Deeply Unserious

Opening Reception: Saturday, July 4 @ 5:00 PM

Show Dates: July 4 - 30

Simon Mitchell

Born in 1982, Simon Mitchell took to drawing early in life, having full access to the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s robust humor section. Found on the shelves tucked away behind the newsprint and card catalogues were such treasures as Bloom County, Calvin and Hobbes, Pogo and more. Cartooning then has always been at the forefront of his art style, learning from the masters Berkeley Breathed, Bill Watterson, Walt Kelly, and anyone else he could get his hands on. 

In 2002, Simon began the first iteration of the Mitchell Brother’s joint comic book series, Bad Sushi Cannon. The comic was self published with multiple issues (and issues) in a black and white format, emulating some of those cartoon workings of yesteryear. Through newer iterations and mediums, the comic evolved into a different look, coming into its own stylings with Simon handling the pencil work and writing, and Matt handling the inking and fine details in the art. The pages he presents here are the surviving original comic board art, some inked, some halfway finished or not at all, every page is hand selected for the gallery.

Moving into the digital age, Simon has recently self published a novel, stepping into the library shelves at last. Future plans are underway for him to illustrate his first novel and others going forward, with that same touch of the Sunday funnies on the page, because at heart he is still a cartoonist- even when an art piece may call for something quite realistic, he remains deeply unserious.

Matt Mitchell

Matt Mitchell was born in 1975, at what some might call the launch of the Bronze Age for comics. More importantly, his upbringing in the 1980s put him at what even more would call the zenith of the comic book shop, exposing him to many great works from The Savage Sword of Conan, to Mad Magazine. Reflected in his artwork here are the influences of Don Martin, Ernie Chan, and Brian Froud.

In 2002, Matt began working on the joint Mitchell Brothers’ comic book series, Bad Sushi Cannon, handling the inking and fine details of every comic page. With meticulous lines and hatch work (or as we call it, Inks and Magic,) the comic came to life under several iterations, evolving into the pages on exhibit here today. Several of Matt’s sketchbook ramblings and late night cartooning sessions are here too, harkening back to those Mad Magazine strips and Heavy Metal panels from yesteryear.

Usually found with a pen in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, Matt continues the good work of comics and cartooning, now beginning a new graphic novel with his wife, Paula. Providing the artwork for the new book, Night Shades, Matt has quite a bit of inks and magic yet to share with the world. Always laser focused, and yet, deeply unserious.