33 Comments
User's avatar
Scott Neumyer's avatar

Love this little behind-the-scenes look at the process!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Ursula King's avatar

I liked this journey of your cartoon because I think it has a lot to teach people...be flexible, be content to try until it works, be persistent, and be happy with the process. What you learn in the process and the end result might be great! Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you!! And I learned stuff in photoshop!

Expand full comment
Fiber and Other Yarns's avatar

Thanks for showing, once again, that the process can be as interesting as the final product is enjoyable!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

I really appreciate that, thanks, Jo.

Expand full comment
AmericanHistoryGeek's avatar

Love the seagull right down front. Completes the scene nicely. Thank you for sharing your process. Enjoy the long weekend!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
John Sherwood's avatar

I read the drawing as a helicopter mother instructing her child In how to have fun. It also works as a big sister but I think I like the mother better. Either way a wonderful piece. Congratulations.

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Thomas M Gregg's avatar

Or how about: "Now don't let me catch you teasing the sharks!"

Seriously, though, thanks for the insight into your creative process. Writing fiction, which I do when I'm not posing as a pundit, also involves matching words to pictures—though the latter remain in one's head.

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Anne Kelly's avatar

Congratulations! I can imagine the thrill that comes with a notification they’re using your artwork! Thank you for the look behind the cartoon!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

It’s always a thrill!!

Expand full comment
DeeDee D's avatar

that was fascinating to witness the various iterations! Thanks Liza...

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you DeeDee!

Expand full comment
Valerie's avatar

Congrats, well deserved, this is great. So true to these times ... where I live, it's not a yell but a squeal. A series of squeals, actually! That goes for reacting to waves or getting in a pool. All genders/ages of kids. But yell is more impactful overall. Nicely done!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you! Squeal is a great word, should have used it!

Expand full comment
Gérard Mclean's avatar

🩷 I find no scene from my back deck is complete without a bird... or two. 😁

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

I agree!

Expand full comment
Terri Grayum's avatar

Woo hoo! Congratulations! Love this, and your story of “fixing” it for publication.

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Patrick Houston's avatar

Donnelly, this is when you’re at your very best! While you have your unique POV on politics and culture etc. -- as you did during the Trump - Jean Carroll trial -- I like you best when your wresting your humor against the world’s injustices. Elucidating us about your cartoons -- and humor -- is what piques this fellow writer. I love the inside look at your creative process. And, OMG, you have such an elite status -- you get published in the damn New Yorker!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Wow, thank you. Good to know what resonates! I love the machinations of the creative process when I read it from others… so glad this was fun for you too. So glad you’re here, thanks!

Expand full comment
D.L. Lee | SISTERLY LOVE's avatar

Clever you! Sacrificing those powerful verbs then restoring the tone with clouds and color 😉

Expand full comment
Chuck Yanikoski's avatar

Well done, Liza, and congrats on the acceptance.

Expand full comment
Katy's avatar

I agree with everything posted. Just want to wish you a Happy 4th of July weekend as well!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you!

Expand full comment
Andrew's avatar

I do love your final version. It really completes the beach atmosphere, where the drafts seemed less lively and the figures in the foreground looked "placed' as onlookers of the central characters. Now everything is in balance. The gull and the blanket with no one present are always beach features. Lovely!

Expand full comment
Liza Donnelly's avatar

Thank you, I agree it came out better and I learned something!

Expand full comment