About Mick
“I began drawing while still a tiny person in Lake Grove, Oregon, and have continued to do so, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of the unlikelyhood of making a living. My first drawing was accepted at The New Yorker in 1979. I immediately moved from San Francisco, where I’d been experimenting with alternative lifestyles and underground comics, to New York. There, I gradually began selling more cartoons and ideas to The New Yorker and eventually received a contract with the magazine.
My work has also appeared in other publications, among them The Harvard Business Review, Barron’s, The National Law Journal, and USA Weekend. Books published include If Ducks Carried Guns, Things Not To Do Today, and A Mystery, Wrapped in An Enigma, Served On a Bed of Lettuce.
I’m currently living in Miami Beach, FL, USA.” — Mick Stevens
For more about Mick, go to www.cartoonbank.com
Your friendly, and very talkative and opinionated, Lyft driver here! It was a pleasure meeting you today and chatting on your journey to DIA.
I was intrigued by the whole “cartoonist for the New Yorker” thing and had to do some Googling when I got home. Had I only known! I’ve seen many of your pieces many times and had a little laugh or found myself shaking my head in agreement.
And I do believe you are no longer the second most interesting passenger I’ve had in my (now) 200 rides. You’re solidly tied at first!
Wishing you continued success. I’m sure I’ll continue to enjoy your work.
C-
Mick
Hea bit about you studying Tenor, and I find it inspiring in a rare sort of way. There is little written about beginning the serious study of music later in life. Let me explain. There is no lack of encouragement out there for adults to begin the study of an instrument. Much is said about the Benifits: relaxation, it’s good for the brain etc. it’s also said that your never too old. But how does this apply to the adult entering the study of an instrument with specific Musical aspirations? What if you are not merely looking for the relief of stress or Suduko mental calisthenics, but actually want to achieve significant proficiency. What do we tell these adults? How is much is possible? Can someone starting violin at age 40 ever hope to play in a solid community orchestra, can a 50 yo new to piano aspire to at something that verges on a professional level? No one addresses these questions, but surely there must be many adults who, later in life, find the motivation passion and discipline that they lacked as children. What can they achieve? I am one of them. I am 57, and have been playing Jazz Clarient (modern, .i.e. Bebop, not swing) for decades on a level that is something more than rank amateur but less than professional. I am a physician. This year I decided that I would like to, by retirement, reach the level where I can play with the local jazz musicians here in denver. And so, I have embarked on lessons with a local jazz educator. Now I know I have the requisite talent, but wonder if my brain still has the needed plasticity. Would love to hear your thoughts on all this. It would also be great to hear of others who have embarked on a similar path.
Best.
Joe
Joseph P Cannavo MD
Regional Service Chief
Addiction Treatment Services
Colorado Permanente Medical Group
I don’t know if you remember me. I was your bartender at the Wishing Well in San Francisco back in 78-79. I had a dog named Rita! You were part of Richard Georges’ pool group. Followed your success over the years. Your “Life Without Mozart” was a poignant one for a friend of mine whose mother died — she was a musicologist.
Anyway, I live in Washington state now. I’m a writer these days.
Why did you move to Miami Beach?
We’re trying to license one of your cartoons!
Conde Nast tell me they no longer license your cartoons and do not have your contact info. Who can we get in touch with to license one of your cartoons?
Thank you,
Jamie
Please send reprint requests to Bob@CartoonCollections.com. Thanks, All!
Mick
I love your “if ducks carried guns” a retired Black Govt Atty
I need good advice on how to become syndicated. I love Your Sense of humor
and imagination Parallels mine
Your tips and wisdom how to start would be deeply appreciated.
I started drawing cartoons in 5th grade 1961. Shultz and Peanuts, to Hank Ketcham Dennis the Menace. Greatest influences Har, Parker and Hart (BC) and (W of Id) to MacNelly(Shoe) and and Larson (Far Side)
Charles Walker,Esq
Charles,
Thanks for your comments! As far as advice goes, all I can tell you is that getting syndicated or published is hard! I always advise perseverance. I draw almost every day and most of what I do, I eventually throw out, but in the process, good ideas do pop up. In may case, I’m submitting ten ideas weekly to the New Yorker, and since I’ve built up quite an inventory of unsold work, I often upload some of them to Instagram. (It’s not like getting published and paid, but at least someone will see it). I used to draw cartoon strips and had a few almost hit pay dirt, but strips weren’t going to be where I found my niche. Good luck!
Hey Mick,
Just came upon your name in the New Yorker. Brought back some memories of times past in L.O. Have thought of you often and those lost times. Think last time you contacted me in PDX you were doing some work for Rolling Stone (half century ago?). Hoping and pretty sure that you have had some good times along the road. I am still in Portland and must say that I am disappointed in the society that we live in but not the life I have been able to enjoy. Curious as to what your life is like now and whether you get out this way? Wishing you all the best.
Nick
Hi, Nick.
Recognized your name but not much else about our time in Lake Grove and Portland. I know things have been tough in Portland, with the fires and Covid. Hope you and yours are OK.
I’m still drawing for the New Yorker and other places, and have a things on Instagram and at Facebook.
Thanks for checking in!
Mick
Hi, I was writing to gain permission to use your cartoon of a dog wanting to play ball with God in my pet loss presentation. I would like to use this image in my Power Point presentation to illustrate the bond we have with our loved ones and the faith that pets do have souls and do go to heaven. I thank you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely, Diana