I started cartooning seriously as part of my professional work in 1996, when I noticed an over-flowing ashtray in the foyer of the Mahon court house,(MENORCA), and my drawing depicting it was published in the opinion column of the local paper.
Inspired by this tiny success, I went on to submit more art work to various papers and magazines and to my delight I was published again and again...and again.
During this period I completed a year long diploma course in journalistic cartooning and illustration and was issued with an internationally recognised press card.
I introduced a character to the cartoons - now known very well in Menorca as MERCATROID the horse.The distinct Menorcan breed is the pride of the Islanders. Mercatroid's image is registered in the art patrimony of the Balearic Government.
A sensitive and observant animal, Mercatroid has featured in a small paperback book of cartoons published in 1999 by the Diario Menorca, the only daily paper on Menorca at that time, who distributed the publication with the newspapers when it was released.
In 2000 I received an offer from the ULTIMA HORA daily newspaper - Menorca edition, which began publication in January 2000. This was a step forward because the rate of pay was reasonable and I was published daily and not just twice a week.
Being published daily makes for a huge amount of work and research into news events whether or not they are local, national or international.
The cartoonist of any daily paper becomes an important asset to that paper if he is popular. My drawings are well supported and have a popular and strong local following. Some even collect them in scrap books.
As the bulk are published in Spain, I adapted my sense of humor to appeal to the Spanish public, but leaving just the slightest twist of the English sense of the absurd which seems to please the readers of ULTIMA HORA Menorca.
Since 2000 over 1800 drawings have been published, some in other papers and magazines such as The Mallorca Daily Bulletin,the English language daily paper, The Reader, Mira magazine and some annual reviews. Prior to 2000 almost as many were published in the Diario Menorca and even in some international magazines such as the ARMY FAMILIES JOURNAL.
I have always been delighted to take on commissions for cartoon work or to fill a regular spot in any English or Spanish language publication, as well as having experience in the use of cartooning for publicity campaigns, in-house notices and even comic signs for ladies and gents conveniences !
Since August 2004 I have been editor of the online publicity and information website about Menorca, which is unfortunately experiencing the crushing effects of the credit crunch which has taken a disastrous toll on tourism.
which is now one of Menorcas leading Internet publications. However, the recession has taken its toll on publicity and a good proportion of customers on the site have sadly closed their businesses or decided to suspend their advertising. Over 300 businesses were included in the web pages with photographs, video and maps to give everyone a better idea of facilities on offer in Menorca in more detail than any other Internet site about Menorca..
The whole site will come under review very shortly now that we are in 2010.
Take a look by clicking on the webite address. There are almost 1,000 visitors to the site every week.
In November 2008,for health reasons, I moved back to live in the U.K after 35 years of living in Spain.This has been quite a cultural shock from which I am still reeling. However,although I have to make new contacts and friends, I fully intend that my cartoon work will continue, and I hope to find a niche whether in local or national publications.
David Anthony Cox. January 2010
