BROTHER COW (牛哥), Mad Magazine, Playboy, and others.
During my childhood in the 1950s, opportunities for learning art were scarce, particularly since cartoons were often dismissed as mere entertainment for kids. During that era, the prevailing parental preference was for children to pursue studies in medicine or engineering at the best schools. Consequently, my parents didn't fully support my inclination towards art school.
Undaunted, I took it upon myself to hone my drawing skills. Luckily, there was a renowned cartoonist and writer known as Brother Cow (牛哥), whose extensive collection of cartoons left a lasting impression.
I was not only drawn to his unique drawing style but also to his innovative ideas and creative processes, even at my tender age.
Throughout my childhood, I avidly collected and devoured all of his published cartoons. Regrettably, these cherished treasures were lost during my relocation to the United States. Sadly, his work is no longer accessible on the internet, and the most valuable remnants available to me and others are a few covers from his cartoon books as well as preserved in the 英千里教授紀念網站.
Recently,
In addition to cartoons made by Brother Cow, I was deeply influenced by some of the cartoons published in Mad Magazine and the colors used in Playboy.
Playboy
In January 1971, I made the move to the United States. My journey led me to Kirksville University in Missouri, where I spent roughly two months before quietly sneaking from the school without allerting anyone. Boarding a train to Chicago, I sought refuge for a night in my buddy’s dorm at Northwestern University.
The following day, I ventured via subway train to downtown Chicago in search of employment. My first stop? Playboy’s headquarters on Michigan Avenue. Ascending to the 10th floor, I found myself in their Art Department. The lobby, adorned with intricate black and white mosaic tiles featuring various playmates, and boasting a full-height abstract nude sculpture on pedestals, left me in awe. As I took in the sights, a soft voice interrupted my reverie: “Can I help you?” Turning, I beheld a smiling receptionist, a stunning blond knockout. With a nervous stutter, I expressed my desire for a cartoonist position. Then she said, “This is only your second day in Chicago? Alright, I’ll find someone who can talk to you.” Ah, the 70s, a time when one could approach a company without the barriers of the internet. A brief phone call later, and a striking brunette in hotpents appeared, escorting me to a conference room where a well-dressed man awaited.
Upon hearing my tale, he explained that Playboy didn’t typically hire cartoonists but encouraged me to submit my work for consideration. He remarked, “It’s only your second day in Chicago, and you sought me out. You’ve got guts. I’ll make some calls and see if anyone is hiring.” Later, I discovered this gentleman was none other than Michael Session, an assistant editor whose name graced the pages of Playboy magazine, thus holding significance within the organization.
While I didn’t secure a cartoonist position, Michael graciously referred me to one of his contacts, who offered me an apprenticeship at $65 a week. Regrettably, I declined the offer. Nonetheless, my visit to Playboy’s headquarters proved to be an intriguing experience. Rumors circulated that I met Hugh Hefner during my visit, but alas, I saw no one sporting a bathrobe, so such claims were unfounded.
Official logo from Playboy
