About Us+JOIN

The CLAW ARTIST GUILD strives to unite and support creators and makers from cartooning, illustration, mixed-media, and beyond in Tacoma and the Puget Sound Region.

Claw endorses an open art community that embraces alternative spaces and platforms for our art. Our mission is to build our own opportunities and foster our community through art shows, open art sessions, collaboration, instruction, and outreach. We believe that art should be fun and accessible to anyone that wants to participate.

Core Values:

  • CREATE
  • ACTIVE
  • FRIENDLY
  • ACCESSIBLE
  •  FUN

Code of Conduct and Statement of Inclusivity

We are an inclusive social group designed to support all kinds of artists and creative professionals in our community. We ask that you are kind and patient to our veteran attendees and welcoming to newer attendees. We strive to welcome and support people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, color, immigration status, socioeconomic class, education, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability. Discrimination or intolerance based on background or identity will not be tolerated.
We ask that everyone be considerate one another’s work and personal business practices. This is a safe environment to show work and ask questions. Expressed comments and actions should be given with constructive intent and attendees will address one another as professional colleagues. Conversely, consider the consequences when making decisions that may affect others. Remember that we are a community. It is better to ask questions before offering criticisms or advice. Above all, be supportive, professional and respectful. Not all of us will agree all the time, but disagreement is no excuse for poor behavior and poor manners. It is important to remember that a community where people feel uncomfortable or threatened is not a productive one. Unsolicited, unprofessional or abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
We are a community, and we strive to conduct ourselves professionally. Be kind to others. Do not insult or harass others during meetings, events, in public, on social media, text, email or telephone communication. Harassment and other exclusionary behavior aren’t acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to:
Violent threats or language directed against another person.
Discriminatory jokes and language.
Presenting unsolicited sexually explicit or violent material, or presenting such material after someone expresses discomfort with that type of subject matter.
Revealing people’s personally identifying information or private work without strict permission to do so by that individual.
Personal insults, especially those using racist or sexist terms.
Unwelcome sexual attention of any kind.
Repeated or historical harassment of others.
Stalking or physically assaulting someone.
Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
In general, if someone asks you to stop, then stop. If someone tells you that you are making them uncomfortable, listen to them and modify your behavior. Failure to do so will not be tolerated.
When we disagree, try to understand why. Disagreements, both social, artistic and professional, happen all the time. It is important that we resolve disagreements and differing views constructively. Remember that all attendees are different. The strength of any community comes from its varied perspectives and backgrounds. Sharing opinions is encouraged at member-only meetings. By following the above code of conduct we can ensure that we maintain a safe and constructive environment to share and socialize. Failure to follow the code of conduct may result in verbal warnings, requests to leave active meetings, requests to no longer attend future meetings and/or removal from our online forums, newsletter emails and discussion groups.

HOW TO JOIN CLAW – Become A Member!

Stowe, Monlux and Brill mid embrace PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWS TRIBUNE

The CLAW meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. “More than anything else I think we were all looking for an excuse just to sit down with other artists and have fun doodling,” said Mark Monlux. “Oh, that and wear fez and have a secret handshake.”

C.L.A.W. membership is a year dues of  [updated 2/9/2017: $50.00 USD], due upon approval of membership. All membership applications are reviewed by the Council of Four Eyes, who in turn make a recommendation to the membership. Your entry into the sacred ranks of The CLAW is determined by work, and a majority vote of the membership. It is strongly suggested that you obtain a sponsor from within CLAW to plead on your behalf. If you don’t have a sponsor upon application, the Council of Four Eyes will appoint one to you.

  1.  DOWNLOAD & PRINT:  CLAW Membership Application PDF *
    *Remember to attach examples of your cartoon/illustration work portfolio
    ANNUAL DUES: $50.00 USD
    MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: CLAW email list, PROFILE PAGE with access to our knowledge+talent pool, PARTICIPATION in community group activities, PUBLICATION in our quarterly alt-newspaper, PROFESSIONAL SKILL SHARE and PERSONAL SKILL CRAFT DEVELOPMENT. etc. etc.
  2.  email your application materials to FOUREYES [AT] CARTOONISTSLEAGUE [DOT] ORG  or drop them off at the next CLAW Open Swim public meet-up at Kings Books every 4th Wednesday (monthly) !

Fan of the C.L.A.W.?

If you want to receive email updating you on the C.L.A.W.s secret activities, be the first to be warned of their Art-Attacks, meetings, events, and various other goodies before they are posted elsewhere, then you can LIKE our facebook fan page here.

History of CLAW Artist Guild

WHEREAS, This proclamation does hereby announce to an unwary and oblivious public this charter, formation, founding, and congealment of The Cartoonists’ League of Absurd Washingtonians, otherwise to be known as: C.L.A.W. view press release

WHEREAS, Our mission is to gather talented Washington State cartoonists of great skill and humongous egos in frequently secluded gatherings during which the secrets and mystic arts of their sublime craft are practiced. Behind closed doors and away from prying eyes, the most pointless and silly of rituals will be freely indulged, much to the shame of our spouses and children. Oh, and we will give a scholarship to an art student, probably a very meager one, while we wait to welcome our Robot Overlords.

WHEREAS, Our membership, self-selected by the membership swears to adhere to the Constitution of the CLAW, to follow the Practices set forth in the Semi-Sacred Book of Rituals, to abide by the Rulings of the Council of Four Eyes, and to adopt such Amendments as set forth in its Constitution.

THEREFORE, So say we, in full and wholesome agreement by the scrivening below of the names of…

The Founding Council of Four Eyes

on this day, Wednesday, December 10th 2008

Electric Elliot Trotter – PRIME Member NO. 001

After being sealed in a carbonite encrusted Phantom Zone for 40 trillion years, Electric Elliot broke free from his galactic prison to reign supreme over the planet Earth. Finding utter indifference to his intentions, Electric decided to settle down and attempt to live a semi-normal life.

For more information about Electric Elliot, please consult the dictionary under “biblical”.

R.R. Anderson – Member NO. 002

Work a day every day kinda guy who cant wrap his head around what his eyes are telling him, but he’ll do whatever it takes.  RR Anderson is currently Tacoma’s only unattached political cartoonist for hire penciling THE TACOMIC. For more information about RR Anderson visit Holistic Forge Works

Mark Monlux – Member NO. 003

An award winning freelance illustrator and cartoonists, Mark is a Pacific Northwest native and spent the majority of his life living in the Puget Sound Region. His twenty five years surviving as a freelancer and advocate for artists rights has made him a fellow amongst his peers when it comes to pricing, ethics, contracts and business standards. He also draws some pretty cool stuff.  For more information about Mark Monlux visit MarkMonlux.com

James Stowe – Member NO. 004

A full-time (and freelance) illustrator, husband and father of two Stowe has produced RPG fantasy and horror illustrations for over 10 years now with more than 100 published works. Most recently he is working for a company that produces silkscreened images for cakes. For more information about James Stowe visit his blog ART by STOWE

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