AbOut tHe ComiC

I started The Frustrated Cartoonist out of one thing—frustration! I’ve always been a cartoonist, creating various other comics and comic strips, but when total frustration hit me from not getting my work to succeed in some medium, the premise to The Frustrated Cartoonist emerged. I think everyone can relate to the characters with their own personal frustrations. My basic frustrations for the strip are from not getting paid to do cartooning, being forced to work a day job and to live with societies opinions of a struggling artist. So—the strip kind of emerged like a reality show—except on paper! However, the cast of characters are just based off of certain struggles that I can relate to. Therefore, the cast in the comic strip are the reality stars—not myself. The best part is that there are no commercials, either!

Many believe it is all about me, but actually it’s not. Yet, I can (like I’ve mentioned) relate in many of the scenarios of the comic strip. It’s a story of Baxter, the frustrated cartoonist. His constant struggles with making it at his craft and life in general. He’s engaged to be married to his long-term girlfriend, he has no money, he doesn’t understand WHY he’s not making it and he often times questions how the world works. He also gets a bit jealous of other artist out there than can ink a strip without leaving a stain on the rug.

The comic includes characters like Wendy, Simon, Tabitha and Stanley. Often some of the characters add frustration, sometimes relieve it. Whatever the case may be in a given strip, they all have to put up with Baxter—which sometimes isn’t too easy. Likewise, Baxter puts up with them—which can be even MORE difficult!

Everyone has their own frustrations that they must work out. Baxter is no exception to the rules! Will frustration totally take over his passions and happiness? Will he give up and work at a crummy day job for the rest of his life instead of trying to make it as a cartoonist? How is his fiancé and friends going to handle his everyday struggles? Only the strip will tell! (Or advance copies of the comic strip found downloaded off the internet.)

I’ve learned through drawing all my life to draw what you know—therefore, this comic strip is my experiences, challenges and of course, frustrations on making it in this world. I think I’m the poster child for this comic strip—a frustrated cartoonist in real life. All told in a different light by Baxter, and his closest companions.

Baxter is actually named after my old dog growing up (the coolest dog EVER!). How does his name reflect the main character of this comic strip? Well, Baxter was a pretty crazy dog at times and out of frustration I would often yell, “Baxter!” or “Baxter! Stop chewing on my Ninja Turtle!” So—Baxter in The Frustrated Cartoonist is the frustrated one! He is NOT making it as a cartoonist, and is forced to work at a day job to make ends meet. He’s constantly struggling with time and money (and sometimes simple things--like ink stains). Will he make it as a syndicated cartoonist? Will his fiancé put up with his frustrating ordeals trying to make it in the world? Will he ever get rid of that unsightly rash that keeps popping up underneath his big toe? Only frustrating times will tell!

Wendy was named after a few Wendy’s that I’ve known and NOT by those tasty Frostys at Wendy’s—which is often rumored. I also enjoy the movie The Shining where the character Wendy has a pretty frustrating time dealing with an out-of-control (not to mention 'crazy') author, so in The Frustrated Cartoonist, Baxter is the author (cartoonist) she deals with (not in a haunted motel though--more like in a condo). She’s always feeling more frustrations about dishes not being done rather than Baxter’s issues with not working on cartooning. The two are engaged, and momentarily you start to wonder if she might someday snap at his ambitions. Probably not—but she certainly wont deal with a left out dish.

Simon

Simon is named (like Wendy) after a few Simons I know! There seems to be more and more Simons that have come into my life over the past decade, so I found it pretty appropriate to use that name (I’m also an avid fan of Simon Says). Simon, in The Frustrated Cartoonist is never seen, only heard. He’s the go-to friend of Baxter’s that lives far away, but they chat on the phone pretty often. Baxter has known the guy for a long time, and they certainly have a lot to talk about! Will Simon EVER be seen or come to visit in the comic strip? If phone bills jump higher than gas prices you might get lucky!

Stanley

Stanley is named after the pure fact that I like the name ‘Stanley’! No—I probably wouldn’t use that name for any of my kids, but I think it fits right in to the ol’ comic strip. He is the character that gets into deeper issues than trying to start a comic strip. He often fights with his girlfriend, drinks too much and is a self-admitted professional gawker. Baxter and Stanley hang out usually on weekends, or Stanley will stop by to say ‘hi’ at any given moment. Most of the time spent with Stanley ensures more craziness than his hair.

Tabitha’s name comes from a long-line of bosses in my personal life that I’ve absolutely despised! Everyone with a day job (or that’s had one) has had a boss like her: bossy, pushy, annoying and micro-manages worse than Paul McCartney (if you don’t know I heard he fired some of his crew for not being vegetarians….ouch!). Baxter hates his day job and having her around makes everything worse. He tries to be nice to her, but typically it doesn’t pay off. Therefore, everyday at work is frustrating for Baxter! If his passion were taking out trash he’d have it pretty good.