Bill Hinds - Cartoonist Survey #247

Award-winning cartoonist Bill Hinds was born in April of 1950 in Houston, Texas. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where he was the cartoonist for the school newspaper, The Pine Log. While at S.F.A. he won a couple of journalism awards for his cartooning and also did some freelance for the Houston Post. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, he got married and joined the Air Force Reserve. He spent some time in active duty before being hired as a cartoonist by the Houston Chronicle. Bill was introduced to Jeff Millar, who at the time was the film critic for the Chronicle, by the Chronicle’s political cartoonist Clyde (C.P. Houston) Peterson. Jeff wanted to create a new kind of comic strip so when he and Bill got together they created the sports themed cartoon ‘Tank McNamara’.



Debuting in 1974, Bill and Jeff’s strip takes a sardonic look at sports through the eyes of ex-NFL defensive lineman turned local television sports reporter, Tank McNamara. The writing is done by Jeff and the drawing duties are handled by Bill. The strip, which has now been running for over 35 years and appears in over 300 newspapers, was named Sports Cartoon of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society in 1987. Bill and Jeff also collaborated on the comic strip ‘Second Chances’ which ran from 1996 through 2000 and featured Tank McNamara’s neighbors Nick and Kate.



Bill created, writes, and draws the cartoon feature ‘Buzz Beamer’ for Sports Illustrated for Kids. Since the magazine’s inception in 1989, ‘Buzz Beamer’ has been its most popular feature. When SI Kids went online, he began creating ‘Buzz Beamer’ animated shorts for the SIKids.com website. These cartoons run from 30 seconds to a minute and often feature the voices of Bill’s children. The ‘Buzz Beamer’ shorts are archived at Buzz’s Laugh Locker and are searchable by sport. In 2001 Bill won the National Cartoonists Society's New Media division award for his work on the Buzz animations.



‘Cleats’ is another of Bill’s comics strips. Launched in 2001, it follows a group of young kids who are on a soccer team together. It ran in over 75 newspapers at its peak. Last October Bill decided to end the strip, stating that he wanted to focus on other projects. About 30 newspapers are now running ‘Cleats’ in reruns and it can also be seen here at GoComics.



Bill lives in Spring, Texas with his wife Lisa and their three children. Be sure to visit his page at The Cartoonist Studio where you can learn more about him including his “A Day in the Life” write-up where he discusses his cartooning process. And if ‘Tank McNamara’ isn’t in your local paper, you can still read it by going to GoComics.



What is your favorite pen to use?

Copic Brush pen.



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

Yes, standard.

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

Computer.

What type of paper do you use?

32lb. Laser paper.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?

Doors through which dialogue comes. Stadium stands full of people. Football players lined up in a scrimmage line.

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

I do both.

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

No. Who has time for a ritual?

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?

I listen to old time radio shows. Mystery and detective stuff.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?

Comic books? I liked the Marvel comics. I have the comic book Amazing Fantasy No.15. Not a reissue, the real thing. I also have a fascination with off-brand stuff. The more obscure the better. I actually preferred magazines to comic books. MAD magazine was the best. I also enjoyed CarToons and SurfToons and Creepy magazines.



What is or was your favorite comic strip?

Besides the ones I get paid for? I like Monty. As a kid I enjoyed B.C. and Dennis the Menace. I like all the comic strips done by my friends. They know who they are.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?

"My Father's Dragon". Yes I do.



Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?

Uh–I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University.



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

Blessing.

Did either of your parents draw?

My mother was a bit of an artist.

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

My mother and my brother.

Do you keep a sketchbook?

No.

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?

Talent, although I don't think that choice comes up often. I suspect passion without talent would be either frustrating or annoying.

Do you collect anything and if so what?

I collect toothpick dispensers. I'll never understand why there are so many different kinds.

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

Mugsy, of Rocky and Mugsy, the Warner Bros. cartoon gangsters.



Are you a righty or lefty?

Righty, although I am left footed.

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

I would want to be a comedy writer.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.

I draw comic strips, a magazine cartoon feature and Flash animation.



Do you play any musical instruments?

No, but I'm a roadie for my son's heavy metal band.



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

Diversify.

Who is your favorite artist?

Can't say. I have thousands of favorites, and their styles and genres vary so much it would make no sense to try and pinpoint one or two.


Below is Bill's contribution to the Team Cul de Sac fundraising project which benefits Parkinson's Disease research. To Learn more about Team Cul de Sac visit the Team Cul de Sac blog.


Thanks again Bill!