Christmas time is always, at least for me, a time of reflection and this year is no different.
I have spent the last fifty four years, on and off, being fascinated by art and cartooning. In the main, it has been comic strips and comic books that have held me in thrall, much to the dismay of my mother!
Well, it would have been, except for a sidebar to the collecting mania, record keeping. My handwriting had always been atrocious and because I wanted my lists of acquisitions to look smart... I tried, very hard, to write the lists well and that was seen, by my mum, as a positive thing.
I have been an amateur cartoonist for almost as long as I have been a collector.
The "magic" of three dimensional drawing and discovering that my father knew how to work that magic... and then disappointed me by demonstrating. But all he did was draw lines on paper!
Aaargh!
I don't know what I truly expected but the mundanity of that box, drawn with lines receding to a horizon line, wasn't it!
It wasn't magic!
However, I also, never forgot that first lesson and I have built upon it, often far too slowly, ever since.
One of the cartoonists I have seen lately, who has impressed me and made the climb from inspired amateur into the ranks of the paid professionals, is
Jay Fosgitt.
I love the way he manages to do what I have always dreamed of doing, drawing engaging comic strips and doing it so well!
Even the lettering is crisp, clean and cartoony...
Maybe, once, before I check out from this life, I will manage to do it too. Who knows?
Thank you and good night!
