Happy Trails, To Yoooooooooou ....

I thought of Ken today when hearing/reading that Tumbleweeds last strip is today. (Ken once mentioned really liking the strip/cartooning by T.K. Ryan.)

John Daiker Sites

Congrats to our own John for winning on the Chewing Pencils contest! He has a most excellent Christmas cartoon entry you can view at Scott's blog site.

Here is John's official Site to enjoy more of his work!

Not to disrupt the Christmas vibe...

...but I seem to have won the Halloween cartooning contest hosted by Chewing Pencils!



It was chosen by Mark Anderson of Andertoons.

It's A Wonderful Life

Seeing this movie in it's classic black and white Frank Kapra glory has been a tradition for me. What joy to see this comic strip to give a wee warped glimpse into the movie.

Other links - the ending to It's A Wonderful Life on YouTube and better yet, the alternate, long lost ending to It's a Wonderful Life on YouTube.

Meanwhile, embedded is another classic from MTV's Liquid Television. I LOVED Stick Figure Theater.

Cartoon Catfight in the Air?

Participate in the poll on the side. How do you think this storyline will turn out?

Jay Kennedy Scholarship (For Cartooning)

Ken sent this our way and a link to find out more about the scholarship.

Here is the link.


-- best wishes to all who apply for this!

Whovian Observer - John's Site

A site you should check out - our John's Whovian Observer. Nice cartooning and I had actually bookmarked it before realizing he was a Sioux Falls cartoonist!

Al Scaduto - "They'll Do It Every Time" Cartoonist RIP

Not a strip that runs in our Argus Leader, but thanks to the blog "The Comics Curmudgeon" I did become aware of this strip and use of reader ideas in the strip. Mike Lynch's blog provided the news.

Click HERE to read additional info about the cartoonist.

Cartoonist Toolbox - Free Vector

http://vectormagic.stanford.edu/



Here is a photo of the comparison of a scanned drawing and then it cleaned up and vectorized with this site:

Adobe Illustrator

I'm doing some work and took my simple rough here:

and polished it in Illustrator using LiveTrace.

Boy do I love Illustrator and technology!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincere well wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. I'm sure thankful for our community of cartoonists in the region!

Web Comic Find of the Day

Click picture to take you to the link. (Graphic supplied by artist to promote his site.)

Web Comic by Charley Parker. I found it really impressive.
He also has a web blog called "Lines and Colors".

Nick Anderson Cartoon

Too good not to share.

Marvel Online

Marvel Comics now archived and available to view online with a subscription. Full article here.

Food For Thought - More Copyright Info

Here's a link I found in my bookmarks -- nice overview from a cartoonist.

Public Domain - explained here.

Public Domain images -- most free to use without permission.

* Photo and homemade salsa created by Jackie

Cartoonist Toolbag - Copyright Issues

While this gem is for film makers, I love that it is comic book style and makes a rather dry and complex subject fun to read. There are free and online versions to read it from located here.

New Cartoonist in Town

Our own Cartoonist, Jay, writes the article.

Video link by Jay and Joel Brown located here.

Wonder if Chris would come to a Cartoonist Conspiracy Meeting if we hosted another one?

You're a Good Man Sparky Schulz

Tonight we happened across American Masters on PBS and it featured Charles Schulz. I'd recommend watching it, though, I'm really depressed after viewing it and wish that Charlie Brown could have kicked the football -- as well as Charles.

Personally, he's one cartoonist I've always looked up to from childhood on and think of as an inspiration. I was very touched by, I'm guessing, his last interview where he had announced his retirement -- due to his stroke and battle with cancer. Oh, heck, my eyes got watery, it was that moving a segment. I always figured he died more from a broken heart than from cancer ... having to quit the strip. He's one cartoonist I wish I could have met and I eat up Sparky stories from other cartoonists who did meet him. They ALL speak very favorably, he was always encouraging to them and shared insight.... I do hope he realized how truly loved and worthwhile he was.

If you missed it, it'll run again on Oct. 31st on PBS at 1:00 p.m. and again on Nov. 1st at 11:00 a.m. Here's the schedule link.

Tim Benson (extended) Spotlight III

While admiring Tim's work or venturing elsewhere on the Internet, feel free to listen to Tim's Blend Playlist!

Believe -- OT, but neat story

Not a cartooning subject, but it was a Sioux Falls/SD happening!

Elton John, last night in Sioux Falls, seemed downright impressed and astonished that he was able to meet Sen. George McGovern. He dedicated this song to him.


This was certainly right up there as one of the best concerts I've gone to. He started at 8:00 p.m. and went non-stop -- all Elton, no costume changes, etc. until 10:40. Elton was simply outstanding. He seemed personable, making connections to the audience, at his call back signing several autographs -- much like Willie Nelson did at the Washington Pavilion -- except then Elton came back to treat us to two more songs. Willie went back to his bus! ;-)

I'd sure like to know more about EJ's dog, Arthur, which is I guess from SD! He said he carries a little piece from SD everywhere he goes. :-)

Scott and Tim's Excellent Adventure, er, blog

First, my apologies to Tim -- I'll continue the spotlight that got put on the back burner a bit longer than should have been. Please forgive me and my poor blogging habits.
(Tim -- I owe you probably two or three lattes or beverages of your choice for not completing the series in a timely fashion and for your picking up my work at the Horsebarn!)

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Scott has a new blog and is featuring Tim's cartoons on it as well. He's also been experimenting with color with Tim's work.

It's featured here:

Goodbye Lisa

Personally, I have mixed emotions about Funky Winkerbean. I used to love it, especially with all the education humor, then it got just downright, wrist-splitting depressing.

This last arc really hit me though, it reminded me of the untimely deaths of two friends of mine. Both diagnosed with breast cancer in their thirties. I guess Lisa's death happening in October with breast cancer awareness is right and appropriate. With that in mind, ladies, get those annual mammos and look at research -- some saying limiting your red meat and alcohol intake.

It's interesting in FW that Les and the strip has now aged four years. Let's hope Wally is back safe and sound from his service in Afghanistan.

NSC Wagons...SOUTH?!

The next National Cartoonist Society meeting is scheduled for November!

I smell a ROAD TRIP!

So...who wants to go?
I definitely plan on attending, and it would be fun to have a delegation from Sioux Falls attend.
We discussed it one or twice during the Editorial Show, is anyone else interested in going?

Tim Benson Spotlight II

From Tim's bio from Cartoonists Day Exhibit bio sheet:

"My political cartoons were also published by daily newspapers "The Missoulian" in Missoula, MT, "The Bozeman Chronicle" in Bozeman Mt., "The Great Falls Journal" in Rapic City, and in
The Argus Leader" from 1983 until present. My political cartoons were also published by the weekly newspaper "The Guide" in Rapid City in 1986 and 1987 and by the bi-weekly newspaper "The Tempest" in Sioux Falls in 2000 and 2001. I received a first place award in political cartooning from Sigma delta Chi in Western Region Collegiate competition in 1983."

**While reading about Tim and admiring his cartoons, click here to hear Tim's Blend Playlist, or find his playlist on the right column! **

New face for editorial cartooning?

I post this not for the political message, but that this is done by one of Houston Chron's editorial cartoonists. However you feel about the content -- it is amazing at the face of cartooning and what is being done and skills one might need to have.

With YouTube and multimedia -- are we looking at more cartooning as video, mixed media productions?

Tim Benson -- Local Cartoonist of the Week

From our cartoonist bio sheet from the Cartoonist Day exhibit:

"I became a fan of cartoons because of the Munsters; and the Batman TV series in the 1960's. My favorite cartoons on TV were "Johnny Quest" and "Fat Albert." My cartoons have been published in newspapers since 1979, when I was sports editor and cartoonist for hte "Hawk Tawk", the student newspaper of Bozemanm MT. Senior High School. While attending college, my cartoons were published by the Black Hills State College "Today", the University of Montana "Kaimin" and the Montana State University "Exponent" from 1980 to 1985. I drew a cartoon strip called "The Kid" that was published by the Exponent in 1984 and 1985. I earned a B.A. in Fne Arts from MSU in 1985.

>

**To listen to some of Tim's favorite music, click here to hear Tim's Blend Playlist, or find his playlist on the right column! **

"Doug Marlette, World editorial cartoonist, dies in Mississippi accident." -Tulsa World

This just in from the Tulsa World, cartoonist Doug Marlette was killed Tuesday morning in a car crash.

As a fan of his editorial work and his strip Kudzu, I felt the need to post this as soon as I heard. Sincerest condolences are offered to his family, friends, and fans. He was a great cartoonist, and a consummate professional. His light will be missed.

Cartoonist Conspiracy Reflection

It's been a busy couple weeks and unfortunately, contributions to this blog fell to a stand still. Sorry!

Here's my report for the Cartoonist Conspiracy gathering at Skellys June 28th. First off, it was a BLAST! Sarah Morean officiated, bringing friend Abby and some Panara goodies they had to eat in the alley. Jay Kirschenmann was the first to arrive -- with trustworthy pen and notebook of sketches that kept him busy while we were all a tad fashionably late. I, Jackie, brought one of my friends and houseguest -- Marilyn, who considered herself a non-cartoonist. She discovered otherwise in her participation! Later on in the evening, Tim Benson showed up for the festivities.

Our theme was Rabbits and Romance or Dating. It was a Jam comic, where there is a cover and then numbered pages. Someone is asked to design the cover. We were all assigned a page and drew the first panel, then passed the pages around until we all added a panel. It was a great experience -- as the whole comic organically came together with recurring themes. I laughed at loud at the outtakes page ... it was a great experience. (The walleye on the Skelly's menu, BTW, not too shabby. I'd order it again.) It did remind me of my old sketchbook parties and Wolves Den notebook and caffeine cartoons from college days.

We will get together for another one -- latter part of July. I'll mass e-mail the cartoonist crew with details and discussion as to the best day and time, etc.

Ken Alvine Spotlight Roundup

To Recap:

Ken Alvine Spotlight I, Spotlight II, Spotlight III

This spotlight link will be included at the right hand column as reference!

Mark Your Calendars -- Sun. Aug. 12th, 1-3

Sioux Falls & Regional Editorial Cartoonists "Lowbrow Lowdown On The Prairie" exhibit!!
More info and poster graphic coming soon.

New Poll -- Greg Evans Luann Comic Strip Poll

On the right is the new poll inspired by the Brad/Toni/Dirk storyline. Vote early and often.

End of For Better or For Worse Poll

Here's the final results. Unfortunately, due to a different storyline now with April and Shannon, we're forced to wait to know if Anthony made his move ... or if the Best Man made his ... or if Warren has completely flown from the plot.

** Jackie's opinion alert/interjection: I'm not an Anthony fan, and not alone. I'd rather that Liz discover the hunky fireman that delivered Mike and Dee's photo album or meet someone completely new -- or lived life single for awhile, as there is more to life than landing a partner and having kids. It does look like Lynn Johnston has planned this pairing of Liz and Anthony for awhile, but I still hold out some small ray of hope that she swerves from that storyline and gives the readers a whole different story ending than what appears to be the inevitable.

Ken Alvine Spotlight - Part III

This is an excerpt from an interview in the North Central Chapter newsletter that Ken provided for this spotlight:

Tooner: You won the prestigious Silver T-Square in our meeting in Sioux Falls. (what year?) Tell us what the award is for?
"I was honored with the ""Tim Rosenthal Award" by our Chapter and the NCS. (not the Silver T-Square Award). This award is given to a cartoonist for volunteerism and promotion of cartoons and cartooning throughout industry and community. I can't tell you how very honored I was to receive this award from the chapter members along with Mort Walker & Greg Evans at the chapter meeting in Sioux Falls. "


Tooner: Who are the artists/cartoonists (or other people) who have been your inspirations in your life and work?
"When I was in Art School I really had three favorite cartoons. I felt these cartoonists influenced me to pursue cartooning. The three cartoonists were ..Johnny Hart "B.C.", Tom Ryan "Tumbleweed" and Mel Lazarus "Miss Peach" and "Momma". Today I have gotten to know all three of these Cartoonists!! "

Tooner: What benefits have you gained by being actively involved with the North Central chapter?

"Meeting and getting to know some of the finest people and best cartoonists in the country!!"

Tooner: There are rumors you are retiring. You're too young to retire, aren't you?
"Yes and No..I would like to change some of my daily reponsibilitiess. (I turn 64 this year) I plan on giving up corporate management responsibilites in my Publishing company and no longer produce many of the Education project I do every year such as coloring books. However, I will not turn down a book. I still plan on teaching some Cartoon classes. I did not renew my contract with the State of SD to teach cartooning. I am still working with some clients on internal projects. I will always try to keep be busy...Hopefully, just not as busy. "

Comic Fans - Grow Up (article on Salon)

Link here

Ken Alvine Spotlight - Part II

This is Ken's interview for NSC Tooner:

"I always had a interest in Cartooning since I was a child. Like many of us I drew the cartoons for the school paper and was always creating my own cartoon characters. While working for the Boeing com pany I shared a studio with Al Wiseman who did the "Dennis the Menace" comic books for like 15 years and George Costa a former Art Director for Disney. This experience really got me interested in cartooning as a career. In addition, I started free lancing doing cartoons for car dealerships etc. around the Seattle area. "

"When I moved back to the midwest I continued freelancing and doing cartoons when ever I could. I did many cartoons for our agency clients. About 1975 I started my comic production company .. The company works in all areas of cartooning...Commercial, book illustration, coloring books, TV and what ever else comes along.I have used a lot of cartoonists friends like Dave Carpenter and Paul Fell to help me with some of these cartoon clients. In 1989 I was honored to be a guest speaker at the Stanley Awards in Sydney Australia."

Comic Strip -- Lio

Pretty decent strip. It's kind of Calvin and Hobbes meets The Addam's family. Completely speechless and worth reading. Click the icon to link you to today's strip.

(And if you check out the comic strip "Retail" -- there's a nod and the Lio character is active in the story line.) (June 18, 19, 2007 etc.)

June 20 Blondie Comic -- Johnny Hart reference

I love it when the comic strip artists play tribute to each other.

Spotlight this week - Ken Alvine

The spotlight information today is from content Ken shared in an interview with the Tooner.

Tooner: Ken, tell us the story of your life.
I grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota...Graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver and the University of Washington in Seattle. In addition I took graduate course in film and television from the University of South Dakota.

After school Uncle Sam encouraged me to serve 6 years in the Air National Guard. During this time I met Judy an R.N. from Seattle ..got married in 1966. We have two daughters, two grandaughters and one grandson.

Tooner: Like many of us, your background was in advertising. Did you own your own agency? What kind of projects did you do?
After graduating from College and Art School I worked in many areas of advertising. My first job was a graphic designer for a printing compnay..then on to Boeing where I worked as graphic designer on the Boeing 747 project. Here I designed brochures and slide shows for the 747 communication and sales dept. Returned to the midwest where I ran the Advertising Dept. for a retail chain, managed an in house Advertising Agency for a large Ag. company and created the graphic design program and taught graphic Design at the post high level for the Southeast Area technical school.

During this time I served as President of the South Dakota Advertisiing Federation and created and helped in the development of our family Amusement Park and Water Park.. "Wild Water West" and "Adventure Park. "

In the 1979 I started my own Advertising Agency..The company worked with a variety of clients large and small. We created a lot of corporate campaigns, print material as well as televsion commercials and sales videos. Duuring this time I also started my Publishing company where I produce Calendars and Almanacs for drug stores nationally.
The publishing company also does chlidren education coloring books and calendars etc. I down sized the agency after ten years and decided to spend most of my energies in my comic production business.

Sunday Reading with The Norm by Michael Jantze

The whole web site is fun. Here's a link to an e-Book called The Norm - Night of the Wookie

Scott Ehrisman Spotlight Roundup

Scott's Blend -- musical tunes to listen to while you browse here.
Spotlight Part I
Spotlight Part II
Spotlight Part III.
Scott's own spot on the web.

Parody of Friday's Video - Family Guy

Editorial Cartoon Site

Click on the graphic to take you there.
Make sure to click through all the cartoons featured!


I'm also impressed with their Cartoons for the Classroom feature.

Video Friday -- Best Cartoonist Video of the '80's

I LOVED this video when it came out, still do. Loved the idea of being interactive and jumping into comic strips and stories.

New Comic Strip - Biographics by Steve McGarry

Here's the link to preview his strip.

Pretty neat, there's Flash Animation for those who read their strips on the web, and there's a print version.

For Better or For Worse Comic Strip Poll -- Lizardbreath

For any of you lurking or following this comic strip -- I'll try really hard to not subject you to my bias (until the comment section) of how Lynn Johnston is appearing to wrap up her Elizabeth and suitor storyline.

Instead, please feel free to take the FOOB poll at the right hand sidebar and discuss in comments section!

Scott Ehrisman Spotlight - Part 3

What medium do you most enjoy working with or prefer to work in?
Cartooning: Computer drawn
ART: Mixed media and digital photography

Who would be your main influences in your work? Who do you most admire?
Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth - because of his counter culture stance on art. And Andy
Warhol for turning graphic design into art.

What is your dream career?
Full-time artist

Do you have any favorite internet links that you'd like to direct us to?

http://www.edroth.com/
http://www.juxtapoz.com/
http://www.shag.com/

Sioux Falls Cartoonist Conspiracy Meeting

June 28th
Skelly's Pub
6 to 8/9ish

Scott Ehrisman Spotlight - Part 2

** As you continue to read about our featured artist, Scott, don't forget to click here to listen to >Scott's blend of fine music for your blog reading experience. **

In some ways, Scott's artwork resembles the "Funk Art" created by artists in San Francisco during the late 1960s and early 1970s. That superficial resemblance is not a matter of direct influence, but rather is due to Ehrisman and the artists of that era having similar sources of inspiration -- like that of underground comics, performance art, highly commercialized culture surrounding popular music, and a Dada-inspired appreciation for nonsense that informs both the Pop Art movement and much of contemporary art.

Ehrisman's education background:

Associate Degree of Applied Science
Graphic Design and Print Production
Southeast Tech, Sioux Falls

Disciplines:
Mixed Media Painting, Sculpture, and Collage
Digital Photography (contemporary and abstract)
Graphic Design
Computer Illustration
Political Cartoons
Writing

Future of Where You'll Get Your News --- Attn. Editorial Cartoonists!

Remember the good ol' days when Walter Cronkite was considered the most trustworthy source of news?

I came across this article in another blog. It doesn't surprise me at all, as I'm watching less and less and reading more online. More and more, however, I think about my research and writing instructor, Gary Steinley, and his mantra "Be critical consumers of your literature." Just because items are in print, or in other forms of media -- check the validity and reliability of your source!

How does this affect editorial cartoonists though? Already, I see that even in blogoshere that in order for bloggers to earn an income, they've got to rely on ads -- (and no doubt, some are sponsored by corporations or campaigns as well.) How does pay come to be for an online editorial cartoonist?

Just tossing something out here to see if it generates some discussion or further thought.

Monday Night is Alright For Drawing!

... Get a little sketching in. (Nod to Elton John's Saturday Night's Alright for Fightin')

Leah shares the following information for Sioux Falls cartoonists/artists/drawers. Drawing Classes/Gatherings are every Monday Night.

There will be community drawing class tonight at the Augustana Center for Visual Arts. Class starts at 6:30 and usually runs till 8:30, but you’re free to come and go as you please. Cost is $5-6 depending on how many people come to class. We have easels and chairs and boards to clip your pads (you may need to bring your own clip, but I’ve got plenty if people need one).

Everyone there draws with all kinds of mediums – charcoal, pencil, conte, pastels, pen, ink – so feel free to draw with what you’re comfortable with. It’s a pretty laid-back crowd, so you don’t need to feel self-conscious if it’s been a long time since you’ve done figure studies – it’s not like someone’s going to walk by and laugh or anything (unless it’s a funny nude, in which case it’s a completely different story).


To get to the classroom, go in the main entrance on the north side of the building (you can find the Augie Art building on MapQuest) and go down the hallway to your right; it’s the second door on your right. I may be late tonight, depending on how long it takes to get my car fixed after work, but I’ll be there if you don’t want to show up without knowing anyone! Plus, Ken comes pretty regularly as well.

We’re trying to keep the group running strong through the summer, so please come if you’re interested! Thank you!

Breaking News!

Cartoonist Bio -- Scott L. Ehrisman -- Part 1

During the last several years, Scott Ehrisman has developed into one of the most high-profile artists currently working in the Sioux Falls area. He is an acknowledged leader amoung the more cutting-edge artists within the local art and popular culture.

Ehrisman approaches his art from a professional background working in the field of commercial art and graphic design. His artwork reflects a sharply satirical sense of humor and a keenly insightful appreciation for contemporary popular culture.

**To listen to some of Scott's favorite music, click here to hear Scott's Blend Playlist, or find his playlist on the right column! **

Cartoonist Biographies

Click the graphic above to take you there.

Speaking of cartoonist biographies, we're going to try to spotlight out local cartoonist, one cartoonist a week coming up next week. Stay tuned!

"Toons Tunes -- Playlist of the Week

Yoiks! If you are hearing music, it's the playlist of the week on the right hand side. If you don't like this new feature, just click the pause button. If this feature isn't working, do let me know!

Three 'toon themed tunes were selected this week. A change of music will happen periodically, though I'll try to do updates and not have the music come on automatically.

Site Of the Day -- National Cartoon Museum

Link Here

Heard of the Reuben, Not the Harvey Awards, however!

Here's the Info.

Wouldn't it be great if this guy were a South Dakotan???

This gem is on YouTube. Love the style, illustrations and would love to know if any of these are published and in children's book form yet. ALSO like that his work is put to music and up and at 'em on YouTube. Don't forget the YouTube Challenge, cartoonists!!!!

(BTW, here's a thought. All us cartoonists kick in $$$$$$, buy his house, turn it into our cartoonist SD getaway timeshare.)

Berkely Breathed Interview - Salon

Here's the interview and apparently his Opus strip is now being run on Salon as well.

LOVED Bloom County back in the '80s.

Blog Find of the Day + Reuben Pictures in it

Mike Lynch's blog. Plus there are pictures of cartoonists at the Reubens.

Our blog - award winning!

Well .... kinda. ;-) I spotted this award on another site and wanted to check it out.

It's Weird Al Friday!

In honor of Weird Al and our getting tickets to his show Aug. 25th at the Corn Palace -- here's a video. (This is my 4th, hubby's 3rd time catching Weird Al in concert -- I highly recommend his show to all cartoonists and those that love to laugh!)

(This is a parody of RKelly's "Trapped In The Closet", BTW.)

A Fair(y) Use Tale

Copyright law can be a hard thing for most cartoonists to get a handle on, especially the practice of ‘Fair Use’. The labyrinthine legal ins and outs can make even the most level-headed person go loopy, bashing their heads around with a mallet like a love-struck wolf in a Tex Avery cartoon. Not that I have…lately.

But FRET NOT! For here is a handy, entertaining, and non-fattening (albeit choppy) guide to copyright and fair use as presented by a multitude of ‘fairly-used’ Walt Disney characters! Watch it before “Big Brother Mouse” clamps a lid on it!

A Fair(y) Use Tale
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo

Matt Davies Video

Here.

Blog With Potential Find of the Day

Haiku fans, here's one for you!!

This does have potential. It does need some artwork or color or something, except you'd hate to see them violate copyright .....

Another Link - 3 AM Magazine

General discussion about cartoons/cartoonists. Scott McCloud mention. Also leads to The Daily Crosshatch -- which our Sarah Morean contributes to.

Matt Davies, cartoonist - now TV star

Here's the link to the article. He's starting short segments on for his paper's cable t.v. channel.

Here's also a link to his blog. VERY impressive style ... (at least I like it!)

Hold it -- newspapers now branching into cable? Hmmmm.

Radio alert

Jason is going to be on the Greg Belfrage Show this Tuesday at 7:30am on AM 1320 KELO - talking about Editorial Cartooning and other funny stuff happening around our city.

YouTube Challenge for SD Cartoonists

Create a cartoon video for YouTube.

This is a sample one I created in a hurry, just for fun to discuss ways of promoting Cartoonist Day. (I planned on deleting it -- because it was just a sample or an idea of how to promote Cartoonists Day -- then found one person actually subscribed to my channel!?!) Will leave it up for now, but replace it eventually with better videos.



I think SD Cartoonists could really create some cool videos for Cartoonist Day 2008 and get a YouTube buzz going.

Here's one approach I made. If you are using Windows, there is free software that is on your computer called Windows Movie Maker. You can add sound, speed up video, etc. To make live screen recordings, you can download something called Windows Media Encoder. I've used this to make tutorials for my students. Viola, YOU, too, can have a YouTube presence. For you Mac Users, you'll need to share what you do. I've seen beautiful Mac presentations and I'm envious.

Maybe one of our gatherings, we can talk and train how to do YouTube films -- and I'm happy to host that. Meanwhile, SD Cartoonists --- think mini movies!!!!!

YouTube Find of the Day -- Tools of the Trade

Blog Find of the Day

Chewing Pencils --- and today's entry is about the business side of cartooning!

New Pens!

Not sure what the medium of choice is for all of you, but I'm really liking the brush pen and went out and purchased this set at Hobby Lobby. (Only one set left there, BTW.) I'm not a Manga type cartoonist ... but I am liking the various grays (warm and cool) ... and it's nice for caricature work, like under the eyes or less severe or harsh line details. Twenty bucks .... hours of fun!

Blog Find of The Day

I'm doing massive caricature work this weekend -- and have discovered the joy of brush pens. Sarah had mentioned a particular brand of brush pen that you can't just get at Hobby Lobby or Michaels ... so in a blog search for brush pens, came across Tips and Tricks at this site. Thought it would be great to share.

Article -- Cartoonists Interview, etc.

I thought this was an interesting interview.

Something kind of hit me when reading Dan Piraro's response re: cartoonists carrying notebooks along with them -- that he writes and comes up with his ideas the first hour of the morning.

His comments remind me of a book that I absolutely love, yet never obey -- The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. (I don't own it yet, but have paid many a fine at the library the couple times I've checked it out.) There's an exercise she recommends that all swear by called the Morning Pages. First thing when you wake up -- spend 15 minutes writing what ever comes to the surface of your mind. Journal each day for 15 minutes -- don't pause to censor yourself -- just let it all out. (I started the process, but found that finding 15 minutes of uninterupted time, plus needing that first cup of caffeine to get the day started took priority. May start this exercise again.)

I kind of remember Dave Carpenter talking about his gag writing process also and thought it was early in the a.m. one day, spending an hour just writing ......

Hmmmmm .... this could be insight to an approach to creativity. So, cartoonists -- how do you get inspired and when do you write or come up with your ideas?

Do you carry about a notebook? What works for you? What time of day do you write?

How Sioux Falls Cartoonists Say Thank You!

Here's some photos that Jay took of the thank you boards that were cartooned for Arch Inc. and Dunn Bros. Coffee!

YouTube find

McCloud's breaking up cartoonists into four groups would make for interesting discussion or debate further into our blogging experience.

May 14th -- Scott McCloud -- WHS

Hey Cartoonists and Comics Fans ... FREE and cartoon event at Washington High School. Author Scott McCloud speaking ... student comics, etc.! Worth checking out!!!! Here's the article in the Argus. To make this a neat event, there is a student comics contest, pizza, ComiCon, with McCloud speaking in the Little Theater that evening.

Scott McCloud's web site is located here.

May is the month for Cartoonists!!!

Neat Blog Find Of The Day

The Daily Cartoonist

Has great links too!

Reception! LHS Graphics Students! May 10th!

May 10th at 5:30 is a reception for LHS Graphics students who worked on cartoon/caricatures! Bagel Boy treats provided plus visiting with the students.

For more information and to see their artwork, click HERE.