Seems like May is my month this year for causes. Today is about Parkinson’s Disease. Richard Thompson is the award winning cartoonist behind the syndicated strip Cul de Sac. Upon learning that Richard was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, his friend Chris Sparks started learning about the disorder and reached out to his cartoonist/artist brethren to help. The culmination is the book Team Cul de Sac – Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s, with each cartoonist using Cul de Sac as an inspiration for their drawing. You can preorder the book here. Proceeds will benefit
What is more amazing is the who’s who of who stepped. Dawn Griffin (Zorphbert and Fred) , Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey), Jim Borgman (Zits), John Rose (Snuffy Smith). But the biggest name being talked about is Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes fame. Here is his donated work:
Watterson hasn’t publicly released any of his artwork since 1995 when he gave up doing Calvin and Hobbes. (And no he doesn’t endorse the Calvin pissing on Ford decals that are all over the place) You can own the original artwork in an Auction currently going on until June 10 by Heritage Auctions. Most are currently in the under $50 range so far but the Watterson painting is leading the pack at $2600. Proceeds of book and auction will benefit the Michael J Fox Foundation.
Comments
70 responses to “Team Cul De Sac Fighting Parkinsons”
Lots of good stuff in this auction. That Watterson painting is tiny, I could have used it as a drink coaster, haha! Hope everybody will consider bidding.
You do realize it is resized for internet sake.
Parkinson’s is the killer in my family. I hope this book raises both awareness and much needed research money.
Thank you, Bearman.
Red.
My father in law is suffering through this. Healthiest man…did yoga in the 70’s before any other guy, fit…and now it is robbing him of his vitality.
I’m sure that Watterson painting will go for a fortune!
Already over 4000…
It’d be a steal at that. It’ll probably go for ten times that.
How much are you bidding?
5,000 wine gums.
5000 wine gums? do you have them under lock and key?
wandering over to see if there is anything wonderful to add to my collection within my budget (fingers crossed). Wonderful, I love auctions!
So far all budgets are being represented. Let me know if you win something.
A good list of top cartoonists. I guess they keep in touch with one another and are willing to help with their talent.
There is a club. No one has given me an address or secret password yet though.
There must be some kind of oversight. Or they know that you will help whether you are in the inner circle or not.
I am in YOUR circles…but not THEIR circles
You are also in about 14000 other people’s circles and that ain’t bad.
Yeah, but not apparently anyone important enough!
Exactly
you are one beautiful soul,
i hope auction goes well and raises all the money required for R&D
Me too. Thanks
Hey, Watterson is back! Awesome.
…but we’ll be seeing Bearman’s contribution in there, right? RIGHT?!
Nope. They wanted original drawings. I do everything digital so….
Couldn’t you just pick up a few brushes and give it a try sometimes. Even I have tried it. (Didn’t work out to great but I did try it. I even sold one print of an original sketch…I got $6 for it.)
Probably…but I am set in my ways.
Not me. I am an adventurer and I like tryin’ new things. I just don’t have enough time to try them all…or to get good at many of them. My wife says I have a short attention span. What were we talkin’ about again?
I thought you were an old puppy, and they’re not supposed to like new tricks!
My problem is I am full of great ideas. I just need someone who will execute them all.
You should give something like that a try sometime, Bearman! I’m sure no one would be surprised when you got incredible results. And you might even have some fun with it, too!
🙂
I’d be surprised if I got incredible results.
I wouldn’t.
🙂
Way cool and I’ll bet that piece of artwork will go for way more than that. Awesome and a great cause too. My father died from complications of Parkinson’s. Ugly stuff.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
Well then for the next generation, I hope we can eradicate it.
You are just too awesome, Bearman!
I hope the action goes very well!
I am, I know..haha j/k
Thanks for your caring spirit Bearman. You always seem to jump on the bandwagon and help to fight any disease. There are so many devestating diseases and Parkinsons is one, and it is heart breaking to see people suffer. Keep up the good work friend.
My reach is small but hoping to make a small ripple.
Great cause for such an atrocious disease.
I have to get less serious in my posts. Your comments are getting boring..haha
Nice that so many cartoonists got together and did this for him.
Have an idea for one too but I am nto sure how to pull it off.
Not in front of the children!
Not PULL IT!
So that’s who the pissing boy is–I always thought he looked familiar, but never could place him!
My maternal grandmother had serious Parkinson’s in her old age–it was so painful for her. They’re heroes tackling such a horrible affliction!
Yes…people steal the Calvin character all the time. Now I see recently he ended up in the form of a sushi bento box. Need to find that picture.
Fortunately I don’t think I personally know anyone with that terrible disease… it’s absolutely heartbreaking to see what it does to people…
(just like everyone else I LOVE the Bill Watterson piece…)
🙂
You should do an oil painting of me and see what we could raise for that.
I’ll chip in a quarter but it’ll probably stick to the oil. Sig will probably make beautiful art out of it! 🙂
Just as long as he doesn’t make my hair all greasy with too much oil
Well we all know how particular you are about your hair. At any rate, I’m sure he’ll creat a masterpiece as always!
Don’t suck up to him…he already has a big head.
You’re like a superhero of web comics. Always promoting worthy causes.
Except I look horrible in tights
You already know this? 🙁
Of course…
Tiger. 😉
Wonderful cause I think it’s great that you are willing to champion these great causes. There is such a need for good medical change. I’ll have to check out the book!
Thanks…anything that relates to cartoons and causes I am all for.
you truly are a gentleman and the nicest guy on the web! I love your passion bearman and your drive to make a difference.
I feel like I really don’t do enough but thanks.
Love, Love, Love it! Awesome post. Parkinson’s is a devastating disease that wreaks havoc on the nervous system. I wish Richard Thomson all the best in his battle. It sounds like he has so much support from true friends who care.
Bearman, I for one enjoy reading about inspirational people. It inspires the philanthropist in all of us whether it be giving cash donations or donations of a another kind, like giving of our time.
I think it’s beautiful when people in need medically, spiritually or financially have someone to reach out to because there are so many who have no one. “Team Cul de Sac – Cartoonists Draw the Line at Parkinson’s” is such a creative(title) idea and Chris Sparks is an absolute (friend) genius for putting this all together! I wish the project much success, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I will now go and take a look at the link for myself to see if I can be of support in any way.:-)
Thanks Lynn. HOpefully it gives you some ideas and inspiration for your own project.
I find inspiration everywhere these days. You have inspired me from day one. Just so you know, I will be away for about a month. We’re probably going to be away from internet for about a month beginning next week. Just throwing that out there. Still trying to decide whether or not to put it on my blog.
Well you could just put it here so I know why you are leaving me. You need one of those Satellite phones so you can stay connected in the boonies.
This RAWKS! This will be a great thing to gain some attention. I am now paying attention.
Great…I need $20. Still paying attention?
This is amazing Bearman. You are honestly a standard Bear-er for the finest causes. Thank you for passing this along, as well as all of your much needed calls to worthy charitable causes.
Bearman: Saving the world one webcomic at a time! Nice!
I never ever knew all this, I learn so much from your blogs, Bearman!
We have an elderly friend who has Parkinsons, it’s terrible to see the debilitating effects it has on him.