This post may include affiliate links.
We reached out to Guy Kopsombut, the creator behind 4amShower, to get a deeper look into his creative process and the stories behind his beloved comics. His cartoons feature cute characters and wholesome stories, so we wondered whether he begins his creative process with a message in mind or lets the story come first. "It’s a bit of both," the artist shared. "I find inspiration in all kinds of ways. Sometimes I notice people during the day and imagine what they might need to hear or feel in that moment—I’m a big believer in empathy. I'll take those observations with me, let them sit and simmer as I go about my day (and often while I'm in the shower), and the ideas naturally start to take shape.
Other times, I'll ask my readers directly what themes or characters they'd love to see, and build from there. While the way I start ideating in different ways, I always make sure that by the end of the comic, the reader smiles!"
Why 4amShower? According to the artist, the name comes from the times when he feels most creative, either during a shower or randomly at 4 a.m. "More often than not, the ideas really form in the shower. The warm water helps me zone out and ideate. And sometimes, at 4 A.M. on the dot, I'll wake up with an idea and jot it down and go back to sleep."
4amShower features all kinds of animals, from dogs to birds to alligators, so we asked Guy how he decides which ones to feature in his comics. "If a comic calls for a specific animal—like a snake intending to be a rope—then obviously that animal gets the spotlight. Other times, I’ll ask my Patreon supporters which animals they’d like to see featured. And sometimes, I just go back to drawing the blue bunny because they're my favorite!"
When we asked about the comic that means the most to him—the one he returns to again and again—Guy mentioned the “You are loved. Pass it on” comic. "That one really resonated with people, and it brings me so much joy to know it helped spread a little extra love and positivity into the world."
For all of Guy's art fans out there, we have exciting news—he's just released his debut middle grade graphic novel, Badge Quest! "The synopsis is Pillow the bear needs to earn badges to become a hero. Fae the shape-shifting fairy needs to earn petals to earn her flower wand. Together, this unlikely duo sets out on a journey." You can buy it here!
