A Note From Patrick: June 2019

Hi folks,

Last month I spoke at and attended the National Cartoonists Society’s NCS Fest in Huntington Beach, where I had a great time meeting MUTTS readers, animal lovers, and fellow comics enthusiasts. I was also part of a panel discussing my favorite classic comic strip, Krazy Kat. Thank you to everyone who made the trip out to attend the festival, which looks like it may became an annual event.

Like Mooch, I’ve been dreaming of Africa, and will be spending some time there this summer (where it will be winter). I’ll be bringing my sketchbook as I’m sure this adventure will inspire many MUTTS strips. I’m looking forward to sharing artwork and photos upon return.

Lastly, I’d like to give you another sneak peek from my forthcoming MUTTS anniversary book The Art of Nothing, which will be published this fall. In addition to looking back on MUTTS’ 25-year history in newspapers, the book also features a lot of artwork I’ve created for other media, such as books and magazines.

Sweden was one of the first countries to embrace MUTTS, and Serieparaden magazine published the MUTTS strip almost right from the start. Shown below is an exclusive poster and part of a comic book insert created for the publication. In The Art of Nothing these images will be reprinted with an English translation for the first time.

MUTTS insert for Serieparaden comic magazine — *Serieparaden poster. Pen, ink, and watercolor, circa 1995*

MUTTS comic pages for Serieparaden comic magazine — *Comic book insert for Serieparaden. Original art. Pen, ink, watercolor, and white paint, 1996*

Do you have any animal-related activities or vacations planned for the coming months? I’d love to hear how you’ll be spending the season.

Patrick

Comments (43)

Thank you for being a foster! I live in Houston Texas and you’re probably well aware of all the strays we have. Fosters are such a blessing!
subpopgirl

Very sorry for your losses! It is SO hard to have lost two pups so quickly.
Judy Seely

Great idea, Ann. I had the misfortune to leave my beloved Jersey shore to way upstate NY for more room for all my rescues. Well it’s not just fireworks here, people shoot off rifles. I worked in Manhattan for 30 years and I never heard a gun. Ever. So I give 2 of my dogs Xanax. The other guys don’t seem to mind. God I miss “down the shore”.
Maureen Fudger

What a terrible double heartache — I’m so sorry for your loss. Remember them with love and gratitude, and know what a full and loving life you gave them!
Lisa Johnson

Cool!
Matthew Wenner

Well, we lost our yellow lab to diabetes and then only three weeks later our golden retriever died of a lung infection that the vet couldn’t cure. It’s the first time since I was 3 years old that there hasn’t been a dog in my house.
Butch

I’m fostering puppies for our local shelter. Also Broken Leg Boy, a 9-month-old foster dog who keeps breaking his cast — he’s so tired of crate rest, poor baby.
Jodie

We took our one year old dog, Violet, on vacation with us this year. We spent a week in the Charlottesville VA and Shenandoah region hiking from the Skyline Drive. I’m glad we brought her because I was afraid I’d miss her too much, even though she almost pulled us down the mountain a couple times! Looking forward to Art of Nothing!
Amy Barr

I purposely just booked a cabin in northern Michigan that is DOG-FRIENDLY because my dog is an important part of my family! I made sure it is on lakefront so the three of us can swim together and I can hardly wait.
Theresa S.

Next year, hopefully taking part in transporting a baby rhinoceros in Africa.
Kate K

1 2 3 … 5