Five Questions with… Dave Whamond
Hey all. If you’ve ever taken a look at the “Weird Zone” section in OWL (or this post), you’re familiar with the awesomely funny work of artist Dave Whamond. But I thought you might like to learn a bit more about him, so I decided to do something about it!
I sent Dave five questions, and he was kind enough to answer them all — he even answered one in the form of a comic. Cool, huh?
On with the questions!
Q: Where is your favourite place to work?
Dave: I have a nice studio in my house, which is perfect for me. I used to work in a busy studio downtown with a bunch of other illustrators and designers. It was great but WAAAAY too distracting. I find that I get a lot more work done without interruptions, especially when it comes to thinking up ideas. Those people were just too darn fun.
Q: Your illustrations make a lot of OWL readers laugh. What makes you laugh?
Dave: Where do I start? I guess I could sum it up by saying that I like quirky, offbeat humour. I still love watching cartoons, too. And now that they make cartoon movies in 3-D, are you kiddin’ me? What could be better than that? At the other end of the spectrum, I like simple things, too, like laughing at the misfortune of others on America’s Funniest Home Videos and YouTube. I laugh out loud at a guy trying to ride a motorbike for the first time and losing control and zooming off into a bush. Gets me every time.
Q: If you weren’t an artist, you’d be…
Dave: A mad scientist. Mostly because I like to do an evil laugh. BWA-HAA-HAAA! Seriously, I would definitely be doing something creative. And I would be my own boss. Once you work for yourself, it would be difficult to do anything else. I also have taught illustration at the Alberta College of Art in the past and that can be rewarding, too. It’s great to see students that you have taught out there making a big splash in the world.
Q: Do you have a catchphrase?
Dave: I used to say “Get outta town!” all the time when someone told me something exciting or hard to believe. In fact, I haven’t said that for a while — maybe I’ll try to bring it back. Everyone out there, start saying “Get outta town!” all the time. We can start a trend!
Q: Would you rather have three eyes or three ears?
Dave:
Excellent! Many, many thanks to Dave for answering all my questions — not to mention his fantastic work in OWL every month. It’s truly a pleasure!
By the way, you and I aren’t the only ones who recognize Dave’s genius. Earlier this year, he won the Reuben Award (given out by the National Cartoonists Society) for book illustration for My Think-A-Ma-Jink, his first picture book with Owlkids. Congratulations again, Dave!
Talk to you next week.
Craig, owlblog@owlkids.com
I love OWL!!!<3
Sweet!!!! Comics rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey Craig when are we gonna have a mail bag????????????????? We haven’t had one in FOREVER!!!!!
Hi Tia! I’ll do a mailbag as soon as I can. I just need the questions! Keep sending them in, everyone!
Cool
Cool comic Dave!
My mom has a friend named Dave!
Anyway, Craig, how do I ask for advice on Talk About It? Please write back!
From Hannah
Hi Craig!
Craig, when will you write back? And is your last name really Battle?
You know what is funny? I write books too! Benny my little brother says “Owl is great!
Benny, just joking he wants me to say, is 10!
From Hannah
Benny is really 6! I’m 10!
From Hannah
Hi Hannah! Thanks for all the questions! To send in a question for “Talk About It,” just email owl@owlkids.com and put “Talk About It” in the subject line. Same goes if you have advice for someone else who’s sent in a question. Hope that helps!
Hi Craig!
Thanks for writing back to me! And it dose help!
Now, is your last name really Battle?
From Hannah
Tia, so… many…exclamation…marks! And…so…many…question…marks! Write back and talk to me!
From Hannah
Hi Hannah! I’ll save that one up for the next mailbag (by request from Tia!). It’s actually a pretty good story!
i luv wierdzone! hehehe. it always makes me laugh!
Marissa 😛
Hi Craig!
Thanks!
What is a mailbag?
Anyway, I went to owl@owlkids.com last night.
Thanks agen!
Hannah, a mail bag is when Craig answers our questions. Send questions every one!
Craig what’s your poptropica name?
Craig what’s your top favorite movie of all time? (sorry but suddenly I am full of questions)
Oooooooooo! Craig!!!! Go on you tube and search “Ninja Glare” it is so funny! Can you post it, too?
Again, what is a mailbag?
Hey Hannah
Just saying…a mailbag is when you ask Craig a question….and he then posts it and answers it! its kool!
Here is one from before
http://www.owlkids.com/?p=606
Marissa 😛
ps….just click on the blue to view it
Thanks Tia and Marissa :P!!!
I have lots of question!!! And you all mite be getting more!!!
Thanks again!!!
yar is very welcomz!
Marissa 😛
Oh my gosh Tia, I love Ninja Glare! I’ve watched it before, but not for a looooong time, and I just went on YouTube and watched it again. Soo funny! I was laughing and my sister was just staring…cuz I’m a ninja ninja, ninja ninja, I’m a ninja ninja.
Hi Craig! ‘Get outta town!’ Get it? That’s what Dave used to say!! He-he! And a Ha-ha!
I think I found it…Ninja Glare. If I did it is so funny!! At the begging he go from a man to a girl!!! That was the most funny!! I like the words too.
What do you mean, get out of town?
Marissa 😛
Marissa, Dave Whamond used to say that. He said so when Craig asked him in the questions above. And he hasn’t said it in a while. So he said “Everyone out there, start saying ‘Get outta town’ all of the time! We can start a trend!” And so I thought it mite be funny!! Tell me if you think so!! Everyone, tell me if you think it’s funny!! Ok?
ok..kool!
Ya, cool!!
I <3 LOVE <3 watching Americas Funniest Home Videos(AFV) too Dave!! 😀 Here’s a question for Craig: Do you watch AFV?