Funny, all the cartoonists you refer to have always been my favorites. I did two books with Roz. Her humor grows on you,.then it overtakes you, and finally, gobbles you down. I love your line drawing about finding Mommy and Daddy's assets. I have the one you did for Erma with the kids in the sandbox, framed and in my bathroom, next to a Cathy Guisewite. You guys bring such joy...always.
What a great art lesson, Liza. Wonderful selection. Another of my favorite line artists was Sam Cobean, a good friend of Chas Addams, who brought some Cobeans to the NYer, and launched him there. Unfortunately Cobean died tragically young. Otherwise, I think he’d be better known. (Cobean, by the way, invented the thought bubble.) 🧐
Thank you, LInda. For those of you who may be unaware, Linda is Charles Addam's biographer! I love Cobean's work, did not know he died young. This is what made The New Yorker so great, so many unique styles, voices, artistry.
Riveting read. Loved all your selections. Adore Micheals last cartoon here
Confess Im horrified to learn a publication will buy a cartoon then basically kill it to assign the caption to someone else. But you were very matter of fact about it. Still Im shocked and dismayed. Relieved it doesnt happen to you or Michael any more!!
It is odd, I agree. But back then it was a way to get into the magazine, and others became cartoonists like Michael. Mick Stevens, for one. I never had a caption bought in those early days, or ever. I felt special, haha!
I’m going to be very honest with you, Liza. I was never one that paid attention to cartoons. I never read them, or looked at them, when I was young.
But, these cartoons of yours, and these you have displayed in this piece, I enjoy. I started checking out your daily cartoons when I joined Substack. I love your drawings. Your husbands are really good, too.
Thanks so much for sharing all these amazing cartoonists with all their different styles and senses of humor. I will refer back to it many times - still looking for my own style
Such a good question: What is style? It sure is recognizable. What I see in the youthful drawings of your parent's party, is your power of observation and insights into people in social situations. Your style has definitely evolved into your own.
I love that you shared your childhood cartoon of the party! How cute, and exciting that you were on your path at such a young age. There was a feeling of 'this is too good to be true,' as I kept scrolling down to more and more cartoons that delighted and made me laugh and feel so privileged that you share your process and mentors. I live way out west, outside of Steinberg's NYC, near the Pacific, so been missing the cartoons. I feasted on Steig when my son was growing up, and at the dentist, when I was a child, my mom taught me to read the cartoons, which I didn't understand yet, out of the New Yorker. Laughter is pleasure! I have no idea how you cartoonists figure out the acupuncture points on this body of feeling we surf together. The origins of style are happily elusive to me.
Sally, What a lovely comment, thank you. I am glad to make you smile! I never really know what will work, to be honest. It's just a matter of working at it and some trial and error!
I'm thinking about what makes some cartoons funny. Thinking about the Charles Addams cartoon: 'George! George! drop the keys'. George is toast but the woman is only saying the situation is all about ME. Funny. I hadn't thought about a wash style. Now that I'm aware, I'll watch for it.
Funny, all the cartoonists you refer to have always been my favorites. I did two books with Roz. Her humor grows on you,.then it overtakes you, and finally, gobbles you down. I love your line drawing about finding Mommy and Daddy's assets. I have the one you did for Erma with the kids in the sandbox, framed and in my bathroom, next to a Cathy Guisewite. You guys bring such joy...always.
Thank you, Allia!
Loved the insight into your artistry! Very learned too. The cartoons give me joy.
I'm so glad! Thank you.
So enlightening and beautiful and funny and smart. Love this entry so much. Thanks, Liza.
Thanks Philip!
Love this more than any caption can convey. ❤️ your stylistic evolution and the mini-dissertation. Thank you Liza! PS and Michael 😊
Thank you, Kate!
…but Booth!
What a great art lesson, Liza. Wonderful selection. Another of my favorite line artists was Sam Cobean, a good friend of Chas Addams, who brought some Cobeans to the NYer, and launched him there. Unfortunately Cobean died tragically young. Otherwise, I think he’d be better known. (Cobean, by the way, invented the thought bubble.) 🧐
Thank you, LInda. For those of you who may be unaware, Linda is Charles Addam's biographer! I love Cobean's work, did not know he died young. This is what made The New Yorker so great, so many unique styles, voices, artistry.
Omg tears in my eyes from laughing. What a legacy and what a master class.
Riveting read. Loved all your selections. Adore Micheals last cartoon here
Confess Im horrified to learn a publication will buy a cartoon then basically kill it to assign the caption to someone else. But you were very matter of fact about it. Still Im shocked and dismayed. Relieved it doesnt happen to you or Michael any more!!
Mee too! That is many things, including downright mean.
It is odd, I agree. But back then it was a way to get into the magazine, and others became cartoonists like Michael. Mick Stevens, for one. I never had a caption bought in those early days, or ever. I felt special, haha!
well that made me chuckle. But you are definitely special!
I’m going to be very honest with you, Liza. I was never one that paid attention to cartoons. I never read them, or looked at them, when I was young.
But, these cartoons of yours, and these you have displayed in this piece, I enjoy. I started checking out your daily cartoons when I joined Substack. I love your drawings. Your husbands are really good, too.
Keep it up, lady! We need you, and more like you!
Thank you so much, Daniel! Welcome to my strange world, glad you are enjoying it!
Beautifully written. I loved Thurber from a young age. You are a true heir.
She really is.
Thank you!
Thurber is just so wonderful. Can't love his work enough. Thank you!
"George! George! Drop the Keys!" That had me laughing aloud. And how beautiful and appropriate that my eye moves upward when I "read" the cartoon.
Thanks so much for sharing all these amazing cartoonists with all their different styles and senses of humor. I will refer back to it many times - still looking for my own style
Such a good question: What is style? It sure is recognizable. What I see in the youthful drawings of your parent's party, is your power of observation and insights into people in social situations. Your style has definitely evolved into your own.
Thank you, Lee. It was fun to find that page of sketches again. My humor voice was looking to emerge, clearly.
What a pure delight, Liza! A visit to the 'glory-lands of cartoons', past & present. Much glee...
I love that you shared your childhood cartoon of the party! How cute, and exciting that you were on your path at such a young age. There was a feeling of 'this is too good to be true,' as I kept scrolling down to more and more cartoons that delighted and made me laugh and feel so privileged that you share your process and mentors. I live way out west, outside of Steinberg's NYC, near the Pacific, so been missing the cartoons. I feasted on Steig when my son was growing up, and at the dentist, when I was a child, my mom taught me to read the cartoons, which I didn't understand yet, out of the New Yorker. Laughter is pleasure! I have no idea how you cartoonists figure out the acupuncture points on this body of feeling we surf together. The origins of style are happily elusive to me.
Sally, What a lovely comment, thank you. I am glad to make you smile! I never really know what will work, to be honest. It's just a matter of working at it and some trial and error!
I'm thinking about what makes some cartoons funny. Thinking about the Charles Addams cartoon: 'George! George! drop the keys'. George is toast but the woman is only saying the situation is all about ME. Funny. I hadn't thought about a wash style. Now that I'm aware, I'll watch for it.