Photo 365 - Day 239 (Meeting The Mustache)

Day 238 (February 27th, 2011)
Title: Meeting The Mustache

If you saw my earlier Daily Artist post, you will know that I was lucky enough to meet one of my favorite artist recently, Sergio Aragonés.  He's a great cartoonist (Mad Magazine and Groo), that I've been reading and laughing too for as long as I can remember.  He was one of the guest at this years WonderCon in San Francisco - and was one of the major factors that got me to go!  If you ever get the chance to meet the man (and the mustache), I would highly recommend it.  He is very friendly and nice, and can draw cartoons at the speed of light.

Tech-bits: Being that I'm in this picture, I was unable to control all of the settings - but prop's to Theresa for making sure Sergio was in focus!  I'm out of focus because I didn't step forward a bit to be on the same focal plane as Sergio - So remember kids, when using a wide apature (f/2.0 in this case), make sure all of your elements are on the same focal plane! 

Enjoy!

Daily Artist - Sergio Aragonés

Sergio Aragonés; Cartoonist, Artist, Mustache’r

Sergio is my favorite “comic” style artist.  His work, which spans decades, has always entertained and amused me.  Aragonés is probably most famous for his work on Mad Magazine (from 1962 to today), drawing just about everything you can imagine.  My particular favorite drawings that he does are the “marginals” (small, textless comics that are drawn in the margin of the pages).  These little treasures are little visual jokes, that while simple in meaning are expertly drawn.  Aragonés has been called “The world’s fastest cartoonist” and I believe that’s a title he quite enjoys.  I was honored recently to meet him and I asked him to sign a few books and while talking to me, he completed two cartoons in about 30 seconds.  I’m not even sure if he looked at the paper!  It’s estimated that he has completed over 15,000 cartoons – just for Mad Magazine.  He has also made contributions to many other fields, including: comic books, TV, and movies.

One of the other reasons that I enjoy his work so much is that his personality is really portrayed in his work.  Many of the characters are smiling and enjoying life to the fullest (even if they are in “tricky” situations).  Aragonés appreciation of life and enjoyment of everything that is brings highly motivating and encouraging.  I think this quote is a perfect representation of Aragonés’s mindset and positive attitude:  “I’m thinking and laughing all day long. Every time I think of a joke, I’m also telling myself a new joke. It’s a great way to live.”

If you get the chance, just flip through a Mad Magazine (old or new) and just scan the margins for his little masterpieces – I’m sure you’ll find a little joke (and laugh) waiting for you!  He’s also got one of the greatest mustaches of all time.

Photo by Matt Barton

Wikipedia
Sergio Aragonés Homepage

Update on Free Photos

This weekend I completed the first two free photos that were requested, and I have to say I think they came out pretty darn well! Here they are mounted and mat boarded. So, if you are interested in receiving a free matted and mounted photo, I am still giving them away as I learn how to master the printing/mounting process. For more info, see the message I posted on 02/26/11.

Artist of the Day - Day 19 - Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein; Poet, Writer, and Exactlywatt.

Growing up, there were two key writers that had a great influence on motivating me to read, Dr. Seuss and She Silverstein.  As a “youngin’”, I (with some parental help) read Seuss over and over again, building the drive and desire to read more.  Once I got a bit older and was able to tackle books by myself, I migrated to Silverstein.  Silverstein’s stories and poems were great fun to read.  He was a master of using language in such a way that his writings didn’t feel “dumbed down” for kids but were still fun to read, for the imagery and worlds they created.  At the same time the stories had elements that might be missed by younger readers that really engaged the adults (he had stories about children disobeying parents, death, etc.)  I would have a hard time finding someone who has read “The Giving Tree” not get emotional while reading it.  I also find it particular amusing, during the late 1950’s he was Playboy magazine’s top cartoonist.  Who knows where the roads we take will lead us… perhaps to the end of the sidewalk. 

Wikipedia
Shel Silverstein Homepage