Yaakov Kirschen - Cartoonist Survey #97

Cartoonist Yaakov Kirschen was born in 1938 in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Queens College in 1961, where he studied art. He worked awhile for Norcross, drawing humorous greeting cards, before freelancing for Cracked magazine. He then went on to draw cartoons for Playboy. In the late 60’s he became an anti-Vietnam War activist and in 1971 he moved to Israel. In 1973 he began drawing a daily editorial strip called Dry Bones. Dry Bones is an Israeli political cartoon strip that was published in the English-language newspaper The Jerusalem Post from 1973 to 2008. It is now syndicated in America by Cagle Cartoons and Dry Bones is also a regular feature in 40 newspapers across Canada and the U.S. Yaakov’s work has been reprinted or quoted by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Time magazine, CNN and others. Learn more about Dry Bones and Yaakov at his website and follow him here on his blog.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Sharpie.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Nope.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Computer.

What type of paper do you use?
Printer paper.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Caricatures.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Local.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Nope.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes, all kinds, and old radio shows.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
Yes, Little Lulu and Captain Marvel.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Can't Say.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
Tom Swift and his Trip to Mars. Nope.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Queens college NYC. Painting.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Blessing.

Did either of your parents draw?
Mother.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Everybody.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Many, Many, Many, Many.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
No.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Ukuleles, vintage musical instruments and American Flyer trains.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
No idea.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Game designer.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Messy, cluttered, littered.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Ukulele.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Inherit money.

Who is your favorite artist?
Too many to name.

Thank you Yaakov!

Next time at David Wasting Paper is cartoonist and illustrator Ted Dawson.