News
November 16th, 2007 | Posted in News
The National Caricaturist Network occasionally sanctions “mini-cons” put on by either local chapters or groups of members where they have some guest speakers, do workshops and have the usual draw-a-thon with artists plastering the walls with their caricature art. These are always fun and high energy. Unlike the main convention , these minicons are open to non members of the NCN, giving those interested in caricature and cartooning the chance to attend and participate. In fact, they encourage non-members to attend to give others a look at the organization and to promote the art of caricature. Just such an event will be held March 2nd-5th,… READ MORE
November 5th, 2007 | Posted in News
I’m back from our annual National Cartoonist Society North Central Chapter meeting, this year held in beautiful downtown Kansas City. It was the usual fun time, and the group of speakers were particulary interesting as they were not chapter members this time around. I arrived later on Friday night after a 7 hour drive, but was met at the hotel bar by fellow caricaturists Len Hernandez and his wife, Mike Worley and Stacy, who’s last name I apologize but did not catch. It is always fun to hang out and chat with those who have spent their time int he live caricature trenches. We were… READ MORE
November 2nd, 2007 | Posted in News
While I am on the subject of the NCS, it’s a good time again to remind everybody about the scholarships in cartooning that the National Cartoonist Society’s NCS Foundation have available. I am on the Foundation board and involved in both the scholarship and financial committees. These scholarships are exciting as they are some of only a few dedicated to cartooning… a very rare resource for young cartoonists. Again, the scholarships are not tied to a single school or even to an art major. They are about encouraging young artists to pursue careers in cartooning, be they animators, comic book artists, editorial cartoonists, strip cartoonists…… READ MORE
November 1st, 2007 | Posted in News
Every year my “local” chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, the North Central Chapter, has a meeting/conference chock full of guest speakers and general cartoonist’s shenanigans. This year our chapter chairman is Oliver Christiansen, better known as wacky Hallmark card super artist Revilo, and the chapter meeting is taking place in his hometown of Kansas City this Saturday, November 3rd. As such, I will be traveling to KC tomorrow to take part in the festivities. I say “local” chapter with quotes because out chapter is anything but local. There are so many cartoonists in the upper east coast area that there are no less than… READ MORE
October 18th, 2007 | Posted in News
Several times I’ve mentioned the National Caricaturist Network here on the blog. The NCN is an organization of professional caricaturists from all over the world (even though it’s still called the “National” Caricaturist Network, membership from outside the US has swelled to a sizable proportion). They represent not just live caricaturists from the theme park and party circuit, but illustrators, painters, sculptors, graphic artists… as long as an artist’s work revolves around caricature it’s a welcome fit. There are some seriously talented artists within the NCN, and it’s quite an inspiration to see their work. Here’s an old blog post about how I got involved… READ MORE
October 9th, 2007 | Posted in News
I mentioned a week or so ago about stopping in at the Charles M. Schulz Museum on our trip to the Sonoma County area of California and spending some time with Jeanne Schulz and other friends, and of course enjoying the exhibits. I read this article yesterday in my local paper, the Minneapolis Star Tribune (reprinted from the New York Times), concerning the release of a new biography of Charles Schulz by David Michaelis: ‘Peanuts’ creator cold, tormented, biography says The article relates how the extended Schulz family is very unhappy about the book, which paints Schulz as “a depressed, cold and bitter man who… READ MORE
October 6th, 2007 | Posted in News
I’ll be at the Minnesota Comic Book Association‘s FallCon today (and possibly tomorrow). I’ll have a stack of MAD‘s to sign, lot’s of original artwork for sale or just to look at, and will be bringing a bunch of $#^%$# work with me since I am so swamped… bleccch. I’ll also be doing live caricatures for an outrageous fee. Comic cons are fun but bizarre. I never feel quite like I belong since I draw for MAD and not a comic book title per se. People walk up and ask what I do, then want me draw a sexy picture of Wonder Woman in their… READ MORE
October 1st, 2007 | Posted in News
This weekend is the annual Minnesota “FallCon” comic book convention at the State Fairgrounds. The last few years I’ve managed to get there once or twice. This year I’ll be at a table with a stack of MAD’s to sign, a bunch of original art for sale and I’ll be doing caricatures as well. Last year we combined the con with our chapter meeting for the North Central Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, and had a North Central table plus did a panel discussion on cartooning with myself, Micheal Jantze (THE NORM comic strip), Cedric Honstadt (OPPOSITE FORCES, and 3-2-1 PENGUINS ) and Jerry… READ MORE
