Gene is the face of Capy Life. The inspiration behind the art. And a capybara just trying to make it through the day.

Gene has a way of finding himself in very relatable situations. Avoiding small talk. Getting distracted by snacks. Questioning why he agreed to plans. Trying to enjoy five minutes of peace.

Sometimes those moments become drawings. Sometimes they become shirts, mugs, stickers, or other things we probably didn't need but are glad exist.

Because Capy Life is really about finding the humor in ordinary life, and Gene is very good at that.

It Started With a stuffed Capybara that came back with us on our trip to adopt our youngest son. Gene soon became the family mascot, escorting us on various adventures, until one day he became the mascot for our business.

There was something about a capybara that fit the kind of art I wanted to make: calm, slightly awkward, naturally funny, and somehow unbothered by whatever is happening around him.

The more I drew Gene, the more of a personality he developed.

He wasn't the loudest character in the room. He wasn't trying particularly hard to be inspirational. He was just navigating life's little moments in his own way.

And somewhere along the way, Gene became the heart of Capy Life.

Little Drawings About Real Life

Every Gene illustration begins with a relatable moment.

Sometimes it's wanting to stay home when you've already agreed to go out. Sometimes it's standing in the middle of a situation wondering how you got there. Sometimes it's choosing the cider donut over the apple picking.

And sometimes it's simply sitting quietly and deciding:

This is enough.

Those moments become simple, hand-drawn scenes featuring Gene: sitting beneath a tree, getting into trouble, staring at the moon, playing golf badly, hiding in a pile of leaves, or doing absolutely nothing at all.

They're small pieces of art about the funny, frustrating, peaceful, ridiculous parts of everyday life.

If you've ever looked at Gene and thought, "Yep. That's me," that's kind of the point.

Gene Gets It.

When you agreed to plans before remembering you don't like plans.

Gene gets it.

When everyone else went apple picking and you came for the cider donuts.

Gene gets it.

When you're trying very hard not to get involved...and somehow you're involved.

Gene gets it.

When you've done enough for one day, even if the day disagrees.

Gene definitely gets it.

Life doesn't always need a motivational quote.

Sometimes you just need a capybara who understands.

More Than a Mascot

Gene is more than the face of Capy Life. He's the thread that connects everything we make.

He's there in the funny designs that make you laugh because they're a little too accurate. He's there in the quieter illustrations that remind you to slow down. And he's there in the completely unnecessary situations that exist mostly because drawing a capybara doing them made us laugh.

That's what Capy Life is about.

Original art. Relatable moments. And a little more humor in ordinary life.