Harry Bliss
Encyclopedia
Harry Bliss is a United States
cartoonist
and illustrator.
Bliss grew up in New York State among an artistic family. His sister Rachel Bliss and brother Charlie Bliss, and father Jack Bliss are all artists. He studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and studied illustration at the University of the Arts, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts
and at Syracuse University
earning an M.A.
Bliss has illustrated many books and produces cartoons and covers for The New Yorker
. His first book for children, A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech was a New York Times bestseller, as was Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider
and Diary of a Fly all by Doreen Cronin. Bliss' self-titled cartoon collection Death by Laughter with an introduction by Christopher Guest
was published in 2008. In 2008 Bliss published Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken (Harper Collins) by Kate DiCamillo followed by Luke on the Loose (Toon Books) in 2009. Bliss has a syndicated single-paned comic titled Bliss. Bliss is syndicated through Tribune Media Services
and appears in over 50 newspapers in the United States and Japan.
As of the mid-2000s, Bliss lives in South Burlington, Vermont
.
The May 12, 2008 edition of The New Yorker
magazine published in its weekly caption-writing contest a cartoon by that closely resembled Jack Kirby
's cover of Tales to Astonish
#34 (Aug. 1962). Intended by Bliss as a homage and tribute to Kirby, critics complained that the magazine did not mention Kirby's name. After being notified by readers and the media, the magazine said it would update its website to read, "Drawing by Harry Bliss, after Jack Kirby".
In 2008 Bliss contributed a Toon Book 'Luke On The Loose,' the first book written and illustrated in comic form by the artist. As of 2008 Bliss has served on the board of directors for The Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction Vermont.
In 2010 a New Yorker cover by Bliss 'Paint by Pixels' was compared to Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post cover 'The Connoisseur'. Author Virginia Mecklenburg writes in Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, "But for those who know The Connoisseur, Bliss's cover goes a step further. The painting they ( a young couple) observe is not a Pollock at all, but a re-creation of Rockwell's Pollock..."
Bliss has been a regular cartoonist for Playboy magazine beginning in 1999.
As an animal rights activist, Bliss has regularly contributed covers for PETA's Animal Times magazine and designed sculptures for PETA that have appeared in major American cities in an ongoing effort to stop cruelty to animals. McDonald's, Ringling Brother's Circus and Kentucky Fried Chicken are among the prime targets of Bliss' and PETAs efforts.
Bailey, a picture book written and illustrated by Bliss will be published by Scholastic in the Fall of 2011.
'Luke On The Loose' written and illustrated by Harry Bliss 2008 Toon Books NYC
'Invisible Inkling' by Emily Jenkins (Harper Collins 2011)
'Bailey' by Harry Bliss (Scholastic Inc. 2011)
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United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
and illustrator.
Bliss grew up in New York State among an artistic family. His sister Rachel Bliss and brother Charlie Bliss, and father Jack Bliss are all artists. He studied painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and studied illustration at the University of the Arts, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
and at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
earning an M.A.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
Bliss has illustrated many books and produces cartoons and covers for The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
. His first book for children, A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech was a New York Times bestseller, as was Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider
Diary of a Spider
Diary of a Spider is a children's picture book published in 2005 and it is a sequel to Diary of a Worm. It is written by Doreen Cronin and it is illustrated by Harry Bliss.-Plot:The book is a diary written by a spider...
and Diary of a Fly all by Doreen Cronin. Bliss' self-titled cartoon collection Death by Laughter with an introduction by Christopher Guest
Christopher Guest
Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest , better known as Christopher Guest, is an American screenwriter, composer, musician, director, actor and comedian. He is most widely known in Hollywood for having written, directed and starred in several improvisational "mockumentary" films that...
was published in 2008. In 2008 Bliss published Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken (Harper Collins) by Kate DiCamillo followed by Luke on the Loose (Toon Books) in 2009. Bliss has a syndicated single-paned comic titled Bliss. Bliss is syndicated through Tribune Media Services
Tribune Media Services
Tribune Media Services is a syndication company owned by the Tribune Company.The company has two divisions, "News and Features" and "Entertainment Products"...
and appears in over 50 newspapers in the United States and Japan.
As of the mid-2000s, Bliss lives in South Burlington, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
.
The May 12, 2008 edition of The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
magazine published in its weekly caption-writing contest a cartoon by that closely resembled Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
's cover of Tales to Astonish
Tales to Astonish
Tales to Astonish is the name of two American comic book series and a one-shot comic published by Marvel Comics.The primary title bearing that name was published from 1959-1968...
#34 (Aug. 1962). Intended by Bliss as a homage and tribute to Kirby, critics complained that the magazine did not mention Kirby's name. After being notified by readers and the media, the magazine said it would update its website to read, "Drawing by Harry Bliss, after Jack Kirby".
In 2008 Bliss contributed a Toon Book 'Luke On The Loose,' the first book written and illustrated in comic form by the artist. As of 2008 Bliss has served on the board of directors for The Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction Vermont.
In 2010 a New Yorker cover by Bliss 'Paint by Pixels' was compared to Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post cover 'The Connoisseur'. Author Virginia Mecklenburg writes in Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, "But for those who know The Connoisseur, Bliss's cover goes a step further. The painting they ( a young couple) observe is not a Pollock at all, but a re-creation of Rockwell's Pollock..."
Bliss has been a regular cartoonist for Playboy magazine beginning in 1999.
As an animal rights activist, Bliss has regularly contributed covers for PETA's Animal Times magazine and designed sculptures for PETA that have appeared in major American cities in an ongoing effort to stop cruelty to animals. McDonald's, Ringling Brother's Circus and Kentucky Fried Chicken are among the prime targets of Bliss' and PETAs efforts.
Bailey, a picture book written and illustrated by Bliss will be published by Scholastic in the Fall of 2011.
Publications
- A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech
- A Very Brave Witch by Alison McGhee
- Countdown To Kindergarten by Alison McGhee
- Death by Laughter by Harry Bliss (Introduction by Christopher Guest)
- Diary of a SpiderDiary of a SpiderDiary of a Spider is a children's picture book published in 2005 and it is a sequel to Diary of a Worm. It is written by Doreen Cronin and it is illustrated by Harry Bliss.-Plot:The book is a diary written by a spider...
by Doreen Cronin - Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
- Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin
- Don't Forget To Come Back by Robie H. Harris
- Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken by Kate DiCamillo
- Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Alison McGhee
- Which Would You Rather Be? by William Steig
'Luke On The Loose' written and illustrated by Harry Bliss 2008 Toon Books NYC
'Invisible Inkling' by Emily Jenkins (Harper Collins 2011)
'Bailey' by Harry Bliss (Scholastic Inc. 2011)
Footnotes
http://darkpartyreview.blogspot.com/2007/02/5-questions-about-harry-bliss.htmlhttp://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051123/NEWS/511230388/1006/SPORTS
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010307260052