Stephanie Piro

stephanie piro, farmington Growing up in the 50's and 60's, I was greatly influenced by the cartoons of Charles Schulz, whose work I admired for the expressiveness of his lines, and the simplicity with which he rendered them. I also loved Mad Magazine, and the work of the New Yorker cartoonists. I've been a professional cartoonist for over 20 years. I feel honored to be a part of such a dynamic (and fun) profession, as well as a member of the National Cartoonist's Society. My cartoons are "social commentary" explorations of life and relationships. I was lucky to have been syndicated twice. First by Chronicle Features, who launched my single panel "Fair Game" in 1996 (and which I continue to self-syndicate) and second as one of the landmark King Features' team of women cartoonists "Six Chix"(I'm the Saturday chick!). And I also draw a cartoon a month, in color, for New Hampshire Magazine. As a cartoonist, I'm a bit unconventional. For one thing, I never pencil in my work first. I've found that there is a spontaneity to drawing directly with pen and ink. I've found, for me, the first art I lay down is the truest to what I want the cartoon to say. The original works shown here are what is known in the trade as "working originals". These are original drawings produced for reproduction. Rather than re-draw a work I feel has the energy I want, I will cut and paste in sections to complete the desired finish. This is a common procedure among professional cartoonists, even those that pencil. I work mainly in black and white, for newspapers. I use color for work I sell to magazines, card and calendar companies. I also design and create a line of clothing and gift items for my business, the Strip T's Design Company. I love to experiment and try new things, such as a line of jewelry called "Glitterpinz", each of which I make and decorate by hand. This year, I've added clocks.