A Note from Patrick: May 2019

Hey everyone,

As promised, this newsletter contains another sneak peek at my forthcoming MUTTS 25^thanniversary book The Art of Nothing, which will be published by Abrams this fall.

Today I am sharing several of our early, previous cover ideas. There are a lot of factors as to what makes a good cover, and it’s always fun playing around with different concepts. What do you think?

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 1

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 2

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 3

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 4

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 5

In other news, this month I will be attending the National Cartoonists Society’s NCS Fest in Huntington Beach, California. For the first time, it’s open to the public. The three-day event, held May 17-19, is a celebration of comics and cartoon art from all over the world!

On Friday, May 17, I’ll be speaking on a panel titled “The Art of George Herriman’s Krazy Kat.” Then on Saturday, May 18, I’ll give a presentation about MUTTS in two separate sessions. You can see my full NCS Fest schedule here — or purchase your passes at the NCS Fest Tickets page.

Last week, on April 27, I had the pleasure of presenting an event titled “A Celebration of Companion Animals,” hosted by the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey. I invited Heather Achenbach from SAVE Animal Shelter and Brian Hackett, the N.J. State Director for The Humane Society of the United States, to speak during my talk. It was a treat, as always, to speak with other animal lovers about the bonds we share with our furry friends. Plus, three pets were adopted on the spot. It was a wonderful event and we will share more about it on our blog.

In New Jersey we are blessed with four distinct seasons and I’m enjoying the return of our feathered friends.

Patrick

Comments (38)

IT’S SHTINKY, NOT STINKY!
JOAN

I agree! I like the third one.
Beth

I am besotted with Stinky. He is my favorite of all the characters. He embodies so many things that really matter. I would be thrilled to give him a hug.
voolavex

I like all the suggestions, but the one with the tree and landscape and mooch is my fave. animal lover bob.
bob foster

Me too, Susan! I used to have Mutts as my screensaver and was and am so upset that I don’t know how as it went away. At least I can open my email and enjoy it that way. I love the Wise Quotes as well, don’t you?
Sharon A Krill

I love the last picture best. Of course, all your work is great. I fell in love with Mutts from the very first strip I came across years ago. I spent 21 years as an OTR truck driver, co-driving with my husband. I purchased newspapers in every area we traveled. I made a list of which papers carried Mutts. I would be so upset when I couldn’t find a local paper with your strip. Then I found your website and get Mutts daily. It is the first email I open. I love your sweet sense of humor. I know Mutts will never offend and always causes my heart to warm. Thank you for sharing your art and talent with those of us who are not so blessed.
Susan Hall

The simple tree with our beloved Mutts is the best civer.
Barbara M Walker

I like the “cover” one (or third in the list), with just Mooch and Mutts. Nice and simple.
Jeanie

The last cover with Shtinky Puddin would be my husbands choice of cover for your book. We have named one of our cats Shtinky Puddin.
Kathleen Hoessle

I love the top cover with Mooch in bed. It reminds me of my Sooty, a black cat, who just died April 18th, Holy Thursday. She spent a lot of time in my bed, snuggled under the covers, perfecting the art of nothing.
Kathleen

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