Being several months since the Tacoma Arts Commission formally announced their funding of my first TACOMIC BOOK, a collection of 100 of my editorial cartoon greatest hits, I thought I would check with this progress report:

Any serious fantasy book needs a Tolkien-style map lurking somewhere round the table of contents. Click to enlarge the rough draft sketch of my Tacoma map (above).

Other items my book will include:

1. Table of Contents – COMPLETE
2. FOREWORD by John Hathaway, aka THE NEW TAKHOMAN – COMPLETE
3. Map – IN PROGRESS
4. Intentionally left blank pages – COMPLETE
5. “Fun Facts” – NOT STARTED
6. 100 of the best TACOMICS from 2007 – 2009 – NOT STARTED
7. 1 page dedicated to the WORST TACOMICS – NOT STARTED
8. Sampling of the best TACOMIC COMMENTS – NOT STARTED
9. A behind the scene cartoonist statements – IN PROGRESS
10. SPELLING + GRAMMAR corrections by Todd Mathews – IN PROGRESS
11. Tide Tables + Venn Diagrams
12. A complete set of Tacoma Action Figures – COMPLETE
13. TBA, etc.

MEANWHILE, please enjoy the TACOMIC™ Political Cartoons every Tuesday Morning! Did you know you can get instant TACOMIC CARTOON updates via TWITTER?

Contract as Blueprint

As part of Art @ Work Month Tacoma Art Supply is hosting a series of presentations. If you would like to hear the sage wisdom of the august Mark Monlux, a full time cartoonist and illustrator who has been in the trenches since 1985, please attend the presentation to be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Tacoma Art Supply, 1552 Commerce Ave., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA 98402. The event is free but please RSVP as space is limited (253) 444-2341.

Mark Monlux is the local Chapter Representative and Ethics Chair for the Graphic Artists Guild, of which he was the international secretary treasurer for a number of years. His “Ask Mark” column provides answers for all sorts of business and ethics questions from creative professionals. Besides earning a living as an illustrator he also get hired to provide his assessment on contracts, project negotiations, and arbitration. And lastly, he is one of the founders of the C.L.A.W..

Something is not right…  The council of the FOR EYES is concerned that Stowe has repeatedly not worn his maroon issue CLAW fez.

What can we do about this fellows? The Fez of shame has had no effect. We require a QUEST OF WORTHINESS!

Harrumph! Harrumph!

Stowe is sent on a quest to bring the members of CLAW chocolate candy.

To safeway!

Purchase completed. Quest objects obtained. Let’s see that receipt.

“Perhaps you will not be so keen to forget your FEZ in the future comrade Stowe.” Says a skeptical Electric Elliot.

Come let us return to the lair.

Stowe is redeemed.

IN OTHER NEWS: planning end of the year council succession ceremony. Electric Elliot and RR Anderson are stepping down from the Council. Stay Tuned!