R.I.P. Leo Cullum

Leo Cullum, retired airline pilot turned New Yorker cartoonist has died.  Cullum was 68 years old.  Mr. Cullum was a combat pilot in Viet Nam flying over 200 combat mission.  Upon leaving the service, he began flying for TWA.

His first cartoon appeared in the New Yorker in 1977.  Thanks for the laughs and the inspiration Mr. Cullum.

Tuesday Toon Up - Til Tuesday

Here's Tuesday's tune of the week - 'Voices Carry' by Til Tuesday.  Enjoy until next Tuesday.

Drawing Attention

There was a lot of talk at the Festival of Cartoon Art in Columbus last weekend lamenting the decline in employment opportunities for editorial cartoonists.  I tried editorial cartooning early in my newspaper career, but I was never very good.  How these folks are able to generate ideas so quickly, draw caricatures, etc. on a daily basis is truly an amazing skill.

Whether you love or hate a particular editorial cartoonist, at least they make you think.  Here's a video from TED.com about editorial cartooning.  Enjoy!

When Do They Serve The Wine

Here's a video interview with New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly.  Enjoy!

Like-minded People

I just returned from Columbus, Ohio where I attended the 2010 Festival of Cartoon Art at Ohio State University.  What a blast!  

Cartooning is a rather isolated endeavor, at least for me.  I was a newspaper cartoonist for 8 years and only met two cartoonists the entire time.  One was actually making a living at it.

Fifteen years later, thanks to the internet in general and Face Book in particular, I've made hundreds of people who share the same passion I have.  It's a great time to be alive!

Tuesday Toon Up - Michelle Shocked

I've spent a lot of time traveling this summer - from West Virginia to Nashville to Dallas, from Malta to Sicily to Columbus, Ohio.  This tune is for me because I've come a long way.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Toon Up - Pete Shelley

Back in my night club days, there was a local band called the Defectors who did a cover of this tune.  It would rock the house every time.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Bill Keane

 

Today is the birthday of 'Family Circus' creator, Bill Keane.  Mr. Keane turns 88 today!  Also, today is the birthday of the late Bob Thaves, creator of 'Frank and Ernest.'

Tuesday Toon Up - The Killers

I'm back from my vacation and thought I'd celebrate with a positive, upbeat song about jealousy and acrimonious disappointment.  The Killers hit it with 'Mr. Brightside.'  Enjoy!