"Fill Up" Gag Cartoon in Living Well Magazine (Summer 2007)

I'm happy to announce that one of my gag cartoons is published in the Summer 2007 issue of Living Well, a Canadian mini-magazine provided by McNeil Consumer Healthcare and the publishers at Reader's Digest Canada.

It's quite a neat little publication with all sorts of summer survival tips, including stuff on "Sizzle and Sip Backway BBQ" ... mmm! You'll find my cartoon in the Laughing Well section on Page 11.

I vividly remember sitting outside on those hot summer days with my sisters and friends at our own makeshift lemonade stands -- drinking our profits away!

But if this summer's forecast is right when it comes to gas and oil prices, here's a timely gag that I'm sure many will be able to relate to ... Enjoy!

"Fill Up" in Living Well Magazine (Summer 2007).

Click the above image to see the full cartoon.

Stay TOONed!

- Mike Cope

DVD VIDEO: "Student Voices: Turning Point" for HWDSB

"I Will Believe" Bonus Track from HWDSB Student Voices: Turning Point DVD.

Something a little different to share with you today ... The above video clip is the "Bonus Track" on a DVD that I recently completed for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board entitled "Student Voices: Turning Point." (Produced in association with the HWDSB's "Unlock Your Future" Student Success Initiative).

HWDSB: Unlock Your Future - Student Success Initiative.

Previously, I animated the video for the official "Unlock Your Future" launch, as well as created a promotional DVD for Vocation Education in the Hamilton-Wentworth school board.

This particular project began back in February when I filmed some footage at a graduation ceremony that was held for some Turning Point students.

You're probably wondering, "What's Turning Point?"

To help explain, here are a few screenshots from the DVD's introduction ...

SCREENSHOTS from HWDSB Student Voices: Turning Point DVD.

The main portion of the DVD consists of the interview clips that are described above. Overall, they have a very powerful message for anyone involved in education, whether they're a teacher, principal, school trustee, parent, or student.

One special note about the above text ... You may have noticed that it stated that "over 50 students" were invited back to earn their diploma, but only 15 graduated in February. Those first 15 only needed 1 or 2 credits to graduate; however, this month, 35 more students will be graduating, bringing this year's graduating class to 50 students. The rest are still working hard in the program towards this goal.

Cover Art by Mike Cope - HWDSB Student Voices: Turning Point DVD.

For my part, I produced 150 copies of the DVD for the school board. These videos will be distributed to local schools, as well as shared with other school boards across Ontario.

In the next few days, the DVD will be presented at a symposium hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Education, where I hope it is well received.

Special thanks to Ms. Angela Ferguson, Principal of Student Success for the HWDSB, and to Ms. Joanne Hall, Special Assignment Teacher, for bringing me onboard for this project. For those who don't know them, these are two great people who are passionate about student education -- Best of luck at the symposium!

If you, the reader, happen to be a teacher or school administrator and are interested in producing DVD's to help promote some of your programs, please feel free to contact me.

Stay TOONed ... and Stay in School!

- Mike

"Good Genes" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (June 2007)

The June 2007 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands.

This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 75 ... If you're not a subscriber, I highly encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine!

As the eldest (and only male) child in our family, I was lucky enough not to be on the hand-me-down receiving end ... err, too often! But here's a little pun that I'm sure many other sibblings can relate too ...

"Good Genes" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (June 2007).

Click the above image to see the full cartoon.

One special note about this particular cartoon ... As you'll see below, the original sample for this cartoon was coloured differently than the magazine edition. At the request of the Reader's Digest editors, I provided them with a few revisions that were "brighter/more vivid."

"Good Genes" original cartoon sample.

"Good Genes" colour variations.

Personally, I still like the original ... But my wife likes the one that appears in the magazine.

Nevertheless, this is a good lesson for aspiring cartoonists. Revisions are simply part of the business. Publications (such as magazines) are your clients. As such, there's nothing wrong with keeping the editor(s) happy ... After all, they decide whether or not to publish you! Even though I liked the original colours, it wasn't that difficult to swap them in Adobe Photoshop. In the end, everyone is happy :)

Stay TOONed!

- Mike Cope