I know, I know, I’ve already been remiss in blog-posting.  This is due, in part, to the bloody events of the weekend, events that don’t happen all that often in the City of Saint Francis.  (Sorry, Francis, but there are certain city ordinances that must be upheld.) 

Now that I can safely say I know something about killing (surprisingly cooperative) fowl, let’s move on to one of the most common questions asked at the Mark Fiore Industries Consumer Questions and Complaints Division.  “How do you make these cartoons?”

In this installment, I’ll explain the idea phase of my process.   

First up, Trolling-for-Topics.  I begin by reading the newspaper (Paper!)-- although most of my research is done online-- until something jumps out at me that makes me angry, strikes me as wrong or is hypocritical.  The best animation ideas usually have their beginnings in a news article that pisses me off.  This part of the process can happen gradually over the week(s) as I listen to the news, read or watch a bit of cable news.  (I generally avoid most television news because it tends to make me feel slimy after a while.)

Next, I crawl into my sketchbook, where I have been writing notes about various news topics.  Words, or an event may draw my attention—anything from depressing/sad news that

Well, I fought it as long as I could. See, I’ve always thought that since I spout off as I do every week in my animation, it would be a bit excessive to add a blog where I spout off even further. I mean, look, I’ve only written three sentences and have already used the word “I” eight times. The journalism side of me resisted stepping out from behind the omnipotent opinionated curtain.

That said, it makes me feel a bit more human to be allowed to use the word “I,” and be able to talk more about my work, creative process or whatever comes up-- like this behind-the-scenes look at a recording session for last week's animation, for example:

The wild head-bobbling character you see in this video is none other than,

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There's a boatload of political cartoonists coming to Seattle!  Why is such a surly, unpredictable lot of ink-dribblers going to be in the same place?  Why, the annual convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, of course. 

The main event open to the public is Cartoonapalooza, this Thursday, July 2nd at 7:30 at Town Hall in downtown Seattle.  The two-hour show will be full of cartoons, laughter, biting satire, thrills and chills.  Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students.  This is a must-see event with an amazing lineup of cartoonists including:

Mike Peters, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and the creator of Mother Goose and Grimm.  He is insane in person and will probably steal the show, he's also an all-around great guy.  (Oh, and he has that cartoonist trait of looking about 25 years younger than he actually is.)

David Horsey, the Seattle hometown favorite who is renowned for drawing the most anatomically-correct females in the political cartooning world.  Great guy, a cowboy of sorts and also won some silly prize called the Pulitzer.  Twice, damn him.

Jack Ohman, famed Portland Oregonian political cartoonist who does outstanding work.  If you attend the show and sit close enough, you will witness the amazing fact that he looks suprisingly like a Kennedy.  (JFK or RFK, you decide.)  Appropriately enough, he won the RFK Journalism Award this year for his beautiful work.

Matt Bors is one of the funniest cartoonists I know.  He draws the cartoon "Idiot Box," has a great blog and also does that Twitter thing really well.  His work is outstanding and he keeps all the other cartoonists honest.  (Oh, and he has that other cartoonist trait where he actually is 25 years younger.)

Ted Rall is one of the best bastards in cartooning.  (That is one of the highest compliments a fellow cartoonist can give.)  His work is wonderfully hard-hitting and will never leave you guessing what he is trying to say.  And don't worry, he's a much nicer guy in person than he is in his cartoons.

Signe Wilkinson is one of the world's best political cartoonists, period.  Her style and take on events is refreshingly different and will leave you in awe and in fear for her safety.  (She has a particular fondness for going after old, angry, male religious extremists, it seems.)  Signe has also won a Pulitzer, but don't hold that against her.

Oh, and me, Mark Fiore.  I do animated stuff that looks like this.  Hope to see you there!

There will also be many other political cartoonists in attendance, with a sale of original work and other goodies.  (Sales will benefit the educational and professional activities of the AAEC.)

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