A bunch of old cartoonist pals, and a bunch of other cartoonists, got together today to draw for children at Florida Hospital Orlando. Here’s Noreen & George Pieper, me, Dana Summers and Mark Simon.

Thanks to Mark Simon and Heather Worley (Thank you, Heather, for this photo!) for putting this together as part of the Florida Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society. Also, thanks, Mark, for getting the chapter restarted again!

Above is a caricature I drew of this Army hero, Jesse. I have Jesse as a hobbit trying to use his computer skills to defeat the dragon as Gandalf loses his patience with the slowness of the digital world.

Cartoonists gathered at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra, Florida, to welcome home 500 Army soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We were part of a Yellow Ribbon event put on by The Florida National Guard. The cartoonists attending were Michael Jantze, of the comic strip ‘The Norm’ and teacher at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Don Perlin, co-creator of Ghost Rider and at one time or other has drawn most of the Marvel superheroes, and Aaron Olson, National Guardsman himself and student at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Above artists Aaron Olson, Michael Jantze and Don Perlin draw for soldiers. Don’s wife, Becky is at the the end.

After the soldiers had gone Dana, Aaron’s wife, and Aaron Olson speak to Major Sarah McLevy, who did a great job organizing the huge event. Seated is Michael Jantze, drawing a Hulk cartoon for the Major.

Me, Michael Jantze, Arron and Dana Olson.

Being the Florida Chapter Chairman of the National Cartoonists Society meant putting on the annual meeting. It started on September 11th with a reception at the Hilton in Ocala. The next morning there was breakfast and the business meeting.

We had a terrific room for a business meeting, thanks to Debbie Fulgoni and the folks at the Hilton. Our usual 20 minute business meeting turned into a 2 hour workshop. In the photo from the lower left & around the table is Jose Delbo, Linda Gialnella, Ann Sabo, George Peiper, Bruce Beattie, Eddie Pittman, Tom Armstrong and Dana Sumemrs.

Afterward we moved on The Appleton Art Museum for the opening of ‘Florida Inkslinger- Cartoonists of the Sunshine State’. I assisted the opening by giving a short talk and draw on creativity.

I left the Appleton and stopped at nearby coffee shop, Chelsea Coffee, to slow down a minute and join Sandra, Ann Sabo and Dick Daniels.

I was very fortunate to have former Tribune Media Services cartoon editor, Mark Mathes, come and speak to us about the future of our business.

Mark’s daughter came also and asked cartoonists for an autograph. Dana Summers, editorial cartoonist of the Orlando Sentinel and the comic strip ‘Bound and Gagged’ obliges.

After dinner gag cartoonist George Peiper speaks to cartoonist/illustrator and gag writer, Mike Osbun, and his wife, Jackie.

Comic book artist Jose Delbo and his wife Maybelle take a peek through Mark Mathe’s dauhgter, Rachel’s book of collected art.

Mark Mathes listens as Tom Armstrong talks shop. Tom’s wife, Glenda, is behind him.

One of the big surprises coming from the Appleton event was the appearance of Earl Engleman, one of the most prolific gag cartoonists in the past few decades. Earl and his wife, Shirley, just came out to see the exhibit and stayed for dinner. It was great to uncover another professional cartoonist in Florida!