Hey everyone,

As promised, this newsletter contains another sneak peek at my forthcoming MUTTS 25th anniversary book The Art of Nothing, which will be published by Abrams this fall.

Today I am sharing several of our early, previous cover ideas. There are a lot of factors as to what makes a good cover, and it’s always fun playing around with different concepts. What do you think?

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 1

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 2

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 3

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 4

MUTTS Anniversary Book Cover 5

In other news, this month I will be attending the National Cartoonists Society’s NCS Fest in Huntington Beach, California. For the first time, it’s open to the public. The three-day event, held May 17-19, is a celebration of comics and cartoon art from all over the world!

On Friday, May 17, I’ll be speaking on a panel titled “The Art of George Herriman’s Krazy Kat.” Then on Saturday, May 18, I’ll give a presentation about MUTTS in two separate sessions. You can see my full NCS Fest schedule here — or purchase your passes at the NCS Fest Tickets page.

Last week, on April 27, I had the pleasure of presenting an event titled “A Celebration of Companion Animals,” hosted by the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, New Jersey. I invited Heather Achenbach from SAVE Animal Shelter and Brian Hackett, the N.J. State Director for The Humane Society of the United States, to speak during my talk. It was a treat, as always, to speak with other animal lovers about the bonds we share with our furry friends. Plus, three pets were adopted on the spot. It was a wonderful event and we will share more about it on our blog.

In New Jersey we are blessed with four distinct seasons and I’m enjoying the return of our feathered friends.

Patrick

Comments (38)

“I bow to the wow” Yesh. So wonderful to be with you, Karen, Brian, Heather, the animals and all of our animal loving friends at The Princeton Public Library. Thank you for bringing goodness to our each and every day with The Daily Mutt’s. Sincerely, Adrienne (Yoko’s and Scarlet’s mamma).

Adrienne Possenti

third one, with mooch and earl and Happy earth day (every day, of course, is earth day!) Simple but profound, like the strip

Georgia

Thank you so much for you art, humor and love of animals. I receive your comic via email EVERYDAY and so love it. I also have 3 cats 0
pickles and Cherrio and a pit bull Linus. ALL have been adopted and they live peacefully together. They are the Ginger Gang. 2 orange tabby’s and a red nose pitty! ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you

Katie

Katie

I loved the last entry above, “Just float”, “Keep a song in your heart”, “reflect”, “Smell the roses”, “Be hoppy”, “Find your own pace” – Hope it makes the cover!

Sharon A Krill

25 Years of MUTTS and the Art of Patrick McDonnell is my favorite.

Harriet Shalat

The single tree with the" twosome of terror" dong nothing is my choice…

Marla Endicott

I like the “taking notes” cover the best, but I love ALL of Patrick’s art!

Dana Larsen

I didn’t realize you were in NJ. North Plainfield native here! wave

AJ Townley

Any ONE of those covers would suffice…I had a laugh at them all. bernie

bernie spina

I like the third from the bottom for a book cover – uncluttered but nicely conveys the message. Love Mutts and your commitment to animals in shelters. Keep up the good work!

K Cline