MICK THE GAZER

Believe it or not the idea for this came from some joker from Eastern Europe who got paid to just 'gaze' at an audience.

Mick and Hoppa and the Western Movie

Mick and Hoppa avoid a speeding ticket in Australia

Mick and Hoppa, Bar Flies in America

                                                 

Mick and Hoppa in Virginia Beach

Some 18 years ago when I travelled around the USA I spent some time at Virginia Beach. I had had my bike stolen in Western Samoa and then another one stolen in San Antonio. When I related this story to someone in the local health food shop I knocked over my smoothie. A woman who was not the waitress came and wiped it up, saying she had been listening to my story and felt sympathy. I asked her out that night and my stay in Virginia Beach became a much longer one than I expected! Anyway Kirsten, who loved Disney animated films -we went to see the premier of Pocahontas - showed me around. Of course, where I went Mick and Hoppa followed. Their mayhem was slightly worse than my own.

 

 

 

 

 

Little Lexie

Many of my cartoons are based on my own experiences. Mick and Hoppa, way out though they seem, are really based on my own overseas adventures and observations. Mick evolved out of caricatures of myself that I did in the 80s. He and Hoppa both express my thoughts and experiences.

My daughter, Alexi has provided the material for Lexie and I have frozen her at about age five or six in her favourite purple hat. Alexi always took - and takes- delight in disturbing other people and animals when they are at their most relaxed - and comfortable.

You can also see that her dad looks a lot like Mick, and a lot like me, but frozen before my hair turned grey! Poor Dad, all he wants to do is have his afternoon nap and perchance to dream!

Sheena the cat had a wild streak, more so when exposed to Alexi's over attentiveness. She got scratched hard on at least one occasion, but I think that here the cat is completely on the receiving end.

The parrot is a complete invention as we never had one but he looks like the sort of creature which would have a mobile phone if he could.

Well, this is a painting of Little Alexi who looks a lot like Little Lexie!

Mick and Hoppa at the Grand Canyon

When I visited the Grand Canyon I noticed some very large tourists being carried down the canyon by donkeys or mules. The cog in my brain turned and this is the result.