Anne Gibbons - Cartoonist Survey #255

Anne Gibbons is an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and designer who is based in New York. After earning a B.A. in Sociology and a Masters in Physical Education, she spent a few years teaching Phys. Ed. She soon realized that teaching was not for her and decided to pursue a career in art. Anne began taking continuing education courses through the Art Students League, the School of Visual Arts and Parsons, where she studied under legendary cartoonist, Mort Gerberg.

Now close to 30 years later, her cartoons, illustrations and designs have appeared on just about everything including: greeting cards, newspapers, magazines, books, websites, t-shirts and more. Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Reader’s Digest, Ladies Home Journal and Redbook are just a few of the magazines that have printed her cartoons. She is a prolific creator of greeting cards and has left her mark on the greeting card industry. Recycled Paper Greetings, Marcel Schurman, Marion Heath and Pictura have all used her work. Admired by those in the cartooning community, Anne was honored by the National Cartoonists Society’s Division Award for Greeting Card category in 2000.

Anne’s humorous illustrations have also been used by many major corporations such as Lifetime Television, IBM, MasterCard, F. Schumacher and many others. Many of her cartoons have been reprinted in books, including “Crème de la Femme”, “This Could Be The Start of Something Stupid”, “When Cats Talk Back”, “Woman’s Glib: A Collection of Woman’s Humor” to name a few. As if all this weren’t enough, she has also been the Thursday cartoonist for the 'Six Chix' cartoons since 2007.

Anne lives in New York City with her husband, Ivan Braun, who is also a very creative individual. Be sure to go to Anne’s website to see more of her work, and you can learn more about the Six Chix strips here.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I love Globe Bowl Pointed mapping pens but now I "ink" on a Cintiq tablet.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I use a 4-H pencil so I can erase easily.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I color on the computer, using Photoshop for "Six Chix" cartoons and Illustrator for greeting cards.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
I used to use gouache, watercolors and watercolor dyes.

What type of paper do you use?
I do pencil sketches on Bienfang Graphics 360 100% rag paper and then scan in to "ink" on a Cintiq.

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

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I shop at local art supply stores in person, never big chains and never, so far, via websites.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
I try to meditate before writing and/or drawing but don't always get myself to do that.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I listen to Internet/radio programs about hair raising issues we don't hear about on mainstream media, programs about holistic health and old time radio shows.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I loved reading comics as kid and I remember enjoying "Bringing Up Father" and "Miss Peach” a lot.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I guess I'd say "Tintin" but I love many comic strips for different reasons, no one true favorite.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I didn't really have one.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I didn't go to art school formally. I have taken continuing education classes in drawing, cartooning and illustration at Parsons School of Design, the School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League.

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

Did either of your parents draw?
My father used to draw cartoon characters like Dick Tracy and Joe Palooka for fun.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My husband, Ivan and a very good friend named Karen.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes, always.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I taught a cartooning class to children ages 7 through 12. Didn't enjoy it enough (and didn't earn enough) to do it again.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Talent and passion are important, but having something unique to express and being disciplined about doing your best work are equally important, to my mind.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I don't collect anything. I'm always trying to get rid of things.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
I am drawing a complete blank here.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Something in holistic health.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I have a drawing board on a big wooden desk against one wall. Against the opposite wall is a table with iMAC and my Cintiq tablet on it. I swivel back and forth between them.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Find your own unique style and voice.

Who is your favorite artist?
Matisse.

Thanks again Anne!

Be sure to read the answers to the Cartoonist Survey from these other Six Chix cartoonists.

Rina Piccolo (Cartoonist Survey #54)

Stephanie Piro (Cartoonist Survey #65)

Benita Epstein (Cartoonist Survey #66)