Renowned Author, Artist & Creator Camilla d’Errico has announced their newest project through a crowdfunding project on Zoom! She has been making waves in the art world with her manga-influenced style. Camilla is a Pop Surrealist painter, artist and author of many published art & instructional books, the smash hit Pop Manga coloring book series from Penguin Random House Books, as well as a longtime comic creator!
We reached out to her over Email to hear more about the project and what she plans to do with its release!
DIEGO HIGUERA: What inspired you to create The Paro-bee Book of Fuzzbutts, Volume 1, and how did the idea of combining pop culture characters with bees come
about?
CAMILLA D’ERRICO: Years back, I decided to take a sweet dive into the colorful world of bee conservation through my art. Inspired by the importance of these little pollinators, I couldn’t help but add a sprinkle of my surreal flair. Picture this: adorable bees in vibrant pinks, purples, and every other color under the sun! It’s like a rainbow landed in a flower garden, and the bees are throwing a party.
Once I cracked open that creative hive, my imagination went into overdrive, landing straight on my all-time love: Sailor Moon! I mean, how cute would it bee—hee hee, I just couldn’t resist that pun—to see a bee transform into the fabulous Sailor Scout? So, with a bunch of moonlight and paint, Sailorbuzz was born!
From there I leaped from into a whole universe of cartoon inspiration. My mind was racing faster than a bee on a sugar rush, and before I knew it, I was creating an entire hive of parobees. There’s Beegeeta, powering up; Bee-Ra, fierce and fabulous; The Poker, smiling with his classic menace; and Hivelander, soaring about to laser someone! Each character has its own unique twist that brings a smile to my face.
Honestly, the possibilities are endless! I could transform everyone into a parobee if I had the time. Imagine your favorite characters sporting little wings and antennae, fluttering around. Just think of how hilarious it would be to see them go on adventures, saving the world one flower at a time!
HIGUERA: Can you walk us through your creative process for designing these bee- themed characters, and what challenges did you face while translating well-known characters into bees?
D’ERRICO: When I dive into creating a parobee, it’s like stepping into a costume party in my mind. I start by thinking about the character and what makes them truly iconic—their personality traits, costumes, and all those little details that fans like me instantly recognize. It’s like a treasure hunt, searching for the best bits to bring each character to life as a fuzzbutt bee.
Take Spider-bee, for instance. I’ve got him web slinging through the air, capturing that iconic moment we all love. And then there’s He-Bee, proudly holding his sword as he transforms into his heroic self—because what’s He-man without his trusty sword, right?
For many characters, the colors are what pop out and scream “look at me!” But for others, it’s the unique parts of their costumes or outfits that really define them. I have to consider all these elements to be as true to the character as possible.
Sometimes I’ll add in fun details like hair or jewelry to amp up their character vibe. For my Doctor Who bee, I chose the 7th Doctor, who’s famous for his trenchcoat and, of course, his iconic sneakers. I couldn’t resist painting those in.
There are plenty of challenges along the way, and I really have to take my time deciding how to bring each parobee to life. If people can’t recognize the character, it risks turning into “just a weirdo bug that’s having an identity crisis”—and we definitely don’t want that!
So, each parobee becomes a labor of love, a fusion of creativity and fandom that I pour my heart into. With every brushstroke, I aim to capture the magic of these beloved characters and transform them into the buzzing icons they were always meant to be.
HIGUERA: Some would argue that Humor is a big part of this project, but also your clear love of manga! How do you balance humor with your signature emotional and surreal style?
D’ERRICO: I always say it’s super important for adults to let their inner child out to play! Seriously, we all need a little fun in our lives. For me, those little fuzzbutts—my beloved parobees—are a huge part of who I am. Not only are they funny and adorable, but they also sprinkle in a sense of nostalgia while giving reality a surreal twist.
As a pop surrealist, I thrive on taking pop culture and breathing new life into it, that transforms the familiar into something wonderfully unexpected. My portraitures might dive deep into serious emotions, reflecting another side of who I am, but my parobees? Oh, they tap right into that fun-loving, carefree inner child.
Fan art is such a vibrant part of comic culture, and it’s where I first dipped my toes into the artistic waters. Now, pop surrealism takes that playful concept and catapults it into a painterly direction, blending beauty with the heartfelt. So I feel so fortunate to have the chance to showcase my humor in the gallery scene with the parobees, especially where many people can be overly serious about their paintings. Don’t get me wrong—art can be profound, but it can also be playful and silly!
These days, I don’t hold back as an artist anymore. If I’m feeling playful, you bet I’m diving headfirst into my love of anime and fan art. Creating parobees lets me bring joy and a good giggle to a wide range of people. Just imagine a bee dressed up as your favorite character buzzing around—what’s not to love?
So here I am, splashing color onto the canvas, mixing my love for humor, nature and nostalgia with a dash of pop culture. I hope my art reminds everyone that it’s perfectly okay to let your inner child out to play, giggle, and bask in the whimsical magic that surrounds us!
HIGUERA: What made you choose Zoop for this project, and how has crowdfunding impacted your relationship with your fans?
D’ERRICO: I like how Zoop is that super supportive friend who’s always there to lend a helping hand. Unlike other crowdfunding platforms that put the entire weight on the artist shoulders, Zoop makes the journey feel more like a collaborative adventure. This is my first time working with the Zoop team, and it’s been a wildly engaging campaign so far.
I’m bubbling with excitement to see how fans react to this project—especially since it’s been over a decade since my last crowdfunding campaign! Time flies when you’re having fun, right? I’m really hoping this project will engage fans in a way that goes beyond traditional platforms like Kickstarter. With Zoop, you can choose your tiers a la carte. It’s like a buffet of creativity—you get to pick and choose what you love without having to buy the kitchen sink!
And you know what I’m really crossing my fingers for? I can’t wait to see if fans will commission me to create their favorite characters as parobees! Just imagine a whole new hive of parobees, inspired by all those iconic characters. It’s going to be such a blast to dive into their fandoms.
With so many fun pledges to choose from, this is shaping up to be a wild ride, and I’m here for every minute of it! I can already picture all the laughter and creativity that’s about to unfold, and I’m ready to share this journey with everyone.
HIGUERA: How does creating a parody art book compare to your other work, and what new skills or perspectives did it bring to your art?
D’ERRICO: This project is definitely a whole new ball game compared to anything I’ve done in the past. We’re talking about a comedic book here, not just your run-of-the-mill traditional art book. So, I really had to shake things up and rethink how to present my artwork. Gone are the days of strict timelines and formal structures; this time, I’m embracing the playful chaos.
I found myself diving deep into the themes of the book, carefully editing and structuring the art in a way that showcases the humor and whimsy rather than a chronological timeline. Let me tell you, as a Libra, every single decision felt like a cosmic balancing act! It was tough to choose which bees made the cut and which ones I had to save for another adventure. Without my husband holding my hand, I couldn’t have made all the choices I did.
What’s really exciting about this project is how passionate I feel about it.It allows me to let my silly side shine bright, which has been a blast. I’ve really pushed myself to be inventive, stretching my graphic design skills and tapping into my editorial side while working with my amazing book designer, Sharmine. She’s been incredibly patient, taking in every single note I had—bless her heart!
As my very first parody book, I get to embrace my nerdy side to the max, bringing out my inner dad for those wonderfully cringy jokes that make you groan and laugh at the same time! But it’s not just about the punchlines—each page is still a feast for the eyes. This project is all about having fun and embarking on a humor-filled journey, so I’ve let my fine art side take a back seat to my inner child.
Life is so short and precious; we blink, and it’s over! So why not have a blast while we can? Every image in this book is meant to be hilarious and cute, even when it veers into the wonderfully creepy. I want to spark the imagination and fill hearts with laughter.
I can’t wait to hear which bee becomes someone’s favorite! Will it be Jason Vorbees, the terror of the hive? Or maybe Honey Potter, the wizard with a magical sting? Either way, it’s going to be a silly ride, and I’m so excited to share it with everyone.
HIGUERA: Are there any new projects or themes you’re excited to explore next, and could this be the start of more volumes?
D’ERRICO: Well, since you asked, I have over 200 parobees buzzing around in my library. So, with this new book being a 96-page adventure, you can bet there’s more than enough content for me to whip up a second volume. It’s most likely going to be a coloring book! I love coloring books and how collaborative they are, so I can only imagine how fun it’ll be to see all those cute parobees just waiting for a splash of color.
There are so many beloved shows and movies that I absolutely adore, and I haven’t even scratched the surface with them yet. So, trust me, there will be more volumes to come in the future.
In addition to all the parobee fun, I’ve got some other exciting projects in the works. Keep your eyes peeled for a cat-themed book that’s sure to bring joy to all the fellow crazy cat lovers out there. I’m also diving into the world of a post-apocalyptic graphic novel which will be bringing back some of my iconic art.
I can’t wait to share these projects with everyone and see where this imaginative journey ends up.
HIGUERA: Are there any questions you wish I would have asked you, and could you
expand on it?
D’ERRICO: That is a really unique question! It’s so fun to think about—no one’s ever asked me this before. So, have any of the actors or voice actors seen my bees, and what were their reactions? Well, hold onto your antennae because this is where it gets exciting!
Believe it or not, I’ve had a few incredible moments at conventions when actors and voice actors actually came to my booth and recognized their characters! It’s like a surreal crossover episode where my art meets the very people who brought these characters to life. My absolute favorite moment? When the voice actor for Vegeta strolled by and caught sight of Beegeta!
It was such a treat to know that my art did justice to the characters enough that the actors themselves connected with them. It’s like a stamp of approval from the universe!
So here I am, a little artist in a big world, and when I see those moments of recognition and joy, it makes all the late nights and paint splatters worth it. It’s a reminder that art has the power to bridge gaps and spark joy, and I can’t wait for even more of these magical encounters.
HIGUERA: Is there anything you want to say to your fans and people interested in your
work?
D’ERRICO: Please like and follow me on social media—your support truly means the world to me. In a time where I don’t do as many in-person shows anymore, being able to connect with all of you online is a super rewarding experience. I absolutely love chatting, replying to comments, and sliding into those DMs.
Plus, when you share what I do with others, it’s like spreading a little spark of joy and creativity into the universe. We have such a unique way of sharing and connecting now that didn’t even exist when I started my comic journey back in 1999.
Sure, social media can be a bit aggravating at times (ugh, those algorithms can be downright evil!), but it can also be a bright and positive experience. That’s my ultimate goal: to share my art with as many people as possible, connect on an emotional level, and sprinkle a bit of joy into the world.
I’m all about positivity and nerdy fun, so don’t be shy—drop some geek trivia, share your own parodies, or hit me with your best dad jokes. I’m totally here for all of it! Being a part of this amazing community is not only an honor but also a humbling experience, and let me tell you, it’s an absolute blast—especially when we start chatting about vampires, because that’s my jam.
Whether my art resonates with you in deep, meaningful ways or you just want to share a giggle over some fuzzbutt bees in cosplay, I look forward to connecting with all of you in this amazing online community we have.
For more information check out the crowdfunder here!
