Contract as Blueprint

As part of Art @ Work Month Tacoma Art Supply is hosting a series of presentations. If you would like to hear the sage wisdom of the august Mark Monlux, a full time cartoonist and illustrator who has been in the trenches since 1985, please attend the presentation to be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Tacoma Art Supply, 1552 Commerce Ave., Suite 101, Tacoma, WA 98402. The event is free but please RSVP as space is limited (253) 444-2341.

Mark Monlux is the local Chapter Representative and Ethics Chair for the Graphic Artists Guild, of which he was the international secretary treasurer for a number of years. His “Ask Mark” column provides answers for all sorts of business and ethics questions from creative professionals. Besides earning a living as an illustrator he also get hired to provide his assessment on contracts, project negotiations, and arbitration. And lastly, he is one of the founders of the C.L.A.W..

This is a problem for all creative professionals who fight the stereotype of the starving artist within the general population and those new to their industry.

I originally learned about Scott McCloud through my membership with Cartoonists Northwest a number of years ago. Another member told me that his book “Understanding Comics” was not only the best book about the fundamentals of comic book art, but so surpassed the others that it was embarrassing. With such a recommendation I had to get the book. And they were right. Not only does he cover concepts in depth, but he presents the all of this valuable knowledge in comic book form to reemphasis his lessons, and the point that comics as truly a unique medium of communication. It has almost become standardized reading for anyone who is at all serious about drawing comics.

Mr. McCloud has since written a few other books. They contain a lot of good principals as well, but they also start to present a lot of theory. And as with all theories presented in a climate rampant with dedicated fans they were met with some skepticism. But comic books don’t just have dedicated fans; comic books have rabid at the mouth fanboys that need to be institutionalized if they go off their meds. And those sweet dears can stir up a crowd with their belligerence when they find something they don’t agree with. To say that Mr. McCloud has received some heat over the years for his various theories (some of which time has shown to be a tiny bit off) would be putting it lightly.

When Stan Shaw sent out an email informing all that Scott McCloud would be giving a lecture in Tacoma I was thrilled. I’d get a chance to listen to a man that has influenced how I draw and inspired me to draw more. I’d heard rumors that he was one terrific presenter. The rumors were true. He had a chance to discuss a few of his theories (which he is still sticking to) and was modest enough to admit that he didn’t know everything when some of these thoughts didn’t pan out. It was by far one of the best presentations I’ve heard in a while. And please understand that I’m a luncheon speaker junkie. It not bragging on my part, merely the truth, that I’ve listened to hundreds of speakers over the years. And this lecture was memorable.

I wont rehash what Mr. McCloud spoke about. I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. But, if you would like a taste you can see him speak online as part of the TED series in the above video clip. That will give you an idea on just what you missed out on that evening. Hey, I even got him to sign a couple of books and thank him for his work.