Submitted to CNW Penstuff newsletter by Mark Monlux: Submitted 08/07/11

The Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians formed in October of 2008. That previous summer Frost Park (named after slain police officer Frost) was saved from having a fence placed around it when RR Anderson issued a challenge to one and all that an hour contest draw on the sidewalk with chalk to see who was the greatest illustrator in the universe would be held at Frost Park. The Frost Park Chalk off quickly became a Friday tradition. But as October drew near, so did the merciless rains, which would make chalking impossible. Four magnificent souls from the contests had a lunch to discuss what could be done to keep the fun going over winter. Thus it was that the brainchild of the CLAW was born over Sushi and chalk.

The Tacoma Art Museum, recognizing an organization that was actively fun and terrific PR, asked the CLAW to become involved in some of it’s events. So it was on August 6th that the CLAW participated, for the third year running, along with many of the Frost Park Chalkies, in a chalk art competition at Tollefson Plaza, across the street from the art museum. The theme of the competition was “Identity”. The public via the TAM Facebook page will submit votes to determine the winner.

SEE ALSO MARK BRILL’S blog:

1. COWBOYS & DINOSAURS
2. COWBOYS & DINOSAURS – THE PROCESS 

The CLAW holds a publically accessible Open Swim meeting the third Thursday of each month at the Amocat Café. July had the Dockyard Derby Dames volunteering for an evening modeling session. The theme for Augusts’ meeting will be Win-Loose-or CLAW, a team drawing completion involving everyone who attends. Member-only meetings are the first Wednesday of the month and are held secretly at Comic Book Ink. If you would like to become a member of the CLAW applications can be found at the website under “About Us”. Potentials are voted in by all the membership based on their cartooning skill. You can find us, and see members work at our Facebook page and Flicker groups.

In Other News

• The Tribulations of Mr. Fiddlesticks
• NEW CLAW member spambot comic launched!
• NEW CLAW member zombie comic  launched!
• NEW CLAW Draw’s the Derby Dames
• NEW CLAW member no. 17 – welcome Brandon!

Join us for an evening with figure drawing contests, snacks, great coffee, and a gallery reception under one roof!

July’s Open Swim will be a live-model drawing jam featuring some special guests from Tacoma’s Derby Dames! Mia Smackabitch, Rusty O’Tulle, Gita Kraken and Red Bull Dozer have volunteered to pose in full gear, with prizes awarded to the top-voted drawings!

Where: Acomat Cafe – 625 Saint Helens Avenue.Tacoma, WA 98402
When: 7/21 at 7:30 PM

Back to back with our drawing jam is the art show reception for CLAW member (and current Open Swim coordinator) Anique Zimmer, whose drawings and illustrations can be currently seen hanging in the Amocat’s gallery until the end of the month(see previous post).

Image Courtesy of Four-Eye Mark 9 Brill

Comic Book Ink and the C.L.A.W. held the “Be A Hero!” Fundraiser. (read Mark Brill’s excellent first-person account)  The CLAW’s goal was to raise $1,000 to purchase a share of Comic Book Ink, with the eventual profit from the share going into the CLAW Student Scholarship Fund. Cartoonists and Comic artists descended on Comic Book Ink on Saturday, June 25th from Noon to 5:00 pm. And during that the CLAW exceeded its goal. Many thanks to all those who participated! And the fun didn’t stop there! From 5 p.m. on the artists went next door to the Green Pup Sports Bar for a Drink and Draw! The artwork created at the Drink and Draw went on display at Comic Book Ink and raised yet more funds for the cause. The Open Swim was held at the CLAW’s new meeting time, the third Thursday of the month. So that makes this next CLAW Open Swim will be on Thursday, July 21st. The next big public event the CLAW will be participating in will be Tacoma’s Art Museum’s Best of the Northwest Summer Festival’s Chalk Art Competition. This will be the CLAW’s third year attending and we are hoping that one of our members will walk away with the grand prize, a year’s membership at the museum. For this and other event coming in August, keep an eye on our calendar.