This is Where I Draw the Line (and other things!)
When I was a kid, I remember wanting to be a cartoonist just like my dad. He had a little studio in the basement of our 1940s brick ranch house. When he was working, I would quietly go downstairs and try to sneak up on him. (He always knew I was there.) Something about being a cartoonist really appealed to me. At first it was the kneaded erasers. I LOVED kneaded erasers! Before I even knew what they were for! They looked just like little pieces of Play-Doh. But when I found out they had a purpose...to ERASE things...I couldn't wait until the day I was old enough to have my own. Presumably when my dad didn't feel there was any danger that I would eat it. Which, as I remember, was when I turned 36.
But there was something about art supplies that really got my attention. Paper, pencils, erasers. florescent desk lamps, electric pencil sharpeners, magic markers (hey, they're MAGIC, how can you NOT be intrigued?) Even today, when I go into any office supply or art store, I can get lost in there for hours. No, not because of my incredibly poor sense of direction, but because I feel at home in those places. At least I do until the manager asks me to buy something or leave.
The other thing that made me want to be a cartoonist was the idea of being able to work at home, alone, and yet, thru my work, reach thousands of people. That seemed perfect for me! So as a cartoonist, to be able to draw and create by myself, and have what I make appear in public whether in the newspaper or on a t-shirt I created, I enjoy what I do.
My lifelong dream has been to sell a comic strip and be nationally syndicated. I've been sidetracked over the years, but I hope to get back to working toward that goal someday. In the meantime, I keep busy freelancing and creating. My other website, The Real Cats by Chillpaw is where you will find cat-and dog-themed t-shirts, some of which benefit various animal rescues..
I also created and run a Facebook page to help promote shelter cats in the northern New Jersey area. It's called The Real Cats Ride Again.
Most of my artwork revolves around animals in some way. This website is where you will find some samples of the artwork that I have created over the years, as well as a store where you can buy some cool things! Thank you for looking!
My Dad Frank Chillino
My dad was the Production Supervisor of the Comic Art Department at King Features Syndicate for the Hearst Corp. in NYC. He worked there for 46 years! He's the one who introduced me to cartoons, bringing home comic books and paper and pens and other art supplies that I was probably too young to be trusted with. He was my biggest supporter (along with my mom) and also my biggest critic (which I learned the value of long after it was too late to say thank you.)
Dad is no longer here, but I know he is watching and I still hope that someday I will make him proud :)