Matt Wuerker on drawing Obama on NPR

For Cartoonists Who Cover Obama: Four More Ears

Cornish, Audie and Robert Siegel with Alison MacAdam

National Public Radio's All Things Considered (January 18, 2013)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/01/18/169726644/for-cartoonists-who-cover-obama-four-more-ears

http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2013/01/20130118_atc_19.mp3

http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=169726644

Jan 22: KAL speaks at Donkey's & Elephants

Kevin KAL Kallaugher speaks tonight at 6 pm.

Donkeys and Elephants: A Celebration of American Political Cartoons

January 4 - January 26, 2013

Studio Gallery Hours:
Wednesday - Friday, 1 - 7pm
Saturday, 1 - 6pm

Directions To The Gallery

  2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008   |   info@studiogallerydc.com   |   202.232.8734

Donkeys and Elephants: A Celebration of American Political Cartoons exhibit is open

Donkeys and Elephants: A Celebration of American Political Cartoons

January 4 - January 26, 2013

Studio Gallery Hours:
Wednesday - Friday, 1 - 7pm
Saturday, 1 - 6pm

Directions To The Gallery

  2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008   |   info@studiogallerydc.com   |   202.232.8734

Cartoonists Rights Network supports editorial cartoon contest

Draw Attention to Impunity: IFEX launches the International Day to End Impunity Editorial Cartoon Contest

10/18/2012
http://www.cartoonistsrights.org/recent_developments_article.php?id=68

Artwork courtesy of the design and branding firm The Public Society

im·pu·ni·ty \im-'pyü-nə-tē\ n. without punishment, without consequences

Attention all cartoonists!  Help us draw the world's attention by creating an editorial cartoon about impunity. IFEX, an international network of free expression groups, is launching an editorial cartoon contest.  Titled the Draw Attention to Impuniity: Editorial Cartoon Contest, this cartoon contest will be part of the second annual International Day to End Impunity on November 23, 2012.  The deadline for entries is November 4, 2012.  Some of the entries will be featured on the International Day to End Impunity website, and the top three winners will receive cash prizes.

Journalists, photographers, musicians, writers, human rights defenders and others continue to be sued, threatened, attacked and even murdered with impunity in countries like Mexico, Russia, Iraq and Somalia for simply practicing their right to free expression.  In our free expression community, impunity consistently ranks among the top concerns and remains a global issue that has defied all borders and political structures. 

IFEX, based in Toronto, Canada, is the most extensive community of leaders defending and promoting freedom of expression around the world.  The Cartoonists Rights Network International is a proud member of IFEX.  Executive Director Robert Russell and Deputy Director Drew Rougier-Chapman will be two of the judges on the panel which will consist entirely of IFEX affiliated indivduals who are fighting for free speech rights.  

For contest details in English, see www.daytoendimpunity.org/contest/.
For contest details n French, see http://daytoendimpunity.org/fr/contest/.
For contest details in Spanish, see http://daytoendimpunity.org/es/contest/.
For contest details in Arabic, see http://daytoendimpunity.org/ar/contest/.
For contest details in Russian, see http://daytoendimpunity.org/ru/contest/.

Steve Artley retires from editorial cartooning (UPDATED)

Mere weeks after he helped organize the Annual Association of Editorial Cartoonist's annual meeting in Washington, DC, 2nd generation editorial cartoonist Steve Artley has just announced on his Facebook page that he's retiring from doing them -

Steven George Artley updated his status: "My editorial cartoons are no more. I am done, finished, kaput. Earlier today, I stepped down from the Alexandria Times. I guess it's time to try something else. What that something else may be, I don't know. Anyway, thanks to those of you who "liked" my work and left supportive comments."

In the following discussion, Steve (who is a friend of mine) also noted, he was "Tired of being an invisible Quixote. Feel like no one is out there. I make a sound and all I get back is my own echo. Or, I'm a ghost. I cast no shadow. There's no indication of measurable readership, no following, no community support... I get virtually no feedback, 'cept for the occasional hate mail. All that tells me it's time to go."
  
"Coincidentally, when I called my editor today, he said the mayor had just called, asking "who is that guy?" Meaning me, of course, who drew the local issue cartoon that portrayed him as an anthropomorphized bulldozer. I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR FOUR FREAKIN' YEARS, MISTER MAYOR!!!! And only NOW, you notice I'm there? This all underscores that I made the right decision."

Matt Wuerker on Voice of America

 Political Cartoonists Worried About Future
Jerome Socolovsky
Voice of America News October 03, 2012
http://www.voanews.com/content/political-cartoonists-worried-about-future/1519470.html

Matt and other cartoonists were interviewed during their recent convention in DC.

Herblock lectures online

Comic Riffs caught that the Matt Bors award was online, but there's a bunch more cartoonist videos including Trudeau, Auth, Davies, Morin, Toles, Bagley and Sherffius (who's quit cartooning).   No Wuerker though.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: Gregory Uchrin

A rarer breed than many other cartoonist types, Gregory Uchrin is a webcomic political cartoonist who answered my questions at last fall’s Intervention con.


Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Gregory Uchrin: I’ve been doing a political cartoon on the web since 2003. The original title was “Hail Dubyus!” -in response to the imperial aspirations of our then administration, but since 2008, I’ve published under a more neutral title “Intravenous Caffeine” , since I realized I would have much more scope for parody with the new administration. I also wanted to expand into less political areas with other works.


How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?


I sketch, pencil and ink traditionally. Depending on the complexity of the cartoon, I may scan in the sketch or pencil work and print it out in non-photo blue for inking, but usually I will ink directly on the pencils. After scanning my inks, I color them on the computer.


When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?


1951—I was 60 in October. I’m an old fart :D I was born in New Jersey.


Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?


I grew up in New Jersey, but came to DC for college and stayed on because I liked it here. I lived up by Catholic U in Brookland. I also did grad school at Catholic, but since marriage, I’ve lived just outside the city in Alexandria VA.


What is your training and/or education in cartooning?


I’m self-taught, but with all the art books and internet tutorials available, being self-taught is a highly individual thing. I grew up watching Jon Gnagy on live television and that was the start of my artistic education. Classwork can be very important though, because if you’re self-taught, you have to figure out everything for yourself, while a good teacher will help you to learn the techniques that will aid in the realization of what you’re trying to show.


Who are your influences?


So many to choose from! I really love the late 19th/early 20th century illustrators like the Brandywine School, Edwin Austin Abbey, and J. Allen St. John and the science fiction/fantasy illustrators of the 30s/40s like Virgil Finlay and Margaret Brundage. In serious comics, for sheer style, I go for the classics like Hal Foster and Alex Raymond, but for comic stuff, I go for the early MAD school, like Harvey Kurtzman, Wally Wood, Bill Elder and Jack Davis. New Yorker cartoons, especially Charles Addams. CREEPY and EERIE (and EC reprints) were another early love. In politics, I love Herblock and Doonesbury, but they really haven’t influenced my style. I’ve been getting more and more into manga but at this point, it’s too early to talk about any influences except in a general way. Except Masamune Shirow!


If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?


LOL - I would have started a LOT earlier and taken some courses in anatomy and life drawing.


What work are you best-known for?


My political cartoon series are still my most recognizable works, but I’m starting to be known for my quirky humor pieces, like my Chibi Last Supper, a parody of the da Vinci picture.


What work are you most proud of?


My next one :D. I did some rather hard-hitting cartoons during the Bush administration that make me feel like I actually did something important. And I’ve got a BLEACH parody (called BLECCH!) that makes people laugh out loud. On a more artistic note, I recently did a pastel portrait of a cosplayer friend of mine that surprised me that I managed to do it so well. It’s on my deviantart site.


What would you like to do or work on in the future?


I’d like to do a narrative webcomic that’s character rather than news driven. With political cartoons, you spend 75% of your time reading and watching news, looking for something that gives you a comic image. I’ve got a series of “fantasy casting” pieces--what actors/actresses I’d cast in a live version of an anime or manga and I’m currently working on a “Ghost in the Shell” picture. And I’ve been sketching out a horror story I’d like to turn into a graphic novel.


What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?


I experiment with sound restoration. 78s. PRE-VINYL! And I do research on the medieval period and Arthurian legends. Anything far from actually drawing anything. I’m not a games player though. I never seemed to develop that kind of hand-eye coordination with the early videogames. Which may be a good thing for me since it keeps me working.


What do you think will be the future of your field?


I’m not sure. After the insanity of last week’s Miss Republican Idol—ooops, I mean, CNN tribute to anyone running against Barry--oh, wait, was that supposed to be a debate?--I’m not sure politics hasn’t gotten so ridiculous that it’s impossible to satire. It’s probably a good time to expand beyond it.


What local cons do you attend ? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?


I attend all of the local cons, but I’ve only started participating in Artist’s Alleys in the past year. InterventionCon is only two years old and it’s becoming a very well run event. I also did AA at Katsucon and Anime MidAtlantic, but I missed out on applying to AnimeUSA because they announced the Alley practically the same day of the Japanese earthquake and my attention was elsewhere. But I like AUSA a lot and may actually cosplay there this year! T-mode is a nice small con, but I’ve only attended once. And of course, Otakon is mind-blowing. Both as an attendee and Alley participant.


What's your favorite thing about DC?


I like that it’s a big town that’s small enough to know. I can go anywhere and wind up running into a friend or colleague.


Least favorite?


Traffic.


What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?


The Smithsonian, National Gallery, Freer Gallery, Hirschhorn.


How about a favorite local restaurant?


Since moving to Alexandria, I don’t get much into the city for dining, especially since there’s a number of great restaurants in my neighborhood that I love: Hana Tokyo, La Casa for pizza, and Tempo for more elegant but laidback dining.

Do you have a website or blog?


Politics: Intravenous Caffeine— http://ivcaffeine.com/ —my older Bush era cartoons are still on HAIL DUBYUS! http://haildubyus.com/  I display my non-political works at DeviantArt at http://gregoriusu.deviantart.com/gallery  My books BUSHWHACKED and BLECCH! -are available at Ka-Blam http://ka-blam.com/  (search for the titles).

Nov 29: Political Cartoon Biography of Theodore Roosevelt at Library of Congress

Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC   20540


November 7, 2011

Political Cartoon Biography of Theodore Roosevelt Is Subject of Discussion

"Bully!" Chronicles Life and Times of 26th President

    Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a favorite subject of political cartoonists, due in large part to his outsize personality, his exploits as one of the leaders of the Rough Riders and, of course, his career as 26th president.

    Roosevelt's biography as told through these political cartoons forms the basis of "Bully!: The Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt" (Regnery, 2011) by Rick Marschall. Marschall's book is the subject of a discussion and signing on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 11:30 a.m. in Dining Room A, located on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. This event is part of the Books & Beyond author series of the Center for the Book and is co-sponsored with the Library's Prints and Photographs Division. It is free and open to the public; no tickets are requited.

    "Bully!" features more than 250 full-color illustrations, many of them from the collections of the Library. According to Marschall, few people have influenced American history as Roosevelt did. A cowboy, soldier and prolific author, he vaulted to the top of American politics. His physical energy, great intelligence and larger-than-life personality made him not only a beloved leader but also the subject of countless political cartoons.

    Marschall is the author of more than 65 books, is a former political cartoonist and has written extensively on politics, history and cartoons. He has taught at Rutgers University and the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

    Marschall's book is also the subject of a discussion on Facebook. The new Books & Beyond Book Club is available at www.facebook.com/booksandbeyond/. Here readers can discuss books, the authors of which have appeared or will appear in this series. The site also offers links to webcasts of these events and asks readers to talk about what they have seen and heard.

    Since its creation by Congress in 1977 to "stimulate public interest in books and reading," the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress (www.Read.gov/cfb/) has become a major national force for reading and literacy promotion.  A public-private partnership, it sponsors educational programs that reach readers of all ages, nationally and internationally. The center provides leadership for affiliated state centers for the book and nonprofit reading-promotion partners and plays a key role in the Library's annual National Book Festival. It also oversees the Library's Read.gov website and administers the Library's Young Readers Center.

# # #

PR 11-219
11/7/11
ISSN 0731-3527

More on assault of Syrian cartoonist

Political Cartoonist Whose Work Skewered Assad Is Brutally Beaten in Syriahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
By NADA BAKRI
New York Times August 26, 2011


The Post ran an Associated Press story today, but Ann Telnaes did a cartoon on it and Cavna at Comic Riffs pursued the story a bit:

ALI FERZAT: A Call to Cartoonists to draw support for the viciously beaten Syrian artist
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs Blog August 26 2011


Matt Wuerker says the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists will be issuing a statement.

July 20: Dan Wasserman speaks on political cartoons at Smithsonian

It’s a Draw: Political Cartooning Evening Seminar
Wednesday, July 20 - 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

With the stroke of a pen, great political cartoonists bring clarity to political chaos. Over the centuries, they have used brevity to capture burning issues of their day—from war to civil rights. In the 19th century, Thomas Nast created the elephant as the symbol of the Republican Party. Washington Post cartoonist Herblock signaled Nixon’s tarnished image by giving him a thug-like beard.

Sharing drawings from his 30 years in the profession and examples from his predecessors, Boston Globe cartoonist Dan Wasserman, whose work is syndicated in 40 newspapers, discusses the history of the craft from the days of Benjamin Franklin to the Obama years. He also gives you the chance to write a caption for one of his political cartoons. The winner receives a signed copy of the cartoon.

$35 Member
$32 Senior Member
$45 Gen. Admission


LOCATION:
S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Metro: Smithsonian Mall Exit (Blue/Orange)

Quick Tix Code: 1H0-764

Photos of recent DC-area comics events

2nd DC Comic Con

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World

Steven Weinberg and Casey Scieszka signing "To Timbuktu"

June 20: Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World

I'll be attending this.

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World
Monday, June 20, 2011
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Holeman Lounge, The National Press Club
Free for Press Club Members, Non Members: $10

Free for DC Conspiracy Members and any other DC cartoonists (enter discount code DOS)

Registration Required at: http://press.org/events/daring-draw-evening-political-cartoonists-around-world#tickets

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World

Press Club Hosts Political Cartoonists From Around the World

Political cartoonists have the unique ability to capture complex issues in a picture and a few short words. In many parts of the world, they contribute political commentary that few print or broadcast journalists would dare.

The U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is hosting a group of 20 political cartoonists from North Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia. During their three weeks in the U.S., they will meet with fellow cartoonists around the country and get a taste of American culture.

We invite you to a welcoming reception hosted jointly by the U.S. Department of State and the National Press Club. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the Holeman Lounge at the National Press Club. A brief program will begin at 6 p.m. The international cartoonists' pieces will be on display and they will be available to discuss their work and experiences.A cash http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifbar will be available and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

This event is free to members of the National Press Club and $10 for non members.

And I'm sure this article refers to a disinvited guest-

Gaza cartoonist says US consul canceled training invite
Ma'an News Agency 18/06/2011

June 20th: International Political Cartoonists in DC

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World
Monday, June 20, 2011
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Holeman Lounge, The National Press Club
Free for Press Club Members, Non Members: $10

Free for DC Conspiracy Members and any other DC cartoonists (enter discount code DOS)

Registration Required at:  http://press.org/events/daring-draw-evening-political-cartoonists-around-world#tickets

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World

Press Club Hosts Political Cartoonists From Around the World

Political cartoonists have the unique ability to capture complex issues in a picture and a few short words. In many parts of the world, they contribute political commentary that few print or broadcast journalists would dare.

The U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is hosting a group of 20 political cartoonists from North Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia. During their three weeks in the U.S., they will meet with fellow cartoonists around the country and get a taste of American culture.

We invite you to a welcoming reception hosted jointly by the U.S. Department of State and the National Press Club. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the Holeman Lounge at the National Press Club. A brief program will begin at 6 p.m. The international cartoonists' pieces will be on display and they will be available to discuss their work and experiences.A cash bar will be available and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

This event is free to members of the National Press Club and $10 for non members.

Toles wins another (UPDATED)

Tom Spurgeon reports that Tom Toles has won an Opinion Award from The Week, which may have put a video of the awards online, but definitely ran this article about his win.

The other cartoonists who were considered are Steve Breen, Mike Luckovich, Glenn McCoy and Rob Rogers. Sadly, I think the 5 might be 1/10th of the full-time editorial cartoonists working in newspapers.

Clay Jones cartoon on Rachel Maddow's show

 Rachel Maddow used a cartoon by Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star cartoonist Clay Jones on her tv show. She took Jones' cartoon, which showed a teacher lecturing Presidents Obama and Bush on foreign policy, and riffed on "the Beltway media's distorted perspective on the killing of Osama bin Laden."

 

I asked Jones about it, and he said, "The funny thing is, my editor passed over this cartoon so it didn't run in our print edition... but it did make my blog and was distributed by my syndicate, Creators."

April 13: Hess and Northrup on political cartoons at National Archives

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrup speak on their new book, Drawn & Quartered: The History of American Political Cartoons tomorrow:

Wednesday, April 13, 7PM, National Archives, McGowan Theater

I'll be at this.

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrup speak three times on editorial cartoons

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrup speak on their new book, Drawn & Quartered: The History of American Political Cartoons in three places this spring:

 

Wednesday, April 13, 7PM, National Archives, McGowan Theater

Wednesday, April 27, 12PM, Library of Congress, 6th floor, Montpelier Room

Sunday, May 15, 2:30 PM, Newseum

Comic Riffs talks to Matt Wuerker on syndication

Politico's MATT WUERKER reacts to his new Universal UClick deal
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 25 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/politicos-matt-wuerker-reacts-to-his-new-universal-uclick-deal/2011/03/26/AFHteoZB_blog.html

Bill Day on Herblock and his tribute cartoon

A guest post by the excellent cartoonist Bill Day on the great Herblock, after I saw yesterday's cartoon online and asked him about it...

Discovering Herblock is a transcendent moment in my early awareness as both a cartoonist and a young southerner coming of age in the segregated South. At around 8 or 9 years old in the late 50's, I became very aware of the inequality of my region, trying to comprehend why America would talk about freedom and then not allow it. The water fountains, the separate entrances, the back of buses, the separate schools, and the unpaved roads in 'Goldboro', the black section of town. I saw all of that clearly and looked for understanding from my parents, who while loving and kind, failed it support my opinions. There seemed to be no one who would support me.

   I was beginning to really like cartooning and found a Herblock cartoon as an example of 'editorial cartoons' in the World Book Encyclopedia. It was "Fire!" It was the first editorial cartoon I had ever seen and it opened up my world. I started looking for them in newspapers in my home town library where there were many out of state newspapers. There I discovered Mauldin, Haynie, Conrad,  and many others. As the civil rights movement started to shake the foundation of the deep south, I would go to the library and see what these cartoon heroes of mine would draw to explain the events unfolding. Herblock was my very favorite and I followed him closely. My interest in the newspaper section at the library began to be noticed by the chief librarian. I was about 12 years old by then and it was unusual for a boy my age to be spending so much time there. I was also naive about her interest in me. One day she came over and asked what had my intense interest. I gladly showed her the Herblock cartoon and spoke so admiringly about him. She was not happy about it.

    Several weeks later I went to the library to catch up on my cartoon education. I looked everywhere for the Washington Post, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I went up to the counter and asked where it might be and the librarian told me that the subscription had been canceled. I asked why, and she told me that she was not going to have the youth of her town corrupted by such Communist propaganda! I was absolutely crushed.

    Of course, it was too late. I was already corrupted by the education I had learned from Herb, and her action only reinforced my understanding of the events rocking the South. The door had been opened.

   In 1974 I made a trip to Washington and met Herb. He was so wonderful to me. The nicest, sweetest guy I have ever met. We stayed in touch for years after that. Herb would send me clippings of the cartoons he saw of mine when they popped up in Newsweek or the New York Times. It was always a thrill to get a letter from him. He was following me as I had followed him for all those years. It hurt so much when Herb died and I was depressed about it for a very long time. I loved him.

I debated with myself about whether to do a 'takeoff' of Herb's famous cartoon. I finally decided that Herb would have liked it, since he was a dear friend of mine. I reversed the water bucket with the fire, making it different enough. I hope Herb is smiling now. He is such a hero to me. -- Bill Day