Matt Wuerker - Cartoonist Survey #210

Matt Wuerker is an editorial cartoonist and illustrator who was born in California and now lives and works in Washington, DC. While earning his degree in International Affairs at Lewis and Clark College, he drew cartoons for the school’s newspaper, Pioneer Log. He graduated in 1979 and began working at Will Vinton’s animation studio in Portland, Oregon creating clay animated films. During this time he also illustrated a couple of books written by Dr. Laurence Peter (author of the "Peter Principle") and worked as a freelance cartoonist and illustrator for newspapers and magazines. In 1981 he got married and he and his wife moved to the Canary Islands. After a year out of the States, they moved to Los Angeles where Matt continued with his freelance work and also started working on a syndicated comic strip project with Dr. Peter. The single panel cartoon, “The Peter Principle” was launched in 1984 by United Feature Syndicate and ran for a couple of years until Dr. Peter’s health started failing. Matt started working in the animation field again in the mid-80’s, animating and designing music videos for the likes of Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Michael Jackson.

A couple years after his son Owen was born he realized that the music video business didn’t allow him to spend much time with his family, so he moved the family to Portland, OR to resume freelancing. Since that time, his cartoons have appeared in The Washington Free Press, LA Times, The Nation, Funny Times, The American Prospect, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor and many other publications. Matt and his family then moved Washington, DC and in 2006 he started working at Politico. He has been their editorial cartoonist and illustrator ever since. He also creates computer animations for Politico’s website. Collections of his cartoons have been published including, “Standing Tall in Deep Doo Doo” and “Meanwhile in Other News”. He also co-authored, “The Madness of King George” and illustrated, “Robbing Us Blind”, “Building Unions” and “Chaos or Community?”. Last year Matt was awarded both the Herblock Prize for excellence in editorial cartooning and the Clifford K. and James T. Berryman Award. He has also twice been a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in editorial cartooning. You can see much more of Matt’s work over at Politico and read his profile from The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. You can also try your hand at making your own cartoons with “The Cartoon Playground” over at the Funny Times website. All of the elements at the Playground were created by Matt.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I know I should be using nibs but I've become addicted to rapidographs. They're generally tidy and the ink holds up to watercolor.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I use pencil, 9 mm mechanical mostly.... lots of erasing too.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
All by hand, tube watercolors.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Sable watercolor brushes.

What type of paper do you use?
Fabiano bright white hot press watercolor blocks.

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

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

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

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Music sometimes but mostly chatter on the radio or cable news shows. I used to have an unhealthy interest in listening to Rush and evangelical radio shows but I've grown out of it.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I never got into any of the superhero stuff. Classics Illustrated were my faves... does that make me a nerd? I also liked Richie Rich and Archie. I guess that makes me more of a dweeb.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
In the regular daily comics I liked Peanuts and Broom Hilda.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
When I was little I loved Gwendolyn the Miracle Hen that had wonderful illustrations by Ed Sorel. My family also had a lot of Charles Addams books that I spent a lot of time with. I have copies of these still.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I've taken adult classes along the way at places like Otis/Parsons in LA and a painting class at the Corcoran here in DC but I'm self taught.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
A blessing, especially once they figure out how to put a little monetizing box on it.

Did either of your parents draw?
My dad would draw little cartoon figures on post cards I'd get at summer camp. I really loved those, usually goofy little boys or sometimes funny Prussians with pointy helmets. My mom has incredibly straight hand writing and speedball lettering skills she picked up as a school teacher. My Prussian helmets and my block lettering still can't hold a candle.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
Both of my parents, going way back to grade school days.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Fitfully.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, a number of different places, to adults, kids and even in the California Men’s Penitentiary (I was a guest teacher, not an inmate).

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion, even though personally I'm a throwback to thinking drawing matters. I remember a conversation with Matt Groening back before the Simpsons. I did a traditional political cartoon for the LA Weekly the same time they were running Life in Hell. We were talking about drawing and Matt made the point that it wasn't about a well rendered drawing but about an idea and attitude, and then he closed his eyes and, without looking once, did a lovely automatic drawing of Binky.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Lint is about it.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Dudley Do-Right.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Lefty ...all the way.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Work at the circus twisting up balloon animals.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Traditional drawing table in the middle of a bustling newsroom. Another desk with a computer and scanner right next to it.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I have tortured pianos and cellos and briefly a banjo in my life but I'm the least musical person on the planet.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Do your own thing and at the same time contribute something positive to the big conversation that's going on out there. Drawing skills are something to treasure and work on, but you need to have something to say. Contributing good humor is just as useful as trenchant insight.

Who is your favorite artist?
Can't answer that. It's too long a list of inspired people who've done such great things.


Thank you very much Matt!

And yes...this was yet another great interviewee suggestion from Mike Rhode at ComicsDC.

Chris Gash - Cartoonist Survey #209

Chris Gash is a freelance illustrator who lives and works in Edison, New Jersey and has been working professionally since 2000. He has a retro drawing style that is heavily influenced by illustrations of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Chris’s work includes everything from spot illustrations and covers for books, magazines and newspapers to illustrating children’s books. His client list is a who’s who of publications and includes, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, Golf Digest, USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Nickelodeon, Scholastic and Science Times, just to name a few. Chris is also an instructor of illustration at Montclair State University and has even had one of his courses included in the book, “Teaching Illustration” by Steve Heller and Marshall Arisman. See more of his work at his website and follow him on his blog.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I am a brush guy mostly, but I keep very fine Microns on my desk to touch up a line here or there (and I love a Sharpie on vellum).

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I lean on my pencils pretty hard and most mechanicals are just too brittle. I do all my sketches in black or indigo Prismacolor pencils.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I used to watercolor everything, but in order to be able to take on more work, I started coloring in Photoshop. Now the only painting I do is in my sketchbook.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Winsor & Newton watercolors, gouache and FW acrylic colored inks.

What type of paper do you use?
When I painted for work, I always used Fabriano watercolor paper. Now, since I am simply scanning the line art, I work on marker rag, trace or vellum.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
I don’t know if hate is the right word, but I’ve always struggled with four-legged mammals, or most of them anyway. It doesn’t matter if I spend hours looking at the anatomy or how much I try to simplify the shapes; it’s always a miserable task.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I don’t think I’ve ever bought supplies online. I like going to the store and so far I’ve managed to live near a Pearl or a Jerry’s for the past 15 years.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No ritual, but this makes me think I should have one.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Sometimes music, sometimes NPR, sometimes I put a movie in, something I’ve seen a hundred times that I don’t need to pay attention to…Harvey, Summer Stock, Rear Window, Royal Wedding. When it’s music it’s old - Artie Shaw, Hoagy, Bix, Cab, King Oliver; I could put Sweet Lorraine and Moonglow on endless repeat and be very happy.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I had only a handful of comic books as a kid; my real love for comics came much later, during college.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I loved Peanuts from a very early age, although I didn’t understand why it was so wonderful until many years later. It would be difficult to pick one all-time favorite, but Sam’s Strip is definitely up there near the top.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I can’t honestly say I remember a favorite book as a child, but I do have the contents of my entire childhood bookshelf about three feet away from where I’m sitting, so if I did have a favorite, I do still own a copy.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I have a BFA in illustration and I’m looking at Hartford for my MFA. I also had a three-year internship with Steven Guarnaccia, and I couldn’t possibly sum up how much I learned about comics, cartoons and illustration while I was there.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Google Image Search does make life easy. And the Internet unquestionably has made some work-related processes much easier and faster, but the constant communication and information can be tiresome.

Did either of your parents draw?
Neither. My closest relative who could draw was my mother’s cousin.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My mom always wanted me to be an artist. Anytime I even considered something else she always seemed so disappointed. Later on I had a handful of instructors who were extremely supportive throughout college. And my wife of course, she tolerates my artistic jealousies and other assorted mania beautifully.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I have several sketchbooks on my desk and in my bag, but I hardly draw in them every day. I always want to be one of those guys drawing on the subway that has to date their many volumes of sketchbooks, but it’s just not me.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I currently teach Illustration Concepts, a sophomore level illustration course and I love it.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
This is a tough question - does talent mean preternatural drawing ability only? I think driving passion, vision, and good ideas will take a so-so drawing a lot further than the other way around.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I collect those old boxed novelty gifts, the ones that say “Do it every morning, do it every night” with an amorous couple in bed and then you open the box and there are toothbrushes inside. And I have amassed quite a bit of vintage Santa Claus stuff. Comics goes without saying, I guess.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
The elf who wanted to be a dentist.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
I have no idea what I would do, honestly, that scares the heck out of me to even think about.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
There’s a small space in the center of my table for actual drawing, the rest is covered with supplies, books, assignments stacked in the order in which they have to be done, sketchbooks and the mountain of shavings spilling out of my pencil sharpener which I never empty, for no good reason. My computer and scanner are behind me at my non-drawing desk.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I played bass in a few bands when I was younger, and it was a lot fun, but then put it away to focus on illustration. I’ve been thinking about the ukulele, it has a beautiful sound.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Draw. And don’t be lazy.

Who is your favorite artist?
How about a few favorites, in no particular or logical order – Wayne Thiebaud, Claes Oldenberg, Lowell Hess, Charley Harper, Dan DeCarlo, Will Eisner, Gluyas Williams, Herge – I can keep going but I could never pick just one.

Thanks again for your time Chris.

Another thanks to Mike Rhode over at the ComicsDC blog for suggesting Chris. Good thing I don’t get paid for doing this or I’d owe him some money.

Steve Artley - Cartoonist Survey #207

Steve Artley is an editorial and freelance cartoonist who lives in Alexandria, Virginia. He started cartooning professionally in the 1980s. His father Bob Artley is also a cartoonist who worked for the Des Moines Tribune and The Worthington Daily Globe before going on to write and illustrate books. Steve is a member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists and his editorial cartoons are syndicated in the United States and Canada through Artizans. His work has been printed in publications such as the Washington Post, The New York Times, Newsweek, and Time. Steve draws between one and five cartoons a week and since the Spring of 2009 has been producing a weekly editorial cartoon that is featured on the opinion page of The Alexandria Times.

His cartoons have also appeared in congressional publications, text books and trade journals. He has twice been awarded the “Best Editorial Cartoonist of the Year” award from the Minnesota Newspaper Association and in 2009 received both First and Second Place from the Virginia Press Association News Contest. Steve has also participated in the International Cartoon Festival in Budapest, was a member of a team of American cartoonists who met with their counterparts in (then Soviet) Moscow and has been a guest at the White House. In addition to his editorial cartooning he creates cartoons and illustrations for advertising, packaging, websites and promotional materials and has taught classes in cartooning and theatre. Visit Steven’s artleytoons website, read his profile at the AAEC and browse through this collection of his editorial cartoons.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I use a variety of the commercial pre-filled drawing pens. Faber-Castell PITT, Zig Millennium, Pigma Micron. They come in various fixed point sizes, as-well-as brush. All use acid free, archival quality waterproof ink (like traditional India ink).

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Yes, I sketch in pencil first, using a Faber-Castell 9000 or Staedtler Mars Lumograph with HB lead. I like the feel of a wood pencil, although occasionally will use a mechanical lead-holder as well.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
For my published cartoon work, I color on the computer. After scanning in my hardline drawing in 300 dpi or higher, I adjust levels for a crisp black base. Next, I add layers in Photoshop using a graphics tablet and stylus to hand paint in the colors. The end product is a "flattened" TIF in RGB. I let each final user do the conversion to CMYK per their own specs for dot gain, etc. I also save a copy in Gray Scale, as many newspapers and a few magazines are black & white only.

What type of paper do you use?
Mostly, I use Strathmore 300 or 400 series bristol vellum surface, 100 lb stock.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I go to an art store. It's the one kind of shopping that I actually enjoy. Sometimes, I'll take an hour to browse through the store, chatting with the owners, or other artists.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No ritual, other than the chanting and a burnt offering. Seriously, I do some stretches, hand massage, set the lighting, turn on the radio, CD, or iTunes, maybe have a hot or cold beverage within reach (safely placed away from the art). Then, I jump right in.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Primarily, classical or jazz. Otherwise, NPR.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
For comic books, my favorites were Superman, The Flash, and Batman. For newspaper funny pages, I pretty much read every feature, other than Dr. Morgan, MD and similar of the more serious variety. My all time favorite comic satire was MAD Magazine.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
As a little kid, my favorite was House at Pooh Corner and Milne's books of poems, When We Were Six, and When We Were Very Young. Yes, I own the same ones that I had as a kid (with my added sketches in the margins).

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Some college, and various courses and classes throughout my life.

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

Did either of your parents draw?
My father is a cartoonist and illustrates books that he has authored and books that others have authored.

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

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Tons of sketchbooks.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I taught cartooning and theatre (two separate courses) at a private arts school in Minnesota. Loads of fun.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Yikes! This question would require an essay for proper answering. So, in essence I'd have to say talent is the mechanism you have on hand. Passion is its fuel.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Too many things. Art, antiques, books.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
A writer, actor, musician, or scientist (not necessarily in that order).

Do you play any musical instruments?
Used to play drums. Still play piano.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
I'd say there are basically three components that comprise a professional artist: talent, skill, and knowledge. Talent you are born with. Skill you hone (develop). Knowledge you acquire. So, practice your drawing, trying different techniques and media to develop your skill and acquaint you with various media to express yourself. Take classes! Also, study life drawing and still life. Develop a diverse portfolio. Be disciplined. After a time, you will settle on a preferred medium, and will see a unique (and hopefully marketable) style emerge.

Who is your favorite artist?
There are too many high in my stratosphere of admired artists for me to elect a favorite.

Thank you very much Steve!

A special thanks also goes out to Mike Rhode from the wonderful ComicsDC blog who suggested I send my Cartoonist Survey out to Steve.

Ann Telnaes - Cartoonist Survey #95

Editorial cartoonist, Ann Telnaes, was born in Stockholm, Sweden. She attended the California Institute of the Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, specializing in character animation. After college she worked as a designer for Walt Disney Imagineering. She started her career as an editorial cartoonist in the early 90’s. Her print editorial cartoons have been published in numerous newspapers such as, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, The New York Times. Ann has made many television and radio appearances including, NPR, The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, C-Span, and BBC radio. In 2001 she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. Her work was shown in a solo exhibition at the Great Hall in the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in 2004 as well as in Jerusalem and Paris. She switched from doing printed editorial cartoons to animated ones in 2008 and they are posted every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on The Washington Post's website. Ann is a member of the National cartoonist Society and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. She lives in Washington D.C. with her husband. Visit her website here and her blog here. See here animated editorial cartoons here at The Washington Post.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I use a brush for inking- Winsor Newton series 7, #2. Sometimes I'll use a brush pen, too.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
For my rough sketches I use a non-photo blue (or any light color) Prisma pencil.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
I color in PhotoShop.

What type of paper do you use?
For my inked finals, a 2-ply bristol, vellum.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
There's nothing I really hate to draw, just things I'm not very good at drawing. Anything mechanical.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I order online. I'm usually in a place where going physically to an art store is too time consuming.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No, just can't do final inkings first thing in the morning. Have to have coffee first.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
No, I listen to C-Span.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I read Peanuts, but my favorite was Thelwell's pony cartoons.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
I don't really follow comic strips now. Love the art of Wiley, Watterson, and Richard Thompson.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I still have a boxed collection of Thelwell.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I studied character animation at California Institute of the Arts. I was extremely fortunate to have both Bill Moore and Bob Winquist as teachers- learned everything I know about design and color from them.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
For me, overall it's been a blessing. People could access my work even when print clients chose not to publish my editorial cartoons and I can reach international audiences more easily. Also, the ability to gather reference material is invaluable for a freelancer like me.

Did either of your parents draw?
No- but my uncle, who died before I was born, did paint.

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

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes.

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?
Both are important; I've known several people who were incredibly talented but without the passion and drive, went nowhere.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I wouldn't say I collect them, but I have lots of books about art and cartooning.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
A UPA character.

Are you a righty or lefty?
I'm right handed.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Probably work in wildlife conservation.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I have two- a large kitchen counter and a big, open studio with a great view.

Do you play any musical instruments?
No- it would be painful if I did.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Really love what you do because you probably won't make a living at it- much less become rich and famous.

Who is your favorite artist?
One of my favorites is Alexander Calder.


Thank you again for your time Ann.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist, David Horsey is on deck. What are the chances of having two Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonists in a row?