Month: November 2022

“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Lego…” – Christmas LEGO Display By Kevin Thorn And Upcoming Brick Con

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If you are a fan of LEGO have I got a couple local things to share with you.

First up, for the holidays a new Christmas LEGO display by MSCA member Kevin Thorn is now up at the Hernando Public Library for the month of December..!

He and his little helpers have a few new additions and have rearranged the layouts from last year’s display.

Kevin is not only builds with LEGO for fun, but has used the bricks for various projects in his freelance work. He is also one of the Planning Commissioners for the city of Hernando and is currently working on finishing up his PHD at the U of M.

There are two large cases on one wall, and a smaller one across the hall in the west lobby entrance.

If you get a chance to stop by the library, the LEGO display will be up for the rest of December. It is free to experience and open to the public during normal business hours (see below).

if If you didn’t make it out  to see the last two displays Kevin Williams and I did there you can see pics of the MSCA 35th Anniversary and Memphis Ghostbusters displays by clicking the red links or going to the MSCA Facebook page.

If you’d like to share some of your collection and set up a display please contact the Hernando Library-you can scan the QR code for more info.

And like the Southaven Library, the Hernando Library has a lot of art making opportunities. The library is located on Commerce Street near Hwy 51 and the Courthouse Square in Hernando, MS- about 15min from Memphis.

First Regional Library
(Hernando Public Library – established 1950)
370 W Commerce St
Hernando, MS 38632
www.firstregional.org

HOURS:
MONDAY  9:30-7:00
TUESDAY 9:30-7:00
WEDNESDAY 9:30-7:00
THURSDAY 9:30-7:00
FRIDAY 9:30-5:30
SATURDAY 9:30-5:00
SUNDAY CLOSED

And for our second LEGO event…

This spring, the LEGO are coming, the LEGO are coming..! (Yes, the plural of LEGO is “LEGO“.)

Memphis Brick Convention LEGO Fan Expo is coming to Memphis area  at the Landers Center (Southaven, MS) on April 22 & 23, 2023.
LEGO displays, LEGO masters, vendors, meet & greets, & MORE!From their website:Brick Convention is the ultimate LEGO® fan event, built by LEGO fans, for LEGO fans.

Some of North America’s best LEGO® builders will gather to display their incredible LEGO creations in the Fan Display Zone. Professional LEGO artists from around the world will be onsite showing off their works and available for meet-and-greets.

There are THOUSANDS of LEGO® bricks for you to play with in our multiple BUILDING ZONES.​

See the latest LEGO® sets to buy as well as specialist retailers selling cool vintage and collectible rare sets and accessories too. Plus lots of fantastic LEGO® themed gift ideas for fans of all ages. 

This is a MUST for all fans of LEGO® whatever their age!

According to their site, “tickets are selling out fast”. You can buy your general admission ticket with an exclusive 20% off by clicking here, otherwise they are $14.99ea. Children 2 years old and younger are free. Valid for Saturday or Sunday, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm. Please note that the exhibit hall will be cleared out at 1pm each day. A portion of the proceeds will go to the all-volunteer nonprofit organization — Creations for Charity.

4560 Venture Drive
Southaven, MS 38671

www.landerscenter.com/events/detail/brick-convention
www.brickconvention.com/

Hope you get a chance to check out Kevin’s LEGO Christmas display and visit the Brick Con.

Lin

The name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. It’s our name and it’s our ideal.

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen. The company has passed from father to son and is now owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder.

www.lego.com/en-us
www.lego.com/en-us/history/

“There once was a man named John Lotshaw.” – NCS Member And Friend Of The MSCA Has Passed Away

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Hey, gang-

Unfortunately this time I have some very sad news to pass along….MSCA prez Kevin Williams has informed me that longtime National Cartoonists Society member and friend of the MSCA , John Lotshaw, has passed away while visiting family in South Carolina for Thanksgiving.

John was a familiar face at the NCS events I got to attend, including the NCS’s Annual Rueben’s Awards meeting her at St. Jude, the Southeast Chapter of The National Cartoonists Society‘s meeting here at the U of M, and their meetings in Gainesville and Nashville. He could be seen working the A/V equipment and/or recording the events, and was a champion of cartooning and other cartoonists. His cartooning  collogues and friends in Atlanta had just given him a Bon Voyage sendoff party only days before his passing.

While looking at his Facebook page today, I realized John was 6 days younger than me. These days I may feel old and my grey hair makes me look old, but 56 is way too young to die.


The MSCA and SEC/NCS having dinner at The Rendezvous in Memphis, 2005.

 

From MSCA President, Kevin L. Williams–

I will always have a fond memory of John Lotshaw. He was fun and funny, and I enjoyed talking Peanuts with him. Not news I expected to see today, but I’m thankful to have made his acquaintance. 

 

From NCS Membership Chairman and former MSCA President, Greg Cravens–

John Lotshaw.
There once was a man who was diligent, educated, fun, silly, scattered, and knew about how to do the kinds of things that tied up the loose ends that cartoonists usually leave hanging.  His name was John.  His initials were JPL and that was good, since he wore a jacket that sported more NASA patches than you knew existed, and he could tell you all about all the missions they represented.  He gleefully created cartoons, and video, and printed books, and internet content- mostly for other cartoonists, and he rarely charged us enough for the value he created.  He also chased several projects ‘round and ‘round that cost him time and energy… just like most of us do, I guess.  But on top of that, he coded computers- lots of them.  He had a collection of computers that stretched back to Texas Instrument equipment his father insisted that John learn to code for before he’d be allowed to “play with it”.  John made other cartoonists’ projects sing and dance, and left himself very little time to make his own projects sing and dance.  A lot of us owe him a lot.

John built a career, which included plenty of television production early on- and he owned his own production company at one point.  He freelanced all kinds of projects to do with video and audio. He created a webcomic called ‘Accidental Centaurs’.  He published books under the business name ‘Moonbase Press’, and would happily help you to do the same if he thought you didn’t need him doing it all for you.  He was generous to a fault like that.

He lived in Atlanta (or at least in the insane sprawl that’s centered on Atlanta) and he knew more trivia about Star Trek, Science Fiction in general, and Television at large than people could keep up with.  He had just started (finally) dabbling in a stand-up comedy career, and that’s good.  His weight was the subject of some of his humor, and that’s to be expected.  His weight was also the subject of a lot of his friends’ concern about him.  But lately, we were worried because one of his beloved Shelty dogs had passed away, then his mother passed away, and then of course he had to deal with selling her house and getting all that in order.  On the other hand, he’d landed a regular job that played to his strengths, and even though he said it’d still leave him time to pursue all the projects his friends and clients needed him to pursue, we knew it’d give him a chance to let some of the more irritating small jobs slip past him now.  So things were looking up.  He was moving to a new town to do the kind of work he was trained to do best for a good yearly pay that was probably half of what he would be worth to the company- which is AT&T, in case you’re wondering.  

Yep.  There once was that man.  And now, just before he moved, and just before he began his new job, and just before he did a little more stand-up, and just before he volunteered to run AV for the National Cartoonists Society or it’s Southeastern Chapter again… he’s gone.  My friend has gone to where deadlines, and the vagaries of the business climate, and the Sisyphean uphill struggle of the cartooning industry are not an issue.  

He was John Lotshaw, and he made the world a better place for those of us who knew him. It would have been better still for us if he could have stayed longer.
Greg

 

From his sister, Ana–

Many of you have heard but others not of the unexpectedly passing of my brother John yesterday as he was spending the Thanksgiving holiday with me in Greenville SC. Thanks to everyone for your kind messages and calls during this very painful time, your thoughts, prayers and wonderful memories are comforting. Time can be cruel to end friendships deepening as we grew older and all the new chapters and experiences waiting for him just around the corner but, I know he is at peace in heaven and once gain reunited with our parents and family who have gone on before.

There are no specific arrangements as of yet but I will update this page when we work out a way to honor the life of my brother until then…

When NASA does something spectacular.. think of John
When you hear Star Trek trivia… think of John
When you pass the Varsity or your favorite BBQ.. think of John
When you see your favorite cartoon strip.. think of John
When you hear a wacky joke… think of John

John. I love and miss you more than you will ever know. Give Mom and Dad a big hug for me and don’t worry I will love and take good care of your Jessie.
Love ya- Ana

Accidental Centaurs’

On the worst Thursday ever, an experimental teleporter under development by Alex and Sam explodes, opening a wormhole that propels them into an alternate dimension and transforming them into creatures of legend. Then, things really start to get weird…

www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/accidental-centaurs/

www.amazon.com/John-Lotshaw/

 

John videoing cartoonist Mike Peters at the NSC dinner at St. Jude in Memphis, 2016.

John Lotshaw (back center) at the SEC/NCS fall meeting in Nashville, 2012.

Roy Doty (L) and John Lotshaw (R) in Memphis, 2005.

Godspeed, John.

 

 

www.nationalcartoonists.com

New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode Available- Plus A Short Bonus Episode!

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Hey, gang- I’m back to start off Season 3 of the “Drawing Funny” podcast with a new full length episode, as well as a short bonus episode, too!

Episode 47 – “Back To Basics”

Show notes: Well, I’m back to basics on comics and cartooning with this episode of Drawing Funny. After a couple conversations with some new comic creators, I wanted to share some more thoughts I have on creating comics with you the listening audience. Trust me, they’re very basic, but knowing the basics of creating comic books is something I feel can be often overlooked by those new to writing, drawing, printing, and promoting comics (and themselves).

This is a bit of a follow up for Episode 40 – “Where Do I Begin?”.

I also share some local MSCA news about upcoming dinner meetings, current art shows, and plays around town, as well as some very sad Bat-news about the passing of Kevin Conroy– the iconic voice of Batman for 30yrs. Plus I send out some congrats to Joe Stuber on his Comic Book Central podcast’s 9th Anniversary!

Run time: 1hr 4min 42sec

 

MSCA Membership Info – Join Now For Free!

Show notes: So, just what is the MSCA, and how can you join..? Find out in this bonus mini-episode. It should answer all your questions about our the history or our sketchy group and how to be a part of it, but if not there’s plenty of contact info included and ways how you can get those questions answered by me or the MSCA’s prez Kevin L. Williams.

Run time: 10min

You can listen by clicking on the podcast players here, download and subscribe wherever you like to listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify, Anchor, etc.), or go directly to the show’s website- www.drawingfunny.com

If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, please let me know at podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com or mention it to me at any MSCA event. We can record live, or online over Zoom. I’d love to talk toons with you, and would like to start recording roundtable discussions with members next year. I also would like to hear any thoughts you have on the podcast, plus have you share any art related news you may have about the industry, any art shows or conventions you may know of, and any personal projects you may want to promote.

BTW-  our pandemic inspired podcast just turned 2 years old in October!

 

Oh, I mention it in the recent episodes of the podcast, but don’t forget that the next MSCA dinner meet-up (and last one for 2022) will be Tuesday, December 6th from 6-8pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Avenue near the U of M (www.garibaldispizza.com). We’ll be doing an art swap, have some more freebies to snag, and are looking forward to sharing some exciting news about a few upcoming events in the mid-south.

Keep an eye out for an email from Kevin soon about all the details on the last dinner meeting and art swap, and info on how you can be a part of these new upcoming events in 2023. They’re shaping up to be a lot of fun.

If you’re not on the MSCA email list, contact Kev here- midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com, and feel free to download the dinner calendar and MSCA info graphic and share on social media. Oh, and I’m working on putting together an events calendar for this website- should be up between Thanksgiving and the next dinner at Garibaldi’s…fingers crossed!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!

Lin

“Beyond The Emerald City” At Playhouse On The Square – A New Art Show By Dale Martin

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On Friday, November 12th Nicki and I eased on down the road to check out MSCA member Dale Martin‘s opening reception for his latest art show “Beyond The Emerald City” at Playhouse on the Square. We were running a bit behind getting to the show after grabbing some dinner at The Bayou around the corner, but were able to follow the black top road (Cooper Street) to it with a few minutes to spare!

It’s being shown upstairs in conjunction with Playhouse’s performances of “The Wizard Of OZ“. Talk about some fortuitous timing..!

Dale is a huge fan of the Land Of OZ, and it has been featured prominently in his “Watusi The Talking Dog” comics, zines, and art.

The art show is on display at Playhouse through December 28th, 2022 and can be visited during normal business hours and play performances.

To see the art show, as well as other art on display upstairs, just take the stairs (or elevator) to the second floor.

Dale’s show is just to the right and down that hallway. Many wonderful Wizard of OZ inspired pieces are hanging on both sides of the hallway space.

Dale and Wendy had refreshments and a pop-up shop set up at the top of the stairs near where his art pieces are on display.

There were prints, comics, and zines available for purchase, and Dale will have another pop-up-shop there on December 10th, from 10am-1:30pm.

Nicki and I really enjoyed getting to see Dale’s show, plus seeing some familiar faces including the MSCA’s Courtney and Kevin (and his friend Lisa) who were there as well when we finally arrived.

We loved checking out much of the other art by various artists that was on display at Playhouse on the Square by Priscilla Cunningham, Gerecho Delaney, Suzanne Evans, and Martha Kelly. They even had a large monitor  showing what was happening on stage at the time.

The space inside was amazing, as was the art. Really want to come back to explore more of the gallery areas and spend more time with the art.

Hope you can make it down to Overton Square to check out Dale’s “Beyond The Emerald City” art hos. Just be careful crossing the street –  Overton Square is pretty hoppin’ these days and you know how Memphis drivers can be when it comes to yielding to pedestrians, even at rainbow colored crosswalks!

Playhouse on the Square
66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104
HOURS: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 5PM
Phone: (901) 725-0776 / Fax: (901) 272-2309
Email: info@playhouseonthesquare.org

Dale Martin, Cartoonist / P.O. Box 11291 / Memphis, TN 38111
Handcrafting comics since 1985! www.smearysoapboxpress.com

Newsletter subscription: eepurl.com/bawHc9

Mail Call From MAW Productions…Shinobi: Ninja Princess – Illuminations

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Words from our friends the Wade’s at MAW Productions:

Shinobi: Ninja Princess – Illuminations

The holidays are upon us and what better way to celebrate than with the Ninja Princess, herself, as she takes in a little downtime for Christmas in New Tokyo. However, when she sees her fellow teammate, Hamasuke, sneaking around the Tokyo streets, their adventure takes them from the Christmas Illuminations of the city to the fighting game community of a local arcade and a crazed Otaku bent on videogame domination.Order your issue here and get a Christmas card and sketch with each book.

(L-R Janet, Martheus, and Anakin Wade)

Welcome to our universe! We are MAW Productions, a comic book studio and design company based in Memphis, TN. Our stories are all based in the Toshigawa Universe. It’s a universe of ninjas, martial arts, and Oni’s all centered around a young ninja named Shianndrea Toshigawa. We currently have two (2) manga inspired series going on right now (Shinobi: Ninja Princess and Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa) with a third (Iron Ninja 5) in the works now. Our newsletter is your direct line to get special deals on merchandise and breaking information on appearances with our book series. Thank you for following us on this adventure and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Our mailing address is:mawproductionsllc(at)gmail(dot)com

You can join their mailing list by going here (scroll to bottom of the page).

You can read more about the Wade’s and their The Art of Family origin story in Memphis Parent magazine…

…or in Memphis Magazine – by .

You can also find Jetta and Shinobi books at local comic shops. Look for them and other locally produced comics at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics (midtown and east). If you don’t see them, be sure to ask if they can order them for you, or add to your subscription/pull-box list. Don’t have a hold box..? Then check with the shop about starting one so you don’t miss out on any future releases. It also helps the shops know what to order and how many of each issue.

 

.

Dale Martin Art Show And Reception At Playhouse On The Square

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From MSCA member and zine publisher/editor, Dale Martin:

Hi there, Memphis friends!

I’m hoping that your weekend will be a good one, and I’d like to invite you to kick if off with an opening night reception for my “Beyond the Emerald City” show at Playhouse on the Square (66 South Cooper St.)! It’s this Friday (Nov. 11), from 5-7 p.m., just off the second floor lobby.

Admittedly, this show– a fan art love letter to the novels– is more comfort food than a palate-expanding meal … but sometimes mac & cheese is just what one needs, isn’t it? To stay on-theme, I’m bringing additional Oz goodies (prints, notecards, comics) and original art for sale at the event!

Can’t make it on Friday? My show is on display until Dec. 28, and you can stop in to see it during any of POTS open hours or prior to showtime (“The Wizard of Oz” is playing thru Dec. 22). I’ll also be participating in a Holiday Pop-up on Saturday, Dec. 10 (10-1:30, before that day’s matinee) with Martha Kelly (who also has a beautiful show running now at POTS that you would enjoy) and others. You’ll learn more about that in my next monthly newsletter (if you’re subscribed to it)…

Hope to see you on Friday!

– dale.

P.S. – if you want to sign up for my monthly email newsletter (featuring comics!), you can sign up at the link below…

Newsletter subscription: eepurl.com/bawHc9

Dale Martin, Cartoonist / P.O. Box 11291 / Memphis, TN 38111Handcrafting comics since 1985! www.smearysoapboxpress.com

 

Playhouse on the Square
66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104
HOURS: Monday – Friday: 9AM – 5PM
Phone: (901) 725-0776 / Fax: (901) 272-2309
Email: info@playhouseonthesquare.org

Celebration Of Life Honoring Kelly Adkins – Nov15th

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From the Southaven Arts Council:

It is with heavy hearts that the Board of Directors of the Southaven Arts Council would like to express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Kelly Adkins.
She never considered herself an artist, but she had more passion for the arts than anyone we have known.
She was a patron, advocate, and pillar of the arts in the region.
Kelly had many goals, but at the top of the list was the success of this organization in order create a home for the visual arts in our community.
We, as the Board, vow to continue this important work.
Kelly created the foundation. We invite you help keep Kelly’s dream alive by joining us in growing a vibrant arts community in Southaven.
Please join us on November 15, 2022 to celebrate the life of our dear friend Kelly Adkins.

The art show and reception to honor Kelly at the Southaven Public Library, Tuesday, November 15th starts at 5:30pm. The show will run through January 5, 2023.

Kelly passed in her sleep on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. She didn’t have any life insurance, but a GoFundMe account was set up to help the family with funeral expenses.

She may not have considered herself an artist, but she always was participating whenever I saw her at an art event/class, and she really enjoyed photography, and had a great eye. She will definitely be missed…

You can find out more about the Southaven Arts Council online at www.southavenartscouncil.org or on their Facebook page. If you would like to help with art supplies or volunteer with classes and events please contact them here or email at southavenartscouncil(at)gmail(dot)com.

Southaven Public Library
M.R. Davis Public Library
8554 Northwest Drive,
Southaven, MS 38671
Phone: (662) 342-0102
south@firstregional.org

Another Dinner Meeting Is In The Bag- A Trick ‘r Treat Bag!

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Hey, gang-

We had another successful turnout for our November 1st MSCA dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza.

We were back in the big room on the right again.

Members brought sketchbooks and portfolios of their work to show (those are Courtney’s and Devin’s).

And Greg came with his new Con Cards game. He had some sample packs to share with everyone.

He taught folks how to play the card game. It was pretty quick to pick up. He’s looking to take the game on the road to cons around the country.

Thanks to Greg for my birthday present of a Con Cards collector tin and button. Keep an eye out here for upcoming news on his upcoming Kickstarter.

I normally try to bring some free MSCA swag and comics to share with the group. This time I had some MSCA magnets, some Halloween ComicFest comics from 901 Comics East, 3 Stooges and MST3K trading cards from RRParks Cards, candy, ConK flyers, and since we were celebrating my birthday I brought along some cookies, too.

Speaking of cookies, I share a birthday (today) with our special guest…

Cookie Monster stopped by to wish me a happy birthday, and eat some cookies!

Was glad my wife Nicki was able to come along. She actually ran into our friend Traci and got to hang with her for a bit. They haven’t been able to see each other much lately because of work and school.

Dale Martin popped in for a second, but had to leave. He did drop off some postcards for his current “Beyond The Emerald City” art show at Playhouse On The Square.

From Dale:

Made up of a selection of comic pages from my story, along with other Oz-inspired artwork, my “Beyond the Emerald City” show will be on display from October 14-December 28, 2022, in conjunction with Playhouse’s staging of “The Wizard of Oz”. That fortuitous timing (pointed out to me by someone else, since I had totally missed the opportunity it presented) was just too good to pass up, even if it meant completing work for the show on a tighter schedule than I’d have liked. Pushing deadlines can work when it comes to publishing comics online, but my paintings need time to cure before varnishing! Still, it all came together, and has made for what I think is a really satisfying show.

“Beyond the Emerald City” is an exhibition of OZ-themed comics & artwork, on display Oct. 14-Dec. 28, 2022 at Playhouse on the Square, 66 South Cooper St., Memphis.

  • Please join Dale for an artist reception on Nov. 11, 5-7pm!
  • He’s sharing a popup shop with artist Martha Kelly on Dec. 10, 10am-1:30pm!
  • To read “Watusi in Oz”, start here. You can read the newest Watusi comic here.

On stage: “The Wizard of Oz” (Nov. 11 – Dec. 22) – get tickets here.

Other art on exhibit at Playhouse on the Square is by Priscilla Cunningham, Gerecho Delaney, Suzanne Evans, and Martha Kelly.

You can find lots of words (& some pictures) on Dale’s blog. You can find lots of pictures (& some words) on his Art and Illustration page. Comics, of course, have both…

The Monster Market closed up shop on Halloween night. Dale and I both had art for sale in the online storefront. Don’t know how well it (and we did), but the kickoff party on October 1st was slammed!

After our month long MSCA display in September at the Hernando Library Kevin and I put up a Ghostubsters one in it’s place for October.

The library has 3 glass display cases in their west lobby entrance- one small and two larger.

We put a mix of the Ghostbusters movies, animation, and more form our collections, including some Memphis Ghostbusters and signed items.

Unfortunately we recently had to take it all back down to make way for their next displays. We hope to more displays and events with them in the future.

After the last Drawing Funny podcast episode, I realized we that I just reached the two year anniversary, and am now moving into season 3!

I started the podcast during the pandemic to help keep the MSCA members updated, record/save some of our zoom calls, talk toons with guests, and get the word out about our group and local happenings. Hopefully listeners have enjoyed it. If you haven’t checked it out yest there are close to 50 episodes available to download. Just go to www.drawingfunny.com or anywhere you like to listen to podcasts.

Before I get out of here our next dinner meeting will be Tuesday, December 6th, from 6-8pm. Hope you can make it out, and if you got any Con Cards be sure to bring them along to play. We’ll also be ding an art swap- more info to come on that.

Lin

Garibaldi’s Pizza
3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111

(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com