Kim and I flew into Seattle yesterday morning for a week of speaking engagements. I’m writing this from my trusty new Apple PowerBook one suburb away from Redmond, the worldwide headquarters of Microsoft. It’s beautiful here this time of year. This tree is right outside our hotel window.
We are hoping to do a bit of sightseeing tomorrow — if the rain holds out — but for now I’m in my temporary command post in between drawing comic strips and coloring the October 30 Weeekend strip.
My favorite childhood moment so far was the plane ride. Not only am I in complete disbelief that we have actually engineered a way to launch several tons of steel and people into the sky and soar higher than the clouds, but I smiled when I watched the passengers as we neared Seattle. The flight was full, packed with people of all ages and travel experience. But as we dipped below the clouds and could begin making out the tiny trees and houses, nearly everyone was peering out their window. The sight always reminds me of the model railroad layouts in my Dad’s train magazines.
Perhaps the people up in business class had better things to do, but the people seated near me were just as enthralled as any child would be looking at the breathtaking sight from an unusual vantage point. Whether you’re on the ground or in the air, it’s always important to delight in the little things.
I’m hoping to have the chance to write tomorrow at the original Starbucks in Pike’s Place, and I’ve pretty much planned on being inspired by the sights and sounds of the city. It was to my surprise that as Kim and I walked through Washington’s largest mall on our way to lunch yesterday, I had a weird experience of life imitating art. The Pottery Barn Kids store had large window graphics of kids in cute costumes, an lo and behold, one of the girls was wearing Kim’s — the cartoon version, not the human one — Halloween costume. The little “punkin” outfit was not far off from the one I had been drawing this past week. Weird.
Finally, I got an e-mail from a girl in the Netherlands today who said, and I quote:
I can’t say anything else than cheap Calvin and Hobbes rip-off. Your cartoon sucks the big one.
Thank you for the constructive criticism, Christa from the Netherlands. Although stinky e-mails like this one are outnumbered by the positive ones I get, it still stings a bit. Artists have some pretty fragile egos, and mine is not always immune from shouts of “inoriginality.” Oh well, just another reason to keep plugging along, seeing and trying new things, pursuing my own creative muse.
Meanwhile, I am considering writing to Pottery Barn Kids to accuse them of being a cheap Kim & Jason rip-off.
Well, don’t let it get to you too much, Jason. A lot of people once accused a cartoonist of ripping-off a lesser-known comic about little kids, but that never stopped Charles Schulz from going on to become the world’s best known and loved cartoonists ever. Not to mention, by far, the most successful. Enjoy Seattle. Check out Seattle Underground if you have time.
Guy~
Don’t let it get to you Jason … maybe Christa was having a bad-hair day.
As I say in my tagline, ‘dance to your own beat … and let people talk,’ and I don’t mean literally ‘dance,’ though for some reason the line always makes me think of that Seinfeld episode where Elaine dances … and of course, dancing’s always good for the soul, too … but you know what I mean.
Carry on with what brings you joy, and let Christa carry on with what brings her joy (… which apparently is raining on people’s parades). Sounds to me like she has a critical case of adultitis …
Being in business, we get the occasional person who doesn’t like what we did and you always remember that person way longer than the marjority, that really love what you did. Try not to think about it; you bring much joy to many people.
Thank you all for the support and encouragement and perspective. In a marketing vein, I have heard that until you have a core group of people who really, really love your product AND a group of people who really hate your product, you’re invisible and not making much of an impact. Reminds me of a part in the bible in which God wishes we’d be either hot or cold. He is not a big fan of lukewarmness. So bring on the K&J haters…because I know I have a legion of supporters behind me :)