My Desk Area (cat not included)

Your workspace matters... even when it is a mess.

The ToonStack Substack just posted an article about cartoonists and their desks. So I thought I’d take some time today to tell everyone about my work area. I know I’ve gone over my studio space in the past, and right now my work area is a disaster area. We’ve been in our house for over 30 years and this space has pretty much been mine the entire time. In the floor plan it was called the “library” a window out to the front porch, and no closet (so it didn’t count as a bedroom.

I started with my old drafting table from high school, as a centerpiece. and over the years rotated out to different tables finally settling on “Donald.” My current drawing table was purchased at a second hand shop (on a whim) and it had the draftsman ruler arm (as a cartoonist I have no clue what it is actually called). Engraved on the arm was the name of previous owner “Donald O Ridge.” It’s not in the best shape, and I really should have the scratches and dings in the top repaired, but that’s what gives it character.

The other part of the workspace are two simple IKEA tables/desktops to work from. I have a space for a cat and financial notes, and adulting stuff. When I sit at my Mac there is a small scanner and a black & white desktop laser printer on my left. and an animators lightbox on my right. Like manning pieces of equipment it ends up being a place to stack things on, since I don’t use the lightbox much. I just know when I move it, then I’ll need it.

The Mac has a little gnome on it right above the camera to help me remember where to look when I am talking to someone via Zoom or FaceTime. It doesn’t work , but it’s the thought that counts.

I had a ginormous scanner when I first started out, but as software upgraded, the manufacture stopped trying to make it compatible. So now when I scan a comic strip, I need to scan it in parts so that the image can make it onto the computer.

Above my desk and around the room are things to inspire me, original comic book pages and convention sketches. Included are mementos from Whimventures® and other stuff. Like I said it is a mess. Usually Bailey or Issi will join me in hopes of getting a treat which brings all work to a screeching halt.

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Artwork left to right: “Mouse Guard 2419” commission (David Petersen), CBDLF Creativity Poster, My “Con Jacket” aka the Geeky Jacket of Many Patches, original page from JL8 (Yale Stewart), below that LEGO Set 21333, Flying Monkey commission (Skottie Young), original page from Invincible featuring Allen the Alien (Ryan Ottley), A Silly Spotted Nimblebuck (Gordon Smuder, Puppet Forge- wearing a mini Fez from Fez-O-Rama), below that a ceramic tile (Ed and Kate Coleman), original page from Strange Academy (Humberto Ramos)