In 2002, I tried to make a web comic, and this was how it started. Read along (and subscribe for free!) in my weekly Substack newsletter, The Drawing Book!
https://samhester.substack.com/p/what-to-expect

In 1988, Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics. Calgary's Olympic Plaza was paved with bricks bearing the names of people who'd donated $19.88 to help build the Plaza. One year ago, the bricks were removed & returned to their donors, thanks to an awesome effort by the City of Calgary. This week in my Substack newsletter, I'm revisiting my post from last year about those bricks.
https://samhester.substack.com/p/the-olympic-bricks

This week in my free comics newsletter, "The Drawing Book," I'm looking back to 2001 and an early attempt at a web comic:
https://samhester.substack.com/p/ex-libris

Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere! But this post marks the end of a chapter in my Substack sketchbook series, "The Drawing Book." Subscribe to read along with the next chapters in 2026!
https://samhester.substack.com/p/the-end-of-a-sketchbook-era

I have a plant called a Christmas cactus. It has not bloomed in a few years. But today, two blossoms! Let's hope that is a good omen for the year ahead. Merry Christmas!

Here's the last post in my Christmas card series. Happy holidays!
https://samhester.substack.com/p/my-christmas-card-collection-f15

I didn't have time to post today's Christmas card earlier today. It's already dark outside! But maybe that works well for a Christmas card with a picture of a night sky. Have a good night!
https://samhester.substack.com/p/my-christmas-card-collection-3e5

Today's Christmas card post is short and sweet. Unlike the experience of getting a toddler in and out of a snowsuit!
https://samhester.substack.com/p/my-christmas-card-collection-8c7