Kevin McVey RIP

Kevin McVey, award-winning cartoonist for the Bergen Record, died peacefully on October 19, 2011. He was 83 years old. Services will be held on Sunday. There will also be Service of Committal on November 5th. More information here.

Born in the Bronx, Kevin McVey served in the Marine Corps in World War II, where he "stormed the beach at Waikiki."

After an honorable discharge, he attended the Art Career School, which was located on the top floor of the Flatiron Building, NYC.  His first art job was with the Ted Bates Advertising Agency. While working there, Kevin met Betty. They would be married for 52 years.

His next position was with the Bergen Record, drawing illustrations,cartoons and theatrical caricatures. His work was syndicated by the LA Times. His career spanned 26 years. During that time, Ho Ho Kus, NJ residents Kevin and Betty raised a son and daughter, Kitt and Christopher. Kevin made the time to co-found what would be the New Jersey National Cartoonists Society chapter and visited Vietnam with other cartoonists as part of the NCS-USO tours.

He won the National Cartoonists Society Division Award for Theatrical Caricature in 1984. Although he retired in 1989, Kevin did not rest. He continued to freelance and was an active hiker, with Harriman State Park being a favorite destination. He also loved sailing. The family welcomed their grandchildren, Kealey and Cooper.

Above: an undated Kevin McVey caricature of actress Valerie Harper, via the OSU Cartoon Research Library.


 Below is a remembrance from Tom Stemmle, National Cartoonists Society New Jersey Chapter Chairman:

  It's with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kevin McVey, co-founder, and a major force of what was later to become the New Jersey Chapter of the NCS. Kevin died late Wednesday. He had been quite ill since summer. He was 83 years of age.

    Kevin, along with the late Frank Evers, who was an editorial cartoonist for The New York Daily News and The New York Post, started gathering New Jersey cartoonists together in the mid-sixties to dine and talk shop. They called themselves "The Monthly Munchers." The group also pooled the talent amassed for civic good and visited hospitals, military installations and veterans hospitals. Some did the same on a national and international level, working with the NCS as part of a USO team.

    The Monthly Munchers received their charter in 1999 and became an official NCS Chapter. Kevin has served as a chapter chairman of the group. He was also the National Membership Chairman for the NCS for a few years.

    Kevin was born in the Bronx, he served in World War II, as a Marine in the Pacific, toward the end and a few years past 1945.

    After art school he began his career in advertising but realized his true love was freelancing. A few years later he was hired by The Bergen Record in New Jersey. He filled various positions as staff artist at the paper, which included editorial cartooning, court reporting as a sketch artist, and he created a weekly comic strip entitled "Castaway Corner." Soon he found his real niche when he was asked to cover Broadway and off-Broadway theater. Kevin's great ability to caricature made him a natural at this job. It led to national syndication too, when the L.A. Times asked him to do a feature called "Celebrity Cookbook". The Bergen Record, during this period was the largest circulated New Jersey evening paper. He thus became a part of a trio of artistic giants in the New York Metro area who covered the theater. In 1984 Kevin received a special NCS Reuben Category Award for Theater Art, beating out his peers Sam Norkin of the NY Daily News and Al Hirschfeld of the New York Times!

    In 2007, The NJ Chapter awarded Kevin the Tim Rosenthal Award for his over 40 years of dedicated service to the chapter. It was the first time in chapter history that an award was presented to a fellow member, solely voted on by his peers. It was more than well deserved! His unique and wonderfully funny meeting notice fliers sent monthly to members were part of the fabric of the chapter.

    It was an honor to call Kevin a friend and mentor. We, and the NCS, as a whole, will miss him dearly.

-Tom Stemmle, Chair
NJ Chapter

Above: October 24, 2007: Kevin McVey receives the Tim Rosenthal Award at the National Cartoonists Society New Jersey Chapter meeting. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corp. P.O. Box 81, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423, would be appreciated.

Kevin McVey obituary

Tom Spurgeon Comics Reporter

NorthJersey.com Obituary

Below: "Kevin McVey 'Theater Artist'" by Chip Defaa of The Record as reprinted in Cartoonist PROfiles #63, September 1984:

Video: Tomi Ungerer

Tomi Ungerer may be best known as a children's book illustrator, but his work encompasses much more than that. Here's a clip from the upcoming documentary abut him. The title for the film, FAR OUT ISN'T FAR ENOUGH, is taken from his book about his time living a self-sufficient life in Nova Scotia from 1971 to 1975.



I've bought a couple of copies of that book -- and always given it away to friends. At the moment, I am without it. FAR OUT ISN'T FAR ENOUGH is worth finding, especially if you are living an urban life and wondering what it would be like to give that all up.

Big hat tip to Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves.

Mike Lynch Illustration in July 2011 TATLER Magazine

The July issue of the UK mag TATLER is still on the stands in the States. I drew a couple of illustrations for one of their cover stories.

Although the article is not online, below is a peek at one of my illustrationa. It's always fun to draw a rich guy in spats and "Death" with the shroud and sickle. 

Video: Tom Gammill's "Learn to Draw #27" Meet Arnold Roth

Here's the 27th installment of Famous Cartoonist Tom Gammill's "Learn to Draw" series where, as you know, we don't really, actually, learn a lot. But it's great fun and we get to visit Arnold Roth's studio in this segment.

Oh, if this were a TV series, we'd be in the second season. (TV seasons typically run 22 episodes now.) For instance, if this was FRIENDS we'd be watching The One Where Heckles Dies. If it was SEINFELD, it would be, due to a shortened first season, the third season episode where Jerry and Elaine are stranded at the Long Island party ("Maybe a dingo ate your baby!). Oops. I digress. Here are Mssrs. Gammill (who DID write for SEINFELD - so I'm not too off topic here kinda sorta) and Roth (who's a brilliant award winning illustrator and former National Cartoonists Society president):



Related: Arnie Roth's HUMBLUG

CHEF'S HOLIDAY Illustrations by Roger Duvoisin

I picked up CHEF'S HOLIDAY (published by Longmans, Green & Co., 1952) in Otter Brook Books, a tiny used bookstore by the Maine/New Hampshire border. It's not on the Web and its free bookmark advises "call for exact location."



CHEF'S HOLIDAY by Idwal Jones is about Mr. Jones, a chef, going on a holiday. Well, duh. On the cover, the color painting is of Mr. Jones and wine-bearing friend eel fishing. This leads to eel cooking, of course. The cover and interior ink drawings are by Roger Duvoisin (1904-1980), who may be best known for his childrens books. He had won his first Caldecott Medal 4 years earlier for his illustrations for WHITE SNOW BRIGHT SNOW, which was written by Alvin Tresselt. (Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves has more about WHITE SNOW BRIGHT SNOW here.) I knew Mr. Duvoisin's work from his children's book PETUNIA.



Florian, the friend and guide for the book. As you can see, he loves food.


I love Duvoisin' thick and thin lines. Even non-living things have character, you know?





Above: some of the supporting cast.


A small, half page illustration. Again: simple, almost cartoony -- but the precise, spare drawing evokes a place and a mood succinctly.




Above is the picture that made me buy the book. Those little eels, poking their heads out to check Mssrs. DuPart and Jones were great to see (and, according to Mr. Jones, they really did poke their heads out, looking "like walking sticks"). Why the cover painting excludes the curious eels, I don't know.


These are just a few of the drawings.


This first edition was autographed by Mr. Jones, in French, to Mlle. Dorothy Friedman (sp?), on September 6, 1956.

Drawing THE HONEYMOONERS

A selection of HONEYMOONERS illustrations by some great illustrators via Drew Friedman!

"In 1991, CBS VIDEO hired 20 illustrators (including myself) to create the VHS cover box art for the 'Classic 39' TV episodes of 'The Honeymooners,' starring Jackie Gleason, 'with the stars Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph,' released on 20 cassettes, each containing two shows. The illustrations were art directed by the famed Lou Dorfsman, who years earlier had created the iconic CBS logo. They've since been relegated to the dust-bin of VHS history, so I wanted to revive them here. These are some of my favorites, starting with the legendary Al Hirschfeld's illustration depicting 'THE GOLFER.'"

Graphic Artists Guild Files Appeal Against Illustrators' Partnership

The Graphic Artists Guild has appealed the appellate judge's decision this week to dismiss the defamation lawsuit against The Illustrators' Partnership. Here's the press release:

Guild Files Notice of Appeal in Dismissal of Defamation Lawsuit

On April 26, the Guild filed a notice of appeal in the dismissal of the defamation lawsuit filed in the Fall of 2008. The Guild strongly disagrees with the judge's ruling in this case. For clarification purposes, the lawsuit is a defamation lawsuit regarding statements made by the defendants named in the lawsuit. It has no connection to the Orphan Works bill of 2008, or the Google class action lawsuit. Our statement on the notice of appeal can be downloaded here. An informational article on reprographic royalties can be read in our archived news.

Video: Anton Emdin Inks

Here's award winning illustrator Anton Emdin warming up with his brush and ink:



Here's Anton inking a drawing:

Michigan Bans Ralph Steadman and Beer

The Michigan Liquor Commission has banned a beer with rude name and a label by Ralph Steadman.

"The Michigan Liquor Commission has banned a beer because it is ‘detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare’.

"But the contents of each bottle isn’t what’s upset the sensitive officials. Instead they object to its rather offensive name.

"Raging Bitch, which sells 900,000 cases worldwide, was also censored because of its label which depicts a blood splattered rabid dog drawn by artist Ralph Steadman."

The Daily Mail has the rest here.

Hat tip to Comics Reporter.

THE GIANT GOLDEN BOOK OF BIRDS Art by Arthur Singer

It's not cartoons, but I love the art in this 49 year old classic book.


Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves is a tribute blog, penned by B. Streetman. She shows us the known and unknown childrens' books. Some are classics, some deserve to be better remembered.

Today, it's a bird book.

Click here to see some gorgeous art by Arthur Singer for THE GIANT GOLDEN BOOK OF BIRDS by Robert Porter Allen (Golden Press, 1962). Singer also designed the book.

Lots of Videos from the Society of Illustrators

From the Society of Illustrators:

New Lectures available to view online!

An Evening with Edel Rodriguez

Award-winning illustrator Edel Rodriguez will discuss his career as both a freelance illustrator and art director at TIME.

DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: Or, another evening at the Society of Illustrators

Join Rick Meyerowitz as he interviews fellow National Lampoon illustrators Sam Gross, Ed Subitzky and Stan Mack on the release of his new book "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead: The Writers and Artists Who Made the National Lampoon Insanely Great".

The Folly, Flexibility and Fun of Five New Yorker Cartoonists

New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly moderates a panel discussion with colleagues Roz Chast, Drew Dernavich, Zach Kanin and Barbara Smaller.

An Evening with Jules Feiffer

Illustrator Jules Feiffer discusses his career as a cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter and children's book author and illustrator.

The Universe of Gary Baseman

Pioneering artist Gary Baseman talks about the work process behind his painting and his memorable characters and toys which have evolved into live performance.

Illustrating Bedtime Books with Stephen Savage

Known for his economical style of illustration that conveys complex ideas and emotion with simple line and color, Stephen Savage takes us through his career in children's book illustration with the release of his latest book The Fathers Are Coming Home.

A Gallery Talk with Tomer Hanuka, Yuko Shimizu and Sam Weber

Hanuka, Shimizu and Weber examine their new found artistic voices through personal mythologies, broken narratives and remixed identities.

An Evening with Milton Glaser

Legendary designer and illustrator Milton Glaser comments on the opportunities for social intervention.

Lectures are free and available to view on the Society's website. Past lectures can be found in the Lecture Archive.

Video: Arnold Roth

Veteran illustrator Arnold Roth talks with Bob Teitelman (Editor-in-Chief) and Larry Gendron (Art Director) about creating his fantastic year-end cover to The Deal magazine.



Related: a gallery of Arnie Roth's The Deal covers here.

2011 Mike Lynch Projects

Above: Mike Lynch by Mike Lynch. A self portrait of me from an old sketchbook, six years before I quit my regular day job to become a full-time freelance cartoonist. Notice the hunched shoulders. Ugh. What a time that was.

Anyway ...

Happy Birthday, Mike Lynch

Today is my birthday!

On this self-congratulatory day, I'm going with that theme, and telling you about some Mike Lynch projects out there.

You already know about my cartoon in the Wall Street Journal this past weekend.

I also have some cartoons in some of the few remaindered Barnes & Noble 2011 CAT CARTOON A DAY and DOG CARTOON A DAY calendars. (No hyperlink for these. They are unavailable online. You have to go to the B&N store. Go figure.)




On the stands this month, LAUGHTER REALLY IS THE BEST MEDICINE has lots of cartoons by me and some of my cartoonist pals (Dave Carpenter, John Caldwell, Roy Delgado, Scott Arthur Masear, Dan Reynolds and the one and only Harley Schwadron), plus many stories and quotes from Reader's Digest.



STAY TOONED Magazine has an interview with me, Mike Lynch, in issue #6, due out soon. It's editor John Read's "All Mike Issue," featuring cartoonist Mikes Arnold, Cope, Edholm, Jantze, Marland, Maslin and Shapiro. Mike Ramirez provides the cover.




Ed Breslin's memoir about how his beloved dog, Miss Dutchie, helped him deal with alcoholism, DRINKING WITH MISS DUTCHIE, is scheduled for a March, 15, 2011 release date from Macmillan. I drew the cover art, as well as the interior endpapers. I'm particularly proud of this.

In addition to all this, it's my privilege to, once again, be the 2011 National Cartoonists Society Awards Coordinator. Entries are accepted until February 6, 2011 for cartoons published in 2010. All details here.

Ernie Bushmiller Coaster

Here's a holiday gift giving idea!

The above Ernie Bushmiller coaster is part of the Society of Illustrators Notable Members Coaster Set, one of a set of six, all for $15 from the Society. "Enjoy a drink while admiring rare photos of NOTABLE MEMBERS from the Society of Illustrators archives." The high quality paperboard coaster line up includes these "gone but not forgotten" SI members:

• JON GNAGY, America’s first televised art instructor
• WALTER BAUMHOFER, Illustrator of the Doc Savage pulp series
• ERNIE BUSHMILLER, Nancy and Sluggo’s dad
• CHARLES ADDAMS, Macabre cartoonist and creator of the Addams Family
• MILTON CANIFF, Author/illustrator of the “Steve Canyon” and “Terry and the Pirates” comic strips
• TOM LOVELL, Pulps, magazines, historical, Western. He did it all superbly.

Set of six collectible coasters to impress your friends and colleagues.

NYC: Sandra Boynton's First Ever Art Show

New York City's Books of Wonder hosts Sandra Boynton's first art show. Sandra will be in NYC one day only, this Saturday from noon until 2pm, performing some songs (with Michael Ford, Keith Boynton, Graham Stone and Caitlin McEwan). She will then sign her new book, AMAZING COWS, an homage to old comic book superheroes ... and cows. So, come on in to Books of Wonder this Saturday if you are able.

Below: here she is on Fox Business, with host Robert Gray, previewing her gallery show, her timeless appeal, and talking about the future of her work.

Anton Emdin's Drawing Process

My friend Anton Emdin (who won the Best Illustration Award at the annual Stanley Awards this past November 6th) has a grand blog entry wherein he shows his sketch-to-finish process for the above piece, intriguingly titled "Schmaltzed to Death."

DR WHO Art Noveau

Above: the 11th Doctor Who's companion Amy Pond drawn in art nouveau style -- wearing, of all things, the Fourth Doctor's scarf! Hmm.

Bill Mudron has a grand collection of illustrations celebrating DR WHO.

To see all: Charlie Jane Anders at io9 has a gallery of them.

Hat tip to Life, Doctor Who and Combom.

Jack Davis Album Covers

There is so much to love in a Jack Davis drawing: the energy, those crazy caricatures, how alive those pen lines are. These are works of art to linger over in awe. The Hairy Green Eyeball blog shares some of his grand album cover art from back in the days of LPs. Go look.

Arrested for Sketching

Ram Hull draws with a forbidden fat marker in Wichita's Riverside Park on August 21, 2010. He is an illustrator for the WSU paper the Sunflower. Photo by Fernando Salazar/The Wichita Eagle.

Dateline: Wichita, Kansas:

You are an artist. You are outside, sketching. It's your job.

Then the local police see what you are doing and arrest you. You will be in jail up six months and fined up to $1,000. Hey, they are just doing their job.

As The Wichita Eagle's Tim Potter writes:

Wichita police say a new ordinance outlawing broad-tipped markers and spray paint on or near public property will give them a needed tool to fight an increasing graffiti problem. But a few days after the City Council approved the ordinance, some residents say they worry that innocent people who use the materials for legitimate purposes, such as artwork, could be fined or jailed.

Under the law, expected to receive final approval Tuesday, people are banned from having spray paint, broad-tipped markers and other potential graffiti tools on or within 100 feet of public property. Violators can be fined $250 to $1,000 and jailed for up to six months.

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2010/08/23/1458334/citys-graffiti-law-stirs-up-worries.html#ixzz0xQxf4Nqn

Gerald Scarfe Draws His Second Album Cover

Or do you say "CD cover" or "iTunes JPG?"

Gerald Scarfe drew the iconic cover to Pink Floyd's THE WALL. Now he's doing his second album cover.

Anyway, poet Philip Larkin is to have a record out on the 26th of this month, commemorating the 25 years since his death. Titled LARKIN'S JAZZ, this new collection (to quote Bruce Lindsay's essay at AllAboutJazz)

" ... contains 81 of the tunes that he loved and enjoyed from his early-teens, beautifully packaged with detailed essays and notes. The cover illustration is by noted cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, whose only previous album cover was Pink Floyd's The Wall."

Related: The book GERALD SCARFE: THE MAKING OF PINK FLOYD: THE WALL to be published in September 2010.


Also related: Gerald Scarfe: Heroes & Monsters at the German Museum for Caricature.