In anticipation of this week’s upcoming podcast conversation with Mom’s Cancer creator Brian Fies, here’s news about a project Brian participated in to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research.
“Inspired by “Cul de Sac” comic strip creator Richard Thompson, Team Cul de Sac is an effort organized by Chris Sparks to raise funds for researching Parkinson’s Disease, which Richard has. Working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Team Cul de Sac had the idea of asking other cartoonists, illustrators, animators and artists to donate art for a book and auction. What kind of art? As the original announcement said:
“The theme is going to be fun. It’s your take on the ‘Cul de Sac’ characters. Please run with them; deconstruct them, parody them, confuse them, cubisize them, psychoanalyze them, draw them in your own strip, whatever tickles your fancy. Enjoy. Open up your heart just create something out of the ordinary, maybe not your own characters, this is for you to let your talent to shine in a wide range of ways. Please write a little text if you would. Not necessarily about PD, but inspiration, technique, influences, determination, strength, spirituality, etc.”
The idea got a strong response, perhaps greater than expected. Many syndicated cartoonists such as Stephan Pastis, Mort Walker, Cathy Guisewite, Greg Evans, Jim Davis and Lynn Johnston donated pieces. “Calvin & Hobbes” creator Bill Watterson emerged from retirement to do an oil painting of Thompson’s character Petey. All together, more than 100 cartoonists contributed to the cause, including Comics & Medicine Conference co-organizer Brian Fies (“Mom’s Cancer”).
The Team Cul de Sac book will be released soon and can be ordered from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Team-Cul-Sac-Cartoonists-Parkinsons/dp/1449419666.
In addition, Heritage Auctions is auctioning the original art for the book and it is available now! Check it out at www.HA.com/510.
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