Tag: Jack Cassady

Bluff City Life In The 901

On Thursday, March 9th the MSCA’s Greg Cravens and myself (Lin Workman) stopped by the WMC TV5 studios to record a couple segments for thier show “Bluff City Life” with host Gina Neely.

MSCA president Kevin L. Willams was on “Bluff City Life“ back during the pandemic (3/29/22) to discuss the MSCA’s 35 anniversary with then host Andy Mannis. (You can watch the interview by clicking here.)

We were there to talk about our upcoming events, like our monthly dinner meeting in April at Garibaldi’s Pizza, and our Drink-N-Draw and Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East.

I dropped off a promo pizza box press kit to the station the week before on my way out to the “Spamalittle” art show reception at GCT.

We got to the station a bit after noon, and waited up front with Jamie from the Memphis Public Libraries. We met Gina in the lobby, then hung out in the “green room” for a few minutes with the other guest on the show, designer David Quarles IV and his Chasing Paper Wallpaper associates.

It was strange to be in the studio…there were no camera operators on the news floor. The cameras were all operated remotely in the contol room, and Gina and her assistant were in contact with the director via ear buds.

And the studio was a lot greener than the actual green room! This was the big green screen for doing the Action News 5 weather.

While waiting out front Greg did a quick sketch of Jamie who was there to talk about the Memphis Public Libraries‘ “5 Fridays Of Jazz” events.

Greg warmed up a bit before our segment by doing a quick caricature of Gina while sitting off camera.

Greg got his start as a caricature artist at Opryland in Nashville, TN back in the ’80s.

Notice that Greg lettered this comic strip first before drawing in the figure.

Greg did this comic strip of Gina while off camera after our segment so it didn’t make it on the show.

Thanks to Gina and her crew at TV5. We had a lot of fun in the two or so hours we were there. Hope to get to be back on again later.

The show aired on Tuesday the 14th at noon on Channel 5 here in Memphis, and uou can watch on their site by clicking the links below..

Part 1:
https://www.actionnews5.com/video/2023/03/14/bluff-city-life-tuesday-14-march-pt-4-8/

Part 2:
https://www.actionnews5.com/video/2023/03/14/bluff-city-life-tuesday-14-march-pt-5-8/

The following night we had our latest Drink-N-Draw where as you may suspect, we drink and we draw.

The gang were hanging out in the back gallery room at 901 Comics East out on Macon Road.

We had a great turnout again for this event, and the weather outside was nice and were able to draw with the lights on inside this time.

Jake did some more sketchcard mash-ups…

And I did another Muppets sketcard.

First time attendee Jose’ handed out some great promo business cards.

Our next Drink-N-Draw will be on Wednesday, April 26th from 6-8pm. It’s free and open to the public, but bring a few bucks if you’d like something to drink and/or eat.

Our next MSCA monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Tuesday, April 4th from 6-8pm. Same as the Drink-N-Draw, it’s free to attend but bring your wallet if you’d like to order off the menu.

Our next Sat-Art-Day at 901 Comics East is this Saturday, March 25th from 10-2.

You never know who’s gonna show up at our events!

Lin

Dinner And Drawing – Our Latest MSCA Get Together At Garibaldi’s

Hey, gang- we recently got together for our monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza over in the U of M area off Walker and Highland near Southern.

We had a good turnout again this month, and had a good time discussing what everyone has been u to lately and sharing some art.

 

 

More freebies were available for folks who attended. Kevin brought some more MSCA postcards, Jack Chapman brought some art books to give away, and I brought along some Free Comic Book Day comics from my day job at 901 Comics East, more MSCA sketchcard blanks, and a few of the promo trading cards (featuring my art) from the upcoming Nosferatu Series Two card set produced by 4 different publishers: RRParksCARDS, Attic Cards, Leg Day Cards, and RJF.

I’ll bring a few more freebies to the next meeting in October including the Nosferatu promo cards, and some new MANOS trading cards I just received in the mail.

Oh, don’t forget that  if you stop by any of our local Memphis area comic shops- Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics, or The Art Center you can snag some free MSCA and Drawing Funny podcast swag.

We discussed a lot of the recent events like the Zine Fest, and upcoming events like Monster Market, Memphis Comic Expo/DonnieCon, MidTownCon, annual NCS Fest/Reuben Awards, and the ongoing MSCA display at the Hernando Public Library.

annual

The Monster Market is an on-line store which features original art, prints, and other monstrous merch. There will be an in-person open house on October 1st at Marshall Arts. I’ll have some of my “Scared Silly” prints, canvases, buttons, stickers, magnets, and more available for sale there, as well as some of my hand drawn sketchcards. Dale Martin will also be a part of the artist line-up for this year’s market.

The Memphis Comic Expo (AKA “DonnieCon“) is back in the M-Town with over 70,000 square feet of expo space featuring comics, artists & writers, a cosplay contest, panels, vendors, voice actors, food, drinks, and more!

Agricenter International
(Entrance in Wing C)
7777 Walnut Grove Road (near Germantown Pkwy.)
Memphis, TN 38120
FREE PARKING on premise.

Expo Hours:
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
VIP Ticket holders will have early entry privileges at 9:30am both days.

Tickets are now on-sale, but VIP tickets have sold out.

Our own Greg Cravens is the Membership Chairman for the National Cartoonists Society and will be in attendance for the NCS’s annual meeting and awards. This year it’s being held in Kansas City, MO. If you’d like to find out more about becoming an NCS member, be sure to ask Greg about it, or check out the NCS website at www.nationalcartoonists.com.

When I got home from the MSCA dinner I had some NCS Icons pins waiting for me in my mailbox. You can order some here. I also recommend checking out the NCSFest online. Lots of great interview, panels, and other cartooning videos to check out.

And speaking of checking out some cartooning, the Hernando Library display cases are full of original art, printed comics and zines, newsletters, promotional materials. art show invitations, and more from the club’s 35 year existence in the Memphis area.

 

We showcased some production art and tools of the trade from back when art was literally cut and paste, like some examples of  our early logo and original promo flyer.

 

We tried to include some original art and notes next to the finished printed materials to show a peek of the  process of creating the art.

It was fun to be art archaeologists and MSCA historians as we dug though the club’s archive box and history scrapbooks. There was so much we had forgotten about or didn’t know about. Definitely a learning experience for Kevin and me. Soooooo much more we wanted to display, but just ran out of room.

 

We’ll see about adding in other items next time. We’d love to do a future  one  featuring original comic art and final printed pages/covers by MSCA members.

If you get a chance to stop by the library it will be up for the rest of September, and will be followed by a Ghostbusters display by the Memphis Ghostbusters. Oh, and for the holidays a LEGO display by Kevin Thorn is coming up in December..!If you can’t make it by, you can see more pics on the MSCA Facebook page, and a few more will be added as soon as I get the pics Kevin took while we were there.

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

The dinner meetings are casual and open to the public. Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out- and any art questions you may need answers to.

Please be sure to introduce yourself and let us know you’re there to hang out with the MSCA.

The room is reserved, but occasionally some folks don’t realize it and unintentionally join us.

 

 

This month there was some drawing done during dinner…go figure! There has been talk about trying to get back together to do more zines, and we will have another art show at the Germantown Community Theatre in spring 2033.

Dinner gatherings are always the first Tuesday of the month  starting at 6:30pm (or a bit earlier if you’d like) at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave..Our next one is Tuesday, October 4th.

Feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did- lots of great pasta, sandwiches, and pizza to choose from!

Hope you can make it out and join us for dinner…and some cartooning conversation.

Lin

Garibaldi’s Pizza

3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com

^Additional photos by Kevin L. Williams.

MSCA News, Updates, Links, and August Dinner Meeting Notes

Hey, gang- it was great to be back at Garibaldi’s Pizza again for our monthly dinner meet-up.

We had a great turn out and look forward to doing it again next month on September, 6th.

Also- I’ve got a message from the MSCA’s president, Kevin L. Williams…

Tonight’s MSCA dinner gathering was a lot of fun, and thanks everyone for the great resource information! Good to see everyone there, and look forward to next month. Anytime you have good resources to share, please do.

Here are some notes from tonight: 

INTERNET 

First, another call for self-caricatures and bios, including all your social media and websites, for the Members Directory section of the website. You can send that to midsouthcartoonists@gmail.com.

Also, ANYTIME that you have something that is newsworthy (even if you don’t think it is), please share it for the website and MSCA page.  Art shows, publications, articles, performances – it’s all newsworthy! 

Second, please share the attached graphic and link to www.midsouthcartoonists.org on your own websites/social media.  Help us spread the word!

Dinner gatherings are always the first Tuesday of the month at 7pm (or a bit earlier if you’d like) at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave.

Third, if you haven’t been on yet contact Lin Workman about the MSCA’s “DrawingFunny” podcast! It’s a good time and you get to pimp your work to the world for free!

Interviews can be recorded over Zoom or in person. Email midsouthcartoonists@gmail.com or podcast@drawingfunny.com and he’ll get the message.

Fourth, Lin Workman secured display space at the Hernando Public Library to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association. They have a large 2-sided display case and a smaller single case on the other side of the lobby hall. Both have locks and can be viewed during library business hours. Display will be up for the whole month of September. The MSCA display will be a great way to spread the word about our group, its history, members’ work, and show some how-to draw examples.

Some members dropped off items at the last dinner meeting, but if you have any ‘historical’ MSCA stuff- napkin doodles, publications (personal projects/comics, magazine covers, MSCA newsletters, etc.), progression examples of your work (like our “Drawing Inspiration” art show) that you wouldn’t mind loaning us for the display, let me know when/where I can pick it up.

I’ve tried to keep up with a good collection of stuff in a box I consider our “archives” which I’ll dig into as well. 

RESOURCES 

Lastly, as per our discussions, I’ve attached “Wally Woods 22 Panels That Always Work” which is a great reference for drawing comics. 

A few books mentioned tonight: 

Comics and Sequential Art: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist (Will Eisner Instructional Books) www.amazon.com/dp/0393331261/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_RQX9FCR3S55SVK52N0A4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 

Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storyteller www.amazon.com/dp/1933492953/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_3PHJ6F2SYP08R5Z8RVYK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 

Websites: 

Line-of-action.com is great reference for figure drawing.

Oh, and speaking of figure drawing, sign up for the Facebook group Memphis Life Drawing and go visit with some of our members and DRAW!!  (Just a little money due to pay for the models.)www.facebook.com/groups/1169039783154774/

Podcasts: 

www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/screen-tones-a-webcomic-podcast/id1591620548

www.youtube.com/user/tommyswass

www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-panel-a-comics-interview-podcast/id1006337409

www.drawingfunny.com

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!Your Pals,Kevin L. Williams& Muley the Mule

BTW- don’t forget you can pick up some MSCA and Drawing Funny free swag around town at Comics & Collectibles (East Memphis), The Cellar Table Top Games and Comics (Bartlett), and both locations of 901 Comics (Cooper/Young and Cordova). We always have some at our dinner meet-ups at Garibaldi’s, too.

“Bluff City Life” Interview And Clip Studio Tutorial With “Bluff City Blues” Novic Creator At MSCA Dinner Meeting

On March 29th MSCA president Kevin L. Williams was interviewed by host Andy Mannis for “Bluff City Life”, which aired on WMC TV5 here in Memphis. Kev and Andy discussed the MSCA and our 35th anniversary this year (March 28, 1987).

If you missed the MSCA segment when it played you can now check it out online here.

On Tuesday, April 5th, we got back together for our MSCA monthly dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza. This was our second meet-up back at Garibaldi’s since we had to stop due to the pandemic back in March 2020.

We had another great turnout- not only some of our usual suspects, but folks we haven’t seen for a while like brothers Marvin and Spencer Cheveallier, former MSCA prez Charles Ettinger, and a new face- Courtney Dunn, from the Brooks Museum Of Art who heard about us from one of the postcards we recently sent out. She brought a few of her sketchbooks to show- which were great. Always love to see other artists’ sketchbooks.

I had Dale Martin sign my copy of “The Dragon Templar” comic. I picked up a copy of the first issue at The Cellar. He and writer Brad Starnes are working on the second issue now.

We had fun hanging out, talking toons, and eating pizza and pasta. Lots of catching up to do as always, sketchbooks to be looked at, drawings to be done, and more freebie swag to be had.

Towards the end of this meeting, member Antonio Johnson brought along his laptop, tablet, and extra monitor to do a tutorial on the art program Clip Studio Paint.

He showed us the basics that can be done, and took lots of questions from the group. A few members use the program and added some of their expertise to the conversation.

A few months back Charles had shown us a bit of how he used the program while on one of our Zoom meetings. He was working on the Memphis issue of our MSCA Zine. I was impressed with the what could be done with it in just those few minutes.

After last night I’m amazed to find out more about what else it can do and support, and for a very reasonable price. I really hadn’t thought about getting a new graphics program (I use Corel Draw and Photoshop), but am really tempted to get it and a new tablet for my new laptop. The question is, since I draw outside the computer left handed, and draw inside the computer right handed, do I just stick with the way things are, learn it left-handed since I’ve got to learn to use the program, or try to get comfortable with either hand- just in case..?

You can check out Antonio’s art at www.adjdesign.com, as well as purchase some of his and wife Tamika’s books, merch and apparel in their shop here.

Since the restaurant closes a bit earlier these days we didn’t have a long time to really get into what all the program can do, but it was a fun introduction to it for many of us. Thanks to Antonio for teasing us with Clip Studio Paint. I hope we can have more demonstrations at future meetings. If anyone would like to lead one, please give Kevin a yell so we can schedule it.

Also looking for guests to talk toons on our Drawing Funny podcast. I can either do a Zoom call or meet in person if needed. Just shoot me an email at podcasy(at)drawingfunny(dot)com and we’ll schedule it. I’d also be happy to interview anyone at our meetings or other events.

I’m glad we were able to have monthly Zoom meetings during the pandemic, but man it’s great to be meeting back in person again.

Don’t forget that MidTownCon is this Saturday from 10-4pm at Black Lodge Video here in Memphis. More and more cons and events are starting up again.

Also, mark your calendars- Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2022 is set to be celebrated on Saturday, May 7 at local comic shops across the country and around the world! Check with your local comic shop to see ig/how they are participating, and if there are any requirements/restrictions.

Oh, and Dale Martin has his first show of the year he’s participating in- the Annesdale Snowden Neighborhood Art Walk in Memphis. Dale does a lot of art shows and festivals around the mid-south, so keep an eye out for him and his work.

Stay “tooned” for more MSCA anniversary updates and member news. Hope you all are doing well and drawing funny!

Lin

MSCA Monthly Dinner Meeting This Tuesday- No Foolin’, fools!

Hey, gang- no April Fools jibber-jabber today. Just a couple MSCA bits of info for you-including the next monthly meeting this Tuesday.

Yep, it’s hard to believe it’s time for another MSCA dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza off Walker Ave. and Highland (across from Tiger Bookstore).

It’s been a month since our first time back at Garibaldi’s after a two year pandemic forced hiatus. Yeah, hard to believe it was two years without any in-person get-togethers here.

We had about a dozen members stop in, and as you can tell everyone was super excited to be back together in the same room again..!

We all enjoyed some good grub, great conversation, and traded/snagged some cartoonist freebies. I brought some MSCA and Drawing Funny podcast swag (pins, buttons, stickers, sketchcard blanks), Kevin Williams brought some MSCA postcards, Greg Cravens had some of his stickers, and Lonnie Eastering had some of his Spud Toons stickers. (If you’d like any MSCA and/or Drawing Funny freebie swag be sure to stop by Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics around town,)

This month marked the 35th anniversary since the first Memphis Cartoonists Group meeting- March 28, 1987.

The name has changed since that first meeting and so has our roster of usual suspects, but we still have some members from those early days and are always looking to have more folks join our ranks. Young or old, experienced or just starting out, published or just draw for fun- everyone is welcome to come out and talk toons with us.

This last Tuesday, March 29th- the day after our official anniversary, MSCA president Kevin L. Williams appeared on WMC TV5’s “Bluff City Life” to talk about our group’s history with host Andy Mannis.

During the MSCA segment some pics of the group (including a shot from out most recent March dinner meeting) and some member’s art was shown including some from our recent art show at Germantown Community Theatre.

There we a couple of minor technical issues, but Kev did great a great job promoting the association and getting the word out to the mid-south. If you missed Kev’s TV appearance, the episode should be available to watch on their website anytime now.

Hope you can all make it out to meet up with us this Tuesday, April 5th from 7-9pm at the U of M Garibaldi’s Pizza. Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out. Also, feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did!

I’m hoping to actually sit down and do a bit of recording for the Drawing Funny podcast during the meeting, so if you’d like to be on the show please let me know.

I pity the fools that miss this next MSCA dinner meet-up!

Lin

“What’s Goin’ On” – New “Drawing Funny” Podcast Episode

New “Drawing Funny” episode is available for download.

Show notes: In this solo episode I have an update and details on the current MSCA art show at the Germantown Community Theatre. It and the play “The Complete History Of America (abridged)” can be seen February 17-27, 2022. This is one of our 35th anniversary events, and we’re working on a couple more (additional announcements coming soon).

BIG NEWS– after meeting virtually on Zoom for the last two years due to the pandemic, we’re happy to announce our return to in-person meetings at Garibaldi’s Pizza…we’ll be back on the first Tuesday in March! I also share some Mid-South Cartoonists Association history in our first MSCA Fun Facts segment, and unfortunately there’s some more sad MSCA member news.

If you have any ideas for ways for us to celebrate our MSCA anniversary, or would like to be on this podcast please contact me at podcast (at) drawingfunny (dot) com. I’d love to hear from you.

If you stop by The Cellar and/or our dinner meeting in person be sure to snag some free Drawing Funny podcast and MSCA swag. Lots of buttons, stickers and sketchcard blanks are available while they last. You can also find some at Comics & Collectibles and 901 Comics as well.

Stay well, stay tooned, and hope to see you in person this March..!

Ep. 37: “What’s Goin’ On”
www.drawingfunny.com/2022/02/15/episode-37-whats-goin-on/

(L-R) Lin Workman, Jack Cassady, Greg Cravens, and Kevin L. WIlliams.

Original flyer for our first meeting back in 1987!

MSCA Updates – “’Murica” And More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

February 1, 2022

THE MID-SOUTH CARTOONISTS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS “’MURICA” AT GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATER 

The Mid-South Cartoonists Association (MSCA) art show “’Murica” will be presented February 17 – 27, 2022, at Germantown Community Theater alongside the comedy play, “The Complete History of America (Abridged).”

2022 represents the MSCA’s 35th year of “drawing funny” and this art show will be one of a few big events planned for the year.  This show shares a variation of art styles and techniques from different members Lin Workman, Terence Washington, Jim Palmer, Dale Martin, Greg Cravens, and Kevin Williams.

“While the MSCA has done many themed shows for decades, we’re especially proud to partner with Germantown Community Theater to present our art show “’Murica.” It’s special as it focuses on American History – with a twist, of course,” said MSCA President, Kevin Williams. “And you can’t get more twisted than a cartoonist’s take on history.”

The play, “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” is described as a ninety-minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History, reminding us that it’s not the length of your history that matters — it’s what you’ve done with it!  The play, written by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor is directed by Elizabeth Perkins.

Hours to see the show are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd. in Germantown, TN 38138.

Stay “tooned” for more info on our upcoming fall art show downtown…

There’s a new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode available for downloading: Ep35- “The Dragon Templar“. You can listen directly at www.drawingfunny.com or download at most any place you like to subscribe to your podcasts.

This episode I(Lin) talks to MSCA member Dale Martin and local writer Brad Starnes about their new comic, their origin stories, convention plans, and more.

The first issue is available now at 901 Comics (Memphis and Cordova), The Cellar Tabletop Games & Comics (Bartlett), and Quimby’s (Chicago), with more outlets to come soon! It is also available direct from the creators at www.dragontemplar.com.

Tonight is our monthly MSCA online Zoom meeting at 7pm. We will be recording some audio of some of our members’ memories of  cartoonist Sam Ray, who passed away back in December.

From MSCA founding member, Jack Cassady:

Hi Gang!  I see where you guys are mighty busy trying to get ready for the Art Show in Germantown. I wish you all the best of luck and much success in that fine venue.

I was greatly saddened at the news of Sam passing. It was a shock to me. I always considered Sam to be one of the charter members of the group. I enjoyed his company and talents. We were indeed fortunate to have someone like Sam to help us along the yellow brick road. Please note that I will be lifting a toast to Sam later this evening. He will be missed.

Jack

Sad news from writer Mark Waid about the passing of comics creator Brian Augustyn (aged 67):

This one hurts unimaginably: Brian Augustyn, rest in peace.

The Augustyn family has asked me to let Brian’s friends and fans know that Brian left us today after suffering a sudden, severe stroke over the weekend. I have spent a lot of time these last few hours writing a great deal about Brian, and I’ll share those thoughts soon, but for now I simply wanted to let everyone know. Comics has lost a very kind, very talented man who has been my big brother and one of my very best friends for nearly 35 years.

If you’ve ever been a friend, colleague, or fan of Brian’s–or, frankly, a fan of the work done by Humberto Ramos, Mike Wieringo, Mike Parobeck, Oscar Jimenez, Howard Porter, Travis Charest, or any of the many, many other creators who owe their careers to Brian, myself included–I’m asking you to send a card or a note to his wife Nadine and daughters Carrie and Allie to express your condolences and tell them what he meant to you. I believe it would mean a lot to them. I realize we live in an ephemeral era of emails and texts, but something tangible, something on paper, something they can treasure, would be appreciated. Send to the following address and I will pass everything along, so please keep it to letters and cards if you will. Thank you.

Send to:
Mark Waid for the Augustyns
c/o Humanoids
6464 Sunset Blvd, Suite 1180
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Some more sad news, MSCA member Martheus Antone Wade‘s mom passed recently. Jan Hardrick’s services will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022.  Visitation will be 9am, with services beginning at 10am, at M.J. Edwards, 1165 Airways Blvd, Memphis, TN 38114

If you’d like to send along condolences to the Wade’s, please send them to midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com and Kevin will collect them to forward them to him.

Three Amigos- Our Latest In Person Monthly Meeting

Hey, gang-

Well, this last Tuesday was the 1st Tuesday of the month which means it was time for our monthly MSCA meet-up. The weather was amazing- especially for the first week of August in Memphis! Kevin Williams, Greg Cravens, and I met up in a shaded area of Overton Park. We had a fun time talkin’ toons and swapping freelance war stories.

The next in-person meeting will be at the Woodruff-Fontaine House on Tuesday, September  7th at 6pm. We’ll be meeting outdoors under one of the many shade trees on the grounds, so bring a chair, something to eat/drink, and any art, books, swag, etc. you’d like to share/show with everyone. I’ll have some freebie “Drawing Funny”swag to share.

Beginning in January we’ll be meeting in person back at Garibaldi’s Pizza – fingers crossed!

2022 will be the MSCA’s 35th anniversary. This was the promo flyer for the first meeting way back in March, 1987- art by Jack Cassady.

What would you like to see the group do to celebrate this milestone..? Any suggestions on making those things happen? Any upcoming 2022 events we could participate in as a group?

Bring your wish list and suggestions, plus any ways you think we could make them happen to our next meeting and let’s discuss the future of the MSCA.

Speaking of upcoming events, Dale Martin shared this Zine Fest news from the Crosstown Concourse…

“The 6th annual Memphis Zine Fest will be held inside the Central Atrium of Crosstown Concourse for two days, Saturday, September 4th and Sunday, September 5th. The event times will be 10-4 pm and this year, the Zine Fest will be in conjunction with the first annual Memphis Listening Lab/WYXR Record Swap event. There will be a lot going on that weekend and it should be a lot of fun!”

We’re planning on setting up a group table at the event. If any members would like to take a turn manning the table please give Dale or Kevin a yell. It will be the weekend before our next monthly meet-up in September. Should be a great way to promote our group and move some MSCA “The Good, The Bad, & The Sketchy” Zines..!

BTW- last Saturday, July 31st Nicki and I made a day trip up to Metropolis, IL for the annual Superman Celebration. I’ll have a blog post about our adventures in the home town of Superman on my Have Geek, Will Travel blog, as well as doing a recap on “Drawing Funny” soon, but you can see/hear us on the Supergirl Radio podcast or their YouTube channel. We were interviewed at the Celebration by Supergirl Radio co-host Rebecca Johnson. Our segment is towards the end of the episode, but you can see us behind Rebecca in the episode video on YouTube and Facebook.

Next year the Superman Celebration should be back to its normal weekend of the second full weekend of June.

That’s all for this update- stay \S/uper!

Lin

 

“Is this thing on..?” New MSCA ‘Drawing Funny’ Podcast Is Live And New ‘Magic’ Zine Is In Stores

Hey, gang- as of this month I am a podperson again!

It took a little doing, but the new MSCA podcast Drawing Funny is now available online and I’ve got 3 (and a half) episodes in the can.

Episode 0 is the pilot/introductory episode, Episode 1 was our last meeting Zoom call…

Episode 2 was an interview with the MSCA President, Kevin L. Williams, and Episode 3 was with local Memphis comic creator Matt Bowers.

I’ll be recording more episodes soon. As soon as it is safe enough for us to get together again in person I’ll be taking the show on the road to our dinner meet-ups, to comics shops, conventions, and other events to record.

Please be sure to “like” and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, Pocket Casts, and other places you can get podcasts.

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I’ll be recording our next monthly Zoom meeting, which is next Tuesday, November 3rd.  If you’d like to attend the virtual MSCA meeting please contact Kevin– midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com, and be sure to put “zoom invite request” in the subject line.

Lots to discuss this month, including the latest issues of the MSCA Zine. Issue #3 “Magic” is in stores now, and #4 “Animals” (with a Jim Palmer cover) will be out in mid-November. Copies of issue #1 “Horror” and #2 “Space” are still available at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics. Deadline for entries for the “Winter/Holiday” #5 issue is coming up soon, so be sure to get your art sent over to our editors Dale Martin and Jason Negan.

Speaking of 901 Comics, you can pick up Matt Bowers’ Memphis comic there. Issues #1 & #2 are available for sale there now. He had a singing at the shop last weekend. Matt was also featured in the October 22, 2020 issue of the Memphis Flyer.

Matt Bowers’ Memphis: Superheroes in the Bluff City
It’s Here: Matt Bowers Signs Copies of Memphis No. 2

BTW- if you missed the last MSCA Zoom Meeting, you can listen to it on DrawingFunny.com (Ep1 – “Calling All Cartoonists”)and hear some MSCA history by the man responsible for us all being drawn together- founding member Jack Cassady. I’m hoping to edit some of the video together to use for our new YouTube channel Kevin is putting together. We will be uploading some drawing/painting videos to it soon. Would love to see some of your work on there, as well as in the MSCA website’s Members Gallery I’m currently curating, too.

Kevin and Muley have been very active over on YouTube with their “Muley Reads” videos, where just like the title suggests, Muley reads some fun, entertaining, and educational books. Fond out more info over at MuleyTheMule.com.

 

Stay tooned!

Lin

Our 2nd Zoom Meeting Was Out Of This World!

We had our second MSCA virtual dinner meeting on Zoom Tuesday night.

Thanks to Kevin “Nuggethead” Thorn for setting it up for us. He couldn’t stay for the meeting, but turned over the reigns to me (Lin) to let in folks who wanted to join in on the call.

We had a special VIP guest show up for the meeting- MSCA founding member Jack Cassady stopped by to catch up with us.

We got up close and personal with Jack for a minute or so, but as soon as he and Kevin Williams got their web cameras situated we got to talkin’ toons. We talked a lot about how the MSCA came into being, the first meeting, Jack’s other group he started in Florida, his teaching job, the NCS, and him repeatedly jumping out of perfectly good airplanes- over 1000 times…!

We also had a special appearance by Jason Negen’s new puppy! My wife Nicki and Jim Palmer’s wife JoLynn also popped in to say hi. Nicki even brought me chicken wings to eat.

Kevin Williams and Antonio Johnson had cooler backgrounds and spfx than the rest of us.

We spent several minutes at the beginning of the meeting just laughing at Kevin in outer space and the digital pizza party hat or sunglasses he was wearing.

Towards the end of the call Greg Cravens was able to join us for a bit. He was working late on a project and had finished just in time to join in on some of the virtual fun. Was glad to have Cravens join us and get a chance to speak to Jack.

It did feel weird that when we got done with the meeting we couldn’t walk outside Garibaldi’s Pizza and talk for another couple hours like we normally do when we meet in person.

We’re planning on making this a monthly event on the first Tuesday of each month until we can safely meet up in person again. If you’d like to be a part of it shoot Kevin Williams an email for an invite- midsouthcartoonist (at) gmail (dot) com. Just put “MSCA Zoom” in the subject line.