The popular lifestyle publication Cup of Jo has announced the departure of resident illustrator and cartoonist Grace Farris, marking the end of an eight-year creative partnership that has delighted readers with smart, witty, and heartwarming visual commentary on modern life, family dynamics, and parenting.
The announcement accompanied the publication of Farris’s final comic for the platform, a humorous and relatable piece titled "Be cool," which humorously captures the intricate and often exasperating tightrope walk of parenting teenagers. The comic touches on themes familiar to anyone navigating the adolescent years—a phase of family life that Farris has frequently explored with her trademark blend of empathy and sharp observational humor.
For nearly a decade, Farris’s illustrated contributions have served as a cornerstone of the Cup of Jo reading experience. Her work has regularly resonated with audiences by taking the everyday trials of adulthood, marriage, and child-rearing and translating them into instantly recognizable, comforting visual vignettes. Beyond her sequential comics, Farris has shared glimpses of her creative world and personal life with Cup of Jo readers through features such as her widely read house tour and her installment of the site’s popular "Beauty Uniform" series.
In a heartfelt farewell message accompanying the final comic, the editorial team expressed deep gratitude for Farris’s long-standing collaboration. Acknowledging the milestone, the publication noted the remarkable eight-year run during which Farris produced her signature content. "We love you, Grace, and we’re so grateful for the smart, funny, and heartwarming comics you’ve shared with us," the publication stated, directing readers who wish to continue following her work to her independent website, where her books and art prints remain available for purchase.
The departure of Farris coincides with a transitional moment for Cup of Jo as the publication prepares to introduce new content formats. Alongside the farewell notice, editors announced the upcoming launch of a new editorial series titled "Pro Tips." Set to debut the following Friday, the new feature will spotlight recommendations and practical life hacks shared by notable contributors and community favorites, offering readers a fresh recurring segment in the wake of the comic series’ conclusion.
While the closure of Farris’s eight-year comic run brings a beloved chapter to a close, Cup of Jo’s archives continue to host a rich repository of her past work, alongside related parenting resources. These include previously published guides and reflections on effective communication with adolescents, such as articles offering practical advice on how to talk to teenagers and thoughtful rundowns of common pitfalls to avoid when raising moody preteens and teens.
As the publication turns its attention toward its upcoming "Pro Tips" series, the community of readers has flooded the comments section of Farris’s final post to share appreciation, fond memories, and well wishes for the illustrator’s future creative endeavors.