Friday Feature Artist: Terry Forestal
Published by Matt Glover June 15th, 2007 in Feature Artist
This weeks feature artist is a baby when it comes to being a cartoonist, but has a wealth of life experience that places her in a unique position to make use of a market most of us know very little about. Read and be inspired by Terry’s story…
NAME: Terry Forestal
AGE: 52
LOCATION: Chicago area
SITE URL: ‘Pride Mobility Products’ in the Family Album Cartoon Gallery
How long have you been drawing cartoons?
A little over a year.
What made you start to think more seriously about making some money out of it?
I don’t charge anything yet. Someone did a cartoon for me many years ago I still have it. I remember how cool I thought it was and want to pass on the favor. Although I certainly would not turn any money down now or in the future.
Have you done any formal training? If so, what and where?
I took a course in 1980 I wanted to learn perspective and was drawn to the contour method (drawing hands). I stopped going because they also taught ink blots and finger painting which I thought was a waste of time back them. My teacher didn’t want to to quit she said I was her best student and had to teach the ink blots and certain things . Other than that no formal training.
Where was your first cartoon published?
Don’t have any published yet.
What materials do you use to create your work?
Smooth Bristol or Watercolor paper, Rapidograph refillable pens, pencils, drawing paper watercolor pencils and pans, light box
What hardware and software do you use?
Microsoft Digital image media. Wacom computer pen which I just got and love it but don’t even know how to use the basic Photoshop yet. I do want to learn how to colorize the cartoons.
From where so you draw your inspiration?
Just about anything I hear or see.
What are some of the resources you’ve found most helpful?
I googlize anything on the Internet as I need to.
What is the best piece of advice you have EVER been given? The worst?
The best….”You have such a knack for cartoons stick with it”…the worst..”Forget about it cartoonists are not real artists”
Take us through the process you use to create one of your drawings:
The drawings pop into my mind first in stages then sometimes but not usually a caption.(caption is last after the drawing) I draw roughly on many scraps of paper then put them together like a jigsaw puzzle into one rough draft. I use the light box to refine final cartoon pieces in ink sometimes do watercolor. Scan into MS Digital Image for the lettering. My own writing stinks so if I do send an original to someone I completely redo entire cartoon by hand and trace the letters.
How long does it generally take to create one piece?
Any where from 5 minutes to a few hours depending on how elaborate the details or drawings are.
What do you find the hardest to draw?
I love drawing hands but I think I am dyslexic in that area because I have caught many final art works and cartoons with thumbs and big toes in the wrong place.
What do your friends and family think of you being a cartoonist?
They think it is about time I did something with my art work, they like it and want me to pursue becoming a professional. To try handicapped magazines (my confidence level is sorta low although)
Matt: Give it a go!! It’s a niche market that you’re in a great place to be successful in!
What do you think is the best part about being a cartoonist?
Knowing that somewhere I might of made a frustrated or hurting person smile and forget their troubles if only for a moment.
What has been the standout post on Chewing Pencils for you? Why?
I am new to cartooning and don’t know anything in the field. All the posts I enjoy and learn from.
Anything else you’d like to say….
I was brought back to doing art work after developing back problems. It’s gotten worse I use a scooter now and devote my art doing cartoons for the disabled. I’m not able to do much or go anywhere so I have lots of time to do the toons. I am hoping the cartoons can also be pleasing and enjoyable to those who are not disabled. I thank God so far I have gotten positive responses from all walks of life. I always wanted to be a political cartoonist but don’t like politics. I also have a desire to do God cartoons but have only done a few so far. It will be interesting to find out where this cartoon trail will lead me.
Stick with it Terry! Start submitting stuff far and wide and charge for your services. You never know what could happen!
I read Terry’s cartoons at the Pride Mobility Cartoon gallery as I too am disabled. These cartoons always bring a smile to my face and the faces of the other members. Terry is extremely talented and should never stop drawing. Terry’s knack of capturing the characters in the cartoon as we sometimes see ourselves is so unique. Those cartoons let us laugh at ourselves with love making our individual situations seem not so bad. Terry is an inspiration to us at Pride Mobility!
I think there is some serious talent here.
The art (and it IS art) speaks to the audience and brings a smile the moment the eyes focus on it.
The commercial ventures are there, Terry. Keep getting your work out there and you will be rewarded for your efforts.
I am very impressed!
My apologies for calling Terry a ‘him’. Her husband assures me that she is a ‘her’.
Oops.
i am a bit like yourselve terry on the confidence side for the first time this year i have tried my hand at some cartoon contests. sadly no winners boo hoo but iv,e picked myself up brushed myself down and are trying for some more. your cartoon has great humour with it keep plugging away. and too would love to do cartoons about disabled god all sorts of things unfortunatly you have to be careful these days. go for it terry the world is everybodys oyster.
Terry is a great up and coming cartoonist. I have been blessed to have a few of her originals. She does great work, and I know someday my originals will be worth many dollars. More than that now is, she has made me laugh, and brings smiles to me, and many more who see her cartoons. Check out her gallery at the Pride Mobility site, it is awesome.
This artist has the ability to capture the essence of her subjects and present them with the intent she desires.
I have been the subject of her work although we have never met, she used a picture that I had placed in the Pride web pages.
The humor she injects into her cartoons really hits close to home for many of us who are struggling with some type of disability. To see and get a happy feeling from her toons is a breath of fresh air in the mundane lives of members of the group.
What ever path she takes, I’m sure she will be successful and well received.
Matt, thanks for the opportunity to be able to share my cartoons. I am taking things slow so I can find my place in the world of cartooning. I am unsure how to get my work out there outside of Disability Web Sites even though it seems that non disabled folks like the toons. Even more unsure how to recieve payment for them.
I have since started doing my toons in color with the Wacom Pen. I like the way it looks but still nothing compares to the ink scratched paper I like to send to people imagining the expression on their faces when they first open it. I try real hard just to use a few simple lines to suggest the personal image I do for them.
Thanks for the responses, it sure helps when we as artists get the feedback doesn’t it?