Dearest Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Wordsmiths, Pencil Practitioners, and All,
We are a very busy group, and there’s plenty to read here..!
Ave Maria Home outreach is Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 3 – 5 pm. PLEASE let me know if you can go. Last call if you’re able to come. Right now: Lin and Kevin are going. We’ll have plenty of art supplies on hand.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 1 – 4 pm is our next Sat-art-day event! It’s a chance to set aside time to work on your art, practice with various pens or other art tools, do some writing, and finish some art. It will happen at Crone Memorials, 811 S Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104. https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCq3KsdnN46q1YMB7
GROUP PARTICIPATION: What inspires you to cartoon? Does that creativity stream from the ether, or from a particular something or someone? Do you get a charge from an individual comic book, strip, or show? Last month’s question got a few really good answers, see below.
PROMOTION: Please forward to any interested artists. If you have news, please send it before the last Monday of the month (copy and paste text and pictures, please). Even promotional stuff – we want to share your good news!
Always keep up with the MSCA News at www.midsouthcartoonists.org and by following us at https://www.facebook.com/midsouthcartoonists/. Always fun to catch up via the podcast at www.drawingfunny.com for more updates and information.
Proudly yours,
Kevin Williams,
MSCA President
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF CARTOONING?
In the September Sketchbook Newsletter, we asked, “What is your favorite part of cartooning?” We received a few good replies to this question:
Charles Brubaker sez:
“My favorite thing about cartooning is inking. I love inking comic strips. It allows me to have a “zen” moment, so to speak. Love working with my brush pen for this.”
Ron Hicks sez:
“Cartooning gives me the liberty to prioritize humor and satire over precise anatomy and perspective, which I find really liberating.”
Eric McMeans sez:
“There’s not one specific thing that I can say is my favorite, but I can rattle off things I love about it.
I love the balance between realistic and exaggeration, where a ridiculous shape or form can feel real through use of weight or balance. I love that it can broach subject matters that could seem otherwise abrasive through other media. I love that cartooning styles are as unique as the artist themselves.
Those are just a few things.”
Kevin Williams sez:
“I love taking a blank piece of paper or canvas and turning it into something. To me, making lines come alive is like performing magic.”
Lin Workman sez:
“Favorite thing about cartooning (or cartoons): The fact that you’re only limited by your imagination and determination to create.”
For the next newsletter: What inspires you to cartoon?
Nazca Preservation Project™
Nazca Preservation Project™ Exhibit
The Nazca Preservation Project™ is a Memphis-based preservation initiative focused on more than 5,000 original production materials from the 1998 anime Nazca, including cels, backgrounds, layouts, sketches, timing sheets, and sequential production material. The exhibit introduces visitors to the traditional animation process while highlighting the importance of preserving original production art and animation history.
Learn more at: https://facebook.com/nazcapreservation
The first public exhibit opens October 1 at the Cordova Library in Memphis.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mn37stY2b6MWRYYW9
Jonathan Walker
Founder & Directon
Nazca Preservation Project™
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-walker-34840140
DINNER GATHERING
On the first Tuesday, October 6, 2026, we will gather at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, by the University of Memphis, from 6 – 8 pm. Some of us show up a little earlier sometimes if you want to come early.
Bring art to show and money to buy food, and we look forward to seeing you again!
BTW- I am still taking comic book/TPB donations for Alpha Omega Veteran Services. If you can’t make the dinner gathering or you’re out of town and would like your books to support rehabilitation of our veterans, they can be mailed to Kevin Williams/MSCA, PO Box 770397, Memphis, TN 38177.
We have so. much. fun. J/K, y’all come! https://maps.app.goo.gl/3kRSvDH7tB7hbzJF9
CON CARDS BY GREG CRAVENS
The following night, October 7, 2026, you can hang with Greg Cravens and play some Con Cards at 6pm at 901 Games on Broad Ave, come hang and play with Greg Cravens’ Con Cards. Will you win the prize?
NEW LEGO GAME!! A new game will be played with the Lego Deck. Come along!!
OUTREACH – AVE MARIA HOME VISIT
We’ve been invited back on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 3 – 5 pm. Lin Workman is coming, who else? I know the time is odd, but it’s just enough time before they go to dinner. LET ME KNOW if you can come, please. Would like to have a few of us go, and they love to have us there.
Ave Maria is at https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgV6cYVaXRf6UchaA
After, we can go to dinner at Pop’s Comfort Kitchen at https://maps.app.goo.gl/azBZgEoAe7QG5Qa96
CONGRATULATIONS KATIE JONES!
She completely sold all of her artwork on display at Art for Jobs! More information about Art for Jobs can be seen here: https://www.advancememphis.org/afj
RRParksCARDS 13th Annual HALLOWEEN Trading Cards Event!
Halloween, Monster, and Horror TRADING CARD SETS with original art sketch cards, lenticulars, playset toys and MORE!
Lin Workman did 9 official sketchcards for this set which were all hand drawn and based these “Halloween Trick or Treat” cards on his “Scared Silly” toons. This is the 4th “Halloween: Trick Or Treat” set that he’s done for RRParks CARDS. Lin’s done several sketchcard sets for RRParks CARDS including horror themed ones such as “Nosferatu“, “The Thing“, “MANOS: The Hands Of Fate“, “Trilogy Of Horror” (“Coffintooth“/”The Slasher Nurse“/”Psycho Ape 2“), and his own “BATS” trading card set that was published by RRParks.
This project is planned to ship in time for Halloween… THIS Halloween- October 31st 2026!
You can check out RRParks’ Kickstarter campaign at the link below:
STAGE & SKETCH at THE DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
The next sketch event is October 8, 2026, from 6 – 8 pm. The location is at https://maps.app.goo.gl/DMR1XHZV4wAzuMCt8
Dale Martin shares: the 2nd Thursday of every month, from 6-8 pm in their education building (4339 Park Ave.). Past models have included wrestlers, belly dancers, and cosplayers. Organizer Shelda Edwards (@legendofshelda) keeps things fresh each time.
Oct. 8, Nov. 12, & Dec. 10, 2026.
A special monster edition of the ongoing Stage & Sketch series at the Dixon!
Stage & Sketch is a guided life drawing session with costumed models led by local artist (and Monster Maker) Shelda Edwards!
Get into the spooky season and flex your creativity with masked models and monster movies playing in the background at Monster Market on
ROGUES GALLERY
Rogue’s Gallery Memphis is returning October 11th with Rogue’s Gallery Memphis Strikes Back sponsored by Nae-Nae’s Comics at Abandoned Antiques’ event space in Millington TN from 1pm to 5pm. The MSCA’s own Lee Raggs is our poster artist for this year and we are opening up the event this year to include vendors, artists, a cosplay contest, giveaways, and more.
Sign ups are opening up on July 31st. Sign up at www.RoguesGalleryMemphis.com at the google form in the link.
Abandoned Antiques location https://maps.app.goo.gl/1si3N7HgG9CCUfxb7
SAT-ART-DAY – DRAWING DAY!
Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2026, from 1 – 4 pm, come draw at Crone Memorials (you can see where Kevin works during the day). There will be tables set up, but there is also a tall table in the back room for inkers and painters to work at if you like. It’s next door to Elmwood Cemetery in case someone wants to show up earlier in the day and go there for photography and (literally) still-life sketching. It’s a chance to set aside time to work on your art, practice with various pens or other art tools, do some writing, and finish some art.
Crone Memorials is at811 S Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104
https://maps.app.goo.gl/knDFDvLUrQacSJQj8
JOHNNY THE WORM NOMINATED
A children’s book illustrated by Kevin Williams won the Richard Wright Literary Award for “Best Children’s Fiction.” Written by June Griffith, it tells the story of Johnny, the worm, who doesn’t mind his parents and ends up in a dirt-load of trouble.
Ceremonies were at 5pm on September 24, 2026, at the Memphis Public Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. Ed Griffith, June’s son and the videographer and editor on the two The Muley and Friends Show TV Specials, accepted the award for her.
DIORAMAS AND VINTAGE TOY PRESENTATIONS
I’ve been sharing vintage toys and doing some fun dioramas for my collection lately, and if you’d like to see them, check out www.kevinlwilliams.com The dioramas come from screen captures and recreating the scenes in my computer, printing them out, spray-mounting to cardboard, and piecing it all together.
MARTHEUS WADE TEACHES SELF DEFENSE
On September 12, 2026, Martheus Wade taught a self-defense beginning course at First Congregational Church, 1000 S Cooper Street. Keep an eye out for future events. If you would like to have him do a class for your group, contact him at mawproductionsllc@gmail.com
Martheus has also re-released the book “Turra: Gun Angel” which can be bought at
https://us.list-manage.com/RlsBOpW5Y3T?e=1f576167f4&c2id=8df4ea30db88cc7eeead7b7ab4284ff3
NOVEL BOOKSTORE JUNIOR DRAWING CLUB
Jamie Wells shares that The Junior Drawing Club is a free event for all ages (recommended for ages 5-15) that takes place one Friday a month from 4–6 PM in the Event Space at Novel Bookstore.
There are always many tables full of blank paper, coloring sheets, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and other arts and crafts equipment. Snacks, water, and music will also be provided. For those who need it, there is always an optional prompt. Everyone can draw whatever they want.
It’s not always the same Friday each month. Here is the schedule as set so far:
November 20th
December 4th
Directions to Novel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cwg3o59hxDGviqn77
Give a follow and check out our friend Buckley’s cartoons.
https://www.buckleycartoons.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/buckleycartoons.bsky.social
The Memphis Monster Market runs 10 days from October 16-25, 2026 at The Medicine Factory in downtown Memphis, TN. It’s a Halloween pop-up shop and is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year. It’s a free event with free parking and several in-store special events.
MEMPHIS MONSTER CON TABLES AVAILABLE
https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=45907 is where you can reserve your table for $100 before the deadline: Sep 30, 2026 11:59 pm (GMT-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
Show Dates: Nov 21, 2026 10:00 am – Nov 22, 2026 4:00 am (CDT)
MID-SOUTH CARTOONISTS 40TH ANNIVERSARY – 3/22/2027
March 22, 2027, marks our official 40th anniversary. We’ll be celebrating with a zine sharing our 40 years. I’m thinking about a special dinner (while the original meeting was Steak and Ale, it no longer exists). What would you think would be a good location for a special dinner?
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE SKETCHY: MSCA ZINE 2027 Issues
2027 represents our 40th anniversary, and part of that will be the next publication of the GBS with release in March or April 2027. So the deadline will be the January 2027 Dinner Gathering. Lin Workman will be the editor of this zine. We’re looking to publish MSCA history, but also want your earliest work since 1987.
The second issue will be a dinosaur theme edited by Eric McMeans who is the perfect editor for such a thing (Raptor Boy comics anyone?)! This is slated to be released in September 2027 with a deadline of June 2027.
Now is the time to start reserving your pages! $3/page to play gets you one full issue per page, $1 per zine after that. If you’d like a copy of the page template please email MSCA publications at mscapub@gmail.com and we’ll get one sent over to you.
If you haven’t added to the dino and other jam pieces please do so at the next dinner gathering.
FREE LITTLE ART GALLERY – HERNANDO, MS
As an association whose primary goal is “to promote cartooning as art”, we have an opportunity to probably anonymously inspire someone to create!
Heather Bugg Ries at Mrs. Hippie Eats asks:
Hey friends. Our Art box could use some attention. If anybody out there has any extra Art pieces or art supplies they would like to donate to the free little art gallery or if you have an art class at your school that may be looking for some sort of fun project we would love some new fun Art donations. Let’s fill this thing up for Marian Norwood!
So, what exactly is a Free Little Art Gallery..? A Free Little Art Gallery (“FLAG” for short) is like a Little Free Library, but for tiny artworks!
Lin Workman has dropped off several pieces to the Hippie FLAG in Hernando (2595 McIngvale Rd Ste 101, Hernando, MS 38632) , and we’ll have materials at our next Sat-Art-Day and at our monthly dinner gathering in October at Garibaldi’s for anyone who’d like to participate. In addition to the FLAG at Mrs. Hippies, Lin noticed a Little Free Libraries outside of Lost Pizza Co. in Hernando, too- and it’s next door to the DeSoto Arts Council off Courthouse Square and Hwy. 51.
To find out more about where to find one– or how start one in your area check out the Free Little Art Galleries website at https://freelittleartgalleries.art/.
You can also check out the blog post on our MSCA website:
http://www.midsouthcartoonists.org/2026/09/01/peace_love_art_we-need-your-art/
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 25-27, 2026 – Pink Palace Crafts Fair at Pink Palace Museum & Mansion (10am-5pm)
September 26, 2026 – Water Tower Festival at Courthouse Square in Hernando, MS (9am-3pm)
September 26, 2026 – Fall Community Market at Faith in Bartlett, TN (9am-3pm)
September 27, 2026 – Harvest in the Park at H.W. Cox Park in Collierville, TN (2-6pm)
October 3, 2026 – Nashville Comic Arts Festival https://nashcomicsfest.wordpress.com/2026/03/09/october-3-2026-save-the-date/
October 6, 2026 – Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN (6-8pm)
October 7, 2026 – Con Cards at 901 Games (6pm)
October 7, 2026 – Outreach at Ave Maria Home (3–5pm) https://maps.app.goo.gl/rgV6cYVaXRf6UchaA
October 11, 2026 – Rogues Gallery Memphis www.RoguesGalleryMemphis.com
October 16-25, 2026 – Memphis Monster Market pop-up shop at The Medicine Factory in downtown Memphis, TN
November 3, 2026 – Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN (6-8pm)
November 14, 2026 – SAT-ART-DAY! 811 S Dudley St, Memphis, TN 38104 (1-4pm) https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCq3KsdnN46q1YMB7
November 21-22, 2026 – Memphis Monster Con at Agricenter International in Memphis, TN
December 1, 2026 – Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN (6-8pm)
January 5, 2027 – Dinner Gathering at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN (6-8pm)
September 2027 – WKNO Art Show Exhibition, themed around “literacy,” including students from Katie Jones’ own class, and will happen in the gallery/lobby of WKNO. https://maps.app.goo.gl/3YRSJy5v8e1qB3aZ8
MSCA Snail Mail:
MSCA
P.O. Box 770397
Memphis, TN 38177
If you have any event or art project news you’d like to share you can email me at midsouthcartoonists@gmail.com, or if you’d like to promote your podcast or Kickstarter campaign, you can email “Drawing Funny” podcast host Lin Workman at podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com. PDFs of your comics or zines can be emailed to me or Lin there, you can send a physical copy to the MSCA address above, or slide by one of our MSCA monthly dinner gatherings at Garibaldi’s Pizza on the 1st Tuesday night of each month from 6-8pm. If you’d like to send a voice mail or 60sec promo for your project, event or podcast, please email a mono MP3 audio file to Lin to be played on an upcoming episode of the DF podcast.
The podcast is free to listen to and there are no sponsors or paid ads- just interviews with comic creators, shout-outs to other podcasts, MSCA and industry news, info on fun local events, recommendations on cool items…and an occasional shameless plug by Lin. You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or most other podcasting platforms.