What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2014?

One of the biggest highlights for me was getting nominated for Best Editorial Cartoonist at this year’s Stanley Awards. I’m still reeling for the thrill of hearing my name called out among my cartooning idols!

What are some of the comics you've enjoyed in 2014?

Pat Grant’s Toormina Video was one of the best things I’ve read this year. I also discovered Richard Thompson’s Cul de Sac and fell deeply in love with it. I couldn’t sleep at all that night! It opened something up in me and the next day I drew one of my favourite cartoons I’ve ever drawn for the Mercury. Ever since then, I’ve been trying to chase that elusive spark of inspiration.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2014?

My family. My wife is such an amazing support and my 3 year old daughter is great at getting me to sit down with her to fill up her sketchbooks. Watching her artistic skill develop is such a wonder to behold! She draws Jack Skellington over and over! I also really loved the LEGO movie.

What are you looking forward to in 2015?

A lot! There’s so much potential for this next year. 2014 turned out to be so much better, bigger and more satisfying that I could have imagined! I’m making a new year’s resolution this year to avoid doing parodies in my cartoons. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with parodies. Some cartoonists do them really well. I just want to take the opportunity to work on my own personal voice without trying to emulate another person’s style. Plus, most of the time I get hung up on trying to make a parody joke “work”. That usually takes up most of the day and in the end, many people don’t get the reference anyways.

The Cartoons of Christopher Downes