Tom's Mad Blog
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
October 15th, 2008 | Posted in Sketch O'The Week
This week’s sketch is a quick 10 minute or so study of “Mr. Madonna”, director Guy Ritchie. Actually it is a disservice to him to say he’s only famous as he’s married to Madonna. In fact he’s a pretty good film maker. His movie “Snatch” with Brad Pitt and Jason Stratham is a favorite of mine. Hilarious. READ MORE
October 14th, 2008 | Posted in General
The weekend of October 4th and 5th was the 20th anniversary of the Minnesota FallCon comic book convention in St. Paul, MN. Thanks to Northwest Airlines I missed Saturday but made it on Sunday. It’s fun to go to these kinds of shows now and again. No, MAD isn’t exactly “The Uncanny X-Men” but I do get a few people who stop by and tell me they read and enjoy MAD. I draw caricatures for people and do little sketches and such, plus sell originals. I’m not really expecting to make any money doing this, but that is what you do when you are a… READ MORE
October 13th, 2008 | Posted in General
The view from our Lanai 10 years ago The Lovely Anna and I took a trip for our 10 year anniversary (at least that’s the excuse we used) to the island of Maui, Hawaii and basically fell in love with the island. We bought a timeshare week there and have traveled to Maui every year since, usually just the two of us but occasionally with close friends with whom we were able to share the charm and beauty of this Hawaiian island. This year for our 20th anniversary we finally brought all our kids (including Elizabeth!!) along as well as lots of family and friends… READ MORE
October 12th, 2008 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: Thanks again for another great article,¬¨‚Ć Friday Sept 19, it is really helpful to know those things are going on out there. I wonder what happens if such magazine would have used the Al Jaffe caricature anyways, what do you do then, if there’s anything at all? A:The article he’s referring to, in case you didn’t click the link above, is where a magazine called me asking to use a caricature I had done on the blog of Al Jaffee, and then not doing so when I had the audacity to ask to be paid for the use. They may well have used the… READ MORE
