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Show Signpost- Friday, May 31, 1985 13 if oriol Increase Public Awareness r ATV&C.... S A ACS See T&K, Wn MUST Aft 1 ', W -f L U lis An editorial cartoonist is one who can make people laugh long enough to think and then get mad enough over an issue to do something about it said Steve Thorpe, editorial cartoonist for the Signpost. An editorial cartoon enhances a news story by creating awareness of national and local issues for the public. As the old saying goes, "a pictures paints a thousand words." Thorpe has always had an appreciation for art and has enjoyed drawing as a hobby. His father was a commericial artist. While attending Clearfield High, Thorpe had the opportunity of being selected to represent the school as the student body artist. The Rocky Mountain Press Association honored him with an award for his first published editorial cartoon on the issue of U.S. Military Drugs and Alcohol. Thorpe realized his art potential as a career while attending Ricks College. Thorpe considers himself to be an analyst and observer of the public. "I like to be in the middle of the action so I'm more aware of what's going on," he said. Cartooning is a constant process of thinking and relating ideas. "You have to look at life as a cartoon or you'd never be able to draw it." said Thorpe. In contemplating ideas for an editorial cartoon, Thorpe looks at the different perceptions of the issue usually from a conservative side. At times, editors will give the cartoonist the basic issue or idea that will be represented. Thorpe said it makes it tough when the idea is already drawn out for the cartoonist to trace because it leaves little room for their own expression. "If I can't picture the idea myself and make it my own, I can't capture or draw the idea," he said. The editorial cartoon reflects the observations interpreted by the cartoonist. Artist are vulnerable to idea and creativity blocks. "The best way is to not cancel out anything and just let the ideas flow," said Thorpe. It is an evolutionary process of relating words to ideas, and then drawing thumbnail sketches that eventually lead up to the final drawing. "Watching Dan Rather on the evening news and keeping current issues of news magazines also helps," he said. For Thorpe, the national news is easier to depict because the public is unaware of local news. "It is important to have a balance between national and local coverage to increase awareness," he said. Thorpe said he learns from his cartoons primarily because he must internalize the central issues before creating the artwork to represent the idea. What's in the future for Thorpe9 "To be a syndicated editorial cartoonist," he said. A a WW. 1 r ) srl if j ism mm" |