Ellen Forney

Ellen Forney was born on March 8, 1968, and is an American cartoonist, educator, and wellness coach. She is best known for her autobiographical comics, which explore mental illness, political activism, drugs, and the riot grrrl movement. Her notable works include *I Was Seven in '75*, *I Love Led Zeppelin*, and the acclaimed graphic memoir *Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me*. Forney began her comics career in the early 1990s, contributing to anthologies such as *Tomato* and *Diva Grafix & Stories*, and later worked on *Best Erotic Comics*. Her style is candid and expressive, often blending raw personal narrative with sharp visual storytelling. She has taught at the Cornish College of the Arts and, as of 2019, is based in Seattle, Washington. Forney’s co-creations include her own life story, which she has turned into a body of work that resonates with readers navigating similar experiences. Her legacy lies in her honest portrayal of mental health struggles and her influence on autobiographical comics. She has received recognition for her contributions, including awards for *Marbles*, which was a *New York Times* bestseller.