Tom's Mad Blog
October 23rd, 2008 | Posted in General
Today’s the day I am sitting by the phone in case I am called upon to be a “Phone-a-Friend” lifeline for my pal and fellow caricaturist Jim Batts, who is taping his show this afternoon in New York City. Actually the way this works is he is there and ready to compete if called upon. It is possible he might not be picked from the pool of possible contestants during the taping sessions he is scheduled for. I doubt that, as he is just the kind of guy they’d want on the show… he’s quirky, has an interesting career and he knows a #%^$*@ lot… READ MORE
October 22nd, 2008 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
Almost forgot “Sketch o’the Week” today. In honor of the 2008 World Series, which starts tonight, here’s a quick pencil study of baseball’s meek commissioner “Bud” Selig. Who am I rooting for in the Series? I guess if I had to choose I’d go with Philly, just because I think a team needs to be around for more than a decade before they deserve to be in the World Series. The whole Florida Marlins thing in 1997 and 2003 still makes me a little sick to my stomach. I’m not sure Philly can win it, though. I think it will all come down to whether… READ MORE
October 21st, 2008 | Posted in General
Next month several hundred caricaturists from all over the world will descend on the unsuspecting city of Raleigh, North Carolina to attend the 17th annual National Caricaturist Network’s convention. No caricaturist should miss attending at least one of these gatherings in their lifetime. I am not exaggerating (pun intended) when I say it can be a career and life changing event. There is a wide diversity of style, skill level and application within the NCN itself and especially on vivid display at their yearly convention. Attending artists are inspired, creatively energized, humbled and altogether blown away by the experience. In general the NCN Con is… READ MORE
October 20th, 2008 | Posted in General
The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park near Hana on Maui The Richmond Family returns today to the wonderful world of impending snow and ice of Minnesota from the Hawaiian islands. The Lovely Anna and I renewed our wedding vows for our 20th anniversary on the 13th from a beautiful beach in West Maui, surrounded by family and friends. We then spent a week enjoying the island with everyone. Maui has always been our little home away from home, where the two of us spend a week a year in a timeshare. It was fun to share it with everyone. Of course when you… READ MORE
October 19th, 2008 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I recently went with a friend to a chiropractor, and after telling the doc it was my first time even stepping in an office he proceeded to explain what he was doing to my friend and the benefits of it. I got to watch the whole process and it made me cautiously curious. My mom on the other hand has been a RN for most of my life and needless to say has thought none too highly of chiropractors, or “those quack back-crackers” as she likes to call them. Like most in the illustration profession I find myself hunched over a desk all day… READ MORE
October 18th, 2008 | Posted in Freelancing
When visiting a message board thread about whether signing your commercial work is kosher or not I was reminded of this story I heard about 25 years ago about a mural painter from my hometown of La Crosse, WI. I was told it by a friend sitting in the bar the story supposedly occurred in, but the “evidence” was no longer there. I’m paraphrasing big time, as it was so long ago: An artist who was a college student was approached by a local La Crosse nightclub owner and asked about being commissioned to paint a mural on a huge wall along their dance floor… READ MORE
October 17th, 2008 | Posted in MAD Magazine
I have to admit when it comes to MAD I am not much of a knowledgeable historian. I know the basics, and have learned a lot from reading books like “The MAD World of William M. Gaines” by Frank Jacobs, “Good Days and MAD” by Dick DeBartolo and others, and I’ve learned a lot from some of the long time MAD editors and contributors with whom I have become friends. Still my lack of total MAD knowledge sometimes shows itself when least expected… like a month or so ago when fellow caricaturist Dave “Rock” Cowles sent me this caricature for my Me Gallery. When he… READ MORE
October 16th, 2008 | Posted in News
Tuesday Apple introduced a refreshed line of notebook computers, with new versions of their 13 inch MacBook and 15 inch MacBook Pro. Alas, the 17 inch MacBook Pro only got a few tweaks and didn’t get the full overhaul it’s smaller counterparts did. Apparently the 17 inch version is coming but it had some final design problems and will not be available until early next year. The new MacBooks incorporate some of the features of the MacBook Air and some of the look of the desktop iMacs. I like the new look and keyboard format, but it is some of the new features and technology… READ MORE
