Monday, September 8, 2014

Art of Richard Thompson, soon.

Just months away from more Thompson greatness.  Thompson and Watterson has a major discussion about everything and the winner happens to be us.

Take it away Richard...

http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2014/09/art-of-procrastinatin-sam-look-inside.html

Team Cul de Sac 2013 drink and draw at Baltimore CC (UPDATED)

Dawn Griffin is the artist of this piece.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Sept 5: Baltimore Comic-Con Drink and Draw 2014 fundraiser for Team Cul de Sac

Baltimore Comic-Con Drink and Draw 2014
Help raise money to fight Parkinson's while having a great time, meeting amazing cartoonists and picking up some fantastic art!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Sept 5: 2nd Annual Drink and Draw at Baltimore Comic Con

2nd Annual Drink and Draw at Baltimore Comic Con

Friday, September 5th from 6-9 p.m. (or longer) at Hooters in the Inner Harbor

Organizer Joe Sutliff will provide paper and pens. Sketches and donated art will be sold, and the money donated to TCDS via Chris Sparks.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Robin Williams art donation

Robin Williams was one of the brightest stars in my universe. With the recent news of Robin Williams having Parkinson's I have had people ask me what Team Cul de Sac could do. Any cartoonist this week that has done a Robin Williams tribute cartoon and would like to donate the original art to Team Cul de Sac, please contact us at teamculdesac@gmail.com and follow us Team Cul de Sac on facebook and check out www.teamculdesac@blogspot.com . We will auction all the art we recieve to the Michael J Fox Foundation in Robin Williams honor. He loved comics and is there a better way to remember Robin?
Please Share and ask your favorite cartoonist for a donation:

Robin Williams

Robin Williams
Nobody has made me laugh like Robin did. I will miss him more than I care to admit. Today we found out Parkinson's had decided to attack  another comic genius. I hate Parkinson's. I hate how it has destroyed people I am close to. This is why I fight for a cure. After you read the Variety article please watch the video below. Smile and laugh and remember the great Robin Williams.
Thanks,
Chris

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/robin-williams-was-in-early-stages-of-parkinsons-disease-says-wife-1201283014/

Over the last 6 years, my friendship with Richard Thompson has me learn one thing,Parkinson's sucks. I hate what it has robbed him of. I made many new friends due to Parkinson's and I hate P.D. Damnit, Please consider donating to our Michael J Fox Page. We have almost raised 200k in the last 5 years.http://www2.michaeljfox.org/site/TR/TeamFox/TeamFox?team_id=6590&pg=team&fr_id=1461


 

Monday, August 11, 2014

The Power of Bill and the Team Cul de Sac auction roundup


$$$$$


The power of Bill. That is what Stephan Pastis said about Bill Watterson in Comicriffs today. I can't agree more.
We could spend all day telling you what a difference Bill Watterson has made in our Team Cul de Sac but we won't embarrass him too much.
I will say this about the guy. He is wonderfully kind, humble, a great friend and if my cat Gizmo ever escapes the house, I am calling Bill to rescue her.

Thanks Bill.

Comic Riffs on the Pastis-Watterson collaboration for Team Cul de Sac

Swine' creator cites 'the power of Bill' as collaboration art raises nearly $70K for Parkinson's


By Michael Cavna Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 11 2014 

(courtesy of STEPHAN PASTIS / distributed by Universal Uclick.)

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Final day of auction for 3 Pastis-Watterson strips

Watterson/Pastis Auction ends soon!

 Folks, the auction is almost over! Register through Heritage and start bidding!


http://www.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=0+793+794+791+792+1893+1577+2088&chkNotSold=0&Ntk=SI_Titles&Nty=1&Ntt=bill+watterson&ic=homepage-search-071713

At the moment the three strips are at $37,000. Plus the MJFF will get the .0975 that Heritage will donate back from the buyers premium to the MJFF. This will bring us at $40,607.50 plus the $14,502.98 we have raised so far this year = 55,110.48 for the year. How much higher will it go?

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Richard Thompson reflects on leaving illustration for CDS

The Post reviews academic book on Little Nemo, namechecks Richard Thompson

'Wide Awake in Slumberland: The Art of Winsor McCay,' by Katherine Roeder


Wide Awake in Slumberland: Fantasy, Mass Culture, and Modernism in the Art of Winsor McCay" by Katherine Roeder (Univ. Press of Mississippi/Univ. Press of Mississippi)

WIDE AWAKE IN SLUMBERLAND

Fantasy, Mass Culture, and Modernism in the Art of Winsor McCay

By Katherine Roeder

Univ. Press of Mississippi. 221 pp. $60

Friday, July 25, 2014

Seeking Richard Thompson's CDS sketches

Do you have an autographed Cul de Sac sketch in a Richard Thompson book that you would be willing to share for us to publish? If so, please drop a note at mrhode@gmail.com. 300 dpi minimum scan will be needed.

There's another secret project after The Art of Richard Thompson in the works...

Thank you!

Mike

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Fwd: Bill Watterson’s return to comics: Pearls Before Swine comic art auctioned for Parkinson’s research


For Immediate Release

July 22, 2014

 

For more information:

Noah Fleisher, Public Relations Director

212-486-3510; NoahF@HA.com

 

Bill Watterson's return to comics: Pearls Before Swine comic art auctioned for Parkinson's research

 

The reclusive creator's artwork from the recently finished three-day collaboration with Stephen Pastis on Pearls Before Swine will sell Aug. 8, 2014 at Heritage Auctions, proceeds to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research; on display through Sunday, July 27, at ComicCon in San Diego

 

DALLAS – The original artwork for the recent three comic strip collaboration between Bill Watterson, the reclusive genius behind the much-loved Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, and Pearls Before Swine cartoonist Stephen Pastis – taking place in a three day run in June 2014 in Pearlswill be sold at Heritage Auctions on Aug. 8, 2014, with proceeds from the sale benefitting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

 All three comic strips will be on display through Sunday, July 27, 2014, at San Diego ComicCon.

 "Anytime original Bill Watterson comic art shows up for auction it's a big deal," said Todd Hignite, Vice President at Heritage Auctions. "His collaboration with Stephan Pastis was an unexpected treat for his millions of fans. Now, thanks to this auction, fans will get to take the original art home while raising money for a great cause."

 The collaboration between the two artists came at the suggestion of Watterson and was immediately embraced by an overwhelmed Pastis, who, like some many modern cartoonists, was greatly influenced by Watterson and Calvin and Hobbes. The trajectory of the three strip arc follows Pastis' comic strip alter-ego as he turns the drawing of the comic over to a precocious second-grader named Libby for three days. The results are both wickedly funny and uniquely Watterson, while remaining true to the sharp humor that defines the Pearls Before Swine strip.

 At Watterson's request, the artwork is being sold on behalf of Team Cul de Sac, a non-profit charity established by editor/designer Chris Sparks on behalf of Cul de Sac cartoonist Richard Thompson, who is battling Parkinson's Disease – a piece of artwork done by Watterson depicting one of Thompson's Cul de Sac characters sold in 2012 as part of a charity auction to benefit Team Cul de Sac – and the profits from the sale of the original art (Heritage is waiving the seller's fee on the artwork and will also contribute half of the Buyer's Premium) will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

 

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world's third largest, with annual sales of more than $900 million, and 850,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

 Want to get the up-to-the-minute updates and breaking news stories about Heritage Auctions? Get them as they happen at: HA.com/Twitter; Facebook: HA.com/Facebook. To view a complete archive of Heritage press releases go to: HA.com/PR. To link to this press release on your blog or Website: HA.com/PR-2222.

 


Friday, July 18, 2014

Bill Watterson and Stephan Pastis comic strips now on sale

The Bill Watterson and Stephan Pastis "Pearls Before Swine" comic strips have opened for bidding on Heritage Auctions.  They are being sold to raise money for the Parkinsons charity, Team Cul de Sac, and as TCDS founder Chris Sparks notes, the bidding is already over $20,000 cumulative, after less than one day.

Bid early and often!

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Seeking scans of 5 Cul de Sac strips from the Washington Post

We're seeking scans of 5 Cul de Sac strips from the Washington Post Magazine - 1/9/2005, 10/16/2005, 1/8/2006, 6/11/2006, 1/7/2007. Richard doesn't have the scans and apparently not the originals either. Please let us know if you can help.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Watterson/Pastis Auction Update!

Bill Watterson’s return to comics: Pearls Before Swine comic art auctioned for Parkinson’s research

The reclusive creator’s artwork from the recently finished three-day collaboration with Stephen Pastis on Pearls Before Swine will sell Aug. 8, 2014 at Heritage Auctions, proceeds to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

DALLAS – The original artwork for the recent three comic strip collaboration between Bill Watterson, the cartooning genius behind the much-loved Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, and Pearls Before Swinecartoonist Stephen Pastis – taking place in a three day run in June 2014 in Pearls – will be sold at Heritage Auctions on Aug. 8, 2014, with proceeds from the sale benefitting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

“Anytime original Bill Watterson comic art shows up for auction it’s a huge deal,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President at Heritage Auctions. “His collaboration with Stephan Pastis was an unexpected treat for his millions of fans. Now, thanks to this auction, fans will get to take the original art home while raising money for a great cause.”

The collaboration between the two artists came at the suggestion of Watterson and was immediately embraced by an overwhelmed Pastis, who, like some many modern cartoonists, was greatly influenced by Watterson and Calvin and Hobbes. The trajectory of the three strip arc follows Pastis’ comic strip alter-ego as he turns the drawing of the comic over to a precocious second-grader named Libby for three days. The results are both wickedly funny and uniquely Watterson, while remaining true to the sharp humor that defines the Pearls Before Swine strip.

At Watterson’s request, the artwork is being sold on behalf of Team Cul de Sac, a non-profit charity established by editor/designer Chris Sparks on behalf of  Cul de Sac cartoonist Richard Thompson, who is battling Parkinson’s Disease – a piece of artwork done by Watterson depicting one of Thompson’s Cul de Sac characters sold in 2012 as part of a charity auction to benefit Team Cul de Sac – and the profits from the sale of the original art (Heritage is waiving the seller’s fee on the artwork and will also contribute half of the Buyer’s Premium) will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $900 million, and 850,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

Want to get the up-to-the-minute updates and breaking news stories about Heritage Auctions? Get them as they happen at: HA.com/Twitter; Facebook: HA.com/Facebook. To view a complete archive of Heritage press releases go to: HA.com/PR. To link to this press release on your blog or Website: HA.com/PR-2222.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Drink and Draw 2014 at HeroesCon

On Thursday I arrived at the Convention Center and Shelton Drum grabbed me and off to the local CBS station we went. 
Next thing I know we are on the air discussing the con, Drink and Draw and those beautiful Watterson/Pastis strips. 

The whole weekend was great and I had a blast catching up with old friends and making new friends but we can get into all of that fun stuff later.  Here is the BIG news!

Drink and draw Roundup!


So here we go, for the week of drink and draw, we made 7087.98, PLUS I sold a signed Calvin and Hobbes book and signed Stripped Movie poster for 3,000 during that week for a total of $10,087.98 and then we have the other donation. This puts us at:
Goal: $10,000.00 ( 2014)
Achieved: $10,442.98
We still have 3 strips by a pair of cartoonists to auction off in August.
Not bad huh?
A big thanks to everyone involved this past weekend! WOW!


I will share more soon!

Chris

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

From the less distant past: 2006 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson

I'm continuing through Cul de Sac tearsheets from the Post Magazine, and ran across notice of a 2006 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson that I had also forgotten. Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? 

From the distant past: 2005 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson

I'm going through Cul de Sac tearsheets from the Post Magazine, and ran across notice of a 2005 Washington Post chat with Richard Thompson that I had forgotten. It's still online. Return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear....

Monday, June 16, 2014

HeroesCon Auction Artwork #6 Jim Horwitz



A big Thank You to Jim Horwitz for providing us with such a great auction item(s). Jim and I met at the NCS awards a few years ago and I just can't tell you how wonderful he is. So don't ask ok? Jim asked me a couple years ago if I ever needed anything to let him know.Well I did this time and he jumped in to help ASAP! Thank you so much Jim!

“WATSON” Retro-Pack for Team Cul de Sac:
Creating this collection of original “Watson” art for Team Cul de Sac was a great thrill.
As many of you know, Bill Watterson (“Calvin and Hobbes”) has been one of the great
supporters of Team Cul de Sac, which is amazing since his work has already inspired
so many. The work Richard and Bill are doing is an essential part of addressing the
challenges now facing families, friends, and loved ones affected by Parkinson’s. – I
seldom produce original “Watson” art for any reason, but jumped at the chance to support
Team Cul de Sac in any way I could. To be aligned with a cause as important as this one
is an absolute good and I’m honored to be a part of it.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

1) Ten 3.5-inch Retro Watson floppy disks, all hand-detailed with original “Watson” art.
2) An 8” x 11” original Watson drawing on acid-free archival quality paper.
3) A “Thank You” letter from Jim with his personal e-mail to unlock an amazing 3-hours
worth of personal cartooning advice (drawing tips, writing tips, starting a web-comic)
via telephone or video-chat to be used at any time (it never expires!) for you or a
loved one.

Auction Price: TBA!!!!

BIO: Jim Horwitz is the creator of the cult comic strip “Watson,” a nationally lauded
web-comic nominated for Best Online Strip by the National Cartoonists Society. Watson
has been appearing online since 2010 and is read weekly by fans (aka “Watsoneers”) all
over the world.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Last year's Team Cul de Sac auction


 I got this sweet drawing by Shannon Gallant - Miss Bliss as G.I. Joe's The Baroness. It's mine now, but Shannon's sent in a cover of G.I. Joe #200 to be in the 2014 auction... 

Mike

HeroesCon Auction Artwork #6 Steve Artley


Editorial cartoonist Steve Artley drew 2 cartoons for our Team Cul de Sac auction next weekend! He also drew some coasters too, while waiting for Stephan Pastis to start talking. Steve is in the Team Cul de Sac book also.

HeroesCon Auction Artwork #5 S L Gallant

Shannon helps us every year at the drink and draw. He always wants to do whatever he can to help raise awareness and funds for the Michael J Fox foundation. Richard and I not only consider him one of the founding members TCDS but also a wonderful friend.
This is the cover of G.I. JOE 200 and the recreation of the original sketch by Larry,
Hama. We also have comics sign by Larry also.

HeroesCon Auction Artwork #4 Matt Wuerker

Matt Wuerker is Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist who lives in the D.C. area. Matt always donates art to us and beyond this beautiful watercolor of Earth Day, we also have some cool coasters he scribbled on!
(Photos do not do this painting justice)

Saturday, June 14, 2014

HeroesCon Auction Artwork #3

Art Spiegelman is a big fan of Richard Thompson. This is beyond rare. This is history.

HeroesCon Auction artwork #2: Teresa Roberts Logan, aka The Laughing Redhead

A DC-based greeting card cartoonist, Teresa Logan has given us two pieces of art to auction - 1 painting and the "framed piece is an original gouache and pen on paper".
These will be available next weekend at the HeroesCon auction.

Photos courtesy of Bruce Guthrie.



Friday, June 13, 2014

HeroesCon Auction artwork #1: Elyse Harrison

Elyse Harrison, an artist in Bethesda, MD, has donated a wall sculpture to Team Cul de Sac which will be available to bid on at HeroesCon. See more of her work at www.elyseharrison.com

Monday, April 28, 2014

Richard Thompson interviewed at Comic Book Resources

RICHARD THOMPSON ANNOTATES "THE COMPLETE CUL DE SAC"
Alex Dueben, Staff Writer
Comic Book Resources April 28 2014

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Bill Watterson and Richard Thompson exhibit opens in Columbus, OH tomorrow


Caitlin McGurk of the Billy Ireland Library at Ohio State University says:


Here is the new and exclusive interview with Richard Thompson and Bill Watterson, taking the internet by storm on our blog:

http://library.osu.edu/blogs/cartoons/2014/03/20/new-interview-calvin-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-and-cul-de-sac-creator-richard-thompson-talk-libraries-comics-and-the-creative-process-with-ohio-state/

 

The two images are from a clever brochure for advertising artists that Bono Mitchell recently gave me. Can you figure out which section of the cover Richard did?


Friday, February 21, 2014

Michael Cavna talks about Team Cul de Sac

Michael Cavna rides two horses as a cartoonist and journalist

By Michael O’Connell

ItsAllJournalism podcast February 21, 2014 

http://itsalljournalism.com/michael-cavna-rides-two-horses-as-a-cartoonist-and-journalist/


Friday, December 13, 2013

Richard Thompson exhibit in Ohio this spring

An exhibit of Richard Thompson's cartoons will be at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in late March, shown with Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes. Curator Caitlin McGurk just spent 3 days selecting art for the exhibit, and it'll be good. 


This cartoon won't be included, but begin planning your trip now anyway.


Friday, December 6, 2013

Richard Thompson 2008 interview available

The new International Journal of Comic Art has an interview I did with Richard in 2008 at the dawn of Cul de Sac. The editor tells me that single issues are available - it's $22.50 for over 800 pages of comics articles.

Contact:

John A. Lent
669 Ferne Blvd.
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
U.S.A.
Phone: 610-622-3938

Use the email address for Paypal requests.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

New drawing hip

Amy sent this new portrait of Richards hip to us tonight. Sounds like he will be standing up on Friday.  Keep the love coming folks!

Richard's post-op state of mind

was 'funky' according to Nick. But he's apparently shaken off the anesthesia and is back to being his normal charming self. Updates to follow tomorrow, I assume.

Richard's out of surgery

Nick G has just written in to say that Richard is out of surgery and 'did great.'

Richard in surgery for his hip

Nick reports that Richard is now in surgery to replace his hip. More details as we get them.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

12/3 medical update - surgery postponed again

And a medical update - Richard's surgery is postponed again for today (12/3) due to a fever he had last night. According to Nick Galifianakis he's pretty darn hungry since they've wanted him to have an empty stomach for the surgery.

Sending best wishes to Richard Thompson

As most of you know our beloved Richard Thompson broke his hip a few days ago. Instead of sending physical mail, please leave your elove right here!
Ecards can still go to his personal email but this would be better for Richard to check for the time being.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Richard Thompson interview from 2008 now in print


Richard Thompson Q&A at the 2008 Small Press Expo.

International Journal of Comic Art 15 (2; Fall): 94-116


You can find out how to order a copy at http://www.ijoca.com

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Moving Day Walk in DC

Hello everyone, It is Chris Sparks! Three years ago Richard Thompson and I started Team Cul de Sac. So far we have raised over 100,000 for the Michael J Fox Foundation. A couple of years ago we even walked in the National Parkinsons Foundation walk. Would you please support my effort this year?
Donate here to support me---> http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR/MovingDayEvent/ParkinsonFoundationoftheNationalCapitalArea?px=1051527&pg=personal&fr_id=1430

My goal is just a hundred bucks but 10 times that would be awesome! Oh I have 10 days to do it! Help please?

Our team page



Thanks to everyone on the TCDS. Glad I am just a member on this walk and a big shout out to
Carolyn Belefski!!!!!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

What is up with Richard Thompson? A book and art show with Bill Watterson?

So now that Richard Thompson is talking about it officially. I can chat about some stuff.
http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-whole-thing-2.html

Yeap, that is correct folks! Not only will there be this cool Complete Cul de Sac for purchase in the spring of 2014(intro by Art Spiegelman)BUT a two man art exhibit at The Ohio State University in the brand spanking new Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum will happen too! That is right folks, Richard Thompson and Bill Watterson is having a little art show for a few months together next year. So if you ever wanted to see some original Calvin and Hobbes strips and see a wonderful wide range of Richard Thompson's mad skills, this will be a once in a life time experience. A big thanks to Jenny Robb and Bill Watterson in making this show happen. We are in for a treat!

What is this nonsense about a wide range of art from Richard?
Why not just Cul de Sac art?
Very good questions! I hope Richard talks about that soon!
Drooling yet? You will be, YOU WILL BE!