Bill Janocha nnnn
Stamford, Connecticut
The drawing tool(s) I can’t live without … is a No. 2 pencil — ever essential. Pens I continue to experiment with, but I use an extra-fine Sharpie for quick pieces, and regular india ink and pen nibs for standard art. Music, TV — if I have something on while drawing, it’s usually … music. Never TV. Music inspires; TV detracts. If there’s one thing I could change about my style — or how I work — it’s … that I could ink faster using a crow quill. Three people I admire — in cartooning or not — are … Dr. Seuss, Sparky Schulz and painter Andrew Wyeth, now all gone. Can I add Johnny Hart? One thing the NCS doesn’t know about me is that … I was raised by wolves in the Black Forest. I’m currently reading … No Limits by Michael Phelps, who signed this copy to me in December. I’d love to see the Reuben Weekend held
I am the most creative … during the regular hours of 10-6, with evenings being family time. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s … that great friends and creators pass, but the industry pushes on. Other than that, I’m still experiencing life to see what else it can teach me. I’d like to be remembered for … a comic feature or film yet to be created — let’s hope the best is yet ahead!
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THENATIONALCARTOON!ST
Anne Gibbons nnnn
Bronx, New York
The drawing tool(s) I can’t live without … are Speedball B-6 nibs, Globe Bowl pointed mapping pens and Strathmore 2-ply Bristol. And although I came kicking and screaming into computer graphics, I now also need and love the Wacom tablet, Photoshop and Illustrator.
and I believe will continue to be — utterly spineless against corporate/government criminality. I also admire cartoonist Tom Toles, who seems to nail it every time.
Music, TV — if I have something on while drawing, it’s usually … something I can only listen to if my drawing is far enough along that I don’t have to think. At that point I enjoy listening to radio programs archived on the internet. Sometimes radio dramas or music, more often thought-provoking political programs, programs about holistic health or interviews with authors and artists.
I’m currently reading … stacks of articles printed out from Web sites I like about politics, the economy, the mess we’re in and how to get out of it. I used to read only fiction, but that seems impossible to me these days.
If there’s one thing I could change about my style — or how I work — it’s … nothing.
I am the most creative … when I shut everything else out and just concentrate. No music, no phone calls, no nothing.
Three people I admire — in cartooning or not — are … former Congress member Cynthia McKinney and present Congress member Dennis Kucinich, because they’ve had the courage to tell the truth and take a stand while most of Congress has been —
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s … always a challenge to shut everything out!
One thing the NCS doesn’t know about me is that … I love ocean kayaking.
I’d love to see the Reuben Weekend held … in an inexpensive place that more members could afford to come to.
I’d like to be remembered for … telling the truth as I see it in as humorous a way as possible.
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… in Boston, Baltimore (to visit Geppi’s Entertainment Museum) or Las Vegas!
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Doug Pike nnnn
Scottsdale, Arizona
The drawing tool(s) I can’t live without … is a pencil. Music, TV — if I have something on while drawing, it’s usually … jazz or classical music. If there’s one thing I could change about my style — or how I work —
“I believe I said, ‘Sell my American Dental stock and buy me $50,000 worth of their debentures.’”