminder that they’re never alone.

THE UTH BOOTH

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TABLING

Tabling with the Uth zines at zine fests and DIY fairs has been an incredibly rewarding and joyful experience. The community is vibrant, welcoming, and full of curiosity — people of all ages stop by to connect, share stories, and talk about their own experiences with emotions like anxiety. The response to Uth has been overwhelmingly positive, with readers resonating deeply with the little planet’s journey and often saying, “I feel like Uth!” There’s something special about seeing kids and grown-ups alike light up when they flip through the pages, finding both comfort and creativity in the story. Being part of such a supportive, handmade art scene makes every fair feel like a celebration of shared feelings and imaginative healing.

Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps

Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps

Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps

Writer & Illustrator

Self-Published Zine

2018

Project Synopsis

The Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps is a satirical comic zine that reimagines Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey through the lens of a disgruntled office worker who’s finally had enough. On a particularly soul-crushing Monday, he quits — and thus begins his absurd, mythic quest through copy rooms, cubicle labyrinths, and existential coffee breaks. Zany, humorous, and surprisingly insightful, this zine playfully breaks down the classic monomyth structure in 17 punchy, illustrated steps, making ancient storytelling theory feel hilariously modern (and mildly caffeinated).

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THE HERO’S JOURNEY

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TRANSLATING WITH HUMOR

At the start of this production, I was put in charge of testing various methods to create the natural terrains of the entire show. This was a fun time of experimentation. There are a lot of tried and true ways that we use in stop motion to achieve certain looks, but they can sometimes start to look rote. We wanted to challenge ourselves to try something new, and make the “normal” things to be made in a totally new way.

For example, we experimented with using dyed wood chips and sawdust for our grass textures. I was in charge of the early tests to determine the proper look and scale of this important terrain texture. In the end we ended up using a combination of both, dyed green and yellow, to achieve the grass at various different scales.

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