Chloe Pink Rule #17

Hmmm...what do you think Pete? Should I wear jeans or khakis today with my pink tee, pink scarf, pink cap and pink sneakers?












Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

For Kelsey: Chloe Pink Board Meeting

A few weeks ago, I did a blog post about a real board meeting I had with Kelly and Abby.

Last Friday, my oh so talented friend Kelsey, an art director (I was luck to work with at an Atlanta ad agency once upon a time) suggested I draw it.

So, here's my first cartoon about Chloe Pink's board meeting. One of what I have a feeling will be many more to come...So, many, many thanks to you, Kelsey. And to see some samples of Kelsey's amazing creativity, check out her shop, The Screaming Porch Gift Co.

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Mr. Ollie and Seven Things That Make You A Mentor

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Tim Oliphant, also known as Mr. Ollie. I ran into him at "Decatur Arts Live" where he was promoting his Young Audiences Cartooning Workshops to schools.

While you may have never heard of Tim, meeting him was like meeting a rock star....or in my case, an American Composer, e.g. Gershwin, Porter.

You see, Tim is a cartoonist. A real cartoonist. He makes his living drawing cartoons for clients, publications, ad agencies and other people banging down his studio doors to get their hands on his artwork. Seriously. They come to him. Not the other way around. That means he spends his days drawing, creating, being imaginative and bringing joy to kids of all ages. An artists dream, really....

Tim's work is classic, solid. He truly is a gifted artist who has been honing his various styles (caricatures, illustrations, dog portraits, more) for a lifetime. When I met Tim, he had a few loose pastel and colored pencil animal sketches on manila paper out on his table. One was a giant duck he probably drew in less than five minutes. If you'd told me Walt Disney or Picasso or Dr. Seuss drew it, I would've believed you. Yes. He is that good. He's been working on his art since an early age, committed to his craft. And it shows in his work.

So, when Tim gave me a thumbs up on Chloe Pink, it was sorta like getting The Seal of Good Housekeeping on my permanent ink marker. Or at least, a reason to not throw in the towel at this point...not that I was going to, but you know what I mean.

Actually, the real reward of meeting Tim is more valuable to me than his compliment of my work. It's knowing that I now have a cartoonist mentor! Sorry Tim. If you're reading this, you'll only be receiving one email a day from me from here on out. (Just kidding!!!!!)

So what is a mentor? Defined by Dictionary.com -- it, he, she is: 1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher and 2. an influential sponsor or supporter.

To me, a mentor is:

1. Somebody you respect because they are doing something you want to do.
2. Somebody who gives you confidence to strive towards your goal because they have similar goals they've reached already. Thus, showing you it's possible for you to do the same.
3. Somebody you can trust because they are encouraging and genuine.
4. Somebody who is totally committed and sets the bar in their craft/industry and thus, instills a higher work ethic in you because of that.
   
5. Somebody who feels its worth their valuable time to lend a positive word, to hear you out because.....
   
6. And this one is very important if you hope to be or find a mentor someday! Somebody who has compassion and is enriched by helping others. They gotta have the humanity. Gotta!
   
7. Somebody who is not there for you to idolize. I'm not talking about hero worship here. I'm talking about somebody who embodies the best of who you hope to be someday.

As I strive to get one single Chloe Pink cartoon published in a newspaper or magazine, I now have a little more strength, a little more confidence, a little bit more feeling of "responsibility" towards "my" craft. Thanks to Tim Oliphant.

Don't forget to check out his work here.

Chloe Pink on putting America back to work

A few things about today's cartoon:
1) It combines something typically "girly" (bubble baths) with a political (but non-controversial) OpEd message you don't usually see coming from a little girl.
2) It demonstrates that girls must and do know what's happening in the world and are able to come up with their own solutions...without having to give up the bubbles. Why should we?
3) It shows Chloe Pink is well on her way to becoming a business leader and key decision maker, perhaps even a CEO, when she grows up. (If that's what she wants to do.)
4) We see Pete, Chloe Pink's BFF in his usual supportive role. Yay and thanks Pete!
5) It's timely after the President's speech last night to put America back to work and I think it should run in the New York Times, HuffPost, the New Yorker and the Cooperville Gazette. Not to mention, Ms. Magazine and Highlights. but at least for right now, you can see it here on the Chloe Pink Blog.
Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Speak up girls! Let your voice be heard.

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2011. All Rights Reserved.

My Press Release To JC Penney

From the desk of:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Dear Buyers @ JC Penney, Target, Baby Gap, J. Crew, Saks, Bloomies, Macy’s, Justice, etc. and especially to moms and dads and girls who want to follow their dreams everywhere!!!

It’s CHLOE PINK™ CARTOON FOR GIRLS (Tee-shirts) to the rescue!!! Empowerment for GIRLS…the right message…..at the right time.

DECATUR, Georgia (September 2, 2011) According to Chloe Pink™, the cartoon spokesperson for girls, (that’s me) -- people should chillax about the JC Penney “Pretty girls” tee shirt. Click on this link to see it: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpps/consumer/im-too-pretty-to-do-homework-t-shirt-controversy-jcpenny-dpgoh-20110901-fc_14821089

“Mistakes happen…even for big time fashion buyers at major department stores,” says me, Chloe Pink. “Forgive and forget! That’s my motto..or at least one of them,” she, I mean, “I” added.

Plus, you don’t really want to make that person feel bad, now - do - ya? Do YA? DO YA? (I feel a little hip hop tune coming on...don't you?)

Chloe Pink (me again) also said, “You know…there ARE other options for girls and, for their parents who want to encourage their daughters to grow confident in their intelligence, abilities, talents, caring heart and lifetime goals. Why don’t we talk about those?!!! Have you seen Pigtail Pals? http://pigtailpals.com/ A-dore-able! No wait. A + - dorable!

Plus, you can also check out my tees – 100% cotton. 100% wholesome fun! (Now, there's a word I don't hear enough! Wholesome! I like it. And I'm Chloe Pink™ by Sharna Fulton © copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved. http://www.facebook.com/ChloePinkCartoon

Did you know that Sharna Fulton, my creator says she will work with you on a special line that fits your customers to a tee. (Get it? I put it in bold so you wouldn't miss it. That’s what they call a pun.) And honestly, where else are you going to find another little girl who happens to be a cartoon and a feminist too?!

Sharn' created me to help girls follow their dreams. By getting me "out there," on your beautiful shiny racks, in your stores and on your "MAN-equins" --- what's up with that word? -- You'll be helping many, many girls know it's okay to expect and want more for themselves in life than to "just be pretty" or "liked by boys." And hey, with the backing of big major conglomerate retail chain like yours, my tees will sell like blueberry hotcakes, which means job security for you. Now that is good to hear in this day and age. How do I know this? I read the newspaper.

And finally, I want to recommend to you MY favorite outfit to wear. It's a plain pink tee with my favorite pair of jeans. And for jewelry? (Just let your pearly whites be your fashion accessory!)

For more info, email or text Sharn’ @ sharna.fulton@att.net or 404-663-8450