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Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Monday, December 30, 2019
Michael Cavna's Warped comic
I'm not very good about remembering to read webcomics, but today The Daily Cartoonist linked to Michael Cavna's Warped comic at https://www.gocomics.com/warped, which probably hasn't been mentioned here in quite some time. So go check it out.
International Journal of Comic Art half-price back issue package sale
Beginning January 1, 2020, the International Journal of Comic Art will offer at half-price back issues, when bought as a package. Of the 42 issues published through Vol. 21, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2019, 36 are available for purchase. Out of stock are: Vol. 1, No. 1; 1:2; 4:2; 5:1, 6:2; 7:1. A reprint of 1:1 can be purchased from lulu.com. Tables of contents can be seen at http://www.ijoca.net/
Normally, 36 issues would sell at a total US $ 1,800 for U.S. institutions; U.S. $810 for individuals in the U.S.; U.S. $2,160 for outside of U.S. institutions; U.S. $1,080 for foreign individuals.
With a 50 percent discount, the prices for 36 issues are:
U.S. Institutions: US $900 + postage
U.S. Individuals: US $405 + postage
Foreign Institutions: US $1,080 + postage
Foreign Individuals: US $540 + postage
There are limited numbers available of some very early issues; they will be offered on a first-come basis.
Orders should be sent to: John A. Lent
IJOCA
669 Ferne Blvd.
Drexel Hill, PA 19026 USA
Payments can be made by checks on a U.S. bank, PayPal, or bank transfer; transfer fees on the latter must be paid by the purchaser.
Big Planet Comics Bethesda's New Years Day SALE!
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Sunday, December 29, 2019
A decade of Nate Beeler cartoons on Cagle's syndicate site
Our formerly local Washington Examiner cartoonists work is at Nate Beeler Decade!
Original comic strips in Smithsonian's American History
Bruce Guthrie sent along this link to scans of original comic strips in the National Museum of American History -- and Warren Bernard pointed out they all came from 1966.
Thus, they must be from the Calvacade of American Comics exhibit that we've previously written about here.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
The Post's obituary for Peanuts animator Lee Mendelson
Lee Mendelson, producer of TV's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas,' dies at 86
Percy Crosby's daughter, and defender, Joan Tibbetts has died
Today's Washington Post has a very minor obituary for Joan Tibbetts, a local woman who fiercely defended the reputation of her father Percy Crosby, and his strip Skippy.
Joan Tibbetts, estate administrator
Washington Post December 28 2019
I think everyone who wrote about comics in the DC area was probably contacted at one time or another by Mrs. Tibbetts. I certainly was. Her father's creation is probably best recalled now as an inspiration for Peanuts, but it was very popular in the 1920s and he was a millionaire from it. The Post obituary links to a 1979 article on the trip and her father.
Cartoonist's Daughter Hopes Dad's 'Skippy' Will Be Born Again
Friday, December 27, 2019
Liz Montague's favorite New Yorker cartoons.
New Yorker Cartoonists Pick Their Favorite Cartoons
Selections from Edward Koren, Liza Donnelly, Zachary Kanin, and more.
Latest Liz at Large comic in City Paper
Liz At Large: "Great"
Here's some positivity to get you through the holidays.
Liz Montague
Dec 23, 2019
LoC blog focuses on Gasoline Alley in Comic Art exhibit.
"Comic Art" Exhibition: Exploring the History of a Beloved Format
Library of Congress Picture This blog December 27, 2019
by Melissa Lindberg
Jan 30: Robin Ha, ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL at East City Bookshop
Robin Ha, ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL
East City Bookshop Thursday, January 30, 2020 - 6:30pm
This event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested but not required. Reserve your copy of the book today!
East City Bookshop welcomes Robin Ha with her graphic novel memoir Almost American Girl, a heartfelt coming-of-age tale and poignant depiction of immigration.
About Almost American Girl:
A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life—perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo.
For as long as she can remember, it's been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn't always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together.
So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation—following her mother's announcement that she's getting married—Robin is devastated.
Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn't understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends in Seoul and has no access to her beloved comics. At home, she doesn't fit in with her new stepfamily, and worst of all, she is furious with the one person she is closest to—her mother.
Then one day Robin's mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class, which opens the window to a future Robin could never have imagined.
Robin Ha grew up reading and drawing comics. At fourteen she moved to the United States from Seoul, Korea. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, she moved to New York City and started a career in the fashion industry. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies including Secret Identities and The Strumpet, as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine. She is also the author of the bestselling comic recipe book Cook Korean! Visit Robin online at banchancomic.tumblr.com.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Ebony Flowers in the New Yorker
I recently found out that Ebony Flowers grew up in suburban Maryland and Baltimore.
Lines
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Wuerker's year at Politico
Wuerker Cartoons Year in Review
We look back on a year full of political drama, brouhahas, kerfuffles and malarkey with the best of Matt Wuerker's 2019 cartoons.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Corporations vs Collectors: The Excesses of Hallmark Christmas ornaments (UPDATED)
An editorial by Mike Rhode
(updates in italics 12/26/2019)
I used to collect Hallmark's Christmas ornaments. I slowed down last year and completely stopped this year. (Hypocrisy update: Well, I had stopped until I went to a Hallmark store looking for Scooby-Doo ornaments and cartoon cards. Then I slipped off the wagon again. A habit since 1993 is hard to break it turns out, at least at half-price.)
Here's roughly what's on offer for 2019:
One wonders who wants to hang Thanos, a genocidal space alien villain on the tree though. That's two ornaments by the way - the Infinity Gauntlet has broken from it's hanger above.
(updates in italics 12/26/2019)
I used to collect Hallmark's Christmas ornaments. I slowed down last year and completely stopped this year. (Hypocrisy update: Well, I had stopped until I went to a Hallmark store looking for Scooby-Doo ornaments and cartoon cards. Then I slipped off the wagon again. A habit since 1993 is hard to break it turns out, at least at half-price.)
Here's roughly what's on offer for 2019:
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| (not pictured - Spider-Man, Lego Robin) |
In 1993 Hallmark started producing superhero ornaments for their Keepsake line, but only one a year: 1993 - Superman; 1994 - Batman; 1995 - Batmobile; 1995 - Superman. In 1996, Marvel was included and Wonder Woman and Spider-Man appeared. 1997 was Marvel's Hulk with no DC one. The situation reversed in 1998 with DC's Superman miniature and no Marvel one. 1999 saw three DC ones - The Flash, Batman and Robin miniature, and a Celebrate the Century postage stamp of Superman. 2000 was back to two from DC - a Catwoman miniature and a Super Friends lunchbox.
By 2006, 13 years after Hallmark started licensing them, they had four ornaments - two from DC (Superman The Man of Steel and Batman The Bat-Signal) and two from Marvel (Spider-Man and New Breed of Superheroes).
Christopher Reeve as Superman is this year's Superman, and a bit strange, since there's no anniversary associated with the 1978 movie and 2019.
By 2006, 13 years after Hallmark started licensing them, they had four ornaments - two from DC (Superman The Man of Steel and Batman The Bat-Signal) and two from Marvel (Spider-Man and New Breed of Superheroes).
Christopher Reeve as Superman is this year's Superman, and a bit strange, since there's no anniversary associated with the 1978 movie and 2019.
This year, they have 13. Or 14 if you count the two "mystery" versions of Captain Marvel. The second version shows her uniform in the Kree colors.
Or 15, if you count the non-Keepsake series Flash.
For some reason, the 1960s Batman tv show continues to be popular, with two ornaments this year. The second of which is a Bat-guitar, for some odd reason.
For some reason, the 1960s Batman tv show continues to be popular, with two ornaments this year. The second of which is a Bat-guitar, for some odd reason.
As does the Lego Batman movie, with a Robin figure this year.
Wonder Woman in her invisible jet is at least a classic icon from the comic books.
Batman's pose is taken from the classic Frank Miller story, The Dark Knight Returns, which has seen several sequels in recent years.
And the Iron Man ornament wears his classic armor from the 1960s and 1970s, drawn most often then by Gene Colan.
Spider-Man in a Santa hat is a perennial.
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| (photo from Hallmark's website) |
For a few years, they've done these mini-ornaments.
One wonders who wants to hang Thanos, a genocidal space alien villain on the tree though. That's two ornaments by the way - the Infinity Gauntlet has broken from it's hanger above.
Let alone a villain from The Walking Dead...
But the main reason I stopped collecting these is cost.
| Aquaman | $8.99 |
| Green Lantern | $8.99 |
| Here Comes Spidey Claus | $15.99 $16.99 |
| Lego Robin Captain Marvel | $17.99 |
| Marvel Studios Avengers: Endgame Thanos | $18.99 |
| Infinity Gauntlet | $19.99 |
| Christopher Reeve as Superman | $19.99 |
| Batman Rocks! | $19.99 |
| Batman | $22.99 |
| Wonder Woman Invisible Jet | $24.99 |
| Iron Man | $29.99 |
| Batboat | $29.99 |
At an average cost of $20, the whole superhero collection (not counting Walking Dead or the non-Keepsake Flash at $8.99) will cost you $256 before tax. And there's so many of them, that within a couple of years, the only ornaments on a tree would be superheroes. I've already got at couple of storage tubs full, because I foolishly never expected these to be produced for so many years when I started collecting them at the beginning. It's in the nature of corporations to maximize their intellectual property, and I shouldn't be surprised about this. I also know that nobody is forcing me to buy all of these, or any of these, and that superheroes are big business now. I'm just bemoaning the ever-increasing tendency of fandom to be run into the ground by the ever larger companies that control the IP behind it. A very similar blog post could have been written about Hallmark's Star Wars or Star Trek ornaments. And this isn't even looking at animation characters from Disney or Warner Bros... At some point, the golden goose is going to die from overuse, I think. But I might be wrong about that too.
Should you be interested in any of these, you can get most of them through Hallmark's website. There's even more there that I didn't see at my local Hallmark shop, and it's also hard to tell what's new for this year and what they still have in stock from last year. And Hyperallergic just ran an article on the Henry Ford Museum collection of them.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
That darn Dave Whamond
These stereotypes are getting old [Dave Whamond editorial cartoon letter]
James W. Moeller
Washington Post Dec. 21, 2019 : A15
Al Goodwyn in Philly Inquirer special cartoon section
Philadelphia 2020 in Toons
As we look toward 2020, The Inquirer turned to cartoonists around the country, including several from Philadelphia, to give readers their views on the topics we'll be talking about most in the year ahead.
Philadelphia Inquirer Dec. 20, 2019
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Latest Liz At Large in City Paper
Liz At Large: "Best"
The cartoon series is here to brighten your day.
Liz Montague
Dec 19, 2019
The Post reviews Spies in Disguise
Will Smith plays a spy who transforms into a pigeon in this sweetly silly satire
By Thomas Floyd
Washington Post December 2019
Thursday, December 19, 2019
PBS talks to Mo Willems about his Kennedy Center residency
Best-selling children's author Mo Willems on sparking creativity and joy
Author and illustrator Mo Willems has sold millions of children's books and created beloved characters, including the Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Elephant and Piggie. Now he's the Kennedy Center's first education artist-in-residence, making new kinds of work for both kids and adults. Correspondent Paul Solman talks to Willems about how he engages his audience.
Don't steal from a caricaturist AFTER he draws you
Police search for a villain who stole $500 from a caricature artist — but left his own cartoon portrait behind
Black Panther's Wakanda is USDA free-trade partner
No, Wakanda is not Trump's next tariff target — despite being removed from a U.S. free-trade list
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
E&P podcast talks to Clay Jones
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The Best of Telnaes, Toles and other editorial cartoonists from The Post
The best Ann Telnaes cartoons of 2019
Washington Post Dec. 17, 2019
The best Tom Toles cartoons of 2019
Washington Post Dec. 17, 2019 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/17/best-tom-toles-cartoons/
2019 in editorial cartoons from all over the country
Washington Post Dec. 17, 2019
Ebony Flowers on The Kojo Nnamdi Show
'Tis the season … for staying in and curling up with a good book.
That's right! It's our winter book show and we've got quite the roster of local literary luminaries.
So, naturally, we want to know:
What's the best book you read this year and why? Listen and share your favorites.
Produced by Julie Depenbrock and Laura Spitalniak
Guests
- Ron Charles Book World Critic, The Washington Post; @RonCharles
- Rion Amilcar Scott Author, "The World Doesn't Require You"; Professor, University of Maryland
- Hannah Oliver Depp Owner, Loyalty Bookstores
- Ebony Flowers Author and Illustrator, "Hot Comb"
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Researching the Library of Congress' Santa Claus comics
Let's Talk Comics: Folklore, Comics, and Santa Claus
Dr. Daniel Peretti, Assistant Professor of Folklore at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, is the author of "Superman in Myth and Folklore" (University Press of Mississippi, 2017), as well as other essays on folklore, myth, and popular culture. His current research focuses on Santa Claus, ritual, and the traditions of Christmas. Here Dr. Peretti answers our questions about his career and his use of the Library of Congress' comic book collection.
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Clay Jones
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| 2019 Herblock award, photo by Bruce Guthrie |
Clay Jones is a long-time political cartoonist who also writes an amazingly hardest hitting blog about his cartoons. Here's some quotes from just the past few days:
-"Graham and McConnell have no problems being hypocrites and telling us out loud that they plan to conduct a sham of a trial." (Premature Republicans)
-"If Santa was planning to land his
endangered reindeer on the Trump’s roof, the only thing that’d stop the
Trump boys from killing them would be if they couldn’t get a guide to
hold their hands. You know they’re too wimpy to climb up there on their
own." (Run, Run, Rudolph)
-"And if you’re supporting Donald Trump, a bad guy bullying a child,
you’re one of the bad guys fighting against America and the rest of the
planet too." (Mean Girl Hurts Trump)
Honestly, these days I often read past the cartoon quickly just to read his commentary.
Clay moved from Fredericksburg, VA (which is technically in our coverage area, but...) to Woodbridge, VA (which definitely is...), was the finalist for 2019's Herblock Award (there's an autobio at that link), has a regular cartoon gig for CNN, and has a new book of his Trump cartoons out, and I'm finally getting around to interviewing him. I apologize to both him and our readers for the delay. As you'll read, he's completely self-syndicated now and you can support him directly.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do? I am a political cartoonist.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I went fully digital in May 2016. I'm now on my second Surface Pro.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in Fort Hood, TX in 1966.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved to Fredericksburg in 1998 to work for The Free Lance-Star. I stayed in the area after I was laid off in 2012. I moved to Woodbridge two months ago to live in sin with my girlfriend.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?I took a few art classes but failed the last one I took in high school. Can you tell? From there it's been trial, error, a little plagiarism, etc, etc.
Who are your influences?
As a cartoonist, Sergio Aragones, Mort Drucker, Don Martin (you can tell), Jim Davis, Charles Schulz, and Berke Breathed. As a political cartoonist, Mike Luckovich, Mike Peters, Paul Conrad, Herblock, Bill Mauldin, Pat Oliphant, Jeff MacNelly, Walt Handelsman, Michael Ramirez (really), and Scott Stantis. Some of these political influences have worn off me over time.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
If I realized how much I sucked when I was younger, I wouldn't have done that.
What work are you best-known for?
At this time, probably for drawing Donald Trump's hair and tie. I also get a lot of comments on the way I draw his mouth.
What work are you most proud of?
Any cartoon that really pisses off the Trump cult.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I would like to work at another news outlet in a fantasyland where they let me draw anything I want, pay me well, and leave me alone.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I don't have time for writer's block. I tell it to go away and power through. Honestly, I try to think what Mike Luckovich or Peters would do, then I try to do something weirder.
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| Cover of his new book |
Fewer jobs for sure even though that's not justified. We'll still be here but there will be fewer of us. Fewer people will enter a profession that doesn't reward or pay them. Most of us still in it are hangovers from when they used to give us jobs with benefits, vacations, 401Ks and stuff. Most people who do this in the future will have to commit while being distracted by a real job. That will affect the quality.
I'm also afraid publications will get even safer and more afraid to publish anything challenging or critical of anything.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I never had until recently when my girlfriend (the one I'm living in sin with in Woodbridge) took me to the Fairfax ComicCon. It was OK. I'm really not that big of a comic fan. I usually only read political cartoons, party because I'm a fan and partly to see that I don't draw the same idea as someone else.
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| Jones, Matt Davies and Matt Wuerker, photo by Guthrie |
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Food, the diversity, the liberalness, the metro, food trucks, The Post and Politico, the people, culture, museums, history, political bars, and some stuff I'll think of later.
Least favorite?
It's expensive.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
All of them but my favorite thing is to take a visitor from the Roosevelt and walk them around the tidal basin to the Jefferson.
Food trucks and hotdog stands. Mmm Mmmmm MMmmmmm. I also enjoy eating things I can't identify in Chinatown.
Do you have a website or blog?
Yes. Do you want to know the address? OK. claytoonz.com. You'll see cartoons, a blog for each cartoon, and even a video where you get to see me draw the cartoon. It's the best political cartoon blog by any self-syndicated political cartoonist.
Clay also posts his drawing videos on YouTube, rough sketches of ideas for CNN, and at least one cartoon a day and often more via his blog and email newsletter. And who can resist closing an internet story with a comparison to Nazis?
Monday, December 16, 2019
Bruce Guthrie's sketchbook (UPDATED)
Photographer around town Bruce Guthrie also makes a point of getting an autograph or sketch at events he photographs. He put some cartoonist's sketches online recently.
Bruce sent through a new link to even more drawings.
Bruce sent through a new link to even more drawings.
Washingtonian on The Post's graphic Mueller Report
How the Post Turned the Mueller Report Into a Graphic Nonfiction Book
Team members said the drama was buried in the report all along
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Alexandra Bowman
by Mike Rhode My friend Bruce Guthrie recently attended a political cartooning event at Georgetown University featuring Matt Wuerker and KAL, which I had to skip due to a scheduling conflict. Afterwards, he made a point of introducing me via email to Alexandra Bowman, the student political cartoonist who organized it. In keeping with our attempts to learn more about local cartoonists, I asked if she would answer our usual interview questions. Alexandra did so directly upon finishing her final exams, and I think you'll all be impressed by her answers.
1. What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I am a political cartoonist, children's book illustrator, and fine artist. The menu of galleries on my website is a bit unwieldy at this point.
I served as the Editorial Political Cartoonist for "The Hoya," the Georgetown University newspaper of record. I left this past fall to start my own political comedy show at Georgetown, "The Hilltop Show"--I create hand-drawn and digital graphics for the show. I was also recently hired as the Editorial Political Cartoonist for Our Daily Planet, a climate news outlet with a readership of 13,000 (my first cartoon was published here), as well as the Georgetown Review, an independent news source on campus. I also have illustrated three children's books and do freelance work and commissions. My work has been published by BBC News, BBC Books, Penguin House UK, Puffin Books.
I serve as the Live Political Cartoonist for the Georgetown Institute of Politics for Public Service (GU Politics). My first event was this past September's MSNBC Climate Forum; I created cartoons and life drawings of candidates, including Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders, throughout the two-day event. I also do freelance artwork for GU Politics. All my live cartoons, as well as my past work for "The Hoya" and other political pieces, can be found here.
2. How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?I am partial to drawing/sketching my political cartoons and illustrations in pencil, inking, and coloring with alcohol markers and colored pencils. I'm becoming increasingly fond of coloring via Photoshop, as it's much faster and I don't have to wait three days for the Copic ink to come off my hands.
When making fine art, I enjoy using mechanical pencils for detail work. Oil paint and colored pencils are helpful for creating broad swathes of color.
3. When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in March 2000 in Sierra Vista, AZ. Yeah, I really haven't been around that long.
4. Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
As a current Georgetown undergraduate student, I am currently based in DC. I live in Kennedy Hall at Georgetown, which has only about half the leaks and rodent sightings as the other dorms. When I'm not fending off rat attacks, I live about 30-40 minutes from Washington D.C. in Fairfax, VA.
5. What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I took AP Studio Art in high school, and took an Oil Painting class last year at Georgetown. I've had a few extracurricular art classes here and there. My mom is an artist: she ensured that I always had access to art supplies and art books, and took me to museums on almost a weekly basis as a kid. I have also spent years teaching myself to draw. Every break from school invites the existential question of "how many coffee table-sized Art-Of-The-Movie books should I bring home?" 6. Who are your influences?
While teaching myself over the years, I have devoured art books and classically-illustrated children's books, particularly animation concept art books and anthropomorphic animal stories. Beatrix Potter, Dr. Seuss, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Byron Howard, Jin Kim, Shiyoon Kim, Cory Loftis, Jim Davis, Christopher Hart, the illustrators of the Geronimo Stilton books (whose pseudonyms on the copyright pages have been tragically unhelpful), and Trina Schart Hyman. From a young age, I have been particularly enchanted by illustrations of anthropomorphic animals, especially those with a semi-realistic tone (e.g. the work of Beatrix Potter, Disney's Robin Hood, Zootopia, Aesop's fables illustrations, etc.).
Beatrix Potter and Jim Davis were my earliest influences. Whenever I draw an animal or a chubby character, its arms and paws/hands are (unintentionally) posed exactly like Garfield's. I drew Garfield all over my notebook and test margins in the fifth and sixth grades. And when I saw "The Hobbit:" when I was 12 (on December 22, 2012; yeah, I know), I became engrossed with Tolkien and Bilbo Baggins. I received a Bilbo Baggins bobblehead for Christmas three days later, and I decided to draw it that evening. I proceeded to cover my seventh and eighth-grade planners with drawings of Bilbo, and that doodle instinct has not since abated.
I've only begun to get into political cartooning recently, but I have long adored the work of the Washington Post's Ann Telnaes, Politico's Matt Wuerker, and The Economist's Kevin Kallaugher. I actually helped plan a GU Politics/Hilltop Show event this month hosting Mr. Wuerker and Mr. Kallaugher on campus; I delivered the event's opening remarks and introduced the cartoonists. Vincent Van Gogh, Albrecht Durer, and Leonardo da Vinci are some of the biggest influences of my fine art.
7. If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I don't think I've been drawing professionally long enough to have had any major slip-ups or regrets. I think.
I am, however, at the stage (the "Early Life" section on Wikipedia?) that I will look back on in 5-10 years and wistfully think "If I had only known/done X at that time!" Advice from more experienced cartoonists is always much appreciated!
8. What work are you best-known for?
Live political cartooning at the Climate Forum was a pivotal moment in my artistic "career" (I'm 19, I squirm when I use that word). Since coming to Georgetown, I have immersed myself in political cartooning for multiple publications. I think if you were to ask someone who has a second-degree connection to me (socially or on LinkedIn) what I tend to draw, they'd mention "the girl who draws political cartoons and foxes and John Oliver and had that massive display in the library coffee shop once."
As mentioned, I was also recently hired as the Editorial Political Cartoonist for Our Daily Planet, a climate news outlet that John Kerry apparently reads every morning.On a fun note, one of my drawings of the Fourth Doctor and K-9 was published by BBC Books and Puffin Books/Penguin Random House in an international anthology for sale in Barnes and Noble.
9. What work are you most proud of?
I'm particularly proud of my recent political cartoons, as I'm excited to have ventured into a field of art that I believe has more of a tangible positive impact on the world. I believe that political satire is one of the most effective means of reaching those who would not otherwise engage with the news in politics, as young people and the politically uninitiated are much more likely to engage with informational media if it is presented in an entertaining package.
10. What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I would like to be a broadcast journalist, news anchor, or political comedy talk show host. Writing for the latter would be an ideal intermediary position. I really admire how Jake Tapper has been able to tactfully combine his interests in strict news reporting and political cartooning by hosting both "The Lead" and his "State of the Cartoonion" segment. I would also love to direct films for Pixar.
In the case of either life path, I would like to use my career to create meaningful media and/or entertainment, particularly for young people.
11. What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I'm blessed that I rarely have to deal with writer's/artist's block. Keeping a notebook and writing down ideas whenever they occur to me helps keep creative blockage at bay.
Watching a 2-D Disney movie or watching late-night comedy never fails to offer heaps of inspiration.
12. What do you think will be the future of your field?
I hope that illustrators and filmmakers who intend to create meaningful, character-building animated films for children enter the field of animation. I admire how Pete Docter has imbued the films he has worked on/directed (i.e. Wall-E) with his Christian faith.
13. What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Being a Georgetown student with newfound access to DC has given me a new perspective on the sheer quantity of phenomenal cons available to me. I'm eager to continue learning about new cons to visit, particularly those that focus on film-making and illustration
For a number of years I have attended AwesomeCon, where I have met Wallace Shawn, Cary Elwes, Chris Sarandon, Adam West, Burt Ward, and David Tennant. I met David Tennant while dressed as the Tenth Doctor; I gave him a drawing of Ten meeting Scrooge McDuck, which David said "was the pinnacle of all his work." I continue to share this story with my Uber drivers.
14. What's your favorite thing about DC?
Coming to Georgetown, I was concerned that DC did not have the media and/or entertainment presence of New York or Los Angeles. However, perhaps partially due to my interests changing since arriving on campus a year and a half ago, I'm realizing that DC's political focus makes it a media hotspot particularly well-suited to my own interest in politics. DC being where the action is in terms of current global chaos is also a plus.
15. Least favorite?
See previous sentence.
16. What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
#ripnewseum.
17. How about a favorite local restaurant?
My favorite restaurant of all time is Filomena in Georgetown. I am comforted knowing that my culinary tastes have been validated by Bono and Harrison Ford.
18. Do you have a website or blog?
My work can be found on alexandrabowmanart.com and on Instagram (@alexandrabowmanart). I also tweet about illustration and current events under the handle @scripta_bene. I have a Facebook page for my work, which sends me notifications two or three times daily saying "Your followers have not seen a post from you in months." It's linked here if you're still interested.