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AAPI History Projects and a Busy April
It's AAPI Month! A few years ago, I worked on a project called Inhuman Figures. It was a great project. Last month was fun: Sailor Moon Live the Super and C2E2! Artist Deb JJ Lee, Let's Eat, and the Bakery Shop.
BRITTNEY GALLOWAY
May 07, 2025
It’s Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
In 2022, I finished working on a film essay called Inhuman Figures: Robots, Clones, Aliens by Michelle N. Huang. I was hired by CA Davis through Northwestern University. It is essentially a documentary on Asian American history, and I learned a lot. My sister and I worked on the animated story of Emi, an Asian American woman in a dystopian world. She very literally has to grapple with 3 large stereotypes through a historical lens: Robots (model minority), Clones (all the same and replaceable), Aliens (never fully assimilated). You can watch it and learn more here.
A banner that reads “My Short Journey: The Elusive Green Elephant”
April was a slow month for the Elusive Green Elephant. It was a busy month for me personally. I had three family birthdays, saw Sailor Moon Live: the Super, and helped my sister vend at C2E2 for the first time.
The Sailor Scouts in Sailor Moon the Super Live
Crystal and Brittney in Cosplay at C2E2 2025
I did cleanup and color a shot. I also figured out how to rig Joey for the next shot I’ll be working on.
One last thing, it’s Mermay! 10 years ago, my sister Crystal designed a Desi-themed Little Mermaid for her Senior thesis. There are character designs, storyboards, and fully illustrated scenes. One day, we hope to make it a movie. A small taste can be seen below as well as on our main website: https://www.sleepygallows.com/art/visdev
A painting from 10 years ago that Crystal painted for her Little Mermaid thesis.
Animation Spotlight: Let's Eat - Animated Short Film
What it’s about: Let’s Eat is a relatable, tender story of a mother and her daughter. The passage of time and how relationships change is always a great premise for a story.
Why I like it: On a technical level, I think this was made in a smart way. They had limited resources but used staging and transitions really well. I also related to the story, though I’m not from an immigrant family. I teared up a bit at one point as well!
Artist Spotlight: Deb JJ Lee
I found Deb, a Korean American comic artist, through the graphic novel In Limbo. It is an autobiographical dramatization of their high school years. I found the story captivating and universal, with a focus on the first-generation Korean American experience. Deb’s website: In Limbo: In Limbo Book |  Deb JJ Lee posing in front of art. |
Art Tutorial I Like
I found this tutorial in my earlier Blender days. It’s difficult for me to use Grease Pencil for EVERYTHING, but Kevandram’s mix of meshes, shaders, and Grease Pencil is very helpful and practical.
Kofi! Any support is appreciated. If I can get 10,000 people to donate $1 each I’ll be able to focus on these projects and still take care of my family. Having said that, if I have my way, I’ll have finished building the official store on the Sleepy Gallows website.
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