Tuesday, August 02, 2016

The Post on the Simpson's endorsement of Clinton

'The Simpsons' predicted a Trump presidency, but they won't be voting for him


Washington Post August  2 2016
, p. C2
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/01/the-simpsons-predicted-a-trump-presidency-but-they-wont-be-voting-for-him/

Mike Rhode on Richard’s Poor Almanac(k) by Richard Thompson (2011)

This is excerpted from Craig Fischer's Team Cul de Sac fundraising zine, Favorites (2011). I was just asked for a copy, so I'll put here for those interested. Since I wrote this, Andrews McMeel scanned all the original drawings Richard had in his studio (and he'd given away a decent amount of them before the scanning) and began running them on Go Comics.

Mike Rhode on Richard's Poor Almanac(k) by Richard Thompson

When I was young, I had favorite comics.

As I grew a bit older, I had favorite comics and creators.

As I dash into middle age, I have almost no favorite comics or creators. Because I find the world opened to me far more than I ever expected it could have, and I've read thousands of comic books, tens of thousands of comic strips and millions of words. And I've liked a lot of them. So I've picked one by someone I know.

To you, I'll recommend a comic (and book) that tens of thousands of Washingtonians enjoyed for years, but one that you may not have seen—Richard Thompson's Richard's Poor Almanac (or Almanack as it later became). From 1997 through 2009, Thompson did a weekly cartoon for the Washington Post about whatever struck him as amusing that week. Which may have included Saddam Hussein bobbleheads, the Dillinger Wing of the Smithsonian Institution, county fairs, potholes, closed restaurants, ambiguous toys, or cherry blossom lore. Many of these strips were tinted with watercolor, a technique never seen in comics anymore, because it takes too much time. But boy, did it look lovely, even when applied to a red-faced "Spring [who] became irritated when asked about her vivid outfit, a flowing, low- cut gown that barely contained her fertile figure," which led her to threaten, "Watch it or I'll put 3 feet of water in your basement!" as her first public appearance ended.  In four panels, Richard mocked the overly-familiar Washington press conference, zinged the local fixation on Cherry Blossom timing, and noted the change in seasons with tongue firmly in cheek. This cockeyed take on the world, in this case the arrival of spring, is typical of his Alamanc(k) strips, and leads to a large part of the enjoyment of the strip.  If you're curious about "Our Fireworks Heritage," seek out the 2004 collection of the panels and glory in "12 Months of Misinformation in Handy Cartoon Form."

The NY Times on March vol. 3

'March' Graphic Novel Revisits Civil Rights Movement in Rich Detail

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/books/for-younger-readers-march-revisits-civil-rights-movement-in-visual-detail.html

Charles Hatfield tribute to Richard Thompson

A third tribute by Charles Hatfield has been added to the Comics Journal page at http://www.tcj.com/tributes-to-richard-thompson/ , adding to those by Warren Bernard and Craig Fischer.

Andrew Aydin interviewed about March

Monday, August 01, 2016

The Post interviews Roz Chast

What's in Roz Chast's bag? A new ending to her best-selling book. [in print as Her need for closure no longer remains].


Washington Post August 1 2016, p. C1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/whats-in-roz-chasts-bag-a-new-ending-to-her-best-selling-book/2016/07/31/8f3bac3c-54ce-11e6-b7de-dfe509430c39_story.html

Comic Riffs on Jack Davis

RIP Jack Davis, legendary sports cartoonist and MAD magazine artist


Washington Post Comic Riffs July 29
2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/29/rip-jack-davis-legendary-sports-cartoonist-and-mad-magazine-illustrator/

Anti-Trump designs by Auger

Looks like local cartoonist Michael Auger has designed a few more anti-Trump T-shirts.

 

Studio Ghibli film fest at Angelika at Mosaic


Yesterday I watched Tales from Earhsea at the Angelika Film Center, in the Mosaic District in Fairfax, VA. The film was part of the annual Studio Ghibli Film Festival, which happens every summer. I was fortunate to learn about this seasonal event last year, allowing fans like myself to view their favorite Studio Ghibli movies on the big screen. As in the case with yesterday, it was the first time I saw Tales from Earthsea, a film that is absolutely stunning on the big screen. One of my all time favorites - a Studio Ghibli classic and early Miyazaki film, was Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - one I own on Blu Ray, but was able to fully appreciate after seeing and hearing it in a movie theater earlier this summer, at Angelika. It's good to note that last year, they didn't show Nausicaa, so I'm glad they decided to mix things up this time around!

As the schedule goes, each week they'll play a Studio Ghibli film twice, once on Saturday mornings at 11:00am, and again on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. On Saturdays, they'll show the English dubbed version, and on Wednesdays, for a film's second showing, they'll show the original Japanese version, with English subtitles. So, if I wanted to see Earthsea again, I could go this Wednesday evening and watch it in its original, Japanese form.

Sadly, this summer's line-up is almost done, however there a still a few more to see through August. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli films, or great animation, or great movies in general, then get on over to the Angelika Film center at Mosaic before it's too late!

                                                                                                                  -Steve Loya

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "#DNCleaks"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock:

"#DNCleaks"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2010

At last report, there is absolute zero evidence that the Russians had squat to do with the recent Wikileaks dump of Democratic National Committee emails detailing the program of fraud and sabotage against the Sanders campaign. Still, that hasn't stopped all manner of Liberal Democratic mouthpieces like MSNBC shrieking at full throat about how "the Russians did it".

Actually, I think it's too bad that the Russians didn't do it, because ma-aan, would that have been some poetic justice.

Catholic University's Treasure Chest collection

Associate Archivist W.J. Shepherd has written a few articles:

The Archivist's Nook: Hark! The Digital Angel Comes!

The Archivist's Nook: Treasure Chest – Your Own Virtual Jesus


The Archivist's Nook: A Merry Treasure Chest Christmas to All!


Smithsonian American Art Museum on Pokemon

Pokémon Go: Games, Art, and Open Spaces at the Museum
July 13, 2016


http://eyelevel.si.edu/2016/07/pok%C3%A9mon-go-games-art-and-open-spaces-at-the-museum.html

Tributes to Richard Thompson

Tributes to Richard Thompson

Saturday, July 30, 2016

That darn Mark Trail

'Mark Trail' objectifies women [in print as Free for All Swimsuit Edition].

Daniel Bender, Bethesda

Washington Post July 30 2016

From the July 11 "Mark Trail." (James Allen/North America Syndicate)

Ann Telnaes interviewed

Three Female Cartoonists Open Up About Drawing Hillary Clinton

And sexism. Loads of sexism.

07/30/2016 
Katherine Brooks Senior Arts & Culture Editor, The Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/women-cartoonists-on-hillary-clinton_us_579ba932e4b0e2e15eb5d00f

The Post's review of Phantom Boy

'Phantom Boy': Another old-school animation from the makers of 'A Cat in Paris' [in print as Timely crime with an old-school feel].


Washington Post July 29 2016

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/phantom-boy-another-old-school-animation-from-the-makers-of-a-cat-in-paris/2016/07/28/35c8d1ae-4eaf-11e6-aa14-e0c1087f7583_story.html

Friday, July 29, 2016

Carolyn Belefski called Kindness Activist

David Malki and Encore Stage remembering Richard Thompson

Mark Korsak on this weekend's Graphic Recording professional meeting

by Mike Rhode

Mark Korsak recently contacted me to tell me that Scott McCloud would be in town for an event, courtesy of Maga Design. The International Forum of Visual Practioners is having it's annual meeting in DC. It's not open to the general public, but you can register to attend. Several local cartoonists such as Kevin Rechin, Joe Sutliff, Teresa Logan and especially Joe Azar have done jobs in this emerging field. Mark's quite happy with his new career, noting that he gets to travel around and was just in India for three days.

MR: What is graphic recording?  

MK: Graphic Recording is one of a few terms used to describe someone who uses hand done static visual media to capture and document information, communicate ideas and foster development and creative thinking in real time. Most Graphic Recorders are hired for a presentation or development meeting. They go in to the event, tape a 4 x 8 foot sheet of paper up on a wall, and draw/write what everyone in the room is saying while they're saying it. Live. Improvisationally. They do this because  it engages people in a way that talking alone, or a powerpoint presentation, can't. The audience becomes more absorbed in the subject. They retain information better and participate in the experience. Afterwards there is a unique visual record or the experience that can be referenced. Over all there is a much deeper impact.

There are 2 camps in the field. One would be Graphic Recorders, like me, who draw/write what is happening. The second camp is Graphic Facilitators. They tend to have much less drawing experience, but have psychology and management degrees. They know how to get a room full of people to think/work together and use the drawing more as a tool to build consensus. I am often paired with a facilitator on an assignment. They do the talking, I do the drawing.

Do the drawings tell a story?

Absolutely. For the people in the room, drawing is magic. It leaves a much deeper impression and ends up standing as an inspiration.

How did you get involved in the field? Are you a cartoonist?

I'm an illustrator/designer. I moved to DC from New York a few years ago. In an effort to connect with the local design community. I attended a cocktail party at Maga Design, a consulting firm here in DC that engages all their clients with Graphic Recording (and host of the cocktail party). I met Jim Nuttle and Greg Gersch at that party. Both of them are illustrator/designers that have become highly sought after Graphic Recorders. They introduced me to the Graphic Recording industry (along with Joe Azar) and I have since taken up the mantle.

Why do cartoonists make good practitioners? Or don't they?

Cartoonists/Illustrators/artists make excellent Graphic Recorders because they are, foremost, keen observers. Listening skills are paramount when capturing a sessions. Secondary advantages are knowledge of how to design a page, tell a story visually, an extensive visual vocabulary, knowledge of what works or doesn't work on a page, familiarity with type and different fonts, color theory, and general comfort with drawing/filling a page, just about all the skills a visual artist has.


Why did you invite Scott McCloud to come to DC to speak to your group? 

There are many fantastic books out there that talk about visual thinking and facilitating, but Scott McCloud's book "Understanding Comics" has become a must read for the Graphic Recording industry as it delves so deeply into the nuts and bolts of why/how images/drawings work. Scott is finishing up his tour for "The Sculptor" and starting to research his next book, which will be more along the lines of "Understanding Comics" (or so he tells me). Not only will his lecture be informative to the attendees of the conference, but he will also be conducting interviews himself and researching his next book.


To give you an idea of what Graphic Recording looks like here are the finish files from the capture I did recently. In an effort to learn more about the needs of the DC and Suburban Maryland community Kaiser Permanente gathered together a variety of community leaders and medical professionals for a day of dialogue and discussion. Both these panels are 4 x 8 ft. At the end of the day, the client keeps them. They usually hang them up in their office for a time as inspiration.