news bites


Lynn's Travels: Reuben Weekend
Posted: June 1, 2011 10:29 AM | News Bites Home


My daughter Katie, along with her husband, Lane, and I have just returned from the Reuben Awards, an event which was held in Boston this year. This is the "Oscars" of the comic art industry and an opportunity for all of us to get together, renew old (some amazingly old) friendships, make new ones and come up with new ideas; everything from web marketing to how to stay awake during the lectures. We bunked in at the beautiful old Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel - the elegance of which deterred us from the usual olive toss and beer chug at the bar (the prices for booze and munch were astronomical anyway) and created a spectacular backdrop to this cheesy and chic annual event.



We had ample opportunity to explore the city and took a "Duck Boat" tour. This vehicle looks like a tank, drives like a 56 pickup and rolls into the water as if it had webfeet. They were made for the military - and I guess they didn't want them. Anyway, we got some views of the harbor and some Boston history and returned to dry land where we sought libation.



Katie, Lane and I rarely gussie up like this, so photos were a must. We lasted for about six hours before taking off the shoes and loosening anything that stretched.





Here's Cathy Guisewite with yours truly - two retired ladies with lots on the go (some has gone already, but we're cool!)



Richard Thompson was our Reuben award winner this year and to learn more about him, please go to: richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com. He received cheers and a standing ovation for his work in 2010. We were all so pleased to see him win.





Lee Salem has been my editor and friend for 30 years and has now taken the position of CEO for Universal Uclick. I asked him if he found it daunting and he said "No, it's been fun!" Somewhere in there lies the truth, but everything he takes on, he does well! His wife, Anita, was a university math professor for many years and has now taken on the title of Grandmom to four beautiful grandkids.



Bunny Hoest and John Reiner produce "The Lockhorns" and continue to do a number of single panel magazine cartoons as well. We have been friends since my first day as a member of the NCS (National Cartoonist's Society) over 30 years ago.



Kate and Lane took in some of the large, beautiful parks in the city. People at the Boston Common had placed hundreds of flags before one of the statues; a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen soldiers of Massachusetts.



Mort Drucker, one of our heroes and the man who established a style of caricature in Mad Magazine with his many movie spoofs, was unable to come this year due to poor health. Sergio Aragones (you have to know Sergio if you are a comic art fan - his work has graced Mad for as long as I can remember and his comic books starring "Groo the Wanderer" are hilarious!) happened to have a large piece of poster board in his car and we used this to send Mort a loving "Get Well" card. Wiley Miller of "Non Sequitur" is signing here.



Lucy Caswell was presented with the silver T-square for her ongoing help, support and careful archiving of the largest collection of cartoon art in America. She has been to every Reuben, worked with every one of us to help us catalogue and care for our work and has been one of the most steadfast advocates for this unique art form. If asked, Lucy would say "YES! This is definitely art!" (And a whack on the head for asking!)



All in all, it was another remarkable assembly of cartoonists and folks who make the industry happen, and a great time was had by all. I am so lucky to have been a member of the NCS...which reminds me...I still have to pay my dues!

Happy sketching to all the young cartoonists out there - who knows, we might be adding you to our membership list some day!

LJ
Comments On This Entry