Waiting for Barflies
Keeping Busy During Fraught Times
The past week has been trying. Half the country revealed its true, unattractive character, which was front of mind while attempting to get work done.
It felt inconsequential to draw and color humorous cartoons while anticipating how the incoming oligarchy’s policies may affect many of our fellow citizens.
This week’s blog has the familiar cartoon review, pipe pic, and bonus track, but it’s briefer than usual. Words are failing me somewhat, but I'll paraphrase (okay, misquote) Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot:
We must go on. We can't go on, we'll go on.
The Bizarro comics for the first full week of January will include a job applicant, monks, toys, spiders, and grim reapers. I’m hoping newspapers will still be allowed to exist when this batch runs.
Looking Ahead & Looking Back
You’ll see what makes this arachnid so angry in a few months.
Thirteen years ago, I did this sketchbook drawing of jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller, which he was kind enough to autograph. I volunteered as Stage Manager for the University of Pittsburgh’s annual Jazz Seminar and Concert for many years. My duties included introducing individual musicians for lectures in the days leading up to an all-star concert.
Over the years, I met many great musicians, including Benny Golson, Jon Faddis, Clark Terry, Larry Coryell, Herbie Mann, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ernie Watts, Geri Allen, Idris Muhammad, Patrice Rushen, Renee Rosnes, Randy Brecker, Wallace Roney, Benny Bailey, George Cables, and Pat Martino.
Some favorite memories include giving James Moody a copy of Amy Winehouse’s first album, which included her version of his classic “Moody’s Mood for Love”; hearing Bob Brookmeyer advise students on the artistic benefits of smoking weed; and crashing a wedding reception with Joe Lovano.
Artistic Influencer
I recently found this unusual postcard with art by Virgil Partch, one of my main cartoon heroes. The art is excellent, and I love the two-color printing.
Judging by the fluid brushwork in the drawings, I’d guess this was an early- to mid-1960s piece.
It’s unlikely that the California-based cartoonist would have done illustrations for a local business in Indiana. It might have been made available to garages and auto dealerships without the logo and text on the bottom, which the individual business could add.
Here’s a different postcard from the same business I found on eBay. The logo and business name appear to have been added to the pre-printed postcard template.
Newsletter Bonus Track
Music is something I need to experience every day. It inspires and heals. Since I shared a drawing of Curtis Fuller, here’s a recording of him playing with John Coltrane. Fuller plays a prominent role in introducing the tune, and he takes a beautiful solo right around the five-minute mark, shining while having to follow masterful spots by Coltrane and trumpeter Lee Morgan. Enjoy
Writing the newsletter makes me feel as if I’m speaking directly with every reader as an individual, and it does my heart good when you all read and respond. Thank you.
Keep those pipe pics, comments, and t-shirt modeling photos coming in! This newsletter is for you, and your input makes it better.
Take care of yourself, and take care of each other.
Wayno
Me too. I've been around a long time, and I'm used to being on the losing side of elections, but I have never had a sense of foreboding before.
Thank you for your art!