'Sometimes I feel guilty making art while the world around me burns. But I am here for the small bit of joy I can contribute. The stickers I made for Issue 02 hold that irony, how we try to have hope, even joy, while feeling like we have one foot in the grave. Life is duality; nothing is absolute. For me, "I hope this finds you well" is both sincere and questioning. I think the best care you can take of yourself is choosing to look toward the light, even when it’s dark. That’s something I practice often.'

- Alake Shilling

For Issue 02, The Reader  collaborates with artist Alake Shilling, who has designed a series of iconic characters paired with original words of affirmation, specially commissioned for this edition. Each copy will include one unique motivational sticker from a limited set of five designs from the series  Everything is good, and  rather splendid, 2025, created by Shilling. 

In conjunction with the issue,  The Reader  has partnered with the artist to produce a capsule collection of hats, pins, apparel, and children’s T-shirts, launching alongside the publication. Proceeds from the collection will support  The Reader  and its ongoing mission. 

Born in 1993 in Los Angeles, California, Shilling is a painter and sculptor known for her gelatinous, rainbow-hued creatures, drawing inspiration equally from Lisa Frank and Peter Saul. Her work bears carefully coded emotions and rich narratives exploring companionship, risk, and reward. 

Shilling’s work is held in the permanent collection of the Hammer Museum, where it was featured in the 2025  Made in L.A. Biennial and the 2019 exhibition   Dirty Protest. She held a solo exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum in 2024 and completed a mural commission for the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2023.