thank you for introducing us all to Mr. Weber. What sweetness and humanity he had. I'd seen some of his work, but didn't know anything about him. (I knew your work and never knew you're a woman until Substack!)
Also, growing up in NYC I also really liked water towers. They felt like a symbol of safety. Don't know why, because I never thought of water as a diminishing resource in those days. Keep drawing them! Maybe we'll both figure out their compelling appeal.
You totally are. You are the only one who makes so many opportunities to connect in real time and over recorded-live video. You talk to us like we have a “real” relationship and it succeeds in creating real affinity. Real real real even though of course it is observed and therefore performance.
When I was a television news anchor, the "dean of local television news" deadpanned at a promo photo shoot, "Sincerity. That's the key." (pause) "Once you learn to fake that, you've got it made." (everyone laughs) But like every good joke, there's truth in it.
@Ruth Ann, have you read Naomi Klein's new book Doppelganger? She explores this real/not real aspect of media in a really great way.
I also feel there is a lot of realness in what you are doing with Seeing Things, @Liza. There's an openness and willingness to share everyday thoughts, vs curated ones, that I love.
Water towers make me think of what is inside them. A vast space, echoey and dark with perhaps some light coming through cracks. Is it slimy & cold? Or cozy and smelling like fresh pencils? I imagine there are some of both, and some in between.
I will have to read Doppleganger. I was just thinking about this live drawing thing I do, and how it's not quite so much about the finished product, but about the experience of seeing, looking, sharing. I didn't construct this, it has happened over time, using digital tools. Of course people have been drawing en plein air for centruies, I just use different tools and a less formal approach about the finished thing.
I have a cartoon by Bob Weber hanging in my kitchen! It's of a very cluttered kitchen with guests peeking around the corner - "So this is where the magic happens!"
Also, on the subject of water towers... I love them, too! I'm a road tripper and photographer. Juat about every small town has a water tower and I always photograph them and if I know someone from that town, I send them the photograph. They are great mementos.
One more thing, LIza. The only other cartoon that I have hanging in my home is one by Charles Barsotti. I see that he has passed on, also. I'm a dog trainer, and this is a cartoon of a dog judge sitting high on his bench, looking down at a small puppy and gaveling - "Not guilty, because puppies do these things."
Water towers always looked to me like rickety space ships that had landed but were unable to take off again. Standing still so hopefully no one would notice.
My husband and I had a good guffaw over the two ladies at the crosswalk! Somewhere in the ephemera, Mr. Weber and I connected. Thank you for this homage, Liza. We also love how he explained his work, a true artist.
I'm wary of sentimentality but reading about your life in what now appears to be the hey days of cartooning, it's easy to indulge. 🙏 Liza. And just on water towers, they are so NY ... to me at least!
Those are all such great cartoons, thank you for sharing them, I’m learning of Bob and all the cartoonists you introduce us to here and it’s wonderful. I think the water towers are lovable because they look like little people, or little R2D2’s, sitting up there and doing their job, ready when needed, without fuss. In Williamsburg , Brooklyn, I used to live directly across from the lumbar yard of the Rosenwach Tank Company which has been building most of the water towers in the city since 1894. One night the entire yard caught on fire (the tragic irony) and everything was destroyed. The company is now in Long Island City and still going strong.
thank you for introducing us all to Mr. Weber. What sweetness and humanity he had. I'd seen some of his work, but didn't know anything about him. (I knew your work and never knew you're a woman until Substack!)
Also, growing up in NYC I also really liked water towers. They felt like a symbol of safety. Don't know why, because I never thought of water as a diminishing resource in those days. Keep drawing them! Maybe we'll both figure out their compelling appeal.
Thank you! I I really want to do a whole book about them.
They’re like ancient sentries watching over the city. They deserve a book.
Your generosity is wonderful and a welcomed part of the various conversations we have with each other
You are waaaaay out-delivering almost every Substack & I have dozens
Me? I am?
You totally are. You are the only one who makes so many opportunities to connect in real time and over recorded-live video. You talk to us like we have a “real” relationship and it succeeds in creating real affinity. Real real real even though of course it is observed and therefore performance.
Well, there is some real to it. I feel the connection, and I thank you for saying this. I find it good to hear how people feel.
When I was a television news anchor, the "dean of local television news" deadpanned at a promo photo shoot, "Sincerity. That's the key." (pause) "Once you learn to fake that, you've got it made." (everyone laughs) But like every good joke, there's truth in it.
@Ruth Ann, have you read Naomi Klein's new book Doppelganger? She explores this real/not real aspect of media in a really great way.
I also feel there is a lot of realness in what you are doing with Seeing Things, @Liza. There's an openness and willingness to share everyday thoughts, vs curated ones, that I love.
Water towers make me think of what is inside them. A vast space, echoey and dark with perhaps some light coming through cracks. Is it slimy & cold? Or cozy and smelling like fresh pencils? I imagine there are some of both, and some in between.
I will have to read Doppleganger. I was just thinking about this live drawing thing I do, and how it's not quite so much about the finished product, but about the experience of seeing, looking, sharing. I didn't construct this, it has happened over time, using digital tools. Of course people have been drawing en plein air for centruies, I just use different tools and a less formal approach about the finished thing.
Too bad he's gone. I like his work.
I have a cartoon by Bob Weber hanging in my kitchen! It's of a very cluttered kitchen with guests peeking around the corner - "So this is where the magic happens!"
I remember that cartoon!!! He was wonderful.
Also, on the subject of water towers... I love them, too! I'm a road tripper and photographer. Juat about every small town has a water tower and I always photograph them and if I know someone from that town, I send them the photograph. They are great mementos.
How lovely!
One more thing, LIza. The only other cartoon that I have hanging in my home is one by Charles Barsotti. I see that he has passed on, also. I'm a dog trainer, and this is a cartoon of a dog judge sitting high on his bench, looking down at a small puppy and gaveling - "Not guilty, because puppies do these things."
I love that cartoon! I only met Charlie a few times, briefly. He is so beloved, his drawings so sweet.
Water towers always looked to me like rickety space ships that had landed but were unable to take off again. Standing still so hopefully no one would notice.
That's it! They stand hopefully, doing their job and not complaining. That's why I like them.
My husband and I had a good guffaw over the two ladies at the crosswalk! Somewhere in the ephemera, Mr. Weber and I connected. Thank you for this homage, Liza. We also love how he explained his work, a true artist.
Glad you guffawed! He was a master.
These Webers are wonderful. “Claudia” and “include the dog” go deep into my heart. Thank you so much.
I agree, straight to the heart. The dog one, particularly. Look how he drew the dog!!!
Yes, the dog!
I'm wary of sentimentality but reading about your life in what now appears to be the hey days of cartooning, it's easy to indulge. 🙏 Liza. And just on water towers, they are so NY ... to me at least!
Thank you for starting my day with a laugh, Liza. That unto itself it a true contribution to all of us.
I’ve heard some interviews & am intrigued so you have prompted me to do something about it! Checking out the Audible version now.
Purchased Audible version read by the author. Thanks for the reminder!
Wonderful tribute to a great artist whose work I loved, too.
Those are all such great cartoons, thank you for sharing them, I’m learning of Bob and all the cartoonists you introduce us to here and it’s wonderful. I think the water towers are lovable because they look like little people, or little R2D2’s, sitting up there and doing their job, ready when needed, without fuss. In Williamsburg , Brooklyn, I used to live directly across from the lumbar yard of the Rosenwach Tank Company which has been building most of the water towers in the city since 1894. One night the entire yard caught on fire (the tragic irony) and everything was destroyed. The company is now in Long Island City and still going strong.