Happy Holidays Cartoonists (and their enablers too!)

Cartoonists and Twitter

New group for Twitter Cartooning types. I joined and it looks like a neat group of folks -- but then again, most cartoonists are!

http://twittgroups.com/group/cartoonists

Call Congress TODAY re: Orphan Works Bill!!!!

Fellow artists,
It is time to act RIGHT NOW! The House is ready to pass the Orphan Works Act. You can't delay! Call NOW and tell them NO!

The Illustrator's Partnership, below, has sent us info on the current plans. We can't let them get away with sneaky politics while the country is watching and debating the VP event.

Please forward this to all artists and lists and make those calls this morning!

Mark Simon
Artist Advocate

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS' PARTNERSHIP

THE HOUSE ORPHAN WORKS BILL (H.R. 5889)IS MOVING IN THE HOUSE NOW 10.2.08

Phone, fax, email these Congressman immediately
DELAHUNT Phone (202) 225 3111

CONYERS Phone: (202) 225-5126

NADLER Phone: (202) 225-5635

BERMAN Phone: (202) 225-4695

EXPRESS YOUR OUTRAGE AT THE WAY THIS IS BEING DONE
We've been getting assurances all day that the bill was "dead for this year."

TELL THEM NOT TO PASS THIS ANTI-COPYRIGHT LAW * UNDER COVER OF NIGHT * UNDER COVER OF ECONOMIC CRISIS * UNDER COVER OF ANOTHER TELEVISED DEBATETELL THEM THIS IS AN OUTRAGEOUS WAY TO RE-WRITE THE COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES

Midterms -- Cartoon from the Past

Way back in my college days, the musical "Cats" came out. The song "Memory" was sung by my favorite crooner -- whose music was still on the current airwaves at that time.

Music videos were coming about, and I figured a Music Comic Strip in parody form was in order to cut the stress. (I submitted comic strips to my college newspaper at the time.)

Sitting opposite side of the desk, I find midterm and end of term still stressful and time consuming! Thus my light posting during the back to school and build up of reports.




















... and I apologize half heartedly to any Ronald Reagan fans, but with the market fallout, etc., it just seems this panel fits today.

Willie Nelson, Comic Books, and Protecting Your Vote

I will admittedly share that I am really huge on the right to vote and I take my own kids to events and to the polls when I vote. It's a sacred right, no matter the party.

It sends chills down my spine when I read or hear about caging of votes ... and I'm delighted there's a movement to prevent it and a COMIC BOOK to inform. It tickles me that Willie Nelson appears in this too. (My folks were Willie fans, and we had a Willie Nelson/Barry Manilow -- which is better rivalry going on... but that's another story.)

A Google Web Comic

Scott McCloud, who spoke at the WHS ComicCon a few years ago, was the cartoonist for a Web Comic introducting/training/teaching over Google's new "Chrome" browser.

OT: 45 Years Ago

This isn't cartooning related in any way, and I can't believe this was 45 years ago. I was too young to have viewed it on our old Black and White and was more in the Capt. Kangaroo and Mickey Mouse Club audience. I appreciate it now, though and felt compelled to embed it.

Cartoonists Picnic!

Picnic welcoming the Brownes to Sioux Falls forthcoming! Cartoonists, check your e-mails and RSVP!!!

Speaking of Wordle ...

Interestingly enough, a day or two after my post about Wordle -- Boston Globe did two political blog Wordles illustrating themes/words from both candidates running for President.

Wordle

This has been around for awhile, but by happy accident discovered or rediscovered making Wordles. They are artistic word clouds, basically. You can save these and print them, create t-shirts, mugs, etc.

I used the address of our happy blog here to randomize our vocabulary. If you click on the thumbnail, you'll go to the Wordle site.




I'm providing a bigger, better screenshot picture of the Sioux Falls Cartoonist Blog Word Cloud.

For Better or For Worse and August 31

Just read on The Daily Cartoonist that Lynn Johnston is going back on the quitting drawing the original strips. (I believe she started that process last year, redrawing or reintroducing some of her old strips and then adding newer ones later.)

I kind of figured that with Liz marrying "the freckled one" (I'm at the reluctant acceptance stage on that, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy with it) ... it would probably be the end of the strip. I'm worried about Grandpa Jim though and hope that the strip ends with him still around. For a cartoonist to create a world where you care about the characters or even strongly dislike some of them ... that is an achievement. I've loved Lynn's cartooning style and most of the storylines and the ending of the strip in it's real time seems rather bittersweet.

Creative Community

Before moving to Sioux Falls, I spent 14 years in the Denver area. So this is a pretty small market compared to the 2 million back at the foothills of Colorado. However, I have been warmly welcomed here at my work, my church, and the creative community. One can join a drawing group, cartooning group, photography group and others. The people in them have shown talent, knowledge and heart for their crafts at amazing levels. I am very pleased to be a new addition to the cartoonist group and look forward to getting to know all of you better at the upcoming picnic.

Calvin and Jobs - Funny Find O' The Day

Pretty hilarious parody where Steve Jobs (Apple/Mac) replaces the Hobbes the Stuffed Tiger.

A Dose of Mary Worth Part I

I don't think there has ever been a day that I've thought, "Gosh, I wonder what is going on in the Mary Worth strip?!" That is, until a glorious day the summer of 2006. A new character, a creepy, Capt. Kangaroo type looking fellow moving into the Charterhouse named Aldo Kelrast. The storyline was campy, creepy, and actually got me purposely seeking out each days adventures.

Fortunately someone has gone through the effort of providing all the comic strips of that storyline. Ah, memories. Misty watercolor memories of the days of Charterstone.

There is also a great article regarding this stalker storyline.

More to follow after Part I.

Tucked Away - John Daiker's Argus Blog

Click on the "recommend" button and let him know he's loved. :-)

Arts Night At The Birdcage

Got this in an e-mail and passing the info along.

For anyone going to the Canaries ball games, children have been decorating the second bases for each home game. It is so neat ... the artists are treated to a game with their family and get to go out on the field and their designed base is shown on the big lit up screen too. There will be a gallery of all the masterpieces. (I happen to personally know a couple of the young artists!) :-)

*****************************************************************************

AUGUST 12 IS ARTS NIGHT AT THE CANARIES STADIUM!!

As you know, the Canaries have teamed up with the Arts Council to help us raise a little money this summer. For every double a Canaries player hits at a home game this season, the Arts Council makes money based on pledges we have received – to date we have raised over $2,500!

To highlight this program, kids ages 6-12 have been painting second bases that are used at all the home Canaries games. On August 12, Jeb Cooper – artist Ceca Cooper’s son – will be the featured base painter. AND, we all thought it would be fun to go to a game together before the season is over.

So we’re asking all arts lovers, organizations, artists, patrons to join us on the Party Deck at 6:30, Tuesday, August 12, to enjoy the game. Tickets are $20.00, and include the price of a ticket to the game plus all you can eat and drink for the evening. (You can also just purchase the game ticket and buy food and drink as you go…)

Please call Mallory at the Canaries if you are coming – she can arrange for you to pick up your tickets before the game rather than standing in the regular line. Her number is 333-0179.

Thanks much – and hope to see you at the ballpark!

Deb Klebanoff
Executive Director
Sioux Empire Arts Council
309 E Falls Park Dr
Sioux Falls SD 57104
605-977-2002
https://webmail.k12.sd.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=bd9ab637a9c749948c22d9d48d83a4cf&URL=mailto%3adirector%40siouxempireartscouncil.com
https://webmail.k12.sd.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=bd9ab637a9c749948c22d9d48d83a4cf&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.siouxempireartscouncil.com%2f

"...fostering the arts through Service, Education, Advocacy, and Coordination..."

Freelancer Gets Fired - Accused of Plagiarism

Here's the cartoon published "before" and then one created by the freelancer "after". What are the odds that two people could come up with the same kind of placement and concept and similar captions at same time?

My Life In A Cube -- Another Comic You Should Know

My Life In A Cube by Shane Johnson.

I am so sending this to one of my unfortunate friends who moved up to Estrogen Hades on the 2nd floor.

Chickens, Savage Ones, Coming Home to Roost

Okay, this discovery made me cluck heartily. The site is SavageChicken and this cartoonist draws his chickens on post it notes.

I'm inspired by the post it approach and kicking myself in the roost myself. If only the Internets were around when my art pals and I did our pass around drawings on bar napkins. Oh, how it'd be our claim to fame. ;-) Fun to know Scott does this. This really does need to be a Sioux Falls Cartoonist and Friends activity.

1984 Timecapsule and Reflection in Humility

Many moons ago, my Dad's old college sketchbooks were discovered. While looking at his old sketches from a drawing class or something, in my unwise and youthful arrogance, I snickered and gave him a bit of a bad time. It's something I've regretted for a long time, though I think Dad has forgiven me and shrugged off the incident. (Razzing did happen both ways though, the infamous Barry Manilow Bas Relief coil pot from high school comes to mind. Even fellow classmate and friend exclaimed the glaze colors looked like snot!)

Following my graduation, my canvas paintings, drawings, and cartoon panels were carefully wrapped up by Dad and stored in the garage and presented to me when I moved into my own house. There, this timecapsule remained in my garage and made yet another move. Flashforward to this summer when I wanted to clear out some things in my garage and noticed the "wrapped timecapsule". I offered the painting stretchers to fellow cartoonist and mixed media artist Scott. He was there as I opened up and rediscovered the art of my youth ... and I must say, was pretty polite and poker faced throughout the whole unveiling ... until the Barry Manilow Coat Poster came out. (I know he really wants that poster.) ;-)

I offer this post as an open apology to my Dad and a promise to keep some past artwork around for the future generation to poke fun at me later on. Just not all of it.

I'll try to capture this poster in all it's glory sans flash sometime.

August Arts Activities for Sioux Falls

Here's a few upcoming artistic happenings going on in Sioux Falls you should know about:

THIS FRIDAY (Aug. 1) the downtown galleries and businesses are open 5 to 8 for First Night events. The Artist League is having a reception at the Horse Barn Arts Center from 5 until 8. Musical guest is Rich Show from 6 to 8.

THIS SAT (Aug. 2) there are openings for an oil/acrylic painting class with Gary Hartenhoff at the Horse Barn. It's a three hour class starting at 9:00 a.m. Cost is $40.00 You'll need to bring materials. More details and to register is 977-2002.

Beginning Watercolor Classes with Marian Henjum - Eight Weeks, 2 hour sessions is $200.00 plus $95.00 supply cost. You can call 336-7629 for more details.

Ces who? A Cartoonist You Should Know

For at least a year or so now, I've been aware of cartoonist Ces (Francesco) Marciuliano. He took over cartooning "Sally Forth" and has a great web strip "Medium Large". He's currently a week long substitute cartoonist for "Bizarro" and has a great blog.

Whole Lot of Shaking Going On!

Two of our Sioux Falls cartoonists now reside in CA/LA area. Matt Daigle and Lamont Hunt. Hope both are okay following that earthquake yesterday!

The Power of Twitter

Today I stopped by the laptop to see if any of my pals had signed onto Twitter. Ventured over to the public timeline and saw posts about an earthquake as it was happening in California! Went to Google News, CNN, nothing....... but people are sharing quickly where power was out, etc.

Quite an amazing thing. I'm sure going to miss it, as I'm sure Twitter is blocked in our Internet access when I return to work.

LuAnn is coming to South Dakota!

No, no, no, not this Luann .... (by Greg Evans)

THIS LuAnn! (by Frank Bolle and Lisa Trusiani)

(I have to laugh at the look of concern that comes over Tommie's face as South Dakota is mentioned! Perhaps she thinks the Badlands are really BAD!)

In South Dakota, we don't get the comic strip Apartment 3G in the Argus Leader, nor the Daily Republic, etc. I happened to know about it thanks to the snarky commentary over at "The Comics Curmudgeon" blog. The strip is about the goings on with three roomates and it's a soap opera type storyline like Rex Morgan and Mary Worth.

One can't help but get a kick out of ol' Margo McGee and her selfish antics. Redheaded Tommie resides at A3G, her bland life is picking up with a little romance once in awhile. Blonde and naive roomate LuAnn is a painter who is realizing some success and who has a druggie boyfriend, Alan. (LuAnn doesn't realize he's a druggie, BTW.) She also has hick-type relatives. so I laughed out loud when the storyline now places LuAnn as FROM SOUTH DAKOTA. It appears LuAnn comes from a ranch, which does place her West River. I'll be eyeing the research that the writer/cartoonists do about the adventures.

Friends and Family Framing at Michaels in Sioux Falls

Okay cartoonists and art lovers in Sioux Falls -- I've dropped a ton of $$$ at Michael's Framing Shop these many years and am on the "list" of friends and family. They recently called and offering 60% off custom framing until Aug. 2nd to "friends and family". (I think). If you read this blog and need something framed and want a 60% discount -- go there and say you are a friend of Jackie's. ;-) If they say "Jackie who?" ... they should remember the cartoons framed.

Cartoonist Kurt Holdorf's Interactive Site

I am just amazed and delighted by all the little and fun details our own Kurt Holdorf puts into his site. If you go to this link and click on the bottom drawers, you'll find some of his cartoon work hidden away. Nicely done Kurt!!!

Exciting Times for SD Bloggers

As stated before, there was some dicussion over Twitter *and* community journalism discussed at the Blognic. As a result, there is some work being done to unite and Blogroll and promote the SD Blogging Community. More to come on this I'm sure.....

While not a cartoon, certain events at the Blognic were humorous.... such as Todd's taking Rebecca's pink kayak for a spin.

** additional note, thanks to Corey's post ... there was another SD Blogger gathering that same weekend. I'm biased, but think we had the better time.

Regional Blogger Picnic

Today was a really neat event ... a regional blogger picnic ("Blognic", as Todd calls it) at Lake Herman and hosted by Todd Epp (SDWatch) and Corey Heidelberger (Madville Times) It was inspiring, informative, and incredibly fun. Bob Schwartz (Politics and Hypocrisy) and his family, and Rebecca Terk (Flying Tomato Farms) were there. Scott Ehrisman (SouthDaCola) and myself represented the cartooning blogging community.

Todd presented a discussion regarding Twitter -- it's possibilities and Corey led a discussion in community journalism ... and it certainly leads to open ended exploration and more discussion on how to make this blogging thing be more participatory and interactive.

It was a great afternoon and I learned much and really had fun getting to know some really neat people in our South Dakota blogosphere.

BTW, you can follow my Twitter's at:
http://twitter.com/jackilope13

Academia Waltz!

My dear pal, Marilyn, attended UT and knew of the school newspaper cartoonist. She also knew some of the people he modeled his cartoon characters after. What fun discovering his strip, Academia Waltz and just the character development and to see how his style and writing started taking shape.

New Yorker Cover Commentary/Discussion

Much conversation is had over the New Yorker cover, in which Barry Blitt illustrates almost every smear and untruth that others have tried to tag onto Sen. Obama.

I think the problem I have with it is that there are folks out there that literally eat up and believe the smears and untruths ... and the illustration doesn't really point to WHO is putting the smears out there. One only has to recall some of the interviews of voters during the primary season to realize that not everyone is really up on doing acurate research on the candidates.

If the point was to genuinely point out that these are smears and untrue, perhaps the imagry coming out from a cigar puff of Rush Limbaugh? Perhaps a caricature of Fox's E.D. Hill, for her outrageous comment about the "terrorist fist jab"? Why not focus and mock the sources of the falsehoods, rather than reinforce the imagry?

I'm open to conversation on this. I'm not feeling outrage, but just don't think it's a very effective or fair illustration. Perhaps when I see a good one about McCain and some falsehood that is being spread.........?

Traveling Children's Book Illustration Exhibit - Little Golden Books

This just looks absolutely magical and wonderful.


One of my favorite books from childhood, which I think was a Golden Book, was one about a Nanny Goat that took care of all sorts of different animal children. I'd love to see that book again and look at the illustrations. I've hunted and tried to do research on Nannygoats + childrens book, can't find it. Another book I'd check out over and over again in Kindergarten was about Puff the Magic Dragon with limited colors involving violet and orange ... and I haven't found that one either.

Lennon Cartoon/Doodles and Mashup Video

Beatles (Lennon), Cheap Trick, and Cartoons ... gotta love it.

Highlights from Ken and Chris at Library

Wow, what a fun night! There was a nice crowd of youngsters and adults alike for Ken and Chris presenting at the Oak View Branch of the library. Laughter, drawing, and presents for all attending. A good time was had by all. (Well, for all except for an unfortunate cartoon rat ....) (Not to worry, a rat/mouse ambulance soon was drawn ....)

Overheard: Radio Celebs - Ken and Chris

Ken and Chris on Rick Knobe's show Friday ... discussing cartooning and of course their future appearance at the Oak View Library this Monday at 6:30 p.m.

(This came up at a gathering we went to Fri. evening -- there were a couple Knobe listeners in the group!)

Every Cartoonist Should Have An Umbrella Like This

Call out to Sioux Falls Biking Cartoonists

Feel like some exercise and outdoor activity following Independence Day activities? Come join the FABRAD July 5th.


















BTW - Briman is the local cartoonist that created the design and is the FAB ride director this year.

Blog Find of the Day - Yoko Ono

100 Acorns

Great Charles M. Schulz Quote

"I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time."

Happy Birthday Barry

Ever since age 13 or so, I've been a fan of the crooner from Brooklyn, NY. Beside drawing family and friends in cartoons, he was on of my first "characters" and appeared in my HS and college comic strips.

Cartooning with Ken and Chris - Mark Calendars!

Ken and Chris will be presenting a cartoon demonstration the Oak View Library for teens on June 23rd at 6:30. It should be a fun night!

On side note, it's one of the NICEST libraries in the city with a nod to Prairie Style design.

Matt Diagle's blog

I just now happened to discover Matt's blog!

Spotlight on Local Art Students

Just a neat video on before and after work in their drawing class. Their art teacher is mightily proud of them. One thing about cartooning is just to keep drawing and drawing and drawing!

OT: My Cartooning Hand ...

... shook hands with possibly the future President of the United States. It happened in my old hometown in front of the World's Only Corn Palace.

Meanwhile, in Sioux Falls, Scott was hobnobbing with Chelsea:

Admiration for Al (Mostly OT)

Y'know, I'm really trying to figure out how to make this on topic for this very serious cartoonist blog. Lessee, Ken has often said good cartooning is mostly WRITING. And Weird AL writes seriously funny lyrics! (and lots of his videos have cartoons in them, and he did run a Sat. a.m. kiddie show for awhile...) ** OH! He also is friends and has collaborated with award winning Sandra Boynton.

I'm just giddy because Mr. Yankovic be within driving distance. He'll be in Sioux City, IA on July 29th. This'll be 4th show for the hubby, 5th for me. We got to meet Al last year at the Corn Palace. If you like to laugh and be entertained, you won't be disappointed. Tickets go on sale this Sat., unless you are a "Close and Personal Pal of Al", in which case advanced tickets go on sale today -- after I buy mine. ;-)

Speaking of Reuben Award Weekend...

Greg Evan's "Luann" is cute.

RIP Family Circus Mommy

Sad news.

Reuben Award Winners

List here on The Daily Cartoonist.

Slow Posting Ahead...

Video Break

Caricature/Cartoon Weasels

Tom Richmond writes about his spotting his work out and about. Only problem is others claiming it is theirs.

Weasels. It's unethical and it's ripping off a fellow cartoonist.

Mad Magazine Cartoonist - Will Elder RIP

Any fan of Mad Magazine has Will Elder to thank for some of the wonderful "chicken fat" added in panels -- keeping viewers entertained for hours beyond stories and panels with all sorts of extras. Anyone reading Playboy up to '88 would recall "Little Annie Fannie" -- also done by Will Elder.



Here's a link with more info.

Defend Science With Your Art (Attention Editorial Cartoonists!!!)

Science Idol contest -- and what a worthwhile contest it is.

I'm forwarding these links to my editorial-minded pals and the bonus is that Kal (Kevin Kallaugher) is a celebrity judge and one prize is one of his books - signed. Some of us local cartoonists have been admirers and in awe of Kal's work for awhile -- especially after doing some research on him.

Submission Form Link

For all the Cartoonist Moms and Moms of Cartoonists

Inspirational Thursday

This is a high stress couple weeks job wise and blogging will be very light on my end until grading, tests, and wrapping up of a school year take place.

Fortunately, my friend Sony sent a link to a site that can keep you off task and laughing for hours. This is on topic with the old comic books ... bad ones.


... but, through traveling back in time with this site and the "Gallery of Regrettable Food" section, I've discovered why in my youth I was a scrawny kid and thought grown up food was outright gross. Because, back then, it WAS. I have cookbooks of my Mom's from this era ... and remember things like cottage cheese/Jello/carrots, raisins, celery type salads served up by the perky women wearing the frilly aprons.


(This plate full of molded stuff is from a "Cooking With Dr. Pepper" cookbook.)

Cartoon Catfight

Once in awhile, it's fun to find out how people get here. Lots of searches for the "Katz and Jammer Kids" (why that search leads here, I don't know!), another frequent search is "Johnny Hart", but the best of all is "Cartoon Catfight".

I think this should be a theme for a forthcoming cartoon jam session.

Free! Free! May 3rd (Saturday)! Comic Books!!!

Only a few more days until Free Comic Book Day! In Sioux Falls, the place to go is Rainbow Comics at 3310 S. Minnesota Ave. (That place is a decent place to go purchase birthday presents, stocking stuffers, plus reading material for yourself!)

Biggest Beagle - Ever

If anyone wants to get a huge Snoopy present, a mere $890.00 is all you'll need to get this 31" stuffed toy. Only 500 will be made.

Vote Early, Vote Often

Cartoonists and cartoon advocates:
South Dakota Magazine's Bernie Hunhoff has an entry in Smithsonian Magazine's People's Choice Awards. He's #13 on the entry list with an outstanding photo of a game of ball and a child by tepees. The lighting, the complementary colors ... it's just a great photo.

You can vote once daily -- and he's in a top spot and we'd like to see him stay there. Voting ends April 30th. If you could stop and vote for SD's own, that would be great! He's a cartoon advocate and was at our reception at Michelle's.

Cartoonist Reception Highlights at Michelle's Last Night

Cartoonists Unite! (Our Official Poster!)

We're going to keep this poster up at the top throughout the showing ... current/latest posts will be posted underneath. Set up for first showing is Sunday the 30th at 3:00!

Admiration for Ann

I've admired Ann Telnaes' work for awhile now and was thrilled to see her work live and in person in the traveling National Cartoonists Society Cartoon Exhibit that Ken presented at the HorseBarn this last summer. I'm noticing alot of animation right now with cartooning -- Dilbert, and animation with editorial cartoons.

Our Cartoonist Kurt -- Realistic Portrait Does Good!

Very neat! All info is on Kurt's site, click the portrait of Sen. Tom Daschle.

New Arrival

... a bouncing, brand new Wacom Intuos 3. Oh, how fun it is! It has that new Wacom smell...

I have so much to do, but had to break it out to play....

Omigosh ... Check this out

This guy redrew and renamed everyone in his Mom's 1968 yearbook.

Sunshine Week -- Better Late Than Never

I found out about this terrific site by visiting another blog today. Sunshine week is March 16 - 22 and deals with the importance of open government.

This year's Sunshine Week contributions by editorial cartoonists found here.

Please pass this info/link out to your favorite bloggers and editorial cartoonists. I've seen this topic covered on Scott's blog, as well as cartoonist advocate Todd's blog and only wish I would have encountered this a bit earlier.

OT: Lights Out @ 8:00 p.m.

Around the world, cities are turning off their lights for an hour (8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.) for energy conservation awareness.

This cartoonist's lights and computer will be out, hope you'll consider joining me.

Stress? What Stress?

It's all good stress, though. Paying gigs trump free blogging.

My humble apologies for not posting regularly and for forthcoming light posting. More to follow after I meet all my deadlines.

Happy Belated B'Day Dr. Seuss

What an amazing story.

Cartoonist Toolbox - Cartoonist Fonts

Blambot Fonts - I've downloaded a few fonts here. Great site.

Typography Tidbits

Hi folks:

Did you hear that New York City-based animation artist Patrick Smith will show some of his work during a public presentation March 12 at South Dakota State University? Smith’s presentation is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. inPeterson Recital Hall of Lincoln Music Center on campus in Brookings.

Smith has worked on and directed episodes for such popular animated shows as“Beavis and Butthead,” “Daria” and “Down-Town.” He plans to show some of hisunaired work during his residency. Read more from the press release I ripped this info off from.

See you around, Jay Kirschenmann

Macy Day Balloon Cartoon - Sweet!

For those who might have missed this gem:

Woman Cartoonist/Author Article - Sandra Boynton

Omigosh, another hero in my world. I loved her greeting cards and one of the first books I purchased for my child when becoming a Mommy was her "Going to Bed" book.

Another of my heros, Weird Al, is her friend as well. She's gotta be a neat person to know.

Here' s the article.

Cartoonist Toolbox -- Font Fun

Nothing makes me happier than finding fun stuff that is FREE. In this case, it's fonts and here is the site.

Blog Find -- Dan Piraro

I happened across Piraro's blog after stopping into rec.arts.comic.strips (RACS). I love that he met Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich.

Dan, if you ever come to Sioux Falls to visit yer Father-in-law and if you'd ever meet us fellow local cartoonists, for you I'd pass along my coveted "Wrist Strong" bracelet from Colbert Nation. (The rule is that you have to pass it to someone more famous ... then if they come across someone more famous than them... the cycle is to continue.) (About anyone is more famous than moi, but the fun is being selective .... and wondering where the bracelet might eventually wind up at if all recipients follow the Wrist Strong rule.)

Valentine Editorial by John Daiker

This appeared in the Argus Leader on Weds. Earlier I had sent an e-mail out to all local cartoonists inviting them to an informal Create-A-Valentine contest. Bonus points if they included something about Barry Manilow.

John certainly won. :-)

John and Tim's Excellent Adventure

Congratuations go out to our own John Daiker and Tim Benson for being official Argus Leader cartoonists!

Access to 60 Comic Strips Online

I get my "Pearls Before Swine", "9 Chickweed Lane", "Apt. 3G" (curse you Comics Curmudgeon), and "Funky Winkerbean" fix on the Chron site -- but they don't feature the Sunday comics. Well, HELLO Times Union! You choose one of the linked comics, then click by the comic title to the "See More Comics" button. There's others out there I've been wanting to read -- like "Pajama Diaries". There's also "Six Chix", where six female cartoonists contribute to the panel and "Tina's Groove" where Rina Piccolo also contributes. (She is one of the Six Chix.)



It's nice to get to read other comic strips and especially nice to see there are other female cartoonists/comic strip artists out there. It's sad that newspapers are decreasing or cutting them ... because one can get their news from t.v., the Internet, etc. ... but the comics are one of those things you like to glance over while slurping on your coffee in the a.m. or reading on the couch with your kids.

1st Saturday in May -- Free Comic Book Day

Here is the official site. I'll put up a link on the side along with the official National Cartoonists Day site link!

Must See Site -- Light As A Medium

LightDoodles. Neat work + tutorials. I've captured drawing with fireworks with minimal success on my Kodak ... but this is a real cool art form.

PBS Cartoonist Interview

I'm a huge fan of the strip "Pearls Before Swine" ... and this interview is just GREAT and inspiring.

Cartoonist Toolbox - Tunes for Toonists

Nothing like coloring in your 'toons while listening to online music and creating your own station on Pandora. (Here's my created Barry Manilow station.)

Toon Pool

Ken is sharing this link and info:

Dear Cartoonist we would like to invite you and examples of your artworks to: www.toonpool.com - a new user generated international website for presenting, commenting and rating illustrations, designs & cartoons. It is absolutely open and free of costs, please add your contact dates (Webaddress as a link). It contains a small number of members yet but will increase day by day...

Thought for the Winter

Six more weeks of winter? Stay inside and DRAW!

Mad Magazine Cartoonists - Usual Gang of Idiots +

Mad Magazine recruits Pulitzer Winners for next issue. (Mike Peters, Matt Davies, etc.) Story here:

Meanwhile, political slide show here:

WHS ComicCon - Jan. 29th

Here's the agenda:



3:30 Princess Monoke in WHS Little Theater



5:30 eat pizza in library. $2.00 2 pieces pizza and pop ** last year when we attended to see Scott McCloud, we found that pizza was preordered by numbers ahead of time, so I'd skip that part if you aren't a WHS-er. My advice is go out to eat and get there early for the 7:00 presentation.



6:15 comic book share and display



7:00 Presentation about creating manga by Svetlana Chmakova -- author of Drmacon, a 3 volume manga series. Svetlana is one of a few successful manga-kas. Vol 1 received a MangaCast Yomi award for Best Global Manga of 2006 and was named as one of Best Comics of 2005 by Publishers Weekly. She isn't even 30 yet.

Cartoonist Toolbox -- Copyright Info

Nice information for kids and adults alike. Explains Copyright, Intellectual Property, etc.

Election Year, Just Ducky

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if someone from the animal world ran. He'd be good on the environment.....

Closure (What really happened to Calvin and Hobbes)

Well, I guess this strip does give the ending of a beloved strip closure.....

Man, do I miss Calvin and Hobbes. One of the best strips ever.

Be Visible Exhibit

Jan. 15th - Feb. 15th
Graphic Design Exhibition
EideDalrymple Gallerty at Augie
Regional professional and student graphic designers presenting their work.

Worth going in and checking out!

Planning Ahead - Cartoon Art Show

In honor of National Cartoonists Day/Week, there will be a cartoonist exhibit at Black Sheep Coffee. The exhibit would run from Sunday April 27th to Sunday May 11th.
Criteria:
1. Any cartoon work you've created this past year and have not exhibited from the Dunn Bros. show last year.
2. Work must be framed. (If you don't have your work framed, Scott has figured out a great way to get frames very reasonable! Saturdays at St. Vincent De Paul -- half price frames!)
3. You must be able to hang your work up in person or have another particpant agree to hanging up your work. You will be responsible for picking up your work by (time) on (Sun. or Monday? May 11th or 12th?)
Please RSVP your intent on participating before or by March 1st.

KDLT Ken Alvine - "Someone You Should Know"

There was a neat focus on Ken Alvine on KDLT.

Unfortunately, KDLT isn't archiving their videos, etc. so that we can continue to see this!

It was a very neat spot.

Bat Friday

I loved Batman and lived for the episodes as a kid. Had the theme song on 45, my little brother and I had the official Batman logo t-shirts and Mom would safety pin dishtowels on and we'd have capes. We'd turn on the record player and leap off our couch and be instant superheros.

So, since it's weekend Mode, here's a YouTube video music parody by a South Dakotan. (Wally Wingert) This song is revised from '88/'89.

Eye On Keloland - Hagar the Neighbor

Welcome to town Chris. If you aren't doing anything... we've got a Sioux Falls Cartoonist exhibit forthcoming around National Cartoonist Day/Week.

Congrats to Scott Ehrisman

Scott has some exciting news from his SouthDacola Blog. He'll be doing some cartoons for Andrew Zimmern of the Food Network!

It looks like he'll have lots of material, most of it interesting cuisine choices.......