How
did you get involved with the Big Grin?
The idea for the Big Grin Cartoon Festival came about three years
ago right here in the Wax Bar where art nights are held regularly.
There was a guest cartoonist and by the end of the night everyone
was having a go at drawing so along with the owner of the Wax Bar
Kate Fletcher we decided it would be a good idea to hold a festival.
How did you become a freelance cartoonist?
I always loved drawing as a child so I decided to go to Art College
and went on to becomes a graphic designer. In 1976 I decided to
do cartooning full time and I've been doing it ever since.
What newspapers have you worked for?
I've done Private Eye, The Guardian, Punch Magazine and The Radio
Times. I was recently commissioned to do a strip for The Guardian
on Euro 2004 to do with Des Lynam and he liked them so much he wants
to buy them.
What does it take to be a great cartoonist?
Well most importantly you need to have creative ideas which is probably
more important than the drawing itself. Personality wise you need
to have a thick skin and get used to rejection. Even professionals
often get worked turned, including me. Just persevere and don't
be put off. Your talent will see you through in the end.
What's the best way for someone to submit work
to magazines?
The person you need to send your work to is either the Cartoon Editor
if they have one or if not the Art Editor. You need to gain experience
and confidence in your work and when you have enough the best thing
to do is build your own website to display your work. Obviously
this takes time but eventually that's the route you need to take.
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The Big Grin may have finished last Sunday, 11th
July, but the show still goes on. You can still see the following
exhibitions:
Olympic Flam
VENUE: NCN Art Department Gallery
Sat 10th & Mon-Fri until the end of August
2DTV
VENUE: Broadway's Mezz
Until the end of August
Thomas Henry Fisher
VENUE: West End Gallery, St. Mary's Church
Until the end of August
Hung, Drawn & Slaughtered
VENUE: Lace Market Hotel Lobby
Until the end of July
Papas. politics, people, places
VENUE: The Community Gallery, Galleries of Justice. Until the
end of August
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