Some great drawings/cartoons. I especially like the Thurber (Stop Me, great energy), and Sempe's reflecting puddles and the bicycles. Stieg's Joy Unconfined reminded me a bit of Bearsdley.
I so love the one you showed by William Steig - when I was a boy, we got Saturday Evening Post and a couple more I can't remember. I couldn't wait to see the drawings, thanks so much for doing this today.
They are all simple and simply outstanding. I especially love Sempe's Reflections. It's the idea behind it, plus the execution. Steig's unconfined dancers are brilliant; I hear the music. When I was a sprout, I read and reread Thurber's The 13 Clocks. Steig's dog's intense stare at the subject as he is about to set brush to canvas is palpable. Thanks, Liza, for sharing.
Loved these daily thoughts. I can see Thurber as an influence… as well as the others. One of my favorites was George Booth… always immediately recognizable and perfectly in tune with the frustrations and absurdity of daily life.
I miss the Booth and Chas. Addams pieces. I traditionally thumped through The New Yorker from back to front to find my favorites. Then I learned to read the table of contents to find artists and poets I liked. Simple joys.
A gem I’m sharing as soon as I finish writing this - with my children, nephew and son in law (the three of them extraordinarily gifted) but especially with my grandson who hopes to make illustration his livelihood. Thank you 🙏
I wasn't familiar with Sempé's work. Love his lines, and especially his street musicians. I grew up with so many wonderful "draw-ers," especially Thurber and Steig, whose "Joy Unconfirmed," absolutely delights me. And Otto Soglow. What brilliant communication with just black lines. These days everything is sort of filled-out, leaving less for the imagination. Thanks for bringing these up front. They're wonderful. More.
I began my love affair with Thurber at the age of five when my mother read to my sister and I, “The Thirteen Clocks,” a book I treasure more than my beloved Jane Austen. Thurber did not illustrate this magical tale but Marc Simont, a Paris political cartoonist and enchanting illustrator. When I was ten years old, my teacher allowed me to read aloud to my 5th grade class, weekly installments of The Thirteen Clocks. Later, my mother performed in a local theatre in “A Thurber Carnival” and I read that as well. I now have a collection of his writing. I must admit, no cartoonist since has matched his ingeniously absurd humor in cartoons - situations and expressions. His growing loss of sight seemed to help as the people and dogs seemed to stream from his pen creating their simple essence. He was so very special.
thanks for the artistic insight...interesting difference twixt the creative arts for sure...the totally fragile - sometimes surprisingly different - destination of the final statement. does that happen in your drawings or do you know exactly 'where' you're going? musically speaking, i find a lyric is more established at the outset than the 'way' (music) of expressing it.
I do not always know where I’m going! The lines and my brains reaction work together. Interesting to hear about musical composition- would love to hear more.
I think I need some more on this. I feel like I could use some guidance on what to look for in the lines, how to characterize them, maybe what makes them different. I don't need in-depth analysis to enjoy these drawings but I really like hearing about you craft.
Liza, I enjoyed your sample line cartoonists. As a lifelong cartoonist my favorite besides the three you mentioned is R. O. Blechman with his wiggly, nervous understated drawings. He also illustrated the classic by Leo Rosten: "the new Joys of Yiddish."
Some great drawings/cartoons. I especially like the Thurber (Stop Me, great energy), and Sempe's reflecting puddles and the bicycles. Stieg's Joy Unconfined reminded me a bit of Bearsdley.
I so love the one you showed by William Steig - when I was a boy, we got Saturday Evening Post and a couple more I can't remember. I couldn't wait to see the drawings, thanks so much for doing this today.
They are all simple and simply outstanding. I especially love Sempe's Reflections. It's the idea behind it, plus the execution. Steig's unconfined dancers are brilliant; I hear the music. When I was a sprout, I read and reread Thurber's The 13 Clocks. Steig's dog's intense stare at the subject as he is about to set brush to canvas is palpable. Thanks, Liza, for sharing.
Loved these daily thoughts. I can see Thurber as an influence… as well as the others. One of my favorites was George Booth… always immediately recognizable and perfectly in tune with the frustrations and absurdity of daily life.
I miss the Booth and Chas. Addams pieces. I traditionally thumped through The New Yorker from back to front to find my favorites. Then I learned to read the table of contents to find artists and poets I liked. Simple joys.
Me too
A gem I’m sharing as soon as I finish writing this - with my children, nephew and son in law (the three of them extraordinarily gifted) but especially with my grandson who hopes to make illustration his livelihood. Thank you 🙏
Such a pleasure - you add so much to my life!
I wasn't familiar with Sempé's work. Love his lines, and especially his street musicians. I grew up with so many wonderful "draw-ers," especially Thurber and Steig, whose "Joy Unconfirmed," absolutely delights me. And Otto Soglow. What brilliant communication with just black lines. These days everything is sort of filled-out, leaving less for the imagination. Thanks for bringing these up front. They're wonderful. More.
your drawings provoke thought...they are both visually enjoyable and brain teasers...lots of artists try for that, some, like you, succeed..Brava!
I began my love affair with Thurber at the age of five when my mother read to my sister and I, “The Thirteen Clocks,” a book I treasure more than my beloved Jane Austen. Thurber did not illustrate this magical tale but Marc Simont, a Paris political cartoonist and enchanting illustrator. When I was ten years old, my teacher allowed me to read aloud to my 5th grade class, weekly installments of The Thirteen Clocks. Later, my mother performed in a local theatre in “A Thurber Carnival” and I read that as well. I now have a collection of his writing. I must admit, no cartoonist since has matched his ingeniously absurd humor in cartoons - situations and expressions. His growing loss of sight seemed to help as the people and dogs seemed to stream from his pen creating their simple essence. He was so very special.
thanks for the artistic insight...interesting difference twixt the creative arts for sure...the totally fragile - sometimes surprisingly different - destination of the final statement. does that happen in your drawings or do you know exactly 'where' you're going? musically speaking, i find a lyric is more established at the outset than the 'way' (music) of expressing it.
I do not always know where I’m going! The lines and my brains reaction work together. Interesting to hear about musical composition- would love to hear more.
You just made my Saturday!
❤️
Wonderful share! Thank you so much! ☺️
I think I need some more on this. I feel like I could use some guidance on what to look for in the lines, how to characterize them, maybe what makes them different. I don't need in-depth analysis to enjoy these drawings but I really like hearing about you craft.
It’s hard to describe!!
Oh, that helps----no, just kidding---art is like that. At least, I find it is. A mystery to some extent. A pleasure to do and to appreciate. A gift.
Liza, I enjoyed your sample line cartoonists. As a lifelong cartoonist my favorite besides the three you mentioned is R. O. Blechman with his wiggly, nervous understated drawings. He also illustrated the classic by Leo Rosten: "the new Joys of Yiddish."
Yes- love Blechman!
Thank you for being here. Your photos, drawings and writing help in getting through the day!
You are welcome!!
Your thoughts on drawing help me, and I’m sure others, enjoy viewing drawings even more. Thanks
I’m glad!