Submitted to CNW Penstuff newsletter by Mark Monlux: Submitted 08/07/11

The Cartoonists League of Absurd Washingtonians formed in October of 2008. That previous summer Frost Park (named after slain police officer Frost) was saved from having a fence placed around it when RR Anderson issued a challenge to one and all that an hour contest draw on the sidewalk with chalk to see who was the greatest illustrator in the universe would be held at Frost Park. The Frost Park Chalk off quickly became a Friday tradition. But as October drew near, so did the merciless rains, which would make chalking impossible. Four magnificent souls from the contests had a lunch to discuss what could be done to keep the fun going over winter. Thus it was that the brainchild of the CLAW was born over Sushi and chalk.

The Tacoma Art Museum, recognizing an organization that was actively fun and terrific PR, asked the CLAW to become involved in some of it’s events. So it was on August 6th that the CLAW participated, for the third year running, along with many of the Frost Park Chalkies, in a chalk art competition at Tollefson Plaza, across the street from the art museum. The theme of the competition was “Identity”. The public via the TAM Facebook page will submit votes to determine the winner.

SEE ALSO MARK BRILL’S blog:

1. COWBOYS & DINOSAURS
2. COWBOYS & DINOSAURS – THE PROCESS 

The CLAW holds a publically accessible Open Swim meeting the third Thursday of each month at the Amocat Café. July had the Dockyard Derby Dames volunteering for an evening modeling session. The theme for Augusts’ meeting will be Win-Loose-or CLAW, a team drawing completion involving everyone who attends. Member-only meetings are the first Wednesday of the month and are held secretly at Comic Book Ink. If you would like to become a member of the CLAW applications can be found at the website under “About Us”. Potentials are voted in by all the membership based on their cartooning skill. You can find us, and see members work at our Facebook page and Flicker groups.

In Other News

• The Tribulations of Mr. Fiddlesticks
• NEW CLAW member spambot comic launched!
• NEW CLAW member zombie comic  launched!
• NEW CLAW Draw’s the Derby Dames
• NEW CLAW member no. 17 – welcome Brandon!

Image Courtesy of Four-Eye Mark 9 Brill

Comic Book Ink and the C.L.A.W. held the “Be A Hero!” Fundraiser. (read Mark Brill’s excellent first-person account)  The CLAW’s goal was to raise $1,000 to purchase a share of Comic Book Ink, with the eventual profit from the share going into the CLAW Student Scholarship Fund. Cartoonists and Comic artists descended on Comic Book Ink on Saturday, June 25th from Noon to 5:00 pm. And during that the CLAW exceeded its goal. Many thanks to all those who participated! And the fun didn’t stop there! From 5 p.m. on the artists went next door to the Green Pup Sports Bar for a Drink and Draw! The artwork created at the Drink and Draw went on display at Comic Book Ink and raised yet more funds for the cause. The Open Swim was held at the CLAW’s new meeting time, the third Thursday of the month. So that makes this next CLAW Open Swim will be on Thursday, July 21st. The next big public event the CLAW will be participating in will be Tacoma’s Art Museum’s Best of the Northwest Summer Festival’s Chalk Art Competition. This will be the CLAW’s third year attending and we are hoping that one of our members will walk away with the grand prize, a year’s membership at the museum. For this and other event coming in August, keep an eye on our calendar.

One Ringy Dingy

UPDATE: A slew of members form the CLAW will be at Comic Book Ink today; James Stowe, Mark Brill, Adam Botsford, Nick Butler, Mark Monlux and special guest Jesse Munoz. All of them will be doing drawings for you when you make a donation to the fund.

Raffles! There will be an hourly raffles for Comic Book Ink Gift Certificates!
Also, Mark Brill will be raffling off framed original art from one of the pieces he did for a Magic the Gathering cards.
We know there is a lot happening this weekend, but we encourage you to stop on by and show your support for a local merchant who’s done a lot for this community and the CLAW!

Comic Book Ink and the C.L.A.W. (Cartoonist’s league of Absurd Washingtonians) are inviting you to “Be A Hero!” The CLAW, in response for all the previous support given by Comic Book Ink, is looking to return the favor. The CLAW’s goal is to raise $1,000 to purchase a share of Comic Book Ink, with the eventual profit from the share going into the CLAW Student Scholarship Fund. Caroonists and Comic artists will be descending on Comic Book Ink on Saturday, June 25th from Noon to 5:00 pm. For everyone who makes a donation these fine artisans be drawing you or a loved one as a Super!

And the fun doesn’t stop there! From 5 p.m. on the artists are going to head next door to the Green Pup Sports Bar for a Drink and Draw! Artwork created at the Drink and Draw will be display on Sunday at Comic Book Ink and available for purchase via a silent auction. Come in and mark down your bid on your favorites.

Out of town but still want to participate? Just go to: http://www.cartoonistsleague.org and click on the donate button. All donations made during the weekend of June 25th and 26th will go towards into this unique effort to support a local merchant who’s has been a long time supporter of local artists and gamers in the community.

To see a continually updated lists of participating artists visit:
http://www.comicbookink.com

The C.L.A.W. Student Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is given yearly to an Art Student to aid in their ongoing studies of sequential art, and continues to get larger each year. With a humble award of $100 in 2009 the scholarship had grown each year, with last scholarship being $908. This generosity was in no small part thanks Comic Book Ink who was been both a donator of fund but also acting as the venue for the 24 Hour Comic Challenge in November, the C.L.A.W.’s primary fund drive. It’s the C.L.A.W.’s deepest wish to keep Comic Book Ink open and alive, so that they can continue to be one of the truly socially active retailers in our community.