Steve Smeltzer's Television Interview About Cartoons and Cartooning On PBS 39

(Scroll down for the video, but read the blog posting too. Especially if you have insomnia).

Steve's new brown sports coat makes its debut on PBS39's arts IN focus interview with Emilie Henry.

Wow, what a pleasure it was to be asked to do an interview on our local PBS Station WFWA 39. About a month ago, I received an email from an assistant producer at the station, who asked me if I'd be interested in coming on their local arts program, called arts IN focus, and doing an interview.

Honestly, I had mixed emotions, partly because I'd never done a longer television interview like that and I wasn't sure if what I had to say, would be that interesting. I mean cartooning and the process might be interesting to other cartoonists, but to the general public?  It could be, as the beatniks say, "Snoozeville, Daddio."

Anyhow, taking into consideration that I'm known to my family and friends as the ultimate risk taker, always up for change and a new adventure (yeah, right),  I decided to give it a go. 

You've heard the phrase, "he has a face for radio", right? Well, that goes for wardrobes, too. For a few days I got to thinking, "Hmmmm, what do cartoonists wear?" My current fall collection of cartoonist-wear consists of sweatpants, t-shirt, flannel shirt and if it's pretty cold in the morning, a knit cap. I'm guessing that's not appropriate for television, because I never saw Regis in that kind of get-up. Then it came to me. Brown sport coat, black t-shirt and jeans with my hiking boots. Sort of "east coast professor meets Rocky Mountain tour guide". 

I had all of those things in my wardrobe, except for the brown sport coat. (Actually I did have a brown sport coat, but that was purchased about 1200 Oreos ago).

So my wife and I went out one afternoon and found a brown sport coat at Kohl's. It met all the criteria. It was brown, it was in the new "Steve-size" and it was ON SALE! And I mean, waaaaay on sale. We brought it home and to my surprise, it even had elbow patches on it. Just the added touch to complete the "east coast professor" portion of the ensemble.

The day of the interview came. I found my way to the station, walked in and was greeted by some very nice staff people. I was taken to the area where they put make-up on me. They said I was a natural beauty and didn't need much, (again, yeah, right). While I was in the chair I met the host, Emilie Henry, who was pretty, personable, funny, smart and you could tell had done her homework. She and the production staff made the whole experience so enjoyable that I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks to all the folks at Channel 39 for a truly memorable and fun experience! 

My portion of the interview starts around the 12:30 mark after Emilie's very interesting interview with members of The Moscow Ballet. 

A Public Radio Station Interview With Me About My Cartooning.

Last February, I was honored to be asked to do an interview about my cartooning with Fort Wayne's own Julia Meek at 89.1 WBOI, our Northeastern Indiana Public Radio Station.

I'm not a veteran at doing these kinds of things, so as you might imagine, I was a bit apprehensive. But, as it turns out, it really was quite enjoyable. Julia is such a smart, funny and kind interviewer, that the time just seemed to whisk by. She asked really great questions that showed that she'd put a lot of thought into it. It also helps that she's an artist, as well as being fantastic in many other muse-driven activities.

In a few days, I'm scheduled to do a television interview. This time for a show called arts IN focus on PBS 39 WFWA. Why all the attention from public broadcast media? My theory is that PBS and NPR only program shows that appeal to a smarter demographic.

And obviously, they've researched me and my work and have found that I'm quite intelejunt.

Looking for professional, legal and copyright protected Business Cartoons to make your business presentation stand out?

For just a small fee, businesses such as yours, can use professionally created cartoons to add humor and foster a good feeling among your team, clients, customers or audience. For many years, successful businesses have used cartoons in customer newsletters, emails, powerpoint presentations, advertising and gifts. 

CHECK OUT MORE OF MY BUSINESS, SALES, HUMAN RESOURCES AND MARKETING CARTOONS HERE!

Cartoons have a way of connecting to your intended audience with a simple concept that makes them laugh and feel understood. (Think of service technicians, the world over, who have the famous "You want it when?!?" cartoon posted at a prominent place in their place of business.) Now, what if you were a service oriented magazine, with these service workers as your subscribers? And what if you were the first to publish that cartoon? Can you see how the service technicians could feel favorably about a magazine that understands them enough to publish a cartoon about the subject on unreasonable service turn-around time? It's funny and it relates to them!

Cartoons can also add a small oasis of levity to materials that can be pretty "dry". There's a reason that top-notched publications use cartoons to break up columns and columns of facts, figures and data. Just ask The Wall Street Journal, Barron's or Harvard Business Review. They have all used cartoons, successfully for years. You can use the same cartoons used in these publications or even commission new custom cartoons for your individual purposes. It's only $20 to automatically download a cartoon for e-purposes. Or contact me for print use or to ask about custom cartoons.

 

Cartoon Sketch Not Chosen For Fort Wayne Monthly

First of all, these sketches I post aren't meant to be a slam against Fort Wayne Monthly Magazine. They are a DREAM to work with and are always supportive of my cartoon ideas. It's just that every month, I submit three Fort Wayne-specific sketches and only one can be chosen to be finalized into a finished version that eventually gets published in the intended issue. 

It works that way in much of the publishing world. You submit a number of sketches to the magazine's editor or sometimes the art director. They have a meeting with others around the magazine and (hopefully) choose one to eventually print.

I wouldn't post sketches that I send to other magazines, because if Magazine A doesn't select anything, a similar Magazine B might be interested. But not if it has already been plastered all over the internet on somebody's blog.

In the case of Fort Wayne Monthly, there is no other magazine that would be interested in publishing cartoons about Fort Wayne. So they either sit on my hard drive or I post them here. Some might say, why not just generalize the cartoon by taking the Fort Wayne elements out of the joke? To them I say, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF WORK!!! You know, these naps of mine aren't going to take themselves!

So, here goes. This sketch was drawn a few months ago in anticipation of the September issue. Anybody who knows about Fort Wayne in September, knows that the Johnny Appleseed Festival is a big deal. Food, music, art, crafts, and all kinds of historical stuff about our heritage. Oh yes, and the bees! But, I already did a cartoon a long time ago about the bees at the festival, so this this one is about the hay bales arranged throughout the festival grounds.  

5 Proven Funny Business Cartoons That Have Been Used in Major Business Publications.

And you can use them for only $20 a piece in your own powerpoint, presentation, e-mail campaign, e-newsletter, blog or company social media page.

Click to contact me if you have any interest in using them in hard-copy materials, such as newsletters, magazines, brochures, etc.

1.

This ironic alligator/businessman briefcase cartoon was first used by Reader's Digest Magazine. Although not a business publication, Reader's Digest often uses business cartoons in the work related areas of the magazine. This cartoon might work for a business presentation about workplace fashion or I often thought it would be ideal for an animal rights organization. Click on the cartoon to add to cart, pay for and download it for your purposes.

2. 

This consulting fee cartoon has appeared in Barron's. It's a play on the old "Give a man a fish.." adage. I think this cartoon could work in a lot of different business situations. Click on the cartoon to add to cart, pay for and download it for your purposes.

3.

Here's another cartoon that I was happy to have published in the Wall Street Journal. It's a cartoon that's near and dear to my heart, because I do a lot of penciling in. Although I don't have a cool view of the skyline out of my office window like this cartoon does. Click on the cartoon and get the ball rolling to use it in your presentation, e-mail, blog, etc. 

4.

Do you ever get the feeling that you might have less of a hard time getting to talk on the phone to someone if your name was Warren Buffet or Paul McCartney? I think you're right. And our receptionist above is proving the point. This cartoon showed up in a really cool business magazine called Worthwhile. Unfortunately, they went out of business some years back.  Click the cartoon to add to cart.

5.

Here's a cartoon that might be good in a real estate presentation, e-mail, blog, e-newsletter, etc. It could also work for estate planning lawyers, retirement firms or stock brokers. Just click on the cartoon to start using it for your electronic media purposes. Contact me to use in printed materials such magazines, newsletters, greeting cards, brochures or what have you.

WANT TO SEE MORE OF MY BUSINESS CARTOONS? JUST CLICK HERE!

Ironic Labor Day Cartoon

Here all this time, I thought Labor Day was sort of an ironic name that indicated that we should do the opposite of laboring. We should wake up late, fire up the grill and watch our weird uncle sit in the same camping chair (he brings his own) for hours and hours while downing the world's beer supply, one 12 ounce bottle at a time. 

Come to find out, according to the government website , "The History of Labor Day"   

"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

So yeah, I guess I was kinda right all along. Celebrate on, brothers and sisters of Labor. It's back to work tomorrow!

Celebrate National Dog Day, A Day Late With A Business Outsourcing Cartoon

Well here I am, a day late and a doggy short. Is that the old phrase? No, I didn't think so, but YOU try to come up with an opening line for a blog post. Anyways, in honor of our illustrious furry friends, I've decided to post one of my dog cartoons, hopefully for your enjoyment. Feel free to show it to Fido or Fidette. You'll know they like it if you get right up in their face and start saying their name while talking in baby talk. If they start licking your face, they like the cartoon. Unless you just ate a bologna sandwich, which could mean they are motivated by something else entirely.   

But show it to them anyway. He or she might enjoy seeing this business cartoon featuring a K9 in a starring role. Do you know what it must take for a cartoon dog like this to work his or her way up the corporate ladder to finally become a CED (Chief Executive Dog)? Probably they would need to start off in the mailroom, trying to hold back from their natural impulse of barking at the mail carrier. That must be r-r-r-rough.

Maybe next, they would be promoted to a customer service phone job, where they would salivate every time the phone rang. Or possibly they work their way up through a position in Human Resources, which when you think about the name of the department, is kind of biased towards humans and not doggies. 

Well this dog certainly is enjoying his place at the head of the board room table and is really tickled when one of the board members brings up the idea of outsourcing. Check out the cartoon and you'll see why. Thanks and happy National Dog Day, yesterday!

If you would like to use this cartoon in your powerpoint,  presentation, email or other electronic media, just click on the cartoon and you'll find yourself on the cartoon page where you can download it for $20.  Want to use it in print form for newsletters, magazines or books? Click CONTACT at the top of the page and we'll figure out a fair price for your specific needs.