Charlotte Gossage

I chose to end this chapter the way I started as a child: by building imagined worlds from cardboard boxes and duct tape. Piling on polymer clay, found objects, and copious amounts of hot glue, I created the Beetle Bung Farm and the peculiar people who live there.

This is the story of a family in a small town with nothing but cornfields and secrets for the next five miles. In these parts, the only way to get by is by dreaming of a life beyond. At least that’s how the Beetle Bungs did it—all of them but Bitsy.

To the people of the town, Bitsy is known as the princess of Beetle Bung Farm. Despite her oversized jumper and small stature, she has quite a presence. You see, Bitsy came out of her mother feet first, and since then, she hasn’t lost her taste for danger.

I conceptualized Bitsy and the bunch by drawing on memories of my childhood and doodles in old notebooks. These characters have always been with me, but by using three-dimensional media, I have been able to bring every wrinkle and crooked smile to life.