Research Prompts from IJOCA 26:1 - #5 Why do so many cartoonists turn to other art forms later in their career? Especially sculpture?

   Some Ideas for Articles, written by Mike Rhode, and excerpted from the print edition.

Why do so many cartoonists turn to other art forms later in their career? Especially sculpture?

A quick list includes Daumier, Pat Oliphant, Rube Goldberg, Rose O’Neill, Rowland Emett, and Ronald Searle. A recent article about O’Neill said, “In her later career, O’Neill delved into sculpting and had several exhibitions of sculptures and paintings in both the United States and Paris. While in Paris, O’Neill was elected to the Société Coloniale des Artistes Français and had exhibitions of her sculptures at the Galerie Devambez.”(2) Oliphant has pieces in the U.S. National Portrait Gallery. 

Other cartoonists turn to painting, such as Bill Watterson, or more successfully, Jimmy Swinnerton. What makes them move on from their success to a new medium?

(2) “Creator Profile: Rose Cecil O’Neill,” Scoop. April 5, 2024. <https://scoop.previewsworld.com/ Home/4/1/73/1016?ArticleID=273613>

Håkan Storsäter replied, "Sculpture? My impression is that painting has been a lot more common."

Liz Brown of the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs responded: "I've noticed this as well, although with ceramics not necessarily sculpture. Some of the artists that sparked my attention: Sarah Duyer, Brit Wilson, Isabella Rotman. Since they're still alive, anyone interested in picking this topic up could interview them."

Which is a good point, and Barbara Dale now does ceramics as well.