Lyric Ellis: A Creator Intro
Lyric Ellis
(they/them)
agender trans bi+ Black single mom
I’m Lyric, and I’m a stationery addict. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to collect stickers and look at stickers and be around stickers but had way too much anxiety to stick them somewhere (because that’s permanent and what if I don’t like where I put it and want to move it later and I can’t because it’s stuck and if I try to take it off it will leave some white crap and sticky residue and look worse than a badly placed sticker?).
If you couldn’t tell, I’m an AuDHDer (person with ADHD + autism diagnoses). I’m also physically chronically ill and chronically unchill (anxious and depressed af).
Naturally, I never stick to one hobby or one medium. So of course, that means I’ve been a collector of lots of other things: books, Squishmallows, tarot decks, Sims expansion packs, makeup, reusable cups, coloring books (I even published one) etc.
The stationery affliction, though, has been my ride or die for life, and it isn’t just stickers. I’m like a dragon atop a hoard of pens, notebooks, scrapbook paper, highlighters, markers, sketchbooks, paint pens, washi tape, those zigzag and wave patterned scissors, you name it.
So you can see how ADHD in Color becoming my brand name just made sense. I’m also a “person of color” even though I prefer you just say Black. Most of us prefer it. Just say Black. Blackity Black Black. It’s not a bad word. Also, while I’m on a rant, I’m a fat person, too, and “fat” isn’t a bad word either. Fat = fat. Fat ≠ ugly or unworthy or incapable. I digress.
I started ADHD in Color as a way to eventually quit the corporate job I hated where my manager of 5 months was still misgendering and deadnaming me after repeated reminders. This was the second job in a row where I had been discriminated against for my gender, and I was beyond done. I wanted to work on my art and other creative talents, not continue being a cog in the capitalism machine that kills our hearts, souls, and dreams.
So here we are. It’s been four months since I left that awful job, and I haven’t regretted it once. I love creating. I love being the boss of me (shoutout PDA) and refusing to play the game the fascists are trying to enforce.
Some other quick facts about me
Favorite color: purple
Favorite band: System of a Down
Favorite kinds of music: metal and female rappers
Favorite drink: Mountain Dew and ice cold water
Favorite food: pork fried rice
Favorite movie: Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Favorite mediums: mixed media collage, digital (Procreate + Apple Pencil), and coloring