COVID-19 Activity with the Karmichaels

If you ask my wife, she'll tell you that this comic strip, The Potts by the late Jim Russell, totally reflects our home. Or, more specifically, the room that I keep my music and comic collection in. There has been a degree of embarrassment (both for her and I) about the state of disarray of my room, and a source of arguing over the years. I've always felt that I'd "one day get around to tidying it up". Last November, I think it was, I said on my Facebook page that I would make a concerted effort to work on the space "in the next twelve months". So, without the responsibilities of working on a new book or on Inkspot and with the spectre of COVID-19 hanging over us all, I have really given it a crack over the past two months. And this week the task was completed! So, without too much ado... have a look at my 'new' room:  

The place I work. Emails, book plans, ideas for advancing Australian cartooning, all take place here...

Some of the boxes filled with some of the comics and books I have published over the years. Help me get rid of some!

Moo (left) and Max, the ferocious terrors who prevent anyone stealing any items in this room.... Max did not wish to show his face.

Okay, so some of the shelves have yet to sorted into themes: Australian comics, Comic history, graphic novels -- you get the idea -- but that is something I plan to work on .... another day! The fact the room is tidy, that I can walk around it, and that I know where everything is, is the real plus. I must say that I have discovered I have doubles (and, in some instances, triples) of some items, means that I shall probably have a really big sale on... one day in the future. (Stay tuned for that one!) In the meantime, I am really enjoying working in my room. Can you hear? "It's only taken twenty-five years of nagging," mutters Mrs. Karmichael in the background....!

The latest INKSPOT, with an illustration by the late Jim Russell.

Before I go away, I just want to acknowledge and praise new Inkspot Editor Steve Panozzo, who has done a really bang-up job on the latest issue of the Australian Cartoonists Association's journal. This is the first issue for a long time where I have had absolutely no input into an issue, and I also want to say that I really feel it is the best one yet. The magazine is ONLY available to members of the Association, and this one contains an article on the fascinating history of Stan Cross and Jim Russell's comic strip The Potts (also known as You and Me in its early days). Of course, there is a lot more inside too. If you are a cartoon fan, I really urge you become an Associate Member of the ACA. Four issues of this magazine each year. Who could ask for more? Here's a link to the Membership page. Or, if you'd rather, get in touch with me, and I'll send you an Application Form.