Chewing Pencils

Australian Cartoonists’, and many from around the world, carry a heavy burden this week after the news of the passing of James Kemsley.

James was the president of the Australian Cartoonists’ Association for many years, and gave the organisation the boost it needed to bring it from a social club to the amazing network and resource base that it is today. He had a great heart for all those interested in the art form and willing gave his time to anybody that could use his help.

Way back at the beginning of my freelance career, James spent many hours on the phone to me about various aspects of syndication and drawing for clients from overseas. He didn’t know me at all, yet treated me like I was a long lost friend and offered many ’secrets’ that had taken him years to discover. I never did meet him face to face, but did right through the years until he became quite sick, he was still helping me out whenever I asked.

So thank you James. We’ll miss you.

MG

For more information about James, see this article from today’s paper.