'Shoe' Cartoonist Takes a Hiatus from Editorial Cartooning

By: E&P Staff Syndicated cartoonist Gary Brookins announced on Thursday that he has taken a break from editorial cartooning.

In an e-mail posted on Daryl Cagle?s Cartoon Web Log, Brookins said that after being laid off from the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch in April, he decided to focus more on his painting. Though he had originally planned to continue drawing his cartoons for syndication, he has now decided that he will not be returning to editorial cartooning in the near future.

?I have taken a ?vacation? from drawing editorial cartoons, and do not anticipate doing any more at least through the end of this year ? Since being laid off from the Richmond Times-Dispatch in April, I?ve taken a long break from editorial cartooning, and have been focusing on my painting," he wrote. "In October, I was in a joint show with Richmond painter and portrait artist Loryn Brazier at her studio/gallery In December, I will also participate at Brazier Studio in a 'miniature' show, as well as a show at Rockett?s Landing, a new, upscale condominium development on the James River in Richmond.?

In addition to his painting showcases, Brookins will continue to draw the ?Shoe? and ?Pluggers? comic strips, syndicated by King Features Syndicate and Tribune Media Services, respectively. Some of his painting can be seen at www.brookinsart.blogspot.com.