Caroline Nasica, better known by her artistic pseudonym Zinzin, has carved out a unique niche in the French comic book world by transforming her everyday experiences into humorous and relatable illustrations. The Corsican content creator and artist shares her personal anecdotes on Instagram while simultaneously building a successful career as a published comic book author.
Zinzin's Instagram feed reads like an illustrated diary, featuring comic strips about awkward situations like being driven home from parties by barely legal teenagers, being mistaken for her father's girlfriend, realizing her therapist isn't the right fit, or reconnecting with an ex only to immediately regret the decision. These tragicomic moments from her daily life serve as raw material for her artistic expression. "It's like keeping a diary," the artist explains about her creative process.
Her artistic inspiration stems from childhood, when her mother, also an illustrator, would regularly read stories to her. This early exposure to visual storytelling shaped Zinzin's approach to art as a means of personal expression. Her distinctive style is characterized by spontaneous, quick, and nervous lines that reflect her impatient personality. "I draw the way I write or speak," she notes, explaining how her impulsive nature translates directly into her artwork.
The pseudonym "Zinzin" itself embodies her artistic philosophy. Far from being pejorative, she views the name as representing "a certain madness, an eccentricity, but not a negative one." The term reminds her of her family members and simply makes her laugh. While her close relatives, including her parents, live on the island of Corsica, Caroline grew up in southern France before moving to Paris to study artistic direction, where she developed her style influenced by renowned illustrators like Jean-Jacques Sempé and Pénélope Bagieu.
Her artwork features simple yet effective forms rendered in black and white, punctuated by small annotations that capture the fleeting thoughts of the Instagram artist. Over time, Zinzin professionalized her craft and began commercializing her productions, as the panels published on social media generated no revenue. She has since published a series of comic books chronicling different phases of her life.
Zinzin's bibliography includes "Caro et les zinzins" (2021), which recounts her quirky encounters, and "5, rue du Boucan" (2023), detailing her roommate adventures. This year, she returned to her roots with "Zia Zinzin: Retour en Corse" (Zia Zinzin: Return to Corsica), a particularly special work as it marks her first publication in color rather than her signature black and white style.
"I was obligated to use colors to depict this island," the comic book creator explains. "Whether in nature, buildings, or among the inhabitants, there's life everywhere, and that's how I want to represent it." The decision to use color specifically for her Corsican-themed work demonstrates the deep emotional connection she maintains with her homeland.
For this album, Caroline drew upon her life experiences in Upper Corsica. Since childhood, she has spent summers with family in Tox in Upper Corsica. As an adult, she lived in Corte for several years before returning to Marseille following a romantic breakup. The book serves multiple purposes beyond personal expression, as Zinzin aims to show mainland French people a different face of Corsica.
"In pop culture, islanders are associated with the mafia and rejection of foreigners: it's very reductive," she observes. "The approach is multiple. I first wanted to immortalize the Corsica I know, both to maintain the connection I have with this land and to bear witness." Through the story's characters—including her uncles and aunts, grandmother, and neighbors—Zinzin addresses Corsican folklore and culture while exploring more universal themes such as identity, apprehension about the future, and village daily life.
The artist deliberately crafted her narrative to reach a broader audience that could still recognize themselves in the book's scenes. However, she doesn't shy away from addressing more taboo subjects including drugs, nationalism, and identity withdrawal. "It's difficult not to become conservative when you're afraid of losing who you are," Caroline comments, acknowledging the complex social dynamics within Corsican society.
Published in April 2025, the book has generated enthusiasm throughout France. "I'm getting very good feedback," the young woman rejoices. "Readers share with me either their desire to visit Corsica after closing the book, or their impression of being there and reliving their memories." The positive reception validates her goal of presenting an authentic and nuanced portrait of her homeland.
Beyond bookstores, Zinzin regularly exhibits her work in art galleries, whether in Corsica or on the mainland, expanding her reach beyond traditional publishing channels. Her success on Instagram has translated into real-world recognition, with exhibitions in Marseille art galleries showcasing her distinctive illustrative style.
Looking toward the future, Zinzin harbors ambitious dreams for expanding her artistic reach. She hopes to adapt her art to cinema as either a screenwriter or director, potentially bringing her illustrated stories to the big screen. The comic book artist also reveals she is currently in talks to adapt her works into animated series, suggesting her career may soon extend into new media formats.
With multiple successful publications under her belt and growing recognition both online and in traditional art spaces, this "crazy zinzin" shows no signs of putting down her pencil anytime soon. Her unique blend of personal storytelling, cultural commentary, and artistic skill continues to resonate with audiences seeking authentic, humorous perspectives on modern life and regional identity.
