Wanda CAN Do Anything
I’m not some whack job feminist who feels she needs to do everything for herself. In fact, I probably err a bit in the other direction towards more traditional male-female roles. That being said, it makes me NUTSO when I encounter a woman who thinks she’s not enough—not good enough, not interesting enough, not strong enough…not enough.
Enter Wanda.
Maybe you’ve seen Willy and Wanda on adventures together? Lately, Wanda has ventured out on her own, and she’s been pretty busy. Don’t worry– you’ll still see Willy from time to time!
How Wanda Came to Be
Wanda wasn’t born from some grand plan or marketing strategy. She started as part of a series of doodles I created with no immediate intention of doing anything with them. I made them and shared them here and there. They made people smile, so I kept making more. Most of my characters are anthropomorphized creatures of some sort—many of them birds because, let’s be honest, then I don’t need to know how to draw a nose.
As for her name? Something just popped into my head. I’m pretty funny about names that way. Willy and Wanda fit together perfectly…in my mind.
What “CAN Do Anything” Really Means
Here’s the thing: Wanda CAN do anything isn’t about proving anything to anyone. It’s about you doing you. If you want to learn to ski, then learn to ski. If you want to be a snowshoeing photographer in the wilderness of Alaska, then go be you. It’s about capability, permission, and breaking stereotypes—all of the above.
I’ve created Wandas doing everything from welding to running, from practicing karate to fishing. I made a thank you card for my eye surgeon featuring doctor and nurse Wandas. I created gymnast and karate versions for my niece. For my best friends, I designed a welder, a runner, a traveler, a scientist, and yes, a photographer (that one’s me). Each one carries the same message: She believed she could, so she did. These cards are what made my husband suggest making an entire Wanda series. He saw all the things she has already done and thought, WOW- she CAN do anything!
The Creative Process (Spoiler: It’s Hard)
I’ll be honest—it’s REALLY hard for me to put my characters into different positions. It’s not intuitive for me, so each and every Wanda is challenging. I start with an original Wandas and go from there, changing clothes or adding props as necessary. Sometimes I can just swap a hat or shirt and voila! If I need one turned to the side, I start with my Runner Wanda.Other times, like with Skier Wanda, it’s brutal. I created a stick figure version, looked at reference images, and then built her piece by piece—reusing parts where I could (those ski goggles? Similar to my Welder Wanda’s goggles).
My husband is my QC. He checks them to see if anything looks off and I go back to the drawing table. Luckily, he built me a beautiful tracing light table for Christmas to make the process a bit easier.
As for the bright pinks, teals, and yellows? Those colors just make me smile!
Who Wanda Is For
Wanda is for anyone who needs a reminder that they CAN do anything. She’s for little girls who are figuring out who they want to be and what they want to try. She’s for women who are ready to explore something new or step outside their comfort zone. Beyond empowerment, I hope people see Wanda and feel inspired to try something new or look at the world with fresh eyes. And honestly—sometimes I just hope they smile.
What’s Next for Wanda
Thanks to my followers, I have a running list of new Wandas to create: ice fishing, snowmobiling, sharing cocktails with friends, camping, rock climbing, and dozens more. Every Thursday morning, I share a new Wanda on my social media.
The response has been fabulous. I’m not going to lie. I LOVE that Wanda has brought so many people such joy. These little birds have worked their way into countless cards and onto multiple canvases in my office. People LOVE them!
Want your own custom Wanda? Maybe you’re a pilot, a chef, or a dog walker who needs a reminder that you can do anything. Reach out to me—I’d love to create a Wanda just for you. And let me know what products you’d like to see. Runner Wanda tank tops? Prints? Canvases? I’m listening.
Because here’s the truth: Wanda can do anything. And so can you.
Follow along for new Wanda adventures every Thursday on Instagram and Facebook @theoodlearium
