Jim Shoenbill is an artist with a talent for transforming the bizarre and absurd into delightfully humorous illustrations. He takes the mundane elements of everyday life. He reimagines them in wild, unexpected ways whether it’s a deer cracking jokes, animated drinks holding debates, or even a comical version of Jesus swapping miracles for eye exams. Driven by a never-ending stream of quirky ideas and a deep love for humor Jim uses his work to remind us that laughter is often the best way to brighten our day.
A rediscovery of drawing as a way to unwind led Jim back to his artistic roots, and he soon realized his passion for creating lighthearted art could be a way to share his unique sense of humor with the world. Now, he’s focused on sharing his work through single-panel comic writing and even designing fun whimsical products. His dream is to one day merge his comic artistry and clever writing into laugh-out-loud mini-novels each filled with his signature quirky charm and endless creativity.
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When asked how he selects which ideas to bring to life in his cartoons, the artist explained his process with a thoughtful approach. I maintain a running list of ideas that I regularly revisit and reorganize, he said. “The key is that an idea has to hold its humor over time. If I can look back at something a day or even a week later and still find it funny, that’s a good sign. Sometimes an idea seems hilarious at first but the humor fades when I revisit it later. Other times, a concept will linger in my mind for years before I feel compelled to sketch it just to clear it out of my head.
He also noted the importance of practicality in his decision-making. Since my time is limited, I consider how feasible an idea is to execute. Simpler drawings often make it to the front of the queue because they’re quicker to finish. This combination of long-term humor and time management ensures that the artist’s work is not only funny but also efficiently produced.
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The comic artist has big plans to merge his love for writing with his cartoons aiming to create comedic mini-novels. While he’s keeping the specifics close to the vest for now, he offered a glimpse into the tone and style he’s aiming for: “I’m still in the early stages so I don’t want to give away too much. But picture a blend of Zucker Brothers humor Monty Python absurdity, and the charm of classic Hardy Boys mysteries, with a dash of Wallace and Gromit-style whimsy. It’s the kind of thing that would be enjoyable for both kids and adults alike. His vision is to craft a lighthearted yet clever narrative that appeals to all ages filled with the unique humor and playful storytelling he’s known for in his comics.
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For Jim, the act of refining an idea into a single punchline often leads to delightful, unexpected outcomes. He recalled one instance where the final result took a surprising turn. Some of my favorite cartoons come from those unanticipated moments, he shared. Take, for example, the cartoon with the teddy bear in an interview. Originally, I had the caption, Tell me what else you would bring to the company, aside from your soft skills.’ It was fine, but not particularly standout. Then, as I was finalizing the drawing, a much wittier and unexpected line came to mind. Don’t expect that I can get you a job here just because we used to sleep together. It shifted the tone and made the cartoon much funnier. Jim’s process highlights a key life lesson: having a plan is important but being open to spontaneity can lead to some of the most rewarding surprises.
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