Tom's Mad Blog
July 19th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: Would you know or could you give the history of the pencil, airbrush caricature like you do in the parks? Was it the Fasen’s that put it together and brought it to the amusement parks? A: Great question, one I happen to know the definitive answer to as I was there when the live airbrush caricature was “invented” and know the whole sorted story. Live airbrush caricatures are seen in theme parks, fairs, festivals, malls, tourist centers and many other places where crowds of people gather to spend money. The technique has been adopted by many artists as it is quick, efficient and very… READ MORE
July 18th, 2009 | Posted in News
Once again it’s almost time for the annual Walt Disney Hometown Toonfest in charming Marceline, MO. As always, this small but wonderful celebration of the art of cartooning in the boyhood hometown of Walt Disney has a stellar lineup of guest speakers. Here’s the official press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Marceline, MO- As the summer heats up, families are anxiously looking forward to the 2009 Walt Disney Hometown Toonfest, Saturday, September 19th in beautiful Marceline, MO. This will be the eleventh year for this celebration of the life and work of Walt Disney. Director of the Toonfest, Richard Switzer and his crew of reulars are… READ MORE
July 17th, 2009 | Posted in News
The official press release on this show was just sent out so I believe it’s now appropriate to promote my art show at “The ToonSeum” that starts on August 1st. I have had a piece or two of my original work hung in cartoon art shows quite a few time, but have never had a show entirely of my work hanging anywhere before. I am honored to say that The ToonSeum, a part of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, will have a retrospective of my work from August 1st through October 4th at their gallery at 10 Children’s Way in Pittsburgh, PA. Here is the… READ MORE
July 16th, 2009 | Posted in General
Spoiler Free!!- Tuesday night at midnight I found myself shuffling along in a gigantic line of over 2,000 theater goers to watch the sixth and latest Harry Potter film. I was chaperoning two of my kids, a nephew and a few friends… none of which were decked out in cloaks, hats and spectacles waving about wands with a red lightning bolt drawn onto their foreheads, but they were none the less excited to see the movie. I was as well, to tell you the truth. The Richmond family have been Harry Potter fans since the first J.K. Rowling book became all the rage back in… READ MORE
July 15th, 2009 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
I had grand ambitions of doing a nice sketch of Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke as Holmes and Watson for today, but that is just going to have to wait until next week. The day is already getting away from me. Therefore, above is a “Sketch o’the Week” cop out: a very rough sketch for one of the two page spreads I did for the “Bo Confidential: The Secret Files of America’s First Dog” book for MAD I have been posting about here. If you read any of the posts I wrote detailing the story of haw fats this book was produced, you would understand… READ MORE
July 14th, 2009 | Posted in General
The incomparable Jermy Brett Last month I wrote this post about my lack of confidence in the upcoming Guy Ritchie film “Sherlock” starring Robert Downy Jr. as literature’s greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes. As I said in that post, I am actually a fan of both Ritchie and Downey Jr., but also as a fan of Sherlock Holmes I find it difficult to believe I will like that film. You can read the post if you want the details. In that post I confessed to not having much exposure to the many films, TV shows and plays featuring the Great Detective. My expertise with Holmes begins… READ MORE
July 13th, 2009 | Posted in MAD Magazine
Image Courtesy Doug Gilford’s MAD Cover Site. The Gladstone Gallery on 24th Street in New York City will open a show of the original work of Basil Wolverton on June 20th, which will run through August 14th. The show does indeed include the collage of this beautiful and famous cover from MAD #11. There is bound to be plenty of great stuff to see. The official press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Gladstone Gallery Basil Wolverton Curated by Cameron Jamie 515 West 24th Street, New York June 20 to August 14, 2009 Gladstone Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition by American graphic artist and… READ MORE
July 12th, 2009 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I have read on your blog about movie and TV parodies you have done where you say you loved the movie/TV show and ones where you say you didn’t like the subject. Would you rather do a parody of a show you really like or one you really dislike? What was your favorite parody for MAD? What was your least favorite? A: Since you specifically asked my preference between those two choices I would prefer to do a parody of a show or movie I really like, but honestly either one is preferable to doing one of a subject I care nothing about. It’s… READ MORE
