Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Artist. Self-syndicated cartoonist. Author.
First Art Memory: Fifth grade, I was drawing and looking out the window at school (Bloomfield Elementary School in Bloomfield, Indiana) and I realized I liked to draw. I’ve been drawing ever since. I never stopped.
Inspirations: Seeing things done on canvas and living the dream. Do water, birds, animals, ocean, fish. I just like to paint. And I like a little whimsical humor in everything.
Last Book Read: I don’t read. The last book I think I read was a Candace Bergen book about forty years ago. I’ve never liked reading. I like visual.
First Famous Person You Met Or Encountered: First or most famous? (Either, whatever…) I had lunch with Walter Cronkite on Tavern On The Green in New York City. He worked with Ethel Kennedy, who had a donation party for her charity. I drew a drawing for her Robert F. Kennedy Tennis Tournament. After that, she started calling and inviting me to different places and events. I met a ton of celebrities in that period. Graduating Rhode Island School Of Design, getting through doing that.
Favorite Movie: The Sound Of Music.
Greatest Career Moment: I had pecan pie with Rose Kennedy on her 90th birthday in Hyannisport. Oddly enough, I’m not a democrat [smiles]. I don’t really think of it that way though. I’ve had a lot of great moments. That’s a hard one to answer… I had a moment when Macy’s in New York City had me do a book signing, I had a table for a week.
Most Painful Moment: [Laughs]… I’ve always wanted to be a nationally syndicated. I was self-syndicated in different newspapers and publications – but not nationally where more people see your work.
First Car: 1955 Chevy, light blue and white, two-tone.
Favorite Meal: Chicken. I don’t eat beef. 37 years without meat.
First Job: Bowling alley pin setter. In Bloomfield, Indiana.
Strangest Request/Commission: I’ve had so many commissions. I’ve been blessed. People want their dogs and cats – mostly dogs – illustrated. I’ve had a lot of them.
Musical Tastes: I like jazz. French music. Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Embarrassing Career Memory: I had a newspaper cartoon strip in a few newspapers nationally. And I misspelled a word – and it was only about twelve words, so that was kind of embarrassing.
Career Journey In A Nutshell: My style has developed over time after graduating from Indiana State University with a degree in Art and a Masters from Rhode Island School of Design. I spent several years working as the Creative Director for Champion Products (Champion Sportswear) in NY and then another sportswear firm in Cincinnati, Ohio. One year I took a short leave of absence and attended a couple of “Illustrator Workshops” in Paris, France and in Dublin, Ireland. That trip inspired me to begin illustrating in my own unique style. I was filled with a new creative energy. In 1985, I began licensing my art and illustrations for use on all sorts of new items…everything from coffee mugs and posters, to greeting cards and t-shirts. During that same period, I began my cartoonist career. My cartoon panel, “Listen Honey”, appeared for 25 years in The Cincinnati Post. My family and I moved to Anna Maria Island in 2009 where we enjoy the Florida lifestyle and operate our studio-retail store.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla.
Favorite Artist: Toulouse Latrec. Artist in Paris, 1870-1880. Illustrated and drew women for Moulin Rouge cabaret and the Crazy Horse.
People Qualities Most Admired: Just happy and honest.
You can meet and see Emerson Quillin’s work at his studio/shop at 5354 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217. His website is www.emersonshumor.com
