The Book of Going Forth By Day, Every Day
I have always doodled and drawn. I have never been encouraged by any art teacher, which was natural, because I have no great talent. But I have love. I have loved the work of Walt Kelly and Lynda Barry since I was tiny, and was given their books by the best of all possible grownups, who raised me. I have been drawing in margins ever since I was a child, for the same reasons that children draw – because it has not yet been drilled into them that they can’t.
At the very lowest points of life, I have at least used cartooning to talk to myself.
From the books of Jack Hamm, from copying photography while studying archaeology, and (unfortunately) from anime, I have learned a thing or two, and I had one adult-ed class; but mostly, I am winging it.
This is a Tumble-blog wherein I will post at least one (1) doodle a day for at least one (1) year.
Thus do I intend to go from a desk-worker and writer manqué to a self-taught cartoonist! Who is also a desk-worker and writer manqué. No coy angling for a book deal here – I know there’s other and better doodle blogs. But I invite you to come along with me anyway, because I am going.
In the words of Roy Blount, Jr.:
“’I know what you’re saying. You’re saying, Lord help us, another book about the South. But this is the first one I’ve written. Look at it from that point of view.’”
