CNW News

CNW meeting for August 21st!

2010-08-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Games, Graphic Novels, and Zombies, Oh My!

Prepare for a zombie invasion this month, as our guest speaker will be Mark Long, co-CEO and a creative light at Zombie.com/Zombie Studios.

Judging from the bit of info I have on Mark, he's had a widely varied career, including stints with the military and NASA, but he is lately a game designer. In addition to producing games, however, Zombie is branching out into other areas, including graphic novels. Mark will have a computer-aided presentation on his expanding multimedia empire. For a preview of the material Zombie creates, see their website at www.zombie.com.

If we're still breathing after the display of undead warfare, we'll likely tackle some old familiar segments, including new business, the Best of the Northwest cartoon contest, and who knows what else? Perhaps THIS TIME we can get a quorum to head out for food and spirits at Goldie's after the meeting?

That is ... unless we're feeling more like eating ... brains?

HAHAHAHAHAHAH!

What: August meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, August 21st, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599
(For directions, see the CNW website!)

CNW July meeting on 07/17!

2010-07-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is Your Life, Milt Priggee!

As the summer finally heats up (let's hope the A/C works at our new meeting space!), we'll get a dose of cool, as local editorial cartoonist Milt Priggee arrives to discuss "the highlights and lowlights" of his career in cartooning for our July CNW meeting.

Priggee came to our state via Alaska and the Chicago area, and these days he is based in Oak Harbor, WA. From his secret lair there, he self-syndicates his work, supplying 'toons for markets local and national. His award-winning work has appeared in such varied media as Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, and CNN's Headline News.

With such a long and full career, Priggee should have a lot of good advice and insights for our group, and I expect he'll be more than a touch entertaining as well. If you'd like to know and see more about him, visit his website at www.miltpriggee.com.

(Also, please let's send positive energy/prayers out into the universe to the Cartoon Gods that Milt stays healthy for the near and far term ... our last two speakers have taken ill around meeting time, and I'd hate to think there will be whispers down the road of a "CNW Curse" ... though, that'd be a good idea for a book or movie ... hmm.)

Whatever happens, I'd be very surprised if there weren't some new and old business to attend to. Or if we didn't have our "Best of the Northwest" cartoon competition, Home Make-over Edition! And chatter and possibly a night out after the meeting. You know, you know ... all the fun we get to have come meeting time. Let's greet the heat right! And now the specifics ...

What: July meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, July 17th, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599
(For directions, see the CNW website!)

CNW June meeting w/Megan Kelso!

2010-06-11T14:39:00.001-07:00

Girlhero to Serve Up Some Artichoke Tales!

CNW has scored quite the coup (with a side of melted butter) for our June meeting! Seattle cartooning mainstay, Megan Kelso, has a new book arriving, and she'll be debuting a slideshow talk about it at our upcoming meeting.

Kelso is a lifelong Seattleite (minus a 6.5-year stint in New York), who has been drawing comics for 18 years. She became well known throughout the '90s and '00s for such works as Queen of the Black Black and The Squirrel Mother, as well as a number of minicomics and anthology pieces. Her new book, Artichoke Tales, has been in the works for about 10 years (I remember reading and enjoying bits of it in various anthologies, so I am quite interested to see how the complete story turned out), and is about as fresh as fresh can be (I'm not quite sure whether it's available yet or not, but if it's not, it should be very soon).

Join us for what's sure to be an informative and fun presentation and discussion from one of our hometown's premiere Toon Veterans. For more info about Megan and her work, check out her website at www.girlhero.com.

Also, it should go without saying by now (but never shall) that we'll have plenty of other activities going on at our little shindig, including "Best of the Northwest" cartoon competition, new business and news, reviews of past things, and perhaps some fun during and after the meeting (food and drink after the fact). Plus, y'all can let me know if I look a day over 42!

What: May meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, June 19th, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599
(For directions, see the CNW website!)

CNW May 15th meeting!

2010-05-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

Messinger Service, or A Life in Store-age

At May's CNW meeting, we'll be hearing from the founder of Evolution. No, we're not talkin' Charles Darwin here! We're talkin' about Chuck Messinger and his Puyallup store, Comic Evolution. Comic Evolution has been billed as "a comic book store ... with intelligent design," and I don't think I can out-do that turn of phrase (though, of course, I had to make some attempts)! Just a guess here, but I suspect Chuck might explain what makes his store special at the meeting.

Recently, Chuck and several co-conspirators turned a writers' group that had been meeting at his store into a new publishing venture, Creator's Edge Press. The company is taking its independent/local vision to heart, even engaging the presses at an area newspaper for printing all its materials. Chuck has promised to share his stories and ideas, such as how he keeps going with his dual interests during difficult economic times, and his thoughts on why retailing and publishing can flourish even in the midst of a recession. It promises to be an interesting look from another side (or two) of this business!

Surely, we'll want to discuss, too, the recent Toonie Awards Banquet (at least I hope y'all will, as I was stuck in Migraine Hell that night and missed the big shindig). If anyone is interested, I can talk about the also-recent Stumptown Comics Fest, as I attended for my fifth time, despite having no job or money ... it's just THAT good! And, I feel, essential.

Plus, you know ... we'll mull over new business/the future! Jaw about old stuff? Sure! Share personal news of interest. Conduct our "Best of the Northwest" cartoon contest. Anything can happen! Maybe someone will turn into a platypus!

What: May meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, May 15th, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599
(For directions, see the CNW website!)

CNW April 17th Meeting!

2010-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Take Me to Your Latte

The April meeting of CNW will be a clothing-optional affair.

Just kidding! Really, it will be a "Come-as-Your-Favorite-Soviet-Premier Festival."

Nyuk nyuk! No, really it'll be a seance-style session, with expected contributions from Jack Kirby, Walt Kelly, Chester Gould, and Carl Barks. And ol' Walt Disney may drop by and chill out with us awhile.

Hokayfine! Now that I've got all that April Fool stuff out of my system, I can tell you that the April meeting will concern an alien who runs a Pacific Northwest coffee shop. What? No, really! Our guest will be Michael Foster, creator of a comic strip called "Larry's Cafe," which features the aforementioned java-slinging extraterrestrial. Michael is no Charles Shulz (or so he tells us in his bio), but he has been producing his strip on and off for twenty years, a pretty good run in anyone's book, I'd think.

Michael also runs an art-related business, and he creates graphics, illustrations, video productions, marketing materials, and Flash movies for a variety of companies. Among other things, he promises to share "stories, goofy happenings, and mishaps" from throughout his career.

As usual, after the talk, and after we all get our customary make-overs and play our typical drinking games (graah ... April Fools again!), we'll share news, conduct our "Best of the Northwest" (maybe we should make it "Worst of ... " for April? I could probably win that one!) cartoon contest, talk about upcoming events, and quite possibly socialize. Okay, so it's not a seance, but it sounds like fun. Don't say "nyet!" Say "da!" See you there.

What: April meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, April 17th, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599
(For directions, see the CNW website!)

2010 Toonie Nominees

2010-04-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

What we want from you!

1) a vote from each section
2) then pick your one favorite from your favorites. :D

Email us, mail in your vote or come to our next meeting and drop it off!!! We'll have some there. Every vote counts!

We need a total of 7 votes from you...

Editorial Cartoons (vote for one)
Dan McConnell
http://wafreepress.org/cartoons/mcconnell-latest.php

Milt Priggee
http://www.miltpriggee.com

Frank Shiers
http://www.mynw.com/?nid=539&sid=302137

Illustration (vote for one)
Jeremy Eaton
http://www.jeremyeatonart.com

Jason Metcalf
http://jman-3h.deviantart.com

Greg Stump
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/author?oid=940517

Comic Books / Graphic Novels (vote for one)
Phil and Kaja Foglio
"Girl Genius
http://www.studiofoglio.com

Aaron McConnell
"The United States Constitution"
http://periscopestudio.com/aaron-mcconnell/

Kevin Boze
"Virgin Project"
http://thevirginproject.com/

Print Comic Strips (vote for one)
T. Lewis
"Over the Hedge"
http://comics.com/over_the_hedge/

Jan Eliot
"Stone Soup"
http://www.stonesoupcartoons.com

Russell Myers
"Broom Hilda"
http://www.gocomics.com/broomhilda

Online Comic Strips (vote for one)
Jeff Hawley
"Log Jam
http://logjamcomic.blogspot.com

Mark Monlux
"Return of Stickman" & "The Comic Critic"
http://198.173.235.195/stickman/stickman_home.html
http://www.thecomiccritic.com

Ken Cursoe
"Tiny Sepuku"
http://www.gocomics.com/tinysepuku

Writers (vote for one)
Ed Brubaker
http://www.edbrubaker.com

Jeff Parker
http://www.parkerspace.com

Gail Simone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Simone

Due by this Saturday April 17th, 2010!

Emerald City ComiCon!

2010-03-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

March 13th & 14th, 2010. We're at booth #610 and not too far from the entrance. We have a great spot this year and we hope we see you there!

CNW February 20th meeting!

2010-02-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

If You Want It Done Right ...

Our meeting this month will feature a step-by-step guide to publishing your own work, a very important topic in these times of industry shrinkage and technological innovation.

Topics will include:

• Choosing the best size and format for your work
• Getting your ISBN
• The ins and outs of copyrighting
• Choosing a printing method - Print on Demand or Offset
• Selecting a printing house

Bring your own work, if you wish, on a disc or flash drive, and our presenter will offer suggestions about how to format it for publication. The talk will also include tips on using Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop in publishing.

Our presenter? Why it's a Mystery Guest! Oh, okay - it's our esteemed President, Marybeth Barr, herself a successful self publisher! Come and learn from someone who's walked the path (perhaps more than one someone - other folks who have self published, feel free to help Marybeth fill in any blanks in her presentation)!

And you know there will be plenty other things going on - news on The Toonies and the upcoming Emerald City Comicon! "Best of the Northwest" cartooning contest! Silliness! And, of course, a new "mystery discount" item at Daniel Smith's, and food 'n' drink 'n' conversation at Goldies after the meeting! It can all be yours, if you're willing to Do It Yerself!

What: February meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, February 20th, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599
(For directions, see the CNW website!)

A visual on how to get to Daniel Smith Northbound on 1st

2010-01-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

CNW January 16th meeting - !New Location!

2010-01-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Get Yer Game On!

CNW's January meeting will be all about games -- not playing them, but making them!

Our guest speaker will be Laura Schumacher (AKA: "Nintendo Queen"), strange visitor from another planet, who took up the video game controller even before she could walk, and who has been working as a professional in the gaming industry for more than seven years. While the economy has been sluggish for some time, the gaming industry has expanded and is continuing to grow.

Laura, whose work has appeared in many projects ("ILoveBees" -- the viral ad campaign for "Halo 2," "Jakks TV Dora the Explorer," and "Facebook UNO"), will present "Casual and Independent Games 101." Topics she'll cover will include "the game creation process," "how to get a job as a game artist for a company," and "how to create games on your own (if you're willing to learn programming)." She'll also focus on browser-based games created with Adobe Flash, since creating these is one of the easier routes for an artist wishing to enter the industry. After her talk, Laura and a fellow gaming pro will answer questions. Please come and welcome Laura and thank her for sharing her knowledge and experience!

The other big news for January is that we'll be meeting in a new space! CNW meetings will now take place at Daniel Smith Artist Supplies in South Seattle (see attached map). Spiffy features of our new location include free parking and a "mystery discount" for CNW members on art supplies! Come check out our new "Hot Spot," and thank the folks at the store for hosting our Funny Business! IMPORTANT: Meetings will now run from 4pm to 6pm! Efforts are being made to find a new favorite place to get food 'n' drink after meetings.

As usual, there will be an agenda to discuss and a "Best of the Northwest" cartoon contest, and anything else you want to run by the august assemblage. Start the new year (and, um, possibly new decade?) off right with CNW's January gathering!

What: January meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (monthly meetings on the third Saurday of every month.)
When: Saturday, January 16th, 2010, from 4pm to 6pm
Location: Daniel Smith Finest Quality Artists' Materials
4150 First Avenue South
206-223-9599

CNW Holiday Bash Dec. 19

2009-12-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

Come All Ye Toonheads!

It's the end of the year as we know it, but does that mean Cartoonists Northwest will be doing something "sketchy" for the final meeting of 2009? Well, yes and no! How 'bout something completely different? How 'bout the chance to create your own Christmas ornament or holiday gift out of glass? Yes, that's right: finally a new way to channel some of that "hot air" we all exhale in great big puffy clouds! We'll be meeting for our December gala at Blowing Sands Glass Studio. Everyone is invited to blow their own pumpkin (approx. 4" diameter), float (approx. 6"-8" diameter), or ornament (approx. 4" diameter) for $20 per piece (they're giving us a $5 break off their regular rate). No experience is necessary (literally a 3 year old has done it). We will need to know by Thursday, December 17th how many folks will want to participate, because the studio hosts need to know how many blowers they'll need. E-mail us your name and how many folks you'll have participating.

And that's not all! We'll run through a brief agenda, and then plow (nyuk!) right into the festivities. We'll share snacks and drinks (please feel free to contribute by bringing food to share with the group). This year, the Holiday Spirit means we can enjoy holiday spirits! Yes, we can have alcoholic beverages this time around, as long as we drink responsibly (this is a glass studio, after all). CNW will provide non-alcoholic drinks and utensils.

Finally, we'll play some games, including the time-honored "White Elephink" gift-exchange game! We'll explain the rules at the meeting, but for now, if you'd like to play, plan to bring a wrapped, unlabeled gift to the meeting to contribute to the gift pile. Gifts should be inexpensive, humorous items. Bring a smile to someone's face (I know: cartoonists are a "tough crowd" too, eh?)! Come and send 2009 on its way at CNW's Super Glass Blast!

What: December meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (Monthly meetings on the third Saturday of every month.)

When: Saturday, December 19th, 2009 - 6:00 PM

Booze: Yes! Encouraged! There's a lot of glass, though, so try not to be weebly-wobbly.

Cost: Free! (Unless you sign up for glass blowing; then it's $20/piece.)

Location: Blowing Sands Glass Studio 5805 14th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98109 206-783-5314

At the corner of 58th and 15th in Ballard, behind St. Alphonsis. We'll be in the middle room with the garage door, but everyone is welcome to wander, shop, or blow glass. See you there!

Gage Drawing Jam

2009-11-30T17:04:00.000-08:00

Coming up Saturday, December 5., 2009 -- the 10th annual Gage Academy
of Art DRAWING JAM, 10am to 10pm.

MODELS -- ART SUPPLIES -- FOOD -- LIVE MUSIC -- YOUTH

Address -- 1501 Tenth Avenue East (next to St. Mark's).

Jeff Hamill has 20 free "VIP" tickets (admission is normally $10 per
person). If you want one, please contact him, either by phone --
206.632.2288 -- or e-mail jeffhamill@gmail.com.

WRITERS BLOCK MEETING DEC. 9, 2009

2009-11-30T14:24:00.000-08:00

Calling All Writers, in particular, anyone interested in the art and craft of writing for comic books, cartoons, comic strips, graphic novels, or anything else cartoon-oriented! The semi-regular sublime phenomenon of another smashing WRITERS BLOCK MEETING will occur on Wed. Dec. 9, at 7:00 pm.

Location:
Jeff Hamill's house
4903 Fremont Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103

Ph: 206-632-2288

MK BARR Elected President of CNW!

2009-11-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

Dear CNW members, family, and friends! It's with great pleasure that we announce the results of the vote for the Presidency of Cartoonists Northwest. The election took place on Sat. Nov. 21 at the regular monthly meeting....and MARYBETH K. BARR ("MK") won unanimously! MK brings fresh energy and enthusiasm to the CNW ship of state, and all CNW members (and prospective members) can no doubt look forward to an exciting new year of CNW happenings under her leadership. Outgoing President Keith Curtis presented a heartfelt...and hilarious...farewell speech that recapped the eventful years he spent as a CNW officer. After the vote the group celebrated by watching a short flick about Will Eisner, and the history-making animated film "Gertie the Dinosaur" (1914, Winsor McCay), followed by food and drink at the Hurricane Cafe.

President MK has begun assembling her new cabinet of officers. New Secretary Nat Cook will replace outgoing Secretary Jeff Hawley. Consider volunteering for the post of V.P. or Treasurer! Outgoing officers will train. CNW Needs YOU! If you're interested, please contact MK to discuss. Email her at cartoonistnw@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - NOVEMBER 2009

2009-11-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

ELECTION TIME AT CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST!

You can’t mail it in! You can’t phone it in! You can’t dropkick it in! NO! You have to be THERE! Come to the Cartoonists Northwest meeting in November and cast your on-the-spot vote for the office of President of Cartoonists Northwest! Exercise your franchise! Hear a stirring speech from outgoing President Keith Curtis, whose rhetorical skills are, some say, like hearing a space marine channelling Obama, FDR, and Dr. Bronner simultaneously. Gaze with awe and respect at the NEW President, whoever she or he turns out to be! By the by, you may wonder who the candidates are. Well, the answer is simple…the candidates are anybody and everybody who wants to run! And running could not be simpler. Just stand up and throw your hat in the ring. CNW has always been led by volunteers, and you can help keep up the tradition. Take a turn at the CNW helm! Don’t be scared, it’s not the Titanic. And remember, the campaign, voting, and inauguration all happens in this one meeting, so it’s painless no matter what the outcome. Be there, and be a part of CNW history in the making.

But wait, the fun of the November meeting doesn’t stop with the election. Other surprises lay in wait. Bring a favorite cartoon DVD and if we have time, we’ll watch cartoons on the big screen. Will we have reports from the hinterlands (i.e., The Writers Block Group)? The hoopla never ends at CNW meetings! See you there!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your art and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!
What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Nov. 21, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 100 (Real Networks Bldg.) Please note the room number has been changed to Room 100 for this month's meeting!
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 p.m.
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - OCTOBER 2009

2009-10-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Autobiographical Comics Are Squinky Comics!

Before you don your Halloween costume, look in the mirror. Yes, you’re abominably ugly even without the help of the Conan O’Brien mask , but that’s okay. The point is to look beneath the surface. Because underneath that revolting corporeal envelope, there lies the throbbing, raw material for the truest and most original comic book in the universe - - the one about yourself! Come to the October meeting and find out how to peel back your persona and confront the pulsing, living soul within, enslave it to your cartoonist will, and thus begin your journey toward an astoundingly squinky creation - - your very own Autobiographical Comic.

Cartooning educator and 2008 CNW Cartoonist of the Year David Lasky brings together five former students, Audrey Zekonis, Monica Neumann, Alex Suarez, Stephanie Trinneer and CNW Pres. Keith Curtis to demonstrate the power and reach of Comic Autobiography. The students will present their auto-bio cartoon works and share their artistic processes. Subjects range from the rolling thrill of pro bowling to dramatic injuries, cannabis and cataclysmic volcanic eruptions.

If you’re a cartoonist who’s longed to create comics redolent with the unmistakable vibe of your own pure squink, comics that practically ooze squink from every page – and who doesn’t? - then you don’t dare miss this meeting!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your art or create a drawing during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!
What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Oct. 17, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 PM.
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - SEPT. 2009

2009-09-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

"Travis Bundy and His Gods"

Travis Bundy is set to address the multitudes at the September meeting of Cartoonists Northwest! Bundy is the writer and artist of the hard-hitting graphic novel series, “Gods of the New Empire”, a tour-de-force featuring a team of bold, original characters and the potent secret they protect, all portrayed in a vivid black and white style. The self-published series is ongoing and has seen several installments. Who are these “gods” and what is the “new empire”? Perhaps all will be revealed at the September meeting!

Bundy is also a talented illustrator with experience creating logos, posters, murals, and many other works. Here’s a bio provided by Bundy himself: “Travis Bundy was born into the fragrant cultural void known to the world as Tacoma, WA. He has been drawing and creating ever since he was old enough to hold a crayon. When he's not toiling under the boot of "the man" or drinking himself into an early grave, he continues to challenge himself in all artistic endeavors. He plans to do so until he is found expired and sprawled out over his art desk. I can only imagine that the stench will be atrocious.” For now, though, attendees at the September meet will count themselves lucky that Travis is very much alive and generously inclined to take the podium. Future stenches be damned – Travis is enjoying the sweet smell of a successfully admirable series of graphic novels, so come to the September meeting and get a whiff! For more information on Travis and his works, go to: http://www.thoughtboxcomics.com/

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. September 19, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free along Elliott Way and side streets beginning at 6 p.m.
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - AUGUST 2009

2009-08-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Good, Better, and Beth!

Cartoonists Northwest is proud to present guest speaker Beth Guizzetti at the August meeting, and you won’t want to miss it. Beth is a talented fine artist with a portfolio ranging from murals to Christmas cards to advertising, and has been a successful participant at comic cons. She the creator of the graphic novel "Famine Lands". Presently there are two graphic novels in the series: The Carp's Eye and Living Stone. The latter debuted at the San Diego International Comic Con last month. She also has a comic book called "Out for Souls and Cookies". Beth is a compelling presenter who also teaches cartooning to young and old through the public library system. Here are some quotes taken directly from her website:

“The inspirations for my paintings are the natural places of the world and the entities within. I explore with a sketchbook and camera in order to capture the basic landmarks. Many times I go to the same place during different times of the day before I start to work on a painting so I am sure to capture the essence of the place. Then I create the painting either on site or in my studio depending on what I am trying to capture. Many of the landscapes are places in my home state of Washington or other places that my adventures have taken me. Painting is a skill that I learned in order to help me focus on the places and things that I have discovered. My artwork is dedicated to these wild places and the creatures that live there. My hope is when people view my artwork they see the beauty that is in the wild and it will inspire them to work to protect it.”

“ Like most children I enjoyed coloring and drawing. I seriously started thinking about art as a career in my early teens though I gave up painting in high school to other interests. When I was nineteen, I was looking for something constructive to spend my free time. After my (then future) husband bought me an art kit; I picked up painting again. Then I spent a few years experimenting with different mediums and techniques, before I decided to dedicate my life to creating works of art focusing on Nature.”

“Being a Washington native, I have always loved the sights of the Pacific Northwest. It is easy to find inspiration in a place of such beauty.”

Come to the August meeting…it’s a matter of life and Beth!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. August 15, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free along Elliott Way and side streets beginning at 6 p.m.
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

Quick video by Marybeth Barr and CNW

2009-07-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

At the July 2009 meeting of Cartoonists Northwest, guest speaker Marybeth Barr led the group in making a quick stop-motion animated film, using scenes and cutouts she prepared ahead of time. What a gas! Hang ten and take a look at it right here...

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - JULY 2009

2009-07-03T18:19:00.001-07:00

Channeling Some Serious Mojo!

Come to the July meeting and let Marybeth Barr take you on a magic journey through her cool and colorful world. She is the creator of the whimsical book Coral, Koko, & Ponch, about a girl taken into her inner world and taught how to manage her desires and her past. Eighty illustrations guide the reader through the process of visualization and meditation.

Marybeth studied fine art at University of Illinois for two years and received her BS degree for commercial interior design from Southern Illinois University. She has been working as a commercial interior designer for 17 years for corporate, restaurant, retail, and health-care clients. Marybeth says that glass sculpting is one of her loves, too. In addition, she has managed a gallery with a small fine art section in the Seattle area. “I started making Coral, Koko & Ponch on a whim and really couldn't stop,” says Marybeth, “You might say I've been obsessed but not really sure why. I'm constantly creating new items, games, toys and other items based on being an adult and wanting some play time.” At the meeting, she’ll provide handouts with tips on getting books produced using the Print-On-Demand process. Check out Marybeth’s website at: http://www.coralkokoandponch.com/

Marybeth also makes stop-motion movies with minimal software and equipment. She’ll share at the meeting how to make them and actually make a short one during the presentation. Like one of her cool, vividly colored glass sculpture candy drops, the July meeting with Marybeth Barr is destined to be a truly bright spot in the Cartoonists Northwest summer!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. July 18, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free along Elliott Way and side streets beginning at 6 p.m.

Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONAPALOOZA JULY 2nd

2009-06-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

From: David Horsey
Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Subject: Cartoonapalooza
To: CNW

I want the CNW members to know about a big cartoon event coming up next week. Here’s the info from my blog...

Cartoonapalooza is coming!

The editorial cartoonists of North America are about to descend on Seattle and they are putting on a show.

After a year in which the ranks of staff newspaper cartoonists have been decimated, members of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists from all over the USA and Canada are gathering in the Emerald City for their annual convention. Over four days of meetings, they will be looking for ways to navigate through the tsunami that has hit the newspaper industry and find a new niche for visual political commentary in the emerging online media world.

The prime chance for the public to encounter the practitioners of the jugular art will be at Cartoonapalooza, a one-night show on July 2nd at Town Hall in downtown Seattle. The two-hour program begins at 7:30 PM. Several leading editorial cartoonists with distinctly different styles will present their work. Among the performers will be Pulitzer Prize-winner Mike Peters, syndicated editorial cartoonist and creator of the popular cartoon strip, Mother Goose and Grimm; Jack Ohman, the Portland Oregonian's much-honored cartoonist; provocative cutting-edge cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall; Mark Fiore, the leading pioneer in the new field of animated editorial cartoons; Signe Wilkinson of the Philadelphia Daily News, a Pulitzer Prize-winner and one of the nation's top female cartoonists; Matt Bors, creator of Idiot Box and other alternative editorial cartoons, and me, David Horsey, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

Additionally, all the AAEC members will be on hand to meet the public in a reception after the show. Original cartoons will be on display and available for purchase. Proceeds from cartoon sales will help support the educational and professional activities of the AAEC. Tickets for the event will be available at the door -- $25 for adults, $15 for students. Town Hall is located at 1119 8th Avenue.

...so, please let all the CNW gang know about this. Any CNW member will get $5 off of the ticket price at the door just by mentioning they belong to Cartoonists Northwest. How’s that for a deal?

Thanks,
David Horsey

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - JUNE 2009

2009-06-03T22:03:00.000-07:00

DOIN' IT WITH KEVIN BOZE!

And, if there’s any cartoonist who knows how, it’s KEVIN BOZE. Kevin will be the guest speaker at the June meeting of Cartoonists Northwest. Some of you may recall he was supposed to be the speaker last month but had to postpone til June. Consider it a month-long period of foreplay...which is appropriate enough, because Kevin is the creator of “The Virgin Project”, the book that chronicles true stories of sexual initiation. For more about him, below is his bio from his website:

A native of Seattle, Kevin got his first professional art assignment at age 14, drawing "concept sketches" of houses for a construction company.

After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and soon found himself in Wuerzburg, Germany, where he debuted his first daily newspaper comic strip, "Corporal Kev", in the European edition of Stars and Stripes, the newspaper for the U.S. military.

Kevin's other comics features - "Camille", "Bark-ley Square" and "Role Call" - all have been created for distribution on the World Wide Web. Kevin also is a professional graphic artist who has created posters, advertising art, and spot illustrations for the Boeing Company, Home Brew Heaven, Camwood Players, Driftwood Players, Skagit Community Art Theatre, Island County Water Management, Snohomish County Department of Health, the Everett Police Department, and the Seattle School District.

Other arts activities include performing in Comic Biography Theater at Seattle's Bumbershoot Arts Festival in 2004, creating a 24-page comic book in 24 hours at Spawns of Insomnia and appearing in other workshops at Cascadia Con in 2005, and judging the editorial cartooning competition at the Washington Journalism Education Association state championships for the last three years.

Kevin graduated summa cum laude from Henry Cogswell College with a B.A. in Digital Arts, with an emphasis in animation. He is an active member of Cartoonists Northwest, and makes his home in Seattle with his family.

Come to the June meeting, and bring your virginity (or memories of same) with you!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. June 20, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: It was formerly announced that we would be meeting at our usual place, the Art Institute, but we recently found out the school will be closed. Therefore, the location has been switched to....
The HURRICANE CAFE
2230 7th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 682-5858

Hurricane Cafe is at corner of Bell and 7th. They have a full bar and food.
There is a free parking lot at the Hurricane.

Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CORRECTION! Change in May Meeting!

2009-05-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

CORRECTION!

Change in CNW May Meeting!

It was previously announced here that Kevin Boze would be the guest speaker at the May 16, 2009, meeting of Cartoonists Northwest. Unfortunately, a schedule conflict arose, and we are sorry to say that Kevin will not be speaking after all. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we will let you know when a future appearance by Kevin is in the works. In the meantime, CNW’s President Keith Curtis has sprung into the breach! Keith will go all techie on us at the May meeting, and provide a totally spacey look at his secret (Photoshop) process behind that mad creation of his, “Crater On The Moon: Story of a Space Marine”. Keith’s fumetti-style photo montage work is perhaps the most unique use of Photoshop in American comics today. Come to the May meeting and get cratered.

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. May 16, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free along Elliott Way and side streets beginning at 6 p.m.
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING - MAY 2009

2009-05-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

Doin’ It With Kevin Boze!

If there’s any cartoonist who knows how, it’s KEVIN BOZE. Kevin will be the guest speaker at the May meeting of Cartoonists Northwest. Kevin is the creator of “The Virgin Project”, the book that chronicles true stories of sexual initiation.

A native of Seattle, Kevin got his first professional art assignment at age 14, drawing "concept sketches" of houses for a construction company.

After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and soon found himself in Wuerzburg, Germany, where he debuted his first daily newspaper comic strip, "Corporal Kev", in the European edition of Stars and Stripes, the newspaper for the U.S. military.

Kevin's other comics features - "Camille", "Bark-ley Square" and "Role Call" - all have been created for distribution on the World Wide Web. Kevin also is a professional graphic artist who has created posters, advertising art, and spot illustrations for the Boeing Company, Home Brew Heaven, Camwood Players, Driftwood Players, Skagit Community Art Theatre, Island County Water Management, Snohomish County Department of Health, the Everett Police Department, and the Seattle School District.

Other arts activities include performing in Comic Biography Theater at Seattle's Bumbershoot Arts Festival in 2004, creating a 24-page comic book in 24 hours at Spawns of Insomnia and appearing in other workshops at Cascadia Con in 2005, and judging the editorial cartooning competition at the Washington Journalism Education Association state championships for the last three years.

Kevin graduated summa cum laude from Henry Cogswell College with a B.A. in Digital Arts, with an emphasis in animation. He is an active member of Cartoonists Northwest, and makes his home in Seattle with his family.

Come to the May meeting, and bring your virginity (or memories of same) with you!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. May 16, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine Street.

Parking: Street parking is free along Elliott Way and side streets beginning at 6 p.m.

Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING APRIL 2009

2009-04-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Was Her First Kiss Her Last??

Sandra compressed her full, red lips into a frown, nearly ruining her lipstick. She couldn’t stop thinking about Troy, and that bitch, Cleo. Cleo! Some friend she turned out to be. “Well”, thought Sandra, “two can play at that game.” She stubbed out her cigarette, touched up her hairspray, threw on her pearls, and called a cab. “Take me to the Cartoonists Northwest meeting, and step on it! I’ve got a date with John Lustig!”

And you’ve got one, too! Come to the Apr. 18 meeting, 6:00 p.m. sharp, and hear from one of CNW’s most creative and prolific long-time members, John Lustig! The former CNW President will share his latest experiences. Creator of the popular feature, Last Kiss, John’s latest leap forward includes getting a deal for LK to appear on GoComics.

A top Disney creator for over 20 years, Lustig has also written outrageously silly comics for Marvel, Viz and more. He is best-known for his oddball series, Last Kiss, which features old comic book art with witty new dialog. Before comics ruined his brain, Lustig was a newspaper reporter and columnist–covering everything from mass murders to school lunch menus. (Thankfully, never in the same article!) In 2001, Cartoonists Northwest presented Lustig with its highest award, the Golden Toonie. Lustig lives in Seattle with his wife and a giant, insane cat.

About Last Kiss:
Pairing vintage comic art with hilarious, new dialog by Disney veteran writer John Lustig, Last Kiss revels in the absurdities of love, lust and “life with lip.” The series originated when Lustig bought the publishing rights to a romance comic book series from the ‘50s and ’60s, and started rewriting the stories for fun. Since then, the re-dialogued comics have been a popular feature in newspapers, magazines, comic books and greeting cards. Today Last Kiss is gaining popularity and is also available on e-cards from JibJab.com and greeting cards (late 2009) from NobleWorks. Check www.lastkissinc.com for the latest comic, news and product launches.

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring a cartoon, or draw one during the meeting, and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!
What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. April 18, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 p.m.
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

Toonie Awards 2008 Announced

2009-04-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

It was wall-to-wall excitement as Cartoonists Northwest threw open the doors to the 18th Annual Toonie™ Award Banquet at Ivar’s Salmon House in Seattle on March 14, 2009. The forty-some attendees, decked out in their finest attire, buzzed with breathless anticipation of the awards ceremony, the centerpiece of the annual rite that recognizes achievement in numerous categories of the cartoon arts. (See recap below for full list of awardees).

The Toonies is about fun as much as awards. As in years past, Cartoonists Northwest made sure there was plenty of activities for everyone throughout the evening. Schmoozing was number one, followed by the cartoonist’s second-most popular activity…dinner! Hunger of another sort was satisfied via the Silent Auction. Attendees bid for original works of art and cartoon-related merchandise. Everyone received free packs of colorful Sculpey modeling clay to fashion something on the spot. From the sublime to the outrageous, the Gumbyesque results were entered into the Clay Contest. Sketchbooks were passed from table to table. The aroma of heated Sharpie pens wafted around the room.

No stellar night of awards would be complete without musical entertainment, and at the Toonies, this meant an appearance by The Amazing Martin Brothers. The all-guitar, all-cartoonist band melted what little ice remained in the room with a new hilarious parody written specially for the occasion, a ditty called “Stand By Your Hand”. Ostensibly, it was a country-and-western ode to the cartoonist’s most indispensable appendage. Double-entendre? You be the judge.

CNW FOUNDING MOTHER Maureen VanderPas and PRESIDENT Keith Curtis rocked the podium as the Madame and Master of Ceremonies. The first order of business was introduction of the CNW cabinet officers for 2009, including VICE-PRESIDENT Stephen Prescott, TREASURER Jeff Hamill, and SECRETARY Jeff Hawley.

After the delightful dinner and dessert passed into digestive history, Keith and Maureen announced the first series of recognitions, for Service Awards and Membership Certificates for 5,10, 15, 20 years and Charter Members. (See accompanying list for complete roster of names)

Roberta Gregory introduced the Special Guest Speaker, the inimitable self-publishing whirlwind Donna Barr, creator of Stinz; Desert Peach; and the popular Drawn Books series. Donna wowed the audience with a fast-paced (oh, heck, call it a blitzkrieg) talk about her work and life in the cartoon world.

Intermission was a perfect time for more schmoozing, more clay contest entries, and voting on the Best of the Northwest cartoons. The Amazing Martin Brothers hit the stage for another music interlude with comical ‘tude. The Raffle prize was then announced, with the mint condition copy of “The Original Art of Basil Wolverton” going to lucky Gabe Mintz (who also happens to be one-very-important-fourth of the Amazing Martin Brothers).

Master cartoonist Basil Wolverton was inducted posthumously into the CNW Hall of Fame. Mr. Wolverton’s granddaughter, Monica Spykerman, graciously accepted the induction award on behalf of her famous and beloved grandfather. She gave a short talk on what it was like growing up surrounded by Basil’s amazing creations. It was an inspiring personal peek into the life of one of comic-dom’s true originals, a cartooning force of nature who influenced the likes of Robert Crumb and so many other luminaries.

Complete list of award winners follows:

Each winner in the five categories below also became a nominee for the Golden Toonie for Cartoonist of the Year 2008:

Illustration – David Lasky .
Syndicated Cartoonist - Jan Eliot for “Stone Soup”.
Best Writer – Mark Monlux for “The Return of Stickman”.
Web Comic – Mark Monlux for “The Comic Critic”.
Continuing Work – Keith Curtis for the “Crater on the Moon” book series.

Ink in his Vein Award:
Kevin Boze, for creative endeavors on “The Virgin Project”.

Best of the Northwest:
Jeff Hawley, for his May 2008 cartoon.

Most of the Northwest:
Jeff Hawley, for all the times he won the monthly “Best of the NW”

Creative Clay Creation:
First Place (Tie) - Liam Austin and Bill Morse
Most Creative - Mark Monlux
Best use of Props - Monica Spykerman
Best Effort - Pat Lile

The Golden Toonie Award for Cartoonist of the Year 2008: DAVID LASKY.

In 1993, Lasky won a grant from the Xeric Foundation to self–publish his comic “Boom Boom”. Lasky's contribution to the comic book anthology “Two–Fisted Science” (written by Jim Ottaviani) chronicles the life of physicist Richard Feynman during his time with the Manhattan Project. Lasky continued to push the boundaries of traditional comics in his collaborations with Greg Stump and “Urban Hipster” (published by Alternative Comics), which was nominated in 1999 for the Harvey Award for best new series. Lasky has been nominated for numerous Ignatz Awards, and has also served on the Ignatz Award jury. He teaches cartooning with the Seattle non-profit “Art Corps”, gives “Comicstravaganza” talks at local libraries, is active in the “Zine Archive Project”, and is currently at work on a graphic novel about the Carter Family.

Additional recognitions:

Five Year Membership
Scott Alan, John Brower, Bill Morse
Ten Year Membership
Judy Burnett, Ben Garrison
Twenty Year Membership
Steve Greenberg, George Jartos and Louis Scarborough, Jr.
Twenty Five Year Membership
The Great Vic Stredicke

Appreciation Certificates
Donna Barr as our Guest Speaker
Dawn Kravagna for her efforts at Comic Cons

Staff Certificates
Keith Curtis (President), Stephen Prescott (Vice President), Jeff Hawley (Secretary), Jeff Hamill (Treasurer), Penstuff Editor (Dick Rogers).

Penstuff Assisants
Keith Curtis, Jeff Hamill, Larry and Alex Lewis, Bill Morse, Dick Rogers, Vic Stredicke, Maureen VanderPas

About Cartoonists Northwest: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists, animators, and illustrators who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more.

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING MARCH 2009

2009-03-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

Art and obscenity may share blurry borders, so how can you tell the difference? Come to Cartoonists Northwest’s March meeting for an adult conversation on “Cartoonist Censorship, Self-Expression, and Social Responsibility”.

The March meeting offers an engaging and constructive roundtable discussion on the purpose and practice of cartoon art. Attendees are invited to respectfully share views on this controversial subject, stimulating action toward creating more successful and expressive cartoons.

On the menu are incendiary and controversial images for dialogue on cartoon content, the psychological impact of symbols and concept of ‘audience’.

Among the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, certainly there is the right to create art, but how far does the right extend when shared in public?

It’s often been explained that one cannot wantonly shout “Fire!” in a crowded theatre, and then claim the right of free speech, thereby avoiding prosecution for the crime of malicious mischief.

CNW of course takes the principled stand for the rights of all cartoonists to create and present whatever they imagine, but no cartoon made by any member should be taken to represent the views of others. In truth, CNW members, most notably club treasurer Jeff Hamill, have voiced incensed reaction to member Steven Peterson’s cartoon, voted last month’s Best-of-the-Northwest winner.

To be crystal clear—the views depicted by Cartoonists Northwest members’ cartoons do not necessarily reflect the views of other CNW members!

Nowadays with so much public confusion and retribution in mass media, there is obviously an urgent need for a discussion about the boundaries protecting the time-honored art of cartooning as art.

Political humor can be ugly. Comedy, according to Steve Martin, is not pretty.
Come away from the March CNW meeting fully wielding the power of cartoon art with respect and responsibility, a comely conquering comic champion!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Mar. 21
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 PM.

ABOUT CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more.

Become a member! $30 per year to become a member of Cartoonists Northwest – a bargain at twice the price! Plus you get a one-year subscription to the CNW newsletter, PENSTUFF. To heck with your un-read subscription to Newsweek! JOIN CNW TODAY!
Contact: cartoonistnw@gmail.com

18th Annual TOONIE AWARDS, March 14!

2009-02-17T21:25:00.000-08:00

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST HOSTS 18TH ANNUAL TOONIE AWARDS!

Cartoonists, illustrators and writers from across the Pacific Northwest will set aside their pens, paper, and pixels to convene for one glorious evening as Cartoonists Northwest (CNW) hosts their 18th Annual Toonie™ Award Banquet. The annual rite takes place on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Ivar's Salmon House restaurant on Lake Union.

The event opens with a social hour and no-host bar at 6 PM. Dinner is at 7 PM, followed by the awards ceremony for categories such as illustration, best writer, web comics, syndicated comics, and more. Of special note will be the announcement of the club’s highest honor, the Golden Toonie™ award for the 2008 Cartoonist of the Year.

The evening program includes:
• Special Guest Speaker: Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach”; “Stinz”; and Golden Toonie™ Award for 1996 Cartoonist of the Year)!
• Musical Entertainment: The Amazing Martin Brothers (a band of, what else, cartoonists)!
• CNW Hall of Fame induction: Basil Wolverton (MAD magazine; DC Comics; Marvel Comics)!
• Awards ceremony!
• Clay Sculpture Contest!
• Silent Auction!
• Raffle!

Whether cartoonist, fan or friend, all are invited to come share the fun! Tickets: $50 for Salmon, $45 for Chicken, $40 for Vegetarian/Pasta. $5 off each if two dinners ordered. Reservations required by March 1, 2009. For reservations or information, email CartoonistsNW@aol.com or call the Toonie™ Hotline at 206.369.2123 and Maureen will be happy to help you.

About Cartoonists Northwest: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more.

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING FEB. 2009

2009-02-10T23:17:00.000-08:00

“Explore Life, Language…and Comics…with MARK CAMPOS, February’s Guest Speaker!”

Mark Campos is a prolific Seattle-area cartoonist and writer whose work has
appeared in anthologies such as Hyena, Gay Comix, and the recent
Real Magicalism and TYPHON. His solo work includes the two-issue
Places That Are Gone series, and several issues of Exapno Mapcase.
His work with the Finecomix group was published in the critically
acclaimed Moxie, My Sweet. His reviews have appeared in The Comics
Journal, Comics F/X, Poopsheet, and Zine World.

Mark is a member of Finecomix, the Seattle-based collective of cartoonists who collaborate to help push comics as an artform. In Moxie, My Sweet, all stories were written by him and drawn by the rest of the group. Mark's stories explore life, language, and literature; he has his own style, but can also riff on grooves laid down by such writers as Walt Kelly, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Philip K. Dick. Illustrators include David Lasky, Stefan Gruber, Tatiana Gill, Dalton Webb, and more.

Mark has worked as an artist on indy hits like Naughty Bits. Mark is also a member of “Friends of the Nib”. Founded by visionary cartoonist Jim Woodring and Bob Rini, “Friends of the Nib” is a modern cartoonist salon. Cartoonists participating include: Jim Woodring, Bob Rini, Kinoko, Dalton Webb, Mark Campos, Matt Tamaru, Sara Spink, Angela Stork, Max Clotfelter, Scott Faulkner, and David Lasky.

It has been said that, in his spare time, Mark avoids responsibility. Mark reports that he is married to Kaija, and they have one cat. With family life in addition to his notable drawing and writing output, it’s hard to imagine Mark having very much spare time, so it’s fortunate that he will spend some of it addressing Cartoonists Northwest! Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of comic-dom’s most creative talents! Come to the February meeting, my sweet!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your art and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Feb. 21, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 p.m. (Psst! Best bets are meters along Elliott Ave. There is also a paid parking garage on Elliott two blocks south of Vine.)
Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING JANUARY 2009

2009-01-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

It’s a whole new year, and that means it’s time to vote for the office of President of Cartoonists Northwest! Come to the January 17 meeting to meet the candidates and exercise your franchise! Will current Prez Keith Curtis be unseated, and if so, by whom? Whatever the outcome, plan to attend and be a part of CNW history in the making. Consider running for office yourself! It’s a wide open race. The choices are yours, the politics will be minimal, and thus too will be the drama. Why, CNW doesn’t even have any political parties! No, all we have is… the re-booted holiday party! Last month’s meeting and party was cancelled due to bad weather, as you will recall. Now, let’s try that once more, with feeling. Come and wish your cartooning colleagues the belated joys of the season! We’ll run through the voting, and a short agenda, and then dive right into the festivities. Enjoy snacks and drinks (sorry, no alcohol allowed). Feel free to contribute to the goodies table by bringing food to share with the group! CNW will provide drinks and utensils. We’ll play a hilarious round of “Quick Draw”. And that’s not all! Bring a wrapped gift and play the “White Elephink” gift-exchange game! Here are the rules:

Participants bring their wrapped (but not labelled) gift to add to "the pile." Gifts should be inexpensive, humorous items or used items from home. The term “white elephink”, besides paying homage to the Popeye-speak of master cartoonist Elzie Segar, refers to a gift whose cost exceeds its usefulness. (Kind of like having J. Wellington Wimpy for a friend. But we digress.)

All participants draw a number from a hat. The participant with #1 unwraps any gift from the pile and then shows it to everyone. Each successive participant can either 1) "steal" an already opened gift or 2) be adventurous and pick out a wrapped gift from the pile. If the participant chooses to steal, the person whose gift is stolen now repeats their turn and either 1) steals another person's gift (they cannot immediately steal back the gift that was just stolen from them) or 2) unwraps a new gift. This cycle of stealing continues until a new gift is chosen, at which point the turn is passed to the participant with the next number from the drawing.

Since items can be stolen, the item in your possession is not yours until the game is over (e.g., a food item cannot be eaten until the game is over). However, a gift is declared "safe" after it has been stolen three times. If it’s edible, you may then eat it. If it’s not edible, you can still eat it. Your choice!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your art and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Jan. 17, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle,
North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.)
2600 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121

Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 p.m. (PSSST: Best bets are meters along Elliott. Alternatively, there is a paid parking garage on Elliott two blocks south of Vine.)

Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

Crater On The Moon release party!

2008-11-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Local independent photo-comic creator Gus F. Martin and Cyclops Unlimited proudly announce the release of Volumes I & II of Crater on the Moon (story of a space marine) at a celebration to be held at Comics Dungeon, 250 NE 45th St. in Seattle, Nov. 23, 3pm to 7pm. Please RSVP to curtismusik@comcast.netto receive 20% discount on store items during the event.The event allows fans of the mythic mini-comic their first crack at these limited edition first-run compilations. And the occasion will provide many of the gifted cast their first opportunity to come together and perform. During the milestone celebration, the “Argonauts” will showcase their talents and COTM products will be available for purchase. Plus, new books, posters, patches and t-shirts will given away to some lucky door-prize ticket holders and game winners.Comics cognoscenti are calling Crater on the Moon a “balls-out fumetti re-telling of Jason and the Argonauts as a 1950s sci-fi movie” that “must be seen to be believed.” They describe the “lush attention to detail and obvious love and enthusiasm that wafts off every page.” This event marks a new level of accomplishment for this Best-of-the-Northwest independent photographic novel.Washington's own Keith Curtis, starring as Cmdr. Jason Crater, leads the cast of gifted musicians and actors in this comic noir space opera and will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Nov. 23 release party.The release party aftermath will continue into the evening at Kate’s Pub across the street immediately following. Contact Comics Dungeon through their website at http://www.comicsdungeon.com/

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING NOVEMBER 2008

2008-10-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

We Go Seago!

Editor emeritus David Seago retired after forty-one years at The News Tribune of Tacoma. This fact, contrary to conventional wisdom, proves that some editors have what it takes to survive decades of workplace exposure to editorial cartoonists. Still, it begs the question: how the hell did he do it?? And with staff editorial cartoonists disappearing faster than interest in Joe the Plumber, what will Dave have to say about the status (and the future) of satire on the pages of American newspapers? When Dave takes the podium at the CNW November meeting, these answers and more will surely be a boon to any and all cartoonists who currently (or aspire to) work closely with print media editors. As the News Tribune noted upon Dave’s retirement, he is “talented, thoughtful, fair, empathetic and scrupulously honest. He made the pages he edited a forum of riveting debate.” Dave will surely be a riveting speaker at the November meeting of CNW! Come early and get a seat up close to a genuine guru of the op-ed page.

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
+ Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your art and enter the friendly competition!
+ Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Nov. 15, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.), 2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine Street.
Parking: Street parking is free beginning at 6 PM. Best bets are metered spaces on Elliott Ave. There is also a paid parking garage on Elliott, a couple blocks south of Vine.

Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

Writers' Block Meeting

2008-10-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Come to the Writers' Block Meeting and stop feeling blah about yada-yada. That's right, we're going to dialogue about writing dialogue! From coming up with ten pithy words for that word balloon in your comic, to opening a vein and spilling a thousand words a day of purple prose, or anything in between, this meeting is not to be missed.

Date: Wednesday, Oct 29
Time: 7-9:30 pm
Location: at Jeff Hamill's house
4309 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA

ph: (206) 632-2288 or e-mail jeffhamill@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING OCTOBER 2008

2008-10-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

Halloween is nigh, and OF COURSE you still have a lot of work to do repairing your Darth Vader costume before the big day, but come on, wear it to the October 18 meeting and give us a preview! Or, imagine the feeling of omnipotence you’ll enjoy if you cast your vote deciding the fate of the proposed changes to CNW Bylaws… while wearing your uber-powerful Dick Cheney mask! When David Juel presents his report on the Bell-Con Fiction Writing Panel, a few fictional facemasks amongst the audience would not be amiss. During Dji Renhard’s update on the progress of her “Space Vet” comic, there oughta be at least one little grey man (or a couple of M.I.B.’s) bearing witness! And, one wonders what Keith Curtis will say about his Bell Con experiences if he spots a Whatcom County Sasquatch staring at him from the third row? Come yourself, or send your ectoplasmic form, to the October meeting of CN-Double Boo.

At the September meeting, the proposed changes to CNW bylaws underwent the first of two membership votes to accept or reject. The results were: Ayes 9, and Nay 1. Now, come to the October meeting for the final vote! If you need a refresher, scroll down here and find the May 28 blogspot entry to see all the by-laws and proposed changes thereto.

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
+ Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your art and enter the friendly competition!
+ Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. Oct. 18, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.), 2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine Street. Street parking is free beginning at 6:00 p.m. (Psst! Best bets are along Elliott!)

Contact: cartoonistNW@gmail.com

The CNW Writers Group Launches Oct. 1st!

2008-09-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Writers, artists, and lovers of the written word, this is for you!

Cartoonists Northwest is holding a free-wheeling symposium on issues surrounding writing, particularly within the wide sphere of cartooning and sequential art storytelling. The first get-together is Wed., Oct. 1, from 7 pm to 9:30.

We’ll discuss tactics, both visual and verbal. All aspects of storytelling will be embraced. We’ll take turns bringing up issues that we have with our own writing, and open it up for discussion. The exact format may depend on how many people show up. We may take a segment of time on each artist's work, to offer critiques/ problem solving/ and pointing to what works. Jeff Hamill is our host, and at the first meeting he’ll offer an intro to Scott McCloud’s works, "Writing for Comics with Peter David" and "Making Comics". Includes handouts! So, whether your focus is strip writing or figuring out how to squeeze Tolstoy's "War and Peace" into six single-panel gags, the CNW Writers Group may help you get to the next level!

Location: 4903 Fremont Avenue NorthSeattle, WA 98103

Directions:

FROM I-5: Take the 45th St/50th Street Exit (I think it's Exit 169) and head west on 50th Street for 1.5 miles. Turn left at Fremont Avenue North (just past the tiny underpass). Go one block, then park. We're the big blue house on the NW corner.

FROM 99: Head north until you get to the Wallingford Zoo exit (it's about 1 mile past the Aurora Bridge). Go to the bottom of the ramp and turn left (going west) after waiting about 30 minutes for the light to change. Go under Aurora (Hwy 99) and turn right at the first light, which will be Fremont Avenue North. Go to the corner of 49th and Fremont Ave N; we will be the big blue house on the NW corner. (It's actually the same big blue house if you come the other way, too.)

Jeff Hamill’s phone: 206-632-2288.

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING SEPT. 2008

2008-09-07T23:47:00.000-07:00

“A Cornucopia of Comicana”

Here’s how to spot a cartoonist hurrying to the September meeting. You will notice several horizontal speed lines and small dust clouds emanating from his or her speeding feet. Be ready to dodge the sweat droplets that fly from the cartoonist’s brow, the result of exertion and worry about arriving late. In this anxious state, it is inadvisable to get in the way of the cartoonist. Anyone who dares may be subjected to a vicious torrent of small stars, curlicues, saturns, and angry scribbles.

Do you know the secret cartoonist shorthand for describing the above scene? Well, if not, don’t plewd it! Come to the September meeting and learn to speak and draw in the high-brow artsy fartsy language of the cartoonist, and a whole lot more symbolic nonsense, as we review the hilarious language of comics. Who knows, we may come up with some brand new secret code words of our very own!

Ask not for whom the Bell Con tolls! It tolls for THEE! …and for your products! Yes, members can sell their wares at the CNW table at Bell Con (Sept. 27). CNW traditionally asks for a mere 10% of sales to help defray costs. Bring your salable products and drop them off at the September meeting. We’ll transport them to Bellingham. This also means we need a few good volunteer-minded members to drive and help manage the table. Please offer your time and transportation to help make the CNW presence at Bell Con a ringing success!

PROMO A-GO-GO! Imagine yourself included in a classy CNW promo newsletter with Technicolor cover, and featuring member art and short bios. Members interested in shameless self-promotion (isn’t that ALL of us??) should not miss this opportunity. To that worthy end, be it known that all September meeting attendees (or those submitting artwork [200 dpi tiff] to Dick Rogers by Sept. 20) will be given priority for this special edition Penstuff-like CNW promotional tool.

Bye-Bye Bylaws? In this season of decision-making, it’s time to review the proposed changes to CNW bylaws once more, and then VOTE to accept or reject them! If you need a refresher, go to cnwnews.blogspot.com. Find the May 28 entry to see all the by-laws and changes thereto. Come to the meeting and be a part of this important step.

And if we have time….anyone for a comic jam incorporating as much comicana as possible? Bring pens!

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING AUGUST 2008

2008-08-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

"ABE's Graphic WITZardry!”

At the August meeting, Abe Waranowitz will demo two popular computer programs in computer art and animation. AND, both of these programs are FREE! Yes, FREE! Are they as good as $300+ programs? That’s debatable, but with these programs you can get your feet wet while you save up for Photoshop or Maya. The interfaces of these programs differ, but the CONCEPTS are the same. Learn the basics of the following and you'll be able to learn Photoshop or similar programs more quickly:

The GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) is a free creative graphics program that is best compared with Photoshop. The GIMP lets you edit photos, make comics and even animated GIF's. Abe will demonstrate the GIMP program to create comics and art. Learn how to use layers and flats to speed up image processing and drawing. See how Abe refurbishes old comics for Marvel.

Blender (http://www.blender.org/) is a free 3D modeling, animation and game creation package that was used to create the short movies "Elephant's Dream" and "Big Buck Bunny". Learn how simple, yet complex 3D modeling can be as Abe demonstrates how he made the airship for his in-progress/future graphic novel, "Cloudliner: Corona".

This WILL NOT be a boring technical presentation! (Unless you want it to be!) For fun, we will watch the short movies "Elephant's Dream" and "Big Buck Bunny", so you can see what Blender is capable of. Then laugh as you see how futile Abe's attempts are in comparison! Just kidding. ;)Seriously, don't give up on your dream of art or animation because you think you can’t afford the software or it's too hard to learn. You CAN get started right now! You CAN learn a little each week! Come and learn how to make your computer do your work for you for once....

About Abe:

Abe Waranowitz started drawing in high school because he was jealous of a friend's talent. His imagination went wild and his talent grew, but the engineering side of the brain took over as he studied EE in college, got a job, got married and had kids.

His love of Linux and computers starved the artistic side of his brain. But, gasping for life, hanging by a thread, Abe's last creative brain cell refused to die. In a daring coup, this tiny brain cell managed to inspire these boring computer brain cells to use computers in new & artistic ways. Gimp and Blender greatly appealed to those geeky brain cells. "Oooooo!" they drooled over the eye candy of digital art and animation. "We wants it! Our Precious!"

The tide had turned, the dam had burst, and the last creative brain cell had created a monster! Resistant brain cells were slaughtered. Many were lost, and creative juices stained the battle field. Victorious, Abe now spends his free time possessed by an army of creative geeky brain cells, learning how to use Gimp and Blender to create a graphic novel/web comic in the Steam Punk genre. Inspired by Jules Verne, Dune, Myst and Nausica, his novel will be full of air-ships, submarines, steam power, knights, magic and monsters! He's currently working on the outline, script and character design, and looking for serious feedback from willing victims... er.. volunteers.

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. August 16, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Where: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.), 2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

Main entrance is at northeast corner of Alaskan and Vine. NOTE: DURING SUMMER SESSION, USE ALTERNATE ENTRANCE ONE BLOCK EAST OF ALASKAN WAY, AT NORTHWEST CORNER OF ELLIOTT AVE. AND VINE ST. Street parking is free beginning at 6 PM.

ABOUT CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more.

Become a member! $30 per year to become a member of Cartoonists Northwest ($40 outside the US) – It’s a bargain at twice the price! Plus you get a one-year subscription to the CNW newsletter, PENSTUFF. To heck with your un-read subscription to Newsweek! JOIN CNW TODAY!
Contact: Keith Curtis, CNW President, at cartoonistNW@gmail.com

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING JULY 2008

2008-07-05T23:10:00.000-07:00

“Bluewater on a Hot Summer Night”

Catch a c-o-o-o-l comic wave this summer, when the crew from Bluewater Productions, Inc. engulfs the Cartoonists Northwest meeting on July 19! Bluewater, headed by publisher and writer Darren G. Davis, is an independent production studio of comics, young adult books and graphic novel titles. Based in Bellingham, Bluewater’s stable of titles includes “10th Muse”, “VSS”, “The Legend of Isis”, and produces comic book titles across the United States. But you better zip up your wetsuit, ‘cuz Bluewater runs even deeper!

In May of 2007, Bluewater moved from production studio to publisher, in conjunction with renowned filmmaker, Ray Harryhausen. The comic series “Ray Harryhausen Presents” features comic sequels to such unforgettable classic flicks as “The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad”, “Clash of the Titans”, and “20 Million Miles to Earth”. The series has proven to be a sales success and the project continues into 2008 with such titles as “Jason And The Argonauts: The Kingdom of Hades”, “It Came From Beneath The Sea”, “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers”, and “Back to Mysterious Island”.

Bluewater also publishes self-created characters and titles, most notably of Davis' character “Isis” and the super-hero “10th Muse”. In December 2007, CastleBright Studios optioned Davis' “10th Muse” character for a feature film. And the flood of Bluewater’s creativity doesn’t stop there! In 2007, Bluewater also hosted Bell Con, the Bellingham community's first comic convention. (For all the latest news and plans for Bell Con 2008, happening on Sept. 27, go to: http://www.myspace.com/bellcon2007) Recently, Bluewater announced another new horror comic series, “Distortions Unlimited” with characters based on creations from the noted studio of the same name. There’s more! Coming in October, Bluewater will continue their tsunami of comic books with the new horror titles “Vincent Price Presents” and “Bartholomew of the Scissors”. Come to the July meet and be prepared to be swept away by Bluewater!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
• Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your cartoons and enter the friendly competition!
• Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. July 19, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Location: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.) 2600 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98121
Use entrance at northwest corner of Elliott and Vine St., one block east of Alaskan Way.
Street parking is free beginning at 6 p.m.

ABOUT CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more.

Become a member! $30 per year to become a member of Cartoonists Northwest ($40 outside the US) – It’s a bargain at twice the price! Plus you get a one-year subscription to the CNW newsletter, PENSTUFF. To heck with your un-read subscription to Newsweek! JOIN CNW TODAY! Contact: Keith Curtis, CNW President, at curtismusik@comcast.net

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING JUNE 2008

2008-06-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

Get Stumped at the June Meeting!

Cartoonist, illustrator, and cartooning instructor Greg Stump will plant himself at the podium for the June meeting of Cartoonists Northwest! The illustrious guest speaker is co-creator of “Urban Hipster” comics, the debut issue of which was nominated for a Harvey Award for Best New Series in 1999. Co-created with Cartoonists Northwest member David Lasky, the popular title was followed-up with a second issue from Alternative Comics in 2003.
When asked in an interview to define “Urban Hipster”, the irrepressible Stump called it “The most exciting comic series since Kamandi.” Asked to explain how U.H. differs from ‘normal’ comics, Stump said “It's more self aware, plus it's funnier.”
While in college, Stump discovered the work of Peter Bagge and Dan Clowes, who influenced him away from his former interest in editorial cartooning. His weekly strip “Dwarf Attack” has graced the pages of The Stranger and the Portland Mercury. According to the Merc, Stump’s strip is “ALWAYS FUNNY! … Greg Stump: genius.”
Whether you consider yourself urban, suburban, urbane or sub-urbane, it’s easy to be a hipster! Come to the meeting on Saturday, June 21! (See below for location, time, etc.)

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:

+ Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your cartoons and enter the friendly competition!
+ Ongoing discussion of proposed changes to CNW Bylaws.
+ Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Saturday, June 21, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Where: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.), 2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 PM.

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

Sneak preview of the July Meeting!

Psst! The guest speakers at the July CNW meeting will be the crew from Bluewater Productions, Inc., the independent production studio of comics, young adult books and graphic novel titles. Based in Bellingham, Bluewater publishes many comic titles, including “Ray Harryhausen Presents”, the exciting project with famed filmmaker Ray Harryhausen. Ray’s unforgettable classic films (“The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad”, “Clash of the Titans”, and “20 Million Miles to Earth” to name a few) get transformed into comic sequels. Yep, the July meeting’s gonna be hot with the coolest name in Seattle area comics! Plus, you’ll hear all the latest plans for Bell Con 2008 (another of Bluewater’s brainchildren), which takes place on Sept. 27! (For more details, go to: http://www.myspace.com/bellcon2007)

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

ABOUT CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more. Become a member! $30 per year to become a member of Cartoonists Northwest ($40 outside the US) – It’s a bargain at twice the price! Plus you get a one-year subscription to the CNW newsletter, PENSTUFF. To heck with your un-read subscription to Newsweek! JOIN CNW TODAY! Contact: cartoonistnw@gmail.com

Proposed Changes to CNW Bylaws

2008-05-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

Below are the current bylaws of Cartoonists Northwest. Following them are proposed changes, which were first reviewed and discussed at the May 17, 2008 meeting. All CNW members are invited and encouraged to express their views on this topic, including proposing additional changes. Discussion will continue at future monthly meetings. Here we go...

CURRENT Cartoonists Northwest Bylaws
PO Box 31122, Seattle, WA 98103

Article 1
The name of this organization is Cartoonists Northwest. The organization seeks to promote the art of cartooning and humorous illustration in the Pacific Northwest and provide guidance and education for cartoonists, artists and others who support and assist the organization.

Article 2
Membership is open to anyone. Members are required to pay dues annually. The Executive
Board may from time-to-time establish additional types of membership and shall determine what the dues for each shall be.

Article 3
Funds from dues and donations will be used to pay the expenses of the organization. No officer of the organization will receive a salary.

Article 4
Meetings of Cartoonists Northwest will be scheduled at monthly intervals. The Executive Board will determine the time, the day and the locations and revise or add to them.

Article 5
Business matters and organization affairs will be initiated or reviewed by the Executive Board and presented to the membership for approval. Business matters may be voted upon by voice vote from members in good standing and in attendance. A secret ballot may be requested by
members.

Article 6
Dissolution of the organization or other items of business requested by bankers, lawyers or government agencies may be presented before the entire membership, with the vote to be conducted by mail. A quorum for this vote will consist of at least a 2 per cent return of mailed ballots and a passing vote will be 75 per cent of those votes received.

Article 7
The President is the single elected officer. The President will be elected by a majority or plurality of members in attendance at the regular January meeting. The Executive Board may select and offer a candidate. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the election meeting.

Article 8
The President will select a Vice President and Treasurer. These three officers will then select, by plurality, four Executive Board officers. The President will serve as leader and preside over regular Cartoonists Northwest membership meetings and Executive Board meetings.
• The President will set an agenda for each meeting and establish committees and appoint chairman for all committees.
• The Vice President will serve as leader and preside at membership meetings in the President's absence..
• The Treasurer will keep an accurate account of all money received and spent, sign all checks and pay all bills.

Article 9
The President may be removed from office for malfeasance or nonattendance, by unanimous vote of the six other officers. Other officers may be removed or replaced by other nominees at the initiative of the President and with a plurality approval by the other officers.

Article 10
Executive Board officers will participate in the management of the organization including, specifically, the dispersion of club funds, within the Executive Board structure. Members are welcome to attend and participate at Executive Board meetings, but should not expect to vote. If, however, certain members of the Executive Board are not in attendance, then any member in good standing who appears at the Executive Board meeting may be appointed to the Executive Board for the duration of that meeting and may then cast a vote at that meeting.

Article 11
In the event of dissolution of the organization, surviving officers shall seek to provide for payment of debts and liabilities of the organization, then donate the balance, if any, to the Cartoon Art Museum, in San Francisco, The International Museum of Cartoon Art, in Boca Raton, or the Museum of Words and Pictures, in Northampton, at their discretion.

Article 12
Recommendations to change or amend the Cartoonists Northwest bylaws may be proposed by any officer or member. Changes to the bylaws must be approved by 75 per cent vote of the participating eligible members.

—approved by a majority of voting members of Cartoonists Northwest on Dec. 19, 1997

Next, here are the bylaws with proposed changes as of May 17, 2008:

PROPOSED Cartoonists Northwest Bylaws (proposed changes are in red)
PO Box 31122, Seattle, WA 98103

Article 1
The name of this organization is Cartoonists Northwest. The organization seeks to promote the art of cartooning and humorous illustration in the Pacific Northwest and provide guidance and education for cartoonists, artists and others who support and assist the organization.

Article 2
Membership is open to anyone. All members, except for regular officers of the Executive Board and Guest Speakers, are required to pay dues annually. The Executive Board may from time-to-time establish additional types of membership and shall determine what the dues for each shall
be, subject to the approval of the membership by majority vote at the next regular meeting. A member shall be considered to be in good standing if any one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
• The member has paid annual dues at any time in the previous calendar year.
• The member is currently a regular officer on the Executive Board.
• The member has been a Guest Speaker at a regular meeting at any time in the
previous calendar year, or a Guest Speaker at the most recent Toonie Awards.
• The member has carried out a recognized contribution to the good and welfare of the organization (such as the donation of artwork to a fundraising event) in lieu of payment of dues at any time in the previous calendar year.
• The member is a Charter Member.

Article 3
Funds from dues and donations will be used to pay the expenses of the organization. No officer of the organization will receive a salary.

Article 4
Meetings of Cartoonists Northwest will be scheduled at monthly intervals. The Executive Board will determine the time, day, and the location. In addition, the Executive Board may propose special meetings as needed. However, any change in the regular meeting time, day, or location must be preceded by an announcement at the previous regular meeting, except in the case of obvious emergency.

Article 5
Business matters and organization affairs will be initiated or reviewed by the Executive Board and presented to the membership for approval. Business matters may be voted upon by voice vote from members in good standing and in attendance. A vote will be conducted by secret ballot at the request of any member present, except for votes on matters of procedure, which shall be by voice vote only.

Article 6
The President is the single elected officer. The President will be elected by a majority of
members in attendance and in good standing at the regular January meeting.
• Any member in good standing may make a nomination.
• Any member in good standing may be nominated.
The election is by secret ballot. The ballots will be counted by two members present who were not nominated themselves. In the event no candidate receives a majority of votes cast, runoff elections will be held until one candidate receives a majority of votes cast.

Article 7
The President will select a Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These four officers will then select, by majority (the President having a tie-breaking vote), three other Executive Board officers. The President will serve as public spokesperson and will preside over regular Cartoonists Northwest membership meetings and Executive Board meetings.
• The President will set an agenda for each meeting and establish committees and
appoint chairman for all committees.
• The Vice President will preside at membership meetings in the President’s absence.
• The Secretary will handle all public correspondence of the organization under the direction of the President, and will also be responsible for recording decisions of meetings of both the organization and the Executive Board.
• The Treasurer will keep an accurate account of all money received and spent, sign checks, be responsible for paying bills, and keep both a record of payment of membership fees by all members and also the mailing address, e-mail, and phone number (where available) for each member. The Treasurer must have a list of all members in good standing at every meeting. Any Executive Board officer has the right to inspect the records kept by the Treasurer at any
reasonable time.

Article 8
The President may be removed from office for malfeasance or nonattendance, by unanimous vote of the six other officers. Such removal must be confirmed by a majority vote of the members in good standing at the next regular meeting of the organization. If the removal is confirmed, then a new election must be held immediately. The newly elected President will serve the remainder of the term of the former President. Other officers may be removed or replaced by other nominees at the initiative of the President and with a majority approval by the other officers.

Article 9
Members of the organization may be suspended by the unanimous vote of the Executive Board if they engage in abusive behavior or if their public actions discredit the organization. Such suspension must be confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the members in good standing at the next regular meeting of the organization.

Article 10
Executive Board officers will participate in the management of the organization including, specifically, the dispersion of club funds, within the Executive Board structure. Members are welcome to attend and participate at Executive Board meetings, but do not have the right to vote at these meetings. If, however, there are members of the Executive Board who are not in attendance, then any member in good standing who appears at an Executive Board meeting may be appointed to the Executive Board for the duration of that meeting and may then cast a vote at that meeting. The Executive Board shall decide by majority vote which members may serve as appointees for that meeting. In any event, the number of members who serve as appointees may not exceed the number of absent Executive Board members.

Article 11
Dissolution of the organization must be presented before the entire membership, with the vote to be conducted by mail. A quorum for this vote will consist of at least a 20 per cent return of mailed ballots. Dissolution must be approved by at least 75 per cent of the votes received.

Article 12
In the event of dissolution of the organization, the Executive Board shall seek to provide for payment of debts and liabilities of the organization. The balance, if any, shall be donated to the Cartoon Art Museum, in San Francisco, The International Museum of Cartoon Art, in Boca Raton, or the Museum of Words and Pictures, in Northampton, at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Article 13
Recommendations to change or amend the Cartoonists Northwest bylaws may be proposed by any officer or member in good standing. Changes to the bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the members in good standing and in attendance in votes taken at two separate, consecutive regular meetings of the organization.

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING FOR MAY 2008

2008-05-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

Cartoonists Northwest’s May 17th meeting could be called “Takin’ Care of Business” and will feature a stimulating potpourri of viewpoints and agenda items, especially those garnered in the wake of the recent Seattle ComiCon.

The conversation will be more than just a recap of fun and memorable moments from the show. This could be an invaluable how-to guide for those aspiring cartoonists who have yet to present their artwork for sale at a comic book convention. And even longtime conventioneers may pick up an insightful tidbit or two.

Past CNW Presidents Scott Alan and John Lustig, current club President Keith Curtis, and Five-year member Bill Morse will be among those leading the discussion about what it takes to bring images in your head to the “product” stage, and then marketing them at a show.

This confluence of con-goers will bring up war stories and handy tips for any cartoonist interested in exploring the commercial and social aspects of comic book culture. Valuable lessons learned in the study of human nature, what sells and doesn’t sell, and the importance of superhuman stamina for enduring such ware-hawking fatigue and what some conventioneers refer to as “mind-glaze”.

Cartoonists Scott Alan [Oh Brother! “To Boldly Go… (Like it or Not)” ] and Bill Morse [Rhapsodies, Sasha Slower Than Light] have been vendors at all six Emerald City ComiCons, building up their publications and their presentations over that time. Keith Curtis’ Crater on the Moon has developed innovative improvements as well. In addition to having many shows and fairs notched on his belt, John Lustig [Last Kiss] also has intriguing tales to tell from the recent New York Comic Con, a place far from the Emerald City…

So come to Cartoonists Northwest’s May 17 meeting for some hilarious, inspiring and informative conventional wisdom. (ouch!) Besides the passing along of priceless pearls, there’s always the usual CNW fun with voting on the Best of the Northwest cartoons offered by the members each month, discussing new and old club business, and potentially a serious discussion about the club’s bylaws. Bylaws? We have bylaws? You bet your sweet bippy we do! Come see!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:

+ Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your cartoons and enter the friendly competition!

+ Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

*************************************
What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. May 17, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Where: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.) 2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. Use main entrance at corner of Alaskan Way and Vine St. Street parking is free beginning at 6 PM.

ABOUT CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST: Cartoonists Northwest is an association of professional and amateur cartoonists who meet monthly to network, collaborate, and promote community among local artists. Established in 1981, CNW is one of Seattle’s longest-standing organizations and boasts membership of such artists as: Lynn Johnston (“For Better or For Worse”), David Horsey (Seattle PI), John Lustig (Disney and “Last Kiss”), Brian Basset (“Adam @ Home” and “Red and Rover”), Donna Barr (“The Desert Peach” and “Stinz”) and many more.

Become a member! $30 per year to become a member of Cartoonists Northwest ($40 outside the US) – It’s a bargain at twice the price! Plus you get a one-year subscription to the CNW newsletter, PENSTUFF. To heck with your un-read subscription to Newsweek! JOIN CNW TODAY! Contact: cartoonistnw@gmail.com

Cartoonists Northwest at Emerald City ComiCon '08!

2008-04-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Oh, we're off to see the cartoonists,
The ones from Cartoonists Northwest!
At Emerald City ComicCon they'll be
Showing their skills at their best!
If ever, oh ever, a Con there was
Seattle's is tops because because
Because, because, because, because, because
Cartoonists Northwest is one of the draws!

That’s right! The 6th annual Emerald City ComicCon will be all the more magical this year, with the presence of many members of Cartoonists Northwest (CNW)! The Con happens on May 10-11, 2008, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Look for the following CNW folks and friends to be showing off their wizardry:

- Scott Alan (Cahoots Creations), at Artist Alley booth E04.

- W. P. Morse (Rhapsodies), at Artist Alley booth A26.

- Keith Curtis (Cyclops Unlimited, which publishes the amazing comic series 'Crater On the Moon'), at Exhibitor booth 709 (booth will also feature the fantastic works of Donna Barr, and "many and sundry valuable trinkets" from the wildly funny cartoonist Dan McConnell!).

- John Lustig (Last Kiss Entertainment), at Exhibitor booth 805 (booth will also feature cartoonist and CNW member Kevin Boze, author of the acclaimed book 'The Virgin Project')

- Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum (Creators of the library comic strip Unshelved) They won't be there in person, but don't let that stop you from dropping by Exhibitor booth 305!

- Phil Foglio (Studio Foglio), Exhibitor booth 304

- Peter Bagge, Guest (Hate, Neat Stuff, Apocalypse Nerd, MAD magazine, etc.)

- Mike Grell, Guest (Superboy, Tarzan, Green Arrow, etc., and a member of the Cartoonists Northwest Hall of Fame!)

- Steve Gallacci (Albedo Anthropomorphics, and another stellar member of the Cartoonists Northwest Hall of Fame!)

- Paul Chadwick, Guest (Concrete, Seven Against Chaos)

- Ellen Forney, Guest (I Love Led Zeppelin, Monkey Food, Lust)

If that's not enough to convince you you're not in Kansas anymore, take time on Sunday, May 11, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., to attend a panel discussion on editorial cartoons called "STICKIN' IT TO THE MAN", presented by and featuring members of CNW. Editorial cartooning is a great way for cartoonists to let their voices be heard. Panelists including two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner David Horsey (Seattle Post-Intelligencer), Elizabeth Pankey, Andrew Wahl (http://offthewahl.com/) and Dan McConnell will discuss styles of the genre, zeroing in on your target, how to craft a visual metaphor, and why editorial cartooning is vital to a healthy society. Moderated by Keith Curtis (CNW President, and creator of Crater On the Moon comics). Location: Panel Room A.

For more information, go to http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/.

APRIL 2008 MEETING

2008-04-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

CARTOONISTS NORTHWEST MEETING IN APRIL !

Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

Friends of furry fandom, rejoice, for Steve Gallacci will be decelerating from the Rim of Known Space (where his name is forever etched upon a planet called the CNW Hall of Fame!) and landing at the meeting as guest speaker!

Steve is the progenitor of the awesome Albedo Anthropomorphics comics. He started Albedo under his own Thoughts & Images imprint, first published in 1983. Among some of the story lines in Albedo are Steve's own “Erma Felna: EDF”, a military sci-fi epic featuring elements of political intrigue, and Stan Sakai's “Usagi Yojimbo”, which first appeared in the famously-rare Albedo #2. Also under his Thoughts & Images imprint, the first three issues of Donna Barr's The Desert Peach and a single issue of his own fantasy adventure Zell, Sworddancer with art assistance by Steve Adams, were also published. Thoughts & Images also published the first edition of “Albedo RPG”, written by Craig Hilton and Paul Kidd, and based on the Erma Felna storyline from Albedo. Other cartoon material includes doing art for episodes of Elin Winkler's “Tales of the Fehnnik”, published by Radio Comix, and short bits for Ken Fletcher's “Spontoon” fanzine. He has also done Science Fiction art and illustration since the late 1970s, as well as straight technical/commercial illustration.

Irregularly, he produces silver bullets for his "Argent Small Arms" line of odd bits.

More recently, he has been creating masters for after-market scale model aircraft

detail/correction/conversion sets and is working on acrylic figures of famous comic characters.

Steve Gallaci is truly a seasoned traveler of the tooniverse! What nuggets of wisdom will he bestow upon all those who attend the April meeting?? The rules of engagement are simple: Be there, and find out!

ALSO ON THE AGENDA:
*Recap of LEFT, RIGHT, & WRONG, the political cartoon show currently at the Burnley Gallery at The Art Institute of Seattle (ran Feb. 25 – Apr. 15).
*Recap of the TOONIES AWARDS annual banquet (Mar. 1).
*Recap of the CNW-CWAC “R. Crumb Underground” tour at the Frye Museum.
*Updates on the Emerald City ComiCon.
*Cartoonists review each others’ work and vote for ‘Best of the Northwest’. Bring your cartoons and enter the friendly competition!
*Other news and stuff, guaranteed to be of a cartoonishly edifying nature!

What: Cartoonists Northwest meeting. (Monthly meetings happen on the third Saturday of every month.)
When: Sat. April 19, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $1.00 each for CNW members; $3.00 for non-members.

Where: Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, Room 503 (Real Networks Bldg.), 2600 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98121
Use main entrance, corner of Alaskan & Vine. Street parking is free after 6:00 p.m.

"Left, Right, & Wrong" Political Cartoon Exhibit EXTENDED, due to popular demand!! - 3/08

2008-03-30T02:36:00.000-07:00

CNW and the Art Institute of Seattle proudly present, "Left, Right, & Wrong: Celebrating the Art of Editorial Cartooning" at the Art Institute's, Burnley Gallery. This show opened February 29 and has now been extended to April 15 due to popular demand!

This exhibition celebrates the artistry of political and editorial cartooning, and features some of the Northwest’s most notable cartoonists, including David Horsey, Pat Moriarity, Andy Wahl, Peter Bagge, Donna Barr, Lew Andrus, Dan McConnell, and George Jartos. Additionally, the exhibit will feature the work of CNW members, as well as faculty and alumni of The Art Institute.

The gallery is located in the South Campus building at 2323 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121. Gallery hours are Mon. through Thurs. 7 AM – 10 PM; Fri. 7 AM – 5 PM; and Sat. 9 AM – 2 PM. Closed Sundays.

The show is presented by Cartoonists Northwest (CNW) and The Art Institute of Seattle.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with one of the artists or Art Institute staff, please contact the Department of Communications at mlivingston@aii.edu, or call (206) 239.2562.

Doing Dilbert - from Doodle to Domination - 2/08

2008-03-30T02:31:00.000-07:00

Dilbert cartoons reside on every cubical wall in every office in the country, if not the world, and Jeanette Smith is the one responsible for putting them there!

This February Jeanette, formerly of United Media/United Feature Syndicate, will be at CNW to discuss how she took Dilbert out from under the radar and transformed the strip into a global mega brand. Jeanette now runs a consulting firm in Seattle which specializes in licensing for creative cartoonists and artists, with clients such as John McPherson creator of Close to Home and Tom Wilson, Ziggy cartoonist.

Jeanette will also discuss how to think beyond the box of traditional cartoon venues and explore new avenues for your work. She will explore the principles of branding, marketing, and licensing, as they apply to cartoons. You can take these proven techniques and leveraging tactics and apply then to your own projects. Jeanette is animated, engaging, knowledgeable and chock-full of exactly the kind of experience (and unquie stories) that makes this meeting THE one that you won't want to miss!

The meeting will be at the Art Institute of Seattle's north campus, in room 503. Be sure to enter through the doors at main entrance, on the corner of Alaskan Way and Vine. Things will get started at 6PM and street parking is free at that time. See you there and bring something to jot down some notes, it's going to be GOOD!

Field Trip to the Art Institute - 9/07

2008-03-30T02:13:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER MEETING - FIELD TRIP!!!

CNW member, Roby Gilbert is the Director of Animation at the Art Institute of Seattle. Recently, Roby approached me about exploring opportunities for CNW and the AI Animation department to work together. As a first step, Roby has offered to give CNW a tour of the AI facility downtown. The place is fully loaded with 2D and 3D animation studios, figure drawing sessions, as well as a myriad of other amenities for teaching and practicing artistic talent.

After the tour we’ll settle into one of the classrooms onsite, where Roby will tell us a bit about his background as the animator who, among other things, brought the beloved children’s character, “Ranger Rick” to life. He will also discuss the AI Animation program, at present, and the direction that he intends for it to grow in the future. We’ll throw around some ideas for collaboration and have a great time in the process.

IMPORTANT: The tour will begin at the AI South Campus at 4:00PM. The campus is 5 minutes from our normal meeting spot, at SVC. If you would like to drive together, I will be at SVC at 3:30PM, leaving at 3:45PM, and can take 4 additional people in my car. If you need a ride PLEASE call me to confirm so I know who and how many to look for.

If you are driving, there is ample parking along Alaskan Way or on the other surrounding streets.

The address and phone number is:

2323 Elliott Avenue Seattle, WA 98121-1642 | 1-206-448-6600 | 1-800-275-2471

(Go to this web address to see complete directions.)

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/seattle/about_directions.asp

Hope to see you there!

Disney revealed! - 8/07

2008-03-30T02:09:00.000-07:00

The August meeting was fantastic! John Lustig and Jeff Hamill unloaded a ton of info about writing for Disney comics! They touched on everything from writing for established characters to the processes and intricacies of working for a major corporation/brand.

They took told us about the evolution of the characters over time; when Mickey was a darker mouse and how Scrooge McDuck became one of the most dynamic characters to write for. A highlight was when they took us through one of the touchstone stories where Donald, Daisy, and the boys go through the town of Omlet. Both where able to give unique insights into the story structure, reasons why certain plot points existed; real behind the scenes stuff!

What’s more, John and Jeff complimented each other well as a tag team and together gave a really compelling and interesting presentation. Thanks so much guys, it was great!

Huh? Web Metrics & Cartoons? - 6/07

2008-03-30T02:05:00.000-07:00

Well the CNW meeting for June was 1 part school, 1 part business, and all the rest was just fun!

Our own Georgia Ball was good enough to navigate us through Google Analytics. This is a FREE web metrics tool which can report all kinds of information to be used for bragging rights, gauging the success of your online toon, and even qualifying your website to investors or advertisers.

It was a very informative meeting and maybe if we’re lucky, an audio recording of it may magically appear online, for those of you who missed it to enjoy!

Ahhh, the Toonie Awards! - 5/07

2008-03-30T02:04:00.001-07:00

May, 2007 -Ahhh, the Toonie Awards!

We had a blast this year! Our distinguished guest speaker, Paul Chadwick graced the podium with highlights from his dazzling career as well as some poignant advice.

The CNW Quest for Answers was also a hit, as attendees had to draw random lots- some pulled questions, some answers- and they where then forced to mingle in order to be entered into the grand prize drawing! 4 winners were chosen, at random, and each received a fine piece of original, Paul Chadwick artwork and an autographed book from his heralded Concrete series.

We also raffled off tons of swag and enjoyed delicious meals with lake front views. The CNW Charity coloring book was unveiled, many awards were given and much acclaim and ego-stroking ensued. Mark Monlux swept the clay contest…again, and long time member, Sherry Flenniken , was awarded the coveted Golden Toonie.

The night even included a debut appearance by the Amazing Martin Brothers, a group of well groomed young lads whose claim to fame rested entirely on their skewed, 60's folk-rock covers.

All in all a blow out night! Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to produce this truly fantastic event! this truly fantastic event!

CNW booth was a BIG success at Emerald City - 4/1/07

2008-03-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

CNW made a HUGE splash at the Emerald City Comic Con !

Our theme was Community of Creativity

To hit home the idea of community we arranged a prize-laden scavenger hunt to seek out the CNW members and affiliates who were dispersed through out the con, lots of Merch and Swag for sale, as well as a place to sit down during the con, grab a drink of water, and catch up on the latest from your favorite group of good looking, talented, CNW cartoonists!

March meeting and leprechauns! - 3/07

2008-03-30T01:57:00.000-07:00

March, 2007 - Our March/St Paddy’s day meeting went really well also!

Given that it was St Paddy’s, we had all of the non-green wearing attendees draw lots and Chris Routly emerged as our unlucky leprechaun! Chris was forced to illustrate at our every whim and some “interesting” sketches were the result! This ran rampant while we touched on all the club business and such.

The rest of the meeting was spent in peer review groups critiquing each other’s work. It was the biggest peer review that the club has seen in a while and a major stride towards reinforcing the club’s community and spirit of collaboration!

CNW Booth at Emerald City! - 3/07

2008-03-30T01:56:00.000-07:00

March, 2007- CNW will be at the Emerald City Comic Con this weekend. Our theme is Community of Creativity So swing by booth #803 for a place to sit, catch your breath, grab a drink of water, and catch up on the latest from your favorite group of Good looking, talented, CNW cartoonists

07 Toonies to be held at Rocksalt Restaurant! - 3/07

2008-03-30T01:54:00.002-07:00

March, 2007- The annual Toonie Awards (April 28) at the Rocksalt Restaurant on lovely Lake Union! www.rocksaltlakeunion.com .

Round Table on Con Prep - 2/07

2008-03-30T01:54:00.001-07:00

February, 2007 - February's meeting was great! Our round table on con prep stemmed lots of good discussion and information. See the Forum for notes!

We concocted mad libs - CNW style! The "Fairly Fantastic Four" emerged as the victors; elegantly recounting the story of the Sasquatch engineer who saved a box of puppies from a falling planet, using his trusty shrink ray and Hummer!

We also talked about the upcoming Emerald City Comic Con and CNW's fantastic booth there! The whole thing was followed up by the traditional Hurricane run. All in all, a great meeting! Hope to see you at the next March meeting.

Tacoma's First and Only Holistic Cartoonist For Hire! - 8/8/06

2008-03-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

Tacoma's First and Only Holistic Cartoonist For Hire!
by Dick Rogers
August 8, 2006

Richard Ryan Anderson gave a presentation to those attending the July 15th meeting of Cartoonists Northwest which will not be soon forgotten.

Ryan brought his laptop and ran an entertaining PowerPoint presentation of his life story, tips about website construction and marketing yourself.

Young aspiring artist Anderson's first break came when his Mom sent a strip he'd created to Odyssey magazine. They were impressed with then-thirteen-year-old Ryan's work and asked him to produce a feature for their back page. It was a thrill, at first, then Ryan came to find it "a major drag" staying inside to produce the cartoon while his friends were playing outside.

Later came animation classes in college. These were hand-drawn, frame-by-frame projects. Ryan ran a few slideshows of the work.

Soon the fascination with the internet became a major outlet for his work.

"I like websites," says Ryan, "because you can do anything, and it's seen all around the world."

And so it was on the web that his concept of a fictitious company and its equally fabricated founder & owner were born: www.holisticforgeworks.com.

"An interesting website has consistent branding," Ryan notes. "It has rich and interesting content. It has good functionality, too."

A good website self-promotes, this can be helped along by making it easy for search spiders to go through your code.

"Validate your code," advises Ryan. "Avoid JavaScript and tables which confuse some spiders, use html tags instead. Create back-links, build rich and interesting content."

"Using 'plosives'," he suggests, "Words that begin with BL or PL —is subliminal and exciting, and visitors will remember it. Using meta keywords is the old way to attract browsers, instead use meta description for better results. Have a blog to inform visitors of updates. Get your site listed everywhere you can: Google pages, Stranger web classifieds (they're free), The Comics Journal Forum, Flickr, CNW.net, our friend's website can link to you and vice versa."

Don't know how to do any of this? Newbies can find everything to teach themselves on the internet easily, and Ryan is a prime example. Maxdesign.com and oswd.org are open sources for web design. John (Ren & Stimpy) Krikfalusi's drawn.ca is one another.

You can make a great website from as simple a program as NotePad, BBEdit lite which are both free, or you can buy something like DreamWeaver which has powerful creative tools.

Ryan is currently doing some cartoons, banners and logos for Alaska Brewing. His cartooning has become more than a hobby—now it's a career.

Contact: Dick Rogers

Show Your Moxie: Fine Comix Delights Members with a Live Reading - 7/2/06

2008-03-30T01:51:00.001-07:00

Show Your Moxie: Fine Comix Delights Members with a Live Reading
by Georgia Ball
July 2, 2006

CNW members who attended the June 17 meeting got a special treat from our presenters: a live performance. The group of artists who make up Fine Comix set their comics to music and read their various onscreen parts with gusto, bringing to life two of the stories from their recent publication, Moxie, My Sweet. Live performances are a quirky method the group uses to promote their work, and just as in their appearances at local coffee shops, the audience laughed along with the over-the-top vocalizations and gestures of the actors as each panel was projected. Members first followed the story of a girl daydreaming of a medieval fantasy world and a handsome suitor to the tune of Led Zeppelin, drawn by CNW regular and indie comics mainstay David Lasky. Even more color and sound effects accompanied the next story, "The Crow Passes," a Pogo-inspired Southern funeral for a jazz-playing crow done in by drink. Both stories were written by Mark Campos, the talent behind all of the stories in their first publication illustrated by various artists.

Fine Comix began as a Yahoo Group in 2001, a place where Seattle creators could come together and enjoy each others' work called "Comics as Fine Art." It was eventually reorganized as Fine Comix, and became a collaborative way the artists could publish. As an anthology, their work faces special challenges finding a market. Speaker Scott Faulkner described their various efforts to get their book in the hands of the public, including distribution through Last Gasp in San Francisco, Amazon and Diamond. Their next book, tentatively set for release in 2007, will be entitled Paperback Moxie, a compilation of stories in the sci-fi and horror genre.

Contact: Georgia Ball

Georgia Ball is a freelance Flash designer and the script writer for the cartoon strip Scooter and Ferret

Emerald City ComiCon Report - 4/4/06

2008-03-30T01:49:00.000-07:00

Emerald City ComiCon Report
by Scott Alan
April 4, 2006

Emerald City ComiCon 4 has now been and gone. Once again CNW had a presence at the show and it was a good one. In fact, the good people running the show (Jim Demonakos and crew) were very accommodating to us as always and set the official CNW table alongside many of the members tables. We really had the run of one row at artists alley and that was way cool! Think of that. One entire row of artists alley filled up with CNW members. It was so much fun to be there next to all our members having fun and sharing the convention experience together as a group. A special shout of gratitude must go out to Luke Martin and Stephen Prescott who helped CNW greatly by manning the official club table all weekend and also to our own Elizabeth Pankey who once again graciously provided the trappings and trimmings for the club table making it a truly impressive and professional looking display indeed. You're all great and we greatly appreciate your help!

Many of our members were there representing themselves as well as CNW. John Aquino and Scott Alan were set up with their new collaborative effort Cahoots Comics and new booth bunny display which got some fine attention. Next to them were Bill Morse with his popular Rhapsodies series. Georgia & Scott Ball were on hand promoting Scooter & Ferret with books, buttons, and great new shirts which seemed to get a lot of attention (as well it should). Liriel McMahon brought Bad Blood back to the show for all to admire or run in terror of depending on who was at the table. Outside of artists alley you'd find some rather impressive booth displays from our members including Dawn Kravanga and her very decorative Cattle Capers display. Kieth Curtis was on hand with his great Crater on the Moon comics and dressed for show as his space marine character which was a great site to see. Rounding the bend you saw the ever popular Last Kiss booth run by the one and only John Lustig who seemed to be very happy to be there. You go John. Joining John at the booth was the ever lovin' Kevin Boze who spent time entertaining the crowd with personal experiences written into Comics Biography Theatre. I'm sure there's a lot of great stuff to see there.

Some of the show highlights were the attendees in costume who had some great designs to show. Friends of CNW were at the show in all of their glory including Randy Emberland, James Dean Smith, our new friends Jonah and Jeremy Gregory with Random Pirate Comics, and the ever popular Phil Foglio. The convention boasted many great guest stars including Tim Sale who was at the end of the CNW row gathering a lot of attention from the very excited crowd and Tycho & Gabe from Penny Arcade who gave a very entertaining panel about web comics and their own experiences with them. I can say it was a real pleasure meeting them both and that meeting MAY lead to an exciting event for CNW... but more on that later.

As for the show itself it was grand as always. There was plenty of space for us all and accommodations were well provided. This year the only complaint I heard as I had time to wander around was that there wasn't a lot of traffic at the show this year and things seemed a little slow. I don't know about that as far as actual numbers go, but I know it did seem light. That didn't stop the crowd that was there from having a good time though and the atmosphere of the attendees was fun and jovial so it all seems to have worked out well in the end.

It was a fine time for us all and I had a lot of fun. With Emerald 5 already slated for next April it's a good guess that we'll be planning for the next show as well. For now it's time for sleep and post con recoup. Too much excitement pocky and pixy sticks can really spaz you out and you just need that middle of the day nap time to recover from the grand weekend. That's what I'm gonna do now.

Contact: Scott Alan, President

Not just toons, ScotttoonS! Visit ScotttoonS.com to see the work of Scott Alan, performer and freelance cartoonist.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund - 3/1/06

2008-03-30T01:48:00.000-07:00

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
by Dick Rogers
March 1, 2006

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization protecting the First Amendment rights of the comics community. Founded in 1986 by legendary underground cartoonist and publisher, Denis Kitchen, the CBLDF's guiding principle is that comics deserve the same freedom of expression accorded film, literature, and other media. Thanks to generous support from comics fans and professionals alike, the CBLDF has coordinated and funded the legal defense of more than a dozen First Amendment cases.

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund volunteer Ray Feighery talked to CNW about censorship and the legal battles over mature-themed comics. The packed meeting room learned how the Fund has assisted comic store owners and employees as well as publishers and distributors.

"Comics are an easy target for overzealous District Attorneys building up their careers," said Ray. "They are not always able to put together a strong case, so they prolong the legal process in an attempt to force defendants to buckle under the growing legal fees. People have lost their homes and businesses in some instances."

To date, the Fund has spent over $220,000 fighting the Gordon Lee case. Lee was working in a comic book store on Halloween, giving away comic books to costumed youngsters in Rome, Georgia. Erroneously packed in the "freebie bin" was a copy of Alternative Comics #2 (a leftover from that year's Free Comic Book Day) which Lee handed to a nine-year-old boy. The comic contained, among others, a story by Nick Bertozzi about Pablo Picasso in which the painter is portrayed in the nude—not in a sexual manner—in his studio.

Lee was charged with "distributing material depicting nudity [and] distributing obscene material to a minor." The Fund felt he had simply made a mistake as a retailer, and was able to get the felonies dismissed and the prosecution settled for a single misdemeanor charge.

Ray explained the facts of the Jesus Castillo case as another example. Castillo, a comic shop employee, was arrested and charged with two counts of obscenity for selling adult-themed comic books to adults.

The Fund fought the charges with lawyers and expert testimony. The State Prosecutor did not offer any contradictory evidence... however, his closing argument included the statement, "I don't care what type of evidence or what type of testimony is out there, use your rationality; use your common sense. Comic books, traditionally what we think of, are for kids. We're here to get this off the shelf." Castillo was found guilty, sentenced to 180 days in jail, a year probation and a $4,000 fine. The verdict was appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, which denied his petition.

"Unfortunately, fighting the right battles is not a guarantee of winning," Fund Director Charles Brownstein said.

Recently the Fund won a victory against US Customs when Top Shelf Comics had a pallet of comics from Europe detained. After a three week delay, Top Shelf received a formal letter accusing two comic books in the lot of being "piratical works."

The accused stories were Richie Bush, a parody of Richie Rich which satirizes the Bush administration and another parody featuring Snoopy and Woodstock. But they are obviously instances of parody and fair use, which are protected by the First Amendment. So the Fund hired a local attorney and in the end Customs released the books and refunded the $250 fee Top Shelf paid to Customs to challenge the seizure.

Ray was a great speaker who inspired a number of CNW members to join CBLDF on the spot.

Contact: Dick Rogers

Elections and Events for a New Year - 1/31/06

2008-03-30T01:47:00.000-07:00

Elections and Events for a New Year
by Georgia Ball
January 31, 2005

The first order of business was the annual Cartoonists Northwest elections. Scott Alan was re-elected president, and he retained his former officers Scott Ball as vice-president and Liriel McMahon as Treasurer.

Upcoming club events began with an announcement of the summer camping trip. A date has been finalized for September 8-10 at Sequim Bay. To hold the site we need at least 20 commitments, but as many as 60 campers can be accommodated. If you would like to bring an RV, please contact Scott Ball.

Submissions are being taken for King Country Library System display cases. Space is offered to members first come-first served to promote the club. We're calling now for volunteers to set up displays at their local library. Contact Luke Martin for more information.

The 25th Annual Toonies Awards Banquet is almost here! Submissions for the Art Auction are being taken now and are due February 18th. Contact Scott Ball for details.

Emerald City Con is coming up fast! There will be a CNW Members table as there was last year and volunteers are needed to man the booth. To sell your items at the table contact Scott Alan - a %15 commission of all sales will go to CNW.

Contact: Georgia Ball

Georgia Ball is a freelance Flash designer and the script writer for the cartoon strip Scooter and Ferret.

Show and Tell in September - 10/2/05

2008-03-30T01:46:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell in September
by Scott Alan
October 2, 2005

Show and tell time at CNW is always a treat. It's nice to get together with your fellow cartoonists and share where you've been and what's new. We had a good turn out and some great stuff was shown. Here's a summary:

Liriel announced some new merchandise for Bad Blood which can be found at http://badbloodcomic.com/shop.

John Lustig had some great merchandise to show off as well all
gloriously featured at his site www.lastkisscomics.com.

Scott Alan was there to share his latest successes including the start of an all new online comic called "Oh Brother!" which can be seen at www.ScotttoonS.com. He also showed off his latest endeavor called "Frontispace" where he draws cartoons to compliment articles written by a scientist in Greece. These can be found at www.fair-society.org/index.htm.

There were other great art projects passed about by Bill Morse, John Brower, Morgan Sandys, John Aquino and more. We even had some new people show up to the meeting and thank them for being a part of this great evening.

I know that a lot of details and artists were overlooked but I was asked to keep this article brief. Sorry about that. I think all of you did great and was very pleased with the amount of great work shown. It was a great time, a great meeting, and all thanks to the many great artists who came in to strut their stuff!

Contact: Scott Alan, President

Not just toons, ScotttoonS! Visit ScotttoonS.com to see the work of Scott Alan, performer and freelance cartoonist.

Cartooning on the Other Side of the Mountains - 7/6/05

2008-03-30T01:45:00.000-07:00

Cartooning on the Other Side of the Mountains
by Georgia Ball
July 6, 2005

On July 16th, CNW welcomed cartoonist Dan McConnell from Eastern Washington. Members were gratified to be introduced to a Cashmere apple farmer who had turned his love for orchards into a cartoon series about rural humor; his ongoing comic Apple Andy appears regularly in the Cashmere Valley Record.

Apples are only one aspect of Dan’s varied career. He’s also a skilled mainstream comics inker. Promotional comics and characters for Marvel were passed around, including the X-Men on a box of Nerds and a premium comic for Tony’s Pizza. Dan had also recently been certified as a scientific illustrator, and brought samples of fish drawings soon to be published in River of Memory by University Press. This certification was the reward for driving twice a week to the University of Washington to study botany and muscle articulation so nature can be accurately rendered in colored pencils. His latest project is a series of trading cards for church youth groups called “Bible Cards.”

But many CNW members know Dan McConnell best as the spokesman for CWAC, the Eastern Washington spin-off of Cartoonists Northwest. Pronounced “Quack,” CWAC began three years ago when fellow members of an artists’ workshop decided to band together and meet regularly to discuss their passion for cartooning. Regular Penstuff readers may be familiar with Dan’s reports on their art show at the Wenatchee Museum.

Dan’s advice for other freelance artists is to solidify contracts with first and second publication rights and get approval on the roughs before finishing. Make sure the client is aware that changes made after that point would cost more. Have it in writing or they won’t pay the max, he warns, while humorously acknowledging that he feels he is not in the fast lane to success. “I’m more in the snail’s lane,” he jokes. Even so, Dan McConnell’s experience in so many different avenues of cartooning left the audience pleasantly overwhelmed with work to admire.

Contact: Georgia Ball

Georgia Ball is a freelance Flash designer and the script writer for the cartoon strip Scooter and Ferret.

Uptown Stroll—A Festival of Art in Action - 7/22/05

2008-03-30T01:44:00.000-07:00

Uptown Stroll—A Festival of Art in Action
by Kathy Biever
July 22, 2005

Saturday, August 27, 2005
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Professional and amateur artists of all ages invited to participate in the Uptown Stroll.

Guidelines/Conditions for Artist Participation:

At this “Festival of Art in Action” it is expected that artists will actively produce art during the festival. Although prizes will be awarded based primarily on the piece the artist is working on at the time the jurors appear, artists are invited to have on display and for sale other completed works.

Choose one of these categories:

Juried (prizes will be awarded to winners)
Non-juried (no prizes)

Choose one of these divisions:

Adult
Youth (ages 8-17)

Artist will be assigned a work area in front of or inside sponsoring shops in Uptown all within two blocks from the intersection of Queen Anne Avenue and Mercer Street.

Artist will be assigned for the day a Stroll Ambassador to be at his/her beck and call for every need: accompany artist to his/her location, help set up and dismantle, bring sustenance to artist, watch station so artist can take a break. Whatever Artist wants, Artist gets.

Artist will bring all supplies needed for the day, eg. easel, chair, table, display racks, potter’s wheel, etc.

Artist is encouraged to display for sale his/her art during Uptown Stroll. No commission for sales will be taken by the Uptown Stroll.

Additional opportunities:

Artist is encouraged to submit one work of art for display in Bank of America at 100 W. Mercer during the month of September. No commission will be taken by Uptown Stroll. As sales are strictly between buyer and seller, artist must provide contact information to be displayed with art work. Please check appropriate box on Registration form if you wish to do this. Details re drop off, pick up, etc. to be provided at a later date.

The Uptown Stroll would like permission to use artist’s artwork on its website and for postcards to be sold by Uptown as a fund raiser. Artist credit and contact information will accompany the art work. Please indicate your wishes by checking appropriate box on Registration form.

We look forward to your participation.

Kathy and Keith Biever
Uptown Stroll Artists Recruitment
521 Fifth Avenue West, Suite 404
Seattle, WA 98119
206-283-9047

Link to Form in the Cartoonists Northwest Forum

Rapid-Fire Drawing with Kevin Boze - 7/6/05

2008-03-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

Rapid-Fire Drawing with Kevin Boze
by Georgia Ball
July 6, 2005

Last year during Bumbershoot, Kevin was one of 16 artists who took part in Comic Biography Theatre—an event in which cartoonists had to draw an unusual true event submitted by people in the crowd. This year he was the guest speaker for Cartoonists Northwest on June 18th, and he brought along his pencil and put us to work.

Kevin studied art under Ken Anderson and completed a degree in Digital Arts with a focus in animation from Henry Cogswell College. During the day he commutes from Seattle to Arlington and works as a design engineer for Bay Liner, but he spends his evenings creating his online comic, Role Call. Centered around role-playing, his strip is a feature of ShadowRaven, an online interactive gaming website. Role Call has been running on ShadowRaven for two years, is written and drawn by Kevin and is colored and published by Julie Albert.

Some of Kevin's previous strips included Corp. Kev, which was published in the European edition of Stars and Stripes for three years, and Camille, a cat-focused spin-off of Corp, Kev. When Kevin had finished giving us some of his background he called on his audience to break out pencil and paper for a quick lesson in gesture drawing. His model moved from one action pose to another while Kevin timed the participants, and page after page of sweeping gesturals were cast aside as the next pose began. Each session was between 5-15 seconds, encouraging the artists to focus on the essence of the action

Speaker Review: LiftPort - 6/6/05

2008-03-30T01:42:00.000-07:00

Speaker Review: LiftPort
by Georgia Ball
June 6, 2005

LiftPort representative Tom Nyugent presented for Cartoonists Northwest in May to a packed room. The audience was eager to learn about LiftPort’s vision for the future, mass transportation systems that will open up access to the solar system. At the center of this vision is the Space Elevator, a revolutionary transportation service that will make expensive and dangerous rocket liftoffs a less significant part of getting into space.

The Space Elevator is essentially a ribbon extending from Earth beyond geosynchronous orbit, the point at which an orbiting object is going at the same speed as the Earth’s rotation. The bottom of the ribbon would be attached to a base in the ocean that can be adjusted to avoid lightning storms and other hazards that might damage its construction. Outward centripetal acceleration and the competing forces of gravity keeps the ribbon under tension, and once it is in a stationary position, it can be ascended mechanically to orbit. The initial Space Elevator would be a thin ribbon made of carbon nanotubes, strong enough to lift objects along its length, and eventually an even stronger, thicker version would be built to carry passengers. For more information about how the Space Elevator would be built, how it would function, and what effects it would have on the environment, visit LiftPort’s FAQ.

We were also treated with a showing of the concept work by LiftPort artist, Nyein Aung. Nyein is an accomplished watercolorist and industrial designer who will be participating in Spawns alongside the members. A full gallery of his work can be seen here.

LiftPort is the proud sponsor of this year’s Cartoonists Northwest Spawns of Insomnia. They will be giving out cash prizes to participants who complete their 24 page comic book stories and a special prize for best story. To participate fully in the race for prizes, contestants must include a science fiction theme in their comic and mention the exciting Space Elevator. Spawns of Insomnia will be held September 1-4 at the Sea-Tac Hilton and will be hosted by Cascadia Con, the Northwest’s most exhaustive science fiction convention.

Movie Review: Madagascar - 6/1/05

2008-03-30T01:41:00.000-07:00

Movie Review: Madagascar
by Scott Alan
June 1, 2005

A review of an animated movie from the point of view of a cartoonist? What a concept! I had the opportunity to check out this film on opening weekend, something rare for me, and thought you'd all like a peek at the film before going to see it. It's all just my opinion so you can take it for what it's worth.

he next big thing out of the box (or the cage) from the good people at Dreamworks this year is Madagascar. An animated tale (spelled that way on purpose) about four animal friends living in the Central Park Zoo who end up going wild.

Voices:
Alex = Ben Stiller
Marty = Chris Rock
Melman = David Schwimmer
Gloria = Jada Pinkett Smith
Julien = Sacha Baron Cohen
Maurice = Cedric the Entertainer
Mort = Andy Richter

In a nutshell: Marty the zebra has visions of a bigger world outside the captivity he knows in the Central Park Zoo. He meets up with four penguins hell-bent on tunneling out and heading to Antarctica. Soon, his own escape plan is hatched. Marty's best pals (Alex the lion - Gloria, the hippo - & Melman, a hypochondriac giraffe) seem content with their surroundings, but when Marty decides to hop a train and visit the "wilds" of Connecticut, his buddies stage a furry intervention. The authorities intervene, and the quartet is packed away on a ship, ostensibly bound for another zoo. Instead, their crates wash up on the lush island of Madagascar. There they meet the resident population of lemurs who adopt their new friends, especially the lion, as protectors of their tribe.

The wild is all about survival, and although Madagascar makes the struggle for survival funny, it doesn't make it any less bleak. The four animals, having been raised in captivity, are confronted by a world in which everybody seems to be eating each other, and it's appalling. One of the best things was the demise of the little duckie. The regular meals that made it possible for the lion and the zebra to be best buddies are no longer being carted in by human handlers, and so new tensions develop leading the lion to see his pal the zebra as food (literally) rather than seeing him as a friend. The rest of the film is really all about a choice for Alex the lion between food and friendship.

What was good: Dreamworks produced their usual fantastic animation technique again which was fun and eye catching. Especially the photo-realistic New York sequences. The animation is visually stunning, and the animals' stylized rendering and friendly look is in keeping with the energetic mood of the movie. Somewhat more "cartoony" then Dreamworks other recent works, but that's okay by me. The voice work is uniformly solid. The jokes and general humor were spot on and kept you laughing at the right times. The penguins. The Penguins sold it. Really.

What was bad: The thin story, which sometimes feels like a series of one-liners strung together, though this is wisely kept short. Once the pack of zoo animals get acclimated to life on Madagascar and win over the restless lemurs, the story seems to stall and lack some direction. It's frustrating to see this wonderful-looking, and quite funny survival tale fall short of its potential. While motivations and situations were clear-cut and energetically rendered back in the urban jungle, the script, falls apart in the real jungle, especially in its attempt to deal with those darker impulses.

Bottom line: After an extremely promising start, this inspired computer-animated comedy gets lost in the wild. Zoo animals bolting their confined quarters doesn't sound like a promising scenario for an animated movie. But in Madagascar, the concept works largely on the strength of the comedic actors who voice the key animal characters. I feel that most people will find "Madagascar" not as "award winning" as the Shrek movies, but an improvement over Shark Tale which did poorly in most peoples opinions and critical reviews. Thanks to the ad-libbed lines of the talented cast, however, parents won't feel held captive during the experience and even with the faults they see in the film they should find this a good comedy, a fine animation, and time well spent. I did.

Contact: Scott Alan

Not just toons, ScotttoonS! Visit ScotttoonS.com to see the work of Scott Alan, performer and freelance cartoonist.

The National Caricaturist Network Convention 2005 II - 5/17/05

2008-03-30T01:40:00.000-07:00

The National Caricaturist Network Convention 2005 II
by Elizabeth Pankey
May 17, 2005

Part Two of Two

Here I am again writing about the National Caricaturist Network. It has been awhile. Are you still curious about the celebrity who visited the working caricaturists at the Palace Station in Vegas? He is part of a magical duo. He doesn't speak during his performances. No, they don't work with lions, tigers or bears. His partner is taller with black hair and glasses. I spoke with this charming man as he walked into our large workroom. He says he chats a lot off stage. Yes, it was Teller of Penn & Teller.

Want to learn about exaggerating features from the masters of caricature? Want to learn about marketing yourself as a caricaturist/entertainer? Want to learn new ways of expressing yourself as an artist? Then come to the next NCN convention. The seminars offered are filled with tips and techniques in everything from basic caricature to extreme abstraction, from studio illustration to being the life of the party scene. The learning and sharing continues through the likeness and the newly revamped speed competitions. It is all about drawing, painting, or constructing caricatures of each other. I like watching the airbrush artists, but the fumes bother me. My time at this year's convention was spent experimenting with different techniques as I explored new faces and familiar faces. I tried to balance my choices between men and women.

The number of caricaturing styles increases with the NCN convention attendance each year. Though we can only show grayscale in the printed newsletter, I'm hoping our CNW website can show some of my photos of the varied styles in color. These photos are only to illustrate this article. The artists still own their copyrights. Please respect that when looking at this artwork. Thank you.

I'm also including a photo of Rhoda Grossman's "stylish" shoes worn at the NCN Banquet. Many caricaturists like to be flamboyant at the awards dinner. So if you come to next year's convention, bring a formal fashion to wear. It's all about STYLE and creating a memorable impression. Tom Richmond casually showed off his muscular body by wearing tight jeans and a form fitting T-shirt. Tom and Chris Rommel can bare their biceps anytime. Woo! Back to reality. Yes, I enjoy window-shopping.

"Butt Faces" by Lar de Souza

"The Many Faces of Teresa Farrington"

P.S.: Thank you to everyone who has written to me about part one. Your positive feedback only serves to encourage me.

contact: Elizabeth Pankey

Speaker: James Taylor of Rorshach Entertainment - 5/9/05

2008-03-30T01:39:00.000-07:00

Speaker: James Taylor of Rorshach Entertainment
by Georgia Ball
May 9, 2005

On April 16 Cartoonists Northwest welcomed comics publisher James Taylor as their April speaker. James focused on giving CNW members further insight into the process of getting a book published, distributed and sold nationally.

James Taylor began his career as a comic book inker in 1997. He founded Rorshach Entertainment in 2000 to help other talented comic artists overlooked by major pusblishers get their work distributed. At the end of 2003, Rorshach published its first comic Sprecken, a science-fiction cop story by local Lynnwood artist Brian Meredith. Their second book was published in 2004, and their most recent and best-selling book is the crime caper Grave Digger, formerly a webcomic.

Once material is ready to be made into a published comic, the book is sent to a distributor such as Diamond. The book has to be accepted by Diamond first, and recently they have become more choosy concerning accepted material. Once accepted, James recommends promoting the book until the Diamond catalog comes out six months later. The independent section of the catalog is competitive to Marvel and D.C.

Retailers then have to be convinced to order the comic through Diamond. Local shops do tend to support local artists, but a good way to get national attention is to advertise in the catalog. A color column generally costs around $750, and Diamond also charges for Retailers Lists. Another option is to send postcards via Diamond directly to the comic shops. You can also send out free copies for review to retailers. When Diamond has received their orders for the comic, the material is sent off to be printed. There are a number of inexpensive and reputable printers that specialize in comics, and many artists recommend printers in Canada for a lower price. After printing the books, the merchandise is shipped back to Diamond for distribution. Some other possible distributors include Cold Cut, Last Gasp, and Hobbies Hawaii.

James advises attending conventions to advertise your comic, an excellent avenue for spreading the word about your book to potential buyers, retailers and other creators. It's essential to be sociable, because you aren't just selling your book, you're selling yourself. Pick your conventions carefully he admonishes, since some are too far or too costly to be profitable for a published artist. San Diego Con, while the largest convention of the year and a sure way to get exposure, is also the most expensive to attend or have a booth at, and first time exhibitors typically receive the worst placement. Some viable options are conventions are APE in San Francisco and Wizard World Chicago Con, but Emerald City Con is particularly beneficial as a local event.

Sending out press releases is another important tool for the aspiring seller. Rorshach sends free copies of their books to reviewers for publicity purposes, some of which are online. Possible venues for review include Comic Book Resources by Steven Grant, Comixtreme.com by Andreas Speed and Sequential Tart.

Most of all, its essential to get your book in the hands of as many people as possible. That's more important in the long run than how much money the book makes in the short term.

New Yorker's Cartoon Editor Visits Tuesday, April 19 at Seattle's Town Hall - 4/7/05

2008-03-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

Foolproof's American Voices Series Presents
The Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker with Robert Mankoff
by Jen Bergman
April 7, 2005

New Yorker's Cartoon Editor Visits Tuesday, April 19 at Seattle's Town Hall, 7:30PM

Seattle, WA-Foolproof's American Voices speaker series presents the distinctly American voice of Robert Mankoff, New Yorker cartoon editor for a night of comedy, learning (something along these lines). Considered a national treasure, the cartoons of The New Yorker are beloved, iconic images that have made us laugh at the social issues of the day and have defined a markedly American sensibility. Mr. Mankoff will direct a presentation on this admired collection on Tuesday, April 19th at Town Hall in Seattle (1119 8th Ave).

"Over the years, I had developed a passionate interest in The New Yorker cartoon as a great cultural heritage that had to be preserved and passed on to yet another new generation of artists," says Mankoff.

Last fall, all 68,647 The New Yorker cartoons were published together for the first time in The Complete Cartoons of The New Yorker, edited by Mankoff. Organized by decade and introduced by some of the magazine's most esteemed writers - including Roger Angell, Nancy Franklin, Lillian Ross, John Updike, Ian Frazier, Calvin Trillin, Mark Singer, Nancy Franklin and Rebecca Mead, the book showcases the talented cartoonists who have contributed to the magazine over the years.

Mankoff- who in '91 created the The Cartoon Bank (The New Yorker's virtual storehouse for these images)- tackled the enormous task of selecting the cartoons included in the print version. What he discovered in the process was that various themes emerged from each decade, such as:

sex and nudity in the 1940s
the burgeoning space program in the 1960s
the high tech explosion in the 1990s

Mankoff notes that by picking cartoons that were most representative of the modes of thought, desires, and conventions that spawned them, it was possible to create a history of The New Yorker cartoon and a cultural history rolled into one. Reading through the volume, then, is a history lesson framed by laughter, a look at what was occupying the headlines, and perhaps even the American psyche, at each particular moment in time.

Mankoff recounts the selection process in the book's Introduction: "From the start of the process we were relentless, unsparing, obsessive, compulsive, possessed-and even paranoid in our efforts. We examined every single page of The New Yorker published since 1925, to ensure that not a single cartoon was missed. In the end, after examining over 400,000 pages, we found 68,647 cartoons. That's one for each resident of Springfield, Ohio, according to the 2000 census, with enough left over for quite a few of their pets."

The American Voices series is presented by Foolproof, a non-profit corporation presenting entertaining exchanges of ideas balanced with critical thought in an effort to raise social consciousness. They seek to inspire citizens to seek truths through free speech, thought and action. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Foolproof at 206-325-3554 or www.foolproof.org.

contact: Jen Bergman

Layers and Channels and Curves - Oh, My! - 4/2/05

2008-03-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

Layers and Channels and Curves - Oh, My!
by Dick Rogers
April 2, 2005

It was a dark but pleasant night in The City That Winter Forgot, when Cartoonists Northwest met at the School of Visual Concepts for what may have been its last Friday evening meeting. Guest speaker Georgia Ball put on an informative and enjoyable Photoshop primer.

Using Scooter and Ferret as examples, Georgia explained she scans the original art hubby Scott produces at 300dpi in grayscale. She does this primarily to eliminate the blue pencil Scott uses, because if she scanned in colors the blue would be a stand alone color but in grays it's just a shade she can eliminate easily.

The original art is larger than the limits of her flatbed scanner, so she scans each daily comic strip in two pieces (each gets its own layer in PhotoShop). She lays out guide lines to help her align the parts and makes one layer partially transparent to help her align art elements, then rotates or distorts to get it all straight to her guides. Finally she flattens the separate layers.

Georgia uses levels to adjust some things, helping remove stray pencil lines or roughed in lettering which she will typeset later on. She likes the free comic style fonts to be found at Blambot.com, in particular the Anime Ace font. Georgia always centers text in word balloons.

Then she uses color range to delete the white, leaving black linework on a transparent background. This makes coloring simpler and is less work than selecting white areas one by one. An elegant, global method. Next she adds a white background layer.

Now she adds crisp borders on the comic strip, eliminating Scott's hand-drawn borders. She does this with the rectangle marquee tool. "If I need to make lines ... I never, ever use the PhotoShop line tool," says Georgia. She can draw the shape she needs and fill it with black, or swipe a border from a previous comic strip and adapt it to the new one.

"After I get my (200dpi) print version ready, I save another version for the web (72dpi)." She also reduces the image size and doesn't get any ugly rasterization because she started with a high-quality image file. Her web dimensions are 700 pixels long by 246 pixels tall.

Finally, she adds the title (she left room for that with the 246 pixel height) and it's ready for uploading to the website!

Georgia colors her strips on a layer between the black linework and the white background. This keeps the color behind the linework, maintaining crispness in the linework, reduces the chances of spoiling the linework by mistake. She colors in RGB, doesn't merge the layers and final output is a JPEG in 32 colors mode to keep her files small.

Georgia showed how she uses the actions palette on work she does over and over in every strip. For example she uses Actions for how she takes an area of color and expands it to go partially behind the black linework to avoid white showthrough. She uses paint behind so she doesn't paint over something she's already done.

Finally, Georgia showed us examples of the photo retouching work she does. She put a modern face into a historic photograph. Using mode color for the brush, sampling skin colors and textures, understanding the qualities of old photography, all allows her to make changes to old photos that are almost impossible to spot without knowing something was done.

contact: Dick Rogers

The National Caricaturist Network Convention 2005 - 4/1/05

2008-03-30T01:34:00.000-07:00

The National Caricaturist Network Convention 2005 I
by Elizabeth Pankey
April 1, 2005

Part One of Two

The National Caricaturist Network should be renamed the International Caricaturist Network. Why? The NCN membership includes artists from Japan, Korea, Spain, Germany, England, Belgium, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United States. Attending this year’s convention in Las Vegas at the Palace Station Hotel was like a goodwill ambassador tour of these nations. We all have the common bond of caricaturing in its many forms from almost straight portraiture to totally abstract and all phases (or should I say “faces”) in between.

Sunday, February 20th we had Airport Express Shuttle service pick us up at home and whisk us down to the airport in the morning. One of our past CNW presidents is a driver for this company, but he wasn’t our driver this time. With electronic check in, there was no hassle at all checking our luggage and heading out to our gate. Our flight to Las Vegas was full. I’ve renamed all full flights the Sardine Express. A very good reason for me to shed 50 pounds so the seats will seem larger. Our plane taxied out to the runway, then returned with a broken gauge. After an hour’s delay with all of us still buckled TIGHT into our seats, the plane finally took off for Vegas. When flying these days, take your own bottle of water and choice of snack because short flights serve only beverages and may take a while to get that little cup of liquid.

Our landing in Vegas was choppy due to some wind and increasing cloudiness. Yes, we left Seattle’s beautiful sunny weather and arrived to clouds and rain in Las Vegas. Whoopee! Roger took his golf clubs thinking he could play golf while I was busy in seminars and working on caricatures. No such luck. Sunday through Thursday, 20th – 24th, was rain, rain and more rain.

We made our way to the hotel shuttle bus just in time and the fun began right away. Eve Myles, Ellen Forney’s aunt, was on the bus with us. At the hotel we proceeded to check in at the hotel desk and see more of our NCN friends milling around the lobby.

After taking our luggage up to our room we went back to find out the location of the NCN check-in. We had to weave through the casino labyrinth to the 2nd floor escalator. Are all gamblers smokers? Or do people who gamble like to also gamble on their lives by smoking? I was coughing up blood laced “stuff” by the second day due to my sensitivity to smoke. I love the NCN conventions, but can’t tolerate old Vegas casinos. After that bad “breathing” experience, we found an alternate route outdoors across the parking lot…even in the rain.

NCN Check-in was outside one of the hotel banquet rooms. Seeing familiar faces (Jan Op De Beek from Belgium came as a member this year) and welcoming many newbies (many Japanese, Brits and Yanks) kept us busy for a little while before going back to our room to get ready for the opening night reception at six. The hotel staff set up a wonderful spread of food for the reception. After a plate full of good grub and grog, we all started sketching whoever was sitting at our table. I met Gary Javier, a new NCN member from Puerto Rico, who turned out to be a favorite subject at the convention. That means many artists did their interpretations of his handsome dark features, receding hairline and long dreadlocks. The room’s lights were soon turned up to full brightness and the room full of over 100 people cheered. Then we all laughed.

Day Two: After a long day before, the first full day began with a delicious buffet breakfast and sketching friends around the table. There was a quick welcome from the NCN board members with announcements of the week’s events. Most of us experienced attendees brought our art supplies for the day and set up our portfolios in a display room. Most caricaturists will be creating images (2-D or 3-D) of each other throughout the next three days. The fourth day is for judging, clean-up of work space and the final Awards Banquet in the evening.

The first two seminars were “Caricature 001” and “Exaggerating with a Likeness” lead by Dion Socia and Joe Bluhm respectively. Dion gave a great presentation that helped me understand even more about proportions is scaling a caricature. One of the most talented young artists in NCN, Joe really knows what he is talking about when demonstrating his techniques. All of us in the room were able to see clearly due to a very technically savvy caricaturist who set up camera equipment and laptop computers to facilitate projecting everything up on a large screen in front. These enlarged images play an important roll later on in another seminar.

Okay, I’ll tell you about that right away. Tuesday morning was Jan OpDeBeeck’s official seminar “Drawing with Jan.” He had taken digital photos of many of us who had attended the NCN con in Orlando, Florida two years ago. Much to our surprise, many were victimized for this year’s seminar. Teresa Farrington, Okie artist, is a favorite of many artists due to her front teeth with a wide center space. So it was no big surprise that he chose to exaggerate her features. There were other prominent members feeling Jan’s magic pencil. So it was a surprise to see my photo then his caricature of me up on that BIG screen. I was honored because Jan is greatly respected for his masterful skills. For this article I’ve attached both Jan’s caricature of me and my caricature of him. I rendered his from photos I took at this year’s convention.

Was it prophetic that Ted Tucker led a seminar on “Quicksketch Watercoloring” on Tuesday? Or was it just the constant downpours in Vegas that caused the roof to leak over one end of the main workroom? Roger noted there was a large rusty water tank above the area that was leaking. Several of us helped move worktables, chairs and some artwork mounted on adjacent walls. It started with one plastic trashcan underneath to catch the drip and quickly led to 16 plastic containers and a swamped floor under the waterfall. More and more hotel employees showed up to access the problem. It was funny.

Much more to write about for next month: great seminars, the art, the magic, and the celebrity visitor.

contact: Elizabeth Pankey

Cartoonists honor Seattle artist Rick Hoberg - 3/19/05

2008-03-30T01:33:00.000-07:00

Cartoonists honor Seattle artist Rick Hoberg
by John Lustig
March 19, 2005

The Northwest's best cartoonists were honored March 19 with Seattle artist Rick Hoberg receiving a Golden Toonie and the induction of legendary cartoonists Carl Barks and Gary Larson into a Hall of Fame.

Honorees were selected by members of Cartoonists Northwest during its annual Toonie Award Banquet.

Hoberg received Cartoonists Northwest's highest yearly honor, the Golden Toonie, for a wide-ranging career that's included comic books (Batman, Green Arrow, Roger Rabbit); animation (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); merchandising-licensing & comic strips (Star Wars); and video games (Microsoft.)

This is the 14th year that a Golden Toonie has been awarded. Past winners include some of the Northwest's finest and most celebrated artists: Brian Basset, Berkeley Breathed, Steve Greenberg, Dave Horsey, Lynn Johnston, John Lustig, Roberta Gregory and Jim Woodring.

This is the first year that Hall of Fame honors have been awarded. The late Carl Barks was honored for a career that stretched back to the early years of Disney animation when he wrote and storyboarded Donald Duck cartoons.

Barks is best known, though, for his decades of work as writer/artist of Donald Duck comic books and as the creator of Donald's fabulously rich Uncle Scrooge McDuck. Barks, who was born in Merrill, Oregon in 1901, died in Grants Pass, Oregon in 2000 at the age of 99.

The other Hall of Fame honoree, Gary Larson, is the creator of THE FAR SIDE--one of the most famous and successful newspaper cartoons of all time. Larson, a Tacoma native, began his comics career selling cartoons to Northwest publications and in 1979 launched a weekly single-panel cartoon series, called "Nature's Way", in The Seattle Times. Soon after, the series was picked up for syndication and rechristened, "The Far Side." Before he retired in 1995, Larson's series was syndicated in 1,900 newspapers.

During the Toonies, awards were also presented to Northwest cartoonists Georgia & Scott Ball for best online comic strip (SCOOTER AND FERRET); Phil & Kaja Foglio for best comic book series (GIRL GENIUS); and Mark Monlux for best illustration (THE COMIC CRITIC).

Cartoonists Northwest is a group of local cartoonists which has been meeting every month in Seattle for over 20 years. In 2003, the group received the National Joseph Werner American Spirit Award.

Contact: John Lustig

Loonatics Come to the WB - 3/05

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Loonatics Come to the WB
by Scott Alan
March 4, 2005

Take the Poll

Animation has seen a trend of taking popular characters and making spin offs to cash in on their popularity, or to try and save a failing idea by making it "new" & "now". Most often the idea of miniature versions of the same characters seems to be a constant. Examples of this can be found in animation history with such shows as Muppet Babies, Flintstone Kids, A Pup Named Scooby Doo, etc., etc. Perhaps the largest source of this activity is Warner Brothers with such releases as Tiny Toon Adventures and Baby Looney Tunes. Well, now Warner is at it again.

They are not making the characters younger and cuter, after all "Fetal Looney Tunes" may just be a step in the wrong direction. No, this time the good folks at Warner are taking these classic characters that we grew up with and make them appealing to the new generation. While we watched "classic" Looney Tunes & Hanna-Barbera the kids today are hooked on such tv choices as Pokemon & Yu-Gi-Oh. Knowing this, is it any wonder then that the newest incarnation of Bugs and pals will be set in the future to capture this new market?

Yes, the new turn for Looney Tunes will be Loonatics. Warner Bros. has created angular, slightly menacing-looking versions of the classic Looney Tunes characters for its new series and set in the year 2772. Names for the new characters haven't been finalized, but they are likely to be derived from the originals: Buzz Bunny, for example. Each new character retains personality quirks of the original. The new Bugs, for example, will be the natural leader of the Loonatics' spaceship; the new Daffy will remain confident that he is the one who should be in charge. "The new series will have the same classic wit and wisdom, but we have to do it more in line with what kids are talking about today," says Sander Schwartz, president of Warner Bros. Animation. The plots are action-oriented, filled with chases and fights. Each character possesses a special crime-fighting power.

Amazing? I think so too. While such classics as the Muppets Pigs In Space may soar through the cosmos, Loonatics may well be "watership down" when fans of the classic series see this for the first time. Other people have used descriptive words like "terrifying" & "desecration." The mainstream press wonders what is wrong in Burbank. "Have our Looney Tunes taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque?" asks the Boston Herald. "Has Warner Bros. gone daffy?" speculates the New York Post. Even the staid Wall Street Journal (in its print edition) smothers Warners' PR hype with skeptical allusions to the studio's lousy track record with Looney Tunes "updates."

There is a picture here of what they all will look like just so you get the idea. What gets my interest more than the WB doing this is the controversy this has caused. I can't go into any social circle of artists or fans or even go online without hearing about this from someone eventually. Because I'm an artist and a fan I'm asked to comment on this a lot lately, and on first sight I'm against it all. I mean, just look at them!!!

Still, one could act as devil's advocate and say "Get a grip. You haven't even seen it yet." Many new ideas have looked rotten on the surface, but change my opinion 100% once I give them a chance. Once Loonatics debuts Saturday mornings this fall there will be plenty of opportunity for the the village hordes to storm the castle in a rage—or for the eating of crow. In the meantime, Warner Bros. has only released the concept and two pieces of artwork. That's a pretty slender basis on which to condemn the entire enterprise. Is it too much to ask that we (all of us who are Looney Tunes fans) keep our minds even slightly open?

Mind you, I'm not endorsing Loonatics or condemning fan skepticism-how can I, since I feel the same skepticism? However, as I'd mentioned before, the argument here intrigues me and I'm keen to hear the opinions of my fellow fans and professional artists. Do you think this is a good idea? Do you think the WB is on the right track? Do you think the anime craze has taken too hard of a strangle hold on the younger generation and is now choking out our classics? Or, contrariwise, do you see this as a boon to a dying market? Have the Looney Tunes run past their golden age of the 1940's & reached retirement age instead? I think there is much room for debate here, and I think it'd be fascinating to hear the points of view from the pros.

SO, I wanna hear it from all of you, my friends in the artistic community. What's your opinion of this "new look" to our beloved and familiar characters? I hope that you find the time to participate in my little survey, I really think your responses would be quite interesting. Send your thoughts & opinions to my e-mail address, or take the poll on the site below, then I'll tally your votes and opinions and I'll print the results in Penstuff next month!

What do you think of the new Loonatics?

Pretty cool
I'm waiting until the show comes out
Sacriledge!

Contact: Scott Alan

Not just toons, ScotttoonS! Visit ScotttoonS.com to see the work of Scott Alan, performer and freelance cartoonist.

Eric Devericks: The Man You Love to Hate - 3/05

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Eric Devericks: The Man You Love to Hate
by Georgia Ball
March 1, 2005

The Cartoonists Northwest meeting on Friday, February 18 featured Seattle Times editorial cartoonist Eric Devericks. Eric's is a success story based on hard work and determination, and members listened with interest as he detailed his rise to prominence at such a young age.

Eric acquired an interest in cartoons while pursuing a medical career at Oregon State. After publishing a series of humor strips in the school paper, he tried his hand at editorial cartooning and fell in love with receiving hate mail. He made it his goal to become a paid, professional cartoonist, and put all of his focus into winning journalism awards that would impress potential publishers. Eric won several contests including three national journalism awards; he quit school and became a freelance cartoonist. He developed a relationship with the editors of the Spokane Review at a cartoonists convention who showed some interest in hiring him, but September 11 interrupted the process and made it impossible for the Review to hire. But the Spokane editor was so impressed by Devericks he shopped his name around various newspapers. Eric received a call from the Seattle Times, and since then has been their hard-working staff editorial cartoonist.

Eric starts his day at the Times by attending an editorial staff meeting, in which writers and editors debate the issues that will become the editorial page. He listens to their ideas, but prefers not to match the content of his cartoon with the themes of the articles it will be published with. He gets his ideas for cartoons by reading incessantly, watching television news broadcasts, and listening to talk radio. After making several smaller sketches he creates a more elaborate sketch and then passes it to his boss for a critique. Once he has sign-off he begins the final cartoon within a couple of hours to make the five o'clock deadline.

He begins with a detailed pencil sketch, then goes over the cartoon with brush pens and micron pens. He uses gray markers for his shaded areas, but elaborate strokes are not always necessary; Eric prefers to focus on the characters rather than needlessly fill space. He works larger than the cartoon will be printed and so scans his final work into Photoshop in two pieces. He enjoys experimenting with different pens and other materials, and believes that every new technique mastered is another tool for his arsenol. His caricatures emphasize the essence of the person. a gaping mouth for Howard Dean, enormous ears for President Bush. Consistently Eric works to be unique in style and approach.

For aspiring editorial cartoonists, Eric Devericks cautions that you need a thick skin. Eric can receive thousands of angry emails over the course of the year, but it's his goal to make readers think, and his favorite cartoons are the ones that invoke the most outrage. Editorial cartooning is about inspiring people to share their opinions, and fortunately, Eric thrives on emotional responses. He acknowledges that when he was considering this career path in college, established cartoonists warned him not to do it. True, it can be difficult at times; sometimes there is pressure not to print local storylines for political reasons, and cartooning on a national theme runs the risk of having your cartoon supplanted by a nationally syndicated artist. But Eric loves his job, and his determination rewarded him. He's now a familiar name to Seattle Times readers, who alternately believe he is slanted left and right.

contact: Georgia Ball

Drawing Inspiration from Hopelessness - 2/05

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Drawing Inspiration from Hopelessness
by John Lustig
February 21, 2005

On Friday, Jan 21st, Cartoonists Northwest members welcomed Liriel McMahon, creator/writer/artist of the online comic Bad Blood. Liriel explained how she'd discovered web comics in 2001, and only two years later launched her own feature.

Bad Blood takes place in Seattle, but has more readers in Australia than local ones. The internet opens up an audience like no other. Hometown readers probably enjoy recognizing local landmarks such as Dick's Drive-In on Capitol Hill as they follow the "vampire conspiracy" storyline.

Liriel uploads a new page of her story every Thursday. She spends three days on each page: day one scripting and doing thumbnails; day two transferring her thumbnails to the pencil stage using a lightboard and doing backgrounds; day three scanning, lettering, inking and shading.

Everyone was impressed with her art. Her shading, facial expressions, her backgrounds... are all great. Liriel told us that she had liked to draw from a young age, but only recently bought herself a how-to-draw book and developed her style with no formal training.

Her online comic readership has grown steadily, due to all of her hard work to reach the greatest possible audience. She stressed the importance of keeping to a regular schedule of updates and making your site's navigation tools familiar, functional and user-friendly.

Bad Blood was ranked #6 on the Top 100 List at Top Web Comics the night of our meeting. Thousands of online comics compete with Liriel, but the online community of readers is huge. Participating in the "community is the best resource," she said about networking with other online creators and checking out their projects.

Liriel said you first need to have a dependable host. She keeps a mirror site up just in case of problems with hers. Ask others how happy they are with their hosts. There's nothing worse than having readers get "wanged" when your site is too busy to handle traffic—a good way to lose readers.

Bad Blood was conceived by Liriel as she watched the news of the Iraq war; the looting, stealing, "hopelessness of it all" inspired her to change a short story she had been working on into the vampire conspiracy tale of Bad Blood. Her vampires have a specifically unique aspect, which will come out in later chapters of her story.

contact: John Lustig

The 2004 Festival of Cartoon Art in a Series of Snapshots - 1/05

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The 2004 Festival of Cartoon Art in a Series of Snapshots
by Bruce Chrislip
January 12, 2005

The 2004 Festival of Cartoon Art (subtitled "Deletions, Omissions and Erasures") was held on the Campus of Ohio State University in Columbus on the somewhat wintry weekend of October 15 and 16.

This year's guest speaker list included Nicole Hollander (Sylvia), Tom Batiuk (Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft), Al Feldstein (former long-time editor of Mad magazine), Michelle Urry (cartoon editor of Playboy), Charles Brownstein (Director of Comic Book Legal Defense Fund), author Bob Levin (The Pirates and the Mouse), Jay Lynch (Nard & Pat), Art Spiegelman (Maus & In The Shadow of No Towers), Lalo Alcaraz (La Cucaracha), history professor Cindy McCreery and three editorial cartoonists: Joel Pett, Ann Telnaes and Tom Tomorrow.

The Festival is held every three years under the auspices of the Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library, a compendium of all sorts of cartooning publications (including comic books), comic strips and cartoon original art. The Research Library grew out of an initial donation of original artwork and manuscripts by Ohio State alumnus Milton Caniff many years ago. During this year's Festival an interesting collection of fan mail and original art for Caniff's two comic strips Terry and The Pirates and Steve Canyon was on display at the Cartoon Research Library's gallery.

Nicole Hollander

Nicole Hollander, cartoonist of the Sylvia comic strip, shared many amusing stories and anecdotes concerning the strip and some of the reactions it receives from its readers. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's staff wrote her a note requesting a recent strip original. According to Hollander, "I didn't want to send it. I shut them up by requesting money."

Some readers are bothered by the fact that Sylvia smokes they keep sending Hollander notes to get Sylvia to stop. Another fan objected to a comic strip that made fun of the rock musician Prince. The fan said, "I think he's more man than you can handle." Another disgruntled fan remarked, "Reading your strip is like talking to a leper." Oops.

The theme of this year's cartoon festival was censorship (hence the subtitle of "Deletions, Omissions and Erasures.") Hollander noted that, "A newspaper can cancel your comic strip and the syndicate won't tell you about it. The only way I ever find out is if a friend that reads that particular newspaper tells me."

Tom Batiuk

Tom Batiuk started off by saying, "I don't really do this kind of thing anymore (giving speeches about cartooning)." But then Festival organizer Lucy Shelton Caswell asked him if he believed in free speech. "Absolutely! I believe in free speech!!" Batiuk replied. "That's great," said Caswell, "because we want you to give one at Ohio State!"

The title of Batiuk's speech was "Ten Things That Need to be Censored" which was a witty way to comment about things that bug him about the comic strip business:

Number 10: Gary Trudeau—"Because I'm envious of him."
Number 9: Any kind of change—because newspaper readers don't like it. (Batiuk suffered a minor injury and was unable to draw Funky Winkerbean for a while so he enlisted another cartoonist to take over while he recovered. During this time he got nothing but complaints from readers who objected to the change in art style even though the substitute artist was comic book fan favorite John Byrne).
Number 8: Anything that isn't a gag. Readers only want funny stuff in their comics.
Number 7: The word "sucks."
Number 6: Anything that approaches an adult Point of View. —Comic strips are ONLY supposed to be kid's stuff.
Number 5: Anything that makes the target audience think.
Number 4: What you (the cartoonist) think.
Number 3: Religion—don't touch it (or irate readers will quote scripture at you).
Number 2: Politics—stay away (see Religion above).
Number 1: The truth.

Even though the above recital might seem to be the rant of a bitter cartoonist, Batiuk's speech was quite funny—and even good-natured. But the point is that there are so many critical readers out there that he felt it didn't leave him much leeway as a cartoonist.

Playboy Cartoon Editor Michelle Urry

Urry emphasized the importance of Playboy to the cartoon crowd by stating, "I buy approximately a million dollars worth of cartoons a year!" Besides her editorial duties at Playboy, Urry also serves as cartoon editor or consultant on other magazines like Good Housekeeping, The Cousteau Society, Modern Maturity and even an unnamed religious magazine. They all have their slants and restrictions. Modern Maturity doesn't want any cartoons about politics, money or sex. "The Cousteau Society doesn't like cartoons that make fun of 'tree huggers' or Smokey the Bear."

Urry showed many slides of gag cartoons from Playboy to show off the wide range of subject matter and approaches. Besides the expected sexy cartoons, many had political or social commentary.

Al Feldstein

Al Feldstein was the editor of Mad Magazine for over three decades. He told the festival audience about his beginnings in the comic book business and the career path that led to Mad. In the late 1940s, Bill Gaines became publisher of EC Comics after his father Max died in a boating accident. Being new, Gaines followed the current business model—flood the market with whatever type of comic book was popular at the moment.

Feldstein joined EC to produce a teenage comic called Going Steady with Peggy—modeled after the Archie comic books. It ceased publication when the teenage comic fad ended.

Joe Simon and Jack Kirby created a sensation with the first romance comic books. They became the best selling titles on the market. Fieldstein started drawing romance comics for EC. When sales dropped, Gaines looked for the next trend.

One day, Al said to Bill, "This is really dumb. You're publishing what sells. When the trend dies, you die. Stop being an imitator, be an innovator."

Together, they hatched the idea of producing a line of horror comic books. Then Gaines suggested they try science fiction. Feldstein had never read any but took to the genre quickly after reading a pile of sci fi pulp magazines.

Mad comics came about because Harvey Kurtzman needed another title to work on to increase his income. EC Comics had a brief run due to anti-comic book sentiment in the mid-1950s, chiefly stirred up by a book called Seduction of the Innocent. "I suddenly discovered I was one of the prime seducers," said Al.

The Comic Book Code came in, restricting what could be published. The anti-comics fervor put most comic book companies and artists out of business. EC Comics cancelled many titles and was struggling to survive. Mad switched from comic book to magazine. Al Feldstein lost his job in comic books and was wondering what to do next.

As fate would have it, a contract dispute between Mad publisher Gaines and Mad editor Kurtzman led to Kurtzman leaving and Fieldstein being invited back to EC. A profit-sharing agreement at Mad proved very lucrative for Editor Fieldstein over the years. After decades as cheif Mad-Man, he retired to Montana to paint western landscapes.

The Milton Caniff Tour

During lunch break on the first day of the Cartoon Festival (Friday October 15), I hiked across the somewhat wintry campus of Ohio State University to view an interesting art exhibit at the Cartoon Research Library gallery. It was called "Drawing Fire: Controversial Comics by Milton Caniff" and featured a combination of Terry and the Pirates / Steve Canyon original art along with fan letters and slam letters pertaining to the comic strips on display.

When character Raven Sherman died in a Terry and the Pirates strip, Caniff devoted a brief sequence to showing her burial. Some readers sent letters of condolences to the syndicate, often addressed to another character in the comic strip! But other readers criticized Caniff for showing the death of a main character in a comic strip. Some even accused him of hurting the moral fiber of the nation's youth.

Letters pertaining to other comic strips in the exhibit were from readers so outraged that they threatened to cancel their subscriptions to the newspaper while demanding that Caniff send a written apology to them for the "offense." From a 2005 vantage point, most of the so-called offensive comic strips seem pretty tame. However, I was glad that Caniff collected and saved the letters from his readers over the years. It showed that the life of a successful cartoonist is not all india ink and zip-a-tone.

Jay Lynch

Underground cartoonist Jay Lynch gave a highly entertaining talk on Saturday morning. I spent quite a bit of time with Lynch over the weekend and found him to be not only a droll wit but also quite a historian of American humor.

He started his talk by showing slides of favorite comics. "Here's Bunky from Snuffy Smith. Baby or midget—we don't know!" He showed the cover of Dandy Comics #5, a funny animal title from the 1940s drawn by Vince Fago. "I remember first looking at it while drinking out of a baby bottle."

Lynch considered E.C. horror comics an early high point. "Like watching a good B-movie," he said. But Lynch went even further in his praise by stating, "All modern culture was started or influenced by 225 Lafayette Avenue." (That was the home of both E.C. Comics and Paul Krassner's satirical mag The Realist.)

In the early 1960s, Jay Lynch and his cartooning cohorts were creating material for small press satire fanzines with names like Smudge and Wild. Many of these same cartoonists would go on to create the underground comix of the counterculture era.

Displaying perfect comic timing, Lynch showed a wacky example of underground cartooning: "Here's a slide of Gilbert Shelton's Set My Chickens Free!" After the briefest of pauses, Lynch continued, "LSD did play a role in these cartoons." This line brought down the house.

Summing up the influence of Harvey Kurtzman and Mad, Jay Lynch offered the following observation, "It's almost like Mad was an underground comic and we just continued it."

contact: Bruce Chrislip

Will Eisner passed away on January 3rd, 2005

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Will Eisner passed away on January 3rd, 2005
January 7, 2005

Will Eisner was a living legend in the comic book industry. A driving force in the 1930's & 1940's, his first work (two features: Harry Karry and The Flame) appeared in 1936 in Wow-What A Magazine!

A gifted writer, artist and businessman, his Eisner/Iger comic book shop produced hundreds of pages each month employing such historic names as Jack Kirby, Bob Kane, Lou Fine, Jack Cole, Reed Crandall and Matt Baker.

Eisner took a huge risk, venturing into unchartered territory with the innovative 16-page Spirit newspaper section. It was read by as many as five million people every week for twelve years.

"A Contract With God" by Will Eisner was the first modern graphic novel. His latest, The Plot, is due to be released later this spring by W.W. Norton.

CNW Receives American Spirit Award!! - 1/05

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CNW Receives American Spirit Award!!
January 5, 2005

Award winning cartoonists? Yep, that's us. Cartoonists Northwest has been named the winner of the Eighth Annual National Joseph Werner American Spirit Award. CNW received the gorgeous award plaque on behalf of all cartoonists "throughout America who are talented geniuses."

In recognition of the award, Cartoonists Northwest also received letters of congratulations from the governors of Washington and New York. Past recipients of the award include the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind; American hospital volunteers; Child Find of America; and the Dream Factory, Inc.