Tom's Mad Blog
October 6th, 2009 | Posted in General
The North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society had our annual fall meeting this past weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Organized by former (and long time) chairman Ken Alvine, the chapter had several planned activities and speakers over two days. On Friday, eight or so of us went to Sioux Falls’ Lincoln High School to participate in “Career Day”. We set up individually in the library and talked to small groups of students about what we do and how we do it, and answered their questions. It is always great getting to talk with kids about what being a cartoonist is all about…… READ MORE
October 5th, 2009 | Posted in General
Having grown up mostly on the east side of the Mississippi in Wisconsin, and having suffered through the 80’s as a Green Bay fan, here’s what I’m hoping to see when the Packers take on the Vikings tonight… but it’ll be a tough one. READ MORE
October 5th, 2009 | Posted in News
The last weekend of September The Lovely Anna and I went to New York in part to attend the opening of an art show of work by the Long Island chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, aka the “Berndt Toast Gang”. The show featured, among many terrific artists, the work of my long time friend Ed Steckley. Ed is a very talented illustrator and cartoonist, as well as being one of the best live caricaturists I have ever seen… and that’s saying something as I have seen some thousands of them. He does a lot of storyboard work for commercials that you have probably seen… READ MORE
October 4th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: My question is about freelancing in the drawing area, like you, how you charge your clients? I mean, do they pay you before drawing or after that? or just 50% at the beginning and the other at the end of the project? How much is normally the price for each project? Because the client often fear the price and at the end they will not work because of that. A: These are actually many questions, so I’ll try and answer them one by one. Do you charge the client before you start the work, or after? That depends on the client. A new client… READ MORE
October 3rd, 2009 | Posted in News
The caricature artist community here in the Twin Cities got a big shock last month when artist Joe Williams passed away suddenly from complications with diabetes. Joe was in South Dakota doing a fair when he was found dead by a fellow artist. Joe worked for me for several years at my booth at the Mall of America. He was quite a character, doing everything from caricatures to murals to airbrush t-shirts and bedsheet banners… you name it, Joe did it to earn a living as an artist. When the traffic versus rent at the Mall of America became too out of balance Joe bought… READ MORE
October 2nd, 2009 | Posted in News
This is just a reminder that the International Society of Caricature Artists annual convention is coming up fast, exactly one month away on Nov. 2nd. I understand from current president Robert Bauer that attendance is already at record levels, and that’s before the last minute people show up at the door. Unfortunatley for those who did not register before Sept. 30th, early discount registration is over and it’s now full price to register: Members- $250 Member guests- $100 each Non- Member “Seminar Only”- $125 It might be a bit more if you show up at the event looking to register on the spot, so register… READ MORE
October 1st, 2009 | Posted in News
I’ll be joining Chris Brown (Hagar the Horrible), Jeff Koterba (Editorial Cartoonist- Omaha World Herald) and Paul Fell (Huskernutz) at a book signing ar Zanderbroz Books in downtown Sioux Falls thsi Saturday. I’ll have a stack of “Bo Confidential” books and will of course sign copies of MAD or whatever you want to bring in. Here’s the official press release: For Immediate Release: National Cartoonist Conclave Booksigning, Meet & Greet Saturday, October 3rd, 2-4 pm Zandbroz Variety, 209 S Phillips Ave., Sioux Falls, SD The North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society will have their annual meeting in Sioux Falls October 2 and 3rd.… READ MORE
September 30th, 2009 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
Since I’ve been remodeling the studio I’ve been going through a lot of old piles of drawings and such. I found this old rough sketch of Samuel L. Jackson that was supposed to be a preliminary for a theme park sample that I never got around to finishing. I remember liking it when I did it, but now… meh. READ MORE
