Doug's Illustrations Help Tell the Story of Life Before Medicare, Canadian Experiences

The 1995 publication of Life Before Medicare, Canadian Experiences, was "written in the hope that it will benefit the younger and future generations of Canadians" who might at some point question continued support of Canadian Medicare.

The Preface of the 148-page book explains that the Canada Health Act was "born out of the socialist government in Saskatchewan, and out of the misery of the Great Depression that stretched across Canada and lasted up to the Second World War." And by collecting and then publishing stories about "the bad old days" before public health insurance, it was hoped that such reflections would quiet dissenting voices who seek change in health policy.

The published letters, sometimes accompanied with family photographs or illustrated by Doug, "bear testimony to the anguish suffered by many Canadians before public health insurance." (blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Ginn and Company Commissions Doug To Work on Grade Eight Textbook Illustrations

Doug was one of several illustrators hired by Ginn and Company to work on the 1967 Grade Eight textbook titled Heroic Heights. One of his assignments was to illustrate the 12-page story "Julius Caesar" by Marchette Chute.


(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Doug Illustrates Cover for Novel on Canadian Hockey

McGonigle Scores!, written by Leslie McFarlane, was promoted as "thrills, excitement and laughs in a hockey story that's a real winner." McClelland and Stewart Limited published the paperback novel in 1966 - 2 years after Doug had his first full-page color cartoon published in Playboy.

McFarlane, who had written scores of television, radio and film scripts as well as an number of successful books, described McGonigle Scores! as "achieving a perfect balance of sports and humor . . . the story is a certain delight for all hockey fans and anyone who enjoys a fast-moving and highly entertaining tale. "

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Pensacola Opera Performs Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte

While in Orange Beach, Alabama for the winter, Doug and I enjoy attending Pensacola Opera productions and Gallery Talks, held on the Sunday afternoon before each production opens. Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte opened January 23; Verdi's Aida is scheduled for May 1.

We have tickets for the Director's champaign brunch and opera performance Sunday, January 25.

The Penscola Museum of Art hosts Gallery Talks, which discuss the relationship between visual art and music during the period of the opera being presented and feature musical selections from the opera. The talks are free and open to the public.

The cast of Cosi Fan Tutte (from left) Justin Hopkins as Don Alfonso, Anna Steenerson as Despina, Patrick Kelley-Alvarado as Ferrando, Patrick Jacobs as Guglielmo, Sewell Griffith as Fiordiligi and Dawn Pierce as Dorabella entertained at the Sunday afternoon, January 18, Gallery Talk at the Pensacola Museum of Art.

As Doug and I were leaving the recent Gallery Talk at the Pensacola Museum of Art, we stopped to talk with (left) soprano Sewell Griffith, who a few minutes earlier had entertained Gallery Talk attendees. Sewell plays the part of Fiordiligi in the Pensacola Opera production of Cosi Fan Tutte.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

SCOOPS Focuses on Strong Female Leaders

If Doug were currently producing SCOOPS, a news-slanted political cartoon strip popular in the 1970s, no doubt, President Barack Obama's Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, would attract his attention and satirist's eye.

Margaret Thatcher served in Parliament at the age of 43 as a Tory. Later, she became prime minister of the United Kingdom in May 1979, resigning in November 1990.

Golda Meir was elected prime minister of Israel on March 17, 1969 and served until 1974.

Queen Elizabeth II

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Artists Feature Presidential Wives in Political Cartoons

After the inauguration today of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, will, no doubt, see herself incorporated into numerous political cartoons - just as Doug did in his satirical strip, titled SCOOPS, in the 1970s with Presidents Carter, Ford and Nixon and their wives.


Rosalynn Carter.

Betty Ford.

Pat Nixon.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Favorite Sunset Photos

After seeing CNN coverage of Mother Nature's wrath over the Midwest and southern Ontario the past few days, I'd like to share favorite photos from Doug's home in Ontario and my condo on the Gulf Coast.

Winter sunset over Gulf of Mexico, Orange Beach, Alabama. Summer sunset over tranquil Lake Couchiching, Orillia.(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Radio Live (88.1 FM) Rates "10+"

During the 5 months we spend on the Gulf Coast, Doug and I enjoy the monthly WUWF Public Media Radio Live (88.1 FM) performances, held at the Museum of Commerce in historic downtown Pensacola, Florida. Radio Live begins promptly at 6 p.m. with host Pat Crawford introducing the evening's guest artists, who each perform 2, alternating sets and then come together around 7:30 p.m. for a final jam session. The doors to the 6 p.m. Radio Live shows open at 5 p.m.

The February 5 show will feature: guitarist Ed Gerhard, gospel and bluegrass band Monroe Crossing, songwriter Andrew McKnight and poet Chris Chandler.

Pat Crawford (far left) thanks (from piano to right) Scott Cossu, Mark Russell, Dave Potts and Jamie Anderson for another fantastic evening of Radio Live.


Pianist Scott Cossu from Olympia, Washington.

Violinist Mark Russell from Austalia.Singer-songwriter Jamie Anderson from North Carolina - soon she'll be moving to Ottawa, Ontario. Singer-songwriter Dave Potts, who moved from Colorado to Auburn, Alabama. (blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

1992 Book Recognized 122 Talented Humorists of Canada

The Great Big Book of Canadian Humour (edited by Allan Gould, published by Macmillan Canada, 1992) featured "some of the richest lodes of comedy in the world." Work from 122 Canadians, including one of Doug's single-panel political cartoons, was included in the 284-page volume.

The idea for the book began with Gould (a well-known humorist, author, editor and lecturer) writing to over 150 Canadian comedians, authors, cartoonists, poets, essayists, etc. , asking them to suggest "their" best. Fully 90 percent responded with suggestions. (blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

STAR Weekly Magazine Featured Doug's Illustrations in the 1960s

Doug lived and worked in Toronto for nearly 10 years before moving in 1969 to Orillia, Ontario. His free-lance work during this time included illustrations done for the STAR Weekly Magazine; the Toronto Star is Canada's largest newspaper.

For the February 15, 1964 , magazine he illustrated a short story, "A Name To Remember," by Arthur Mayse.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

The Finish Is Finished for Doug's Art Donation to the April 4-5 Seattle Emerald City ComiCon

A number of guest artists exhibiting at the 7th annual Seattle Emerald City ComiCon are donating original art to the convention's official art book and original art auction to benefit the Seattle Children's Hospital.

The over-all finish size for Doug's gorgeous blonde with classic bunny ears is 10.5" x 14.5".

Contrary to the bunny's expression, Doug jokes that "she wasn't done in the wink of an eye."

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Working on Final Art for the April 4-5 Emerald City ComiCon in Seattle

Working on the final art, Doug gives finishing touches to the bunny ears. He uses Dr. Ph. Martin's Synchromatic Transparent Watercolor on Peterboro HI-ART, Made in Canada, Watercolor Board. The surface is 100% rag by Arches of France.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Color Rough for Emerald City ComiCon Art Book and Original Art Auction

Once Doug is satisfied with his pencil rough, he moves on to color roughs. He also decided to check out the current Playboy issue for bunny costumes.

Doug's young, lovely lady will appear in the 2009 art book, titled "Monsters and Dames," sold during the Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5, Emerald City ComiCon in Seattle. He's also donating the finish to the original art auction to benefit the Seattle children's Hospital.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Pencil Rough for Emerald City ComiCon Art Book and Original Art Auction

Doug will contribute to the 2009 art book, titled "Monsters and Dames," for Seattle's 7th annual Emerald City ComiCon, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5, at the Washington State Convention Center.

He's nearly finished with the pencil sketch of a young, gorgeous lady.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

New Year's Eve 2009

Doug and I joined friends - Carla and Jim, Bonnie and George, Virginia and Bob - at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama to celebrate New Year's Eve. Our favorite local musicians, Jim & John and The All-Star Band, kept some 300 people in the Grand Ballroom dancing all the way to midnight, when we welcomed in 2009 with a champagne toast and singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)