Wow – 10 years already. I remember coming back from holiday in 2013 and being called into the County Down Spectator offices by an old work buddy who was working on the newspaper’s online presence. “Neal, you can draw, can’t you? How do you fancy creating a topical cartoon for us every week?” That was pretty much it – we began the next week. It’s been great fun. Every week the Editor sends me a choice of three stories they’re running that week. I get my stories on Tuesday evening with a deadline of Wednesday lunchtime for final artwork. It’s a tight turnaround and that’s why it’s such a great gig. You have to think and draw REALLY fast – there’s always a little buzz you get working with newspaper folks, trying to hit that deadline. It keeps my drawing skills sharp and I get to meet some really interesting local people too.
The Spectator's Journalist Julie Waters and Photographer Bob Torrence called by the HDC Studio this week for an interview… and check it out – I beat the DUP and was featured in this week's centre spread (staples and all!)
