Let’s talk a little about the tools of the trade. What do you look for in a brush?
A good friend of mine, Les Lamer (creator of Uncle Chunk and Stink Boys ) told me the most important thing was to work with the masters of the profession and use what they use. I always shared studio space with some of the best in the business. Frank Henny (Puddley and the Hijinx), Poley Thomason (The Adventures of Shoupy)… lots of guys… Fred Biltcock (The Crappingtons) …all those guys.
So you studied their technique and paid close attention to the tools they employed?
No. I waited until they went home for the day and then I used their stuff. I rarely ever had to buy ink or paper or any of that stuff. Saved tons of money. Anyway, after drawing the strip for twenty-two months I had enough backlog of material to just Xerox it and cut and paste. After 1964 I practically never had to draw anything. Just cut and paste. I must have Xeroxed those two guys at the water cooler over 6500 times (laughs).
I did draw a special strip for the Bi-centennial. That was in 1976.
In 2003 you retired and handed the strip over to your son, Chit. How has "Turd Circus" grown and developed since then?
Well, for one thing, Chit uses a computer for all his paste-up work now. He tried to show me how to use one but I’m just old fashioned. Give me a copy machine and a pair of scissors and I’m happy (laughs).
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