Bono Mitchell's obituary and service

 

AUDREA MITCHELL OBITUARY

AUDREA Bono MITCHELL

Bono Mitchell, 75, of Arlington, VA passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, October 2, 2022. She was a gifted artist, successful business owner in DC and Virginia, generous benefactor of the arts and mentor to many young artists and designers. She had a long and successful life as a magazine designer and graphic artist in the Washington, DC, and Arlington area. She graduated from George Washington University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Over the years she worked in the graphic design department at ABC News; graphic design at NAHB; art director of Bono Mitchell Graphics in DC and Arlington; Co-owner with Tom Specht, and Art Director of BonoTom Studio in Arlington. Bono retired in 2017 and enjoyed a life full of friends and family. She traveled widely, painting watercolor landscapes at every destination. She enjoyed weekends at her Chesapeake Bay house on Kent Island and couldn't wait to get back there to view the beautiful bay. Bono was preceded in death by her loving mother and father Autrey B. Mitchell and Margaret L. Mitchell of Stevensville Md, niece Audrey Simpson and brother-in-law Milton T. Calhoun. She is survived by her two loving sisters, Gaye Calhoun of Mclean Va and Sissie Simpson and husband Keggs Simpson of Ocean Isle, NC, nieces and nephews Melody Newton, Brett and his wife, Jennifer Calhoun, Tara Calhoun, Pete Calhoun, as well as a host of great nieces and nephews and other family members. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity or to fundraiser.michaeljfox.org in behalf of her beloved friend Richard Thompson. Gravesite funeral is planned for Monday, October 17, 2022, 1 p.m. at the Remington Cemetery in Remington, VA.

Published by The Washington Post on Oct. 13, 2022.

 

The service is tomorrow, October 17th. Details are in the obituary which suggests donations to Team Cul de Sac.

Richard's earliest caricatures

"These were done by Richard for the original Gaithersburg location of Celebrity Delly. When they closed the Gaithersburg shop, they moved the artwork down to the Fairfax County location. He said it was his first professional job and he thinks he was paid in sandwiches." says Scott Stewart who's working on a book of his caricatures. As you can see, these are becoming weathered.

Bono Mitchell has passed away

Local artist Bono Mitchell, long time-friend and employer of cartoonist Richard Thompson via Bono-Tom studio, has passed away according to her nurse on Facebook.

For many years Bono and Tom Specht art-directed magazines that used Richard's art, and she was one of his closest friends, visiting him regularly as he fell sick. She was a talented artist in her own right, and did lovely watercolors. Beyond that, she was a true character - larger than life in many ways - and a caring friend who will be missed.

 

Here are Bruce Guthrie's pictures.

Cul de Sac still entertaining new readers

Richard's been gone for a few years now, but someone's first time reading Cul de Sac continues on. From the Daily Courier

New comics appear starting today Three new comics have been introduced on today's comics page — "Monty," "Cul-De- Sac" and "Baby Blues."

Hat Tip to the Daily Cartoonist for spotting this.

Apatoff on Thompson's editorial cartoons

POLITICAL CARTOONS part 8: RICHARD THOMPSON

David Apatoff

Illustration Art January 14, 2022

https://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2022/01/political-cartoons-part-8-richard.html

Edward Sorel on Richard Thompson via Virtual Memories Podcast

Gil Roth interviewed Sorel on Virtual Memories Show 462: Ed Sorel, and the two of them spoke briefly about Richard at minute 53:30 or so.

Sorel said, "There was one guy who worked like I did. We had the same methods of working, but he was every bit as good as I was. He was terrific. Richard Thompson. I only got to meet Richard Thompson once, and I kissed his hand. I thought he was just terrific. His stuff made you smile, just to look at the drawing."

If I recall correctly, Richard also visited Sorel at his studio when he was still a student, or just afterwards. I'm sure Nick Galifianakis can tell us for sure. Sorel is probably recalling the time in 1997 he had an exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery and Richard undoubtedly went to the opening talk. But perhaps they met elsewhere...

Richard mentioned Sorel twice on this blog.

A small exhibit honoring Richard Thompson in South Carolina

 A small exhibit honoring Richard Thompson can be seen at the West Ashley Library in Charleston, South Carolina, through the end of October.

 

Richard Thompson's Cul de Sac art on auction

https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/richard-thompson-cul-de-sac-sunday-comic-strip-original-art-washington-post-2000s-/a/322138-49239.s

Richard Thompson Cul de Sac Sunday Comic Strip Original Art (Washington Post, 2000s). The "natural warmth" that Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) praised in Thompson's work is well represented in this undated installment -- an exploration of the slapstick possibilities of static electricity. Added Watterson: "Cul de Sac avoids both mawkishness and cynicism and instead finds genuine charm in its loopy appreciation of small events. Very few strips can hit this subtle note." A personalized inscription appears at lower right. Ink over graphite on Bristol board. Image area, 16.5" x 8.25". Excellent condition.

[It's at $725 tonight, which is too much for me. According to the inscription, Richard gave it to cartoonist Jeff Stahler]

Some Air & Space art

 Richard's old friend Brian Nicklas just found some art that Richard had given him, and sent scans along for everyone to enjoy. Some of these look like they should be printed out and added to your "Incomplete Art of Why Things Are" book to further complete it.

 

Jason Chatfield appreciation for Richard Thompson

Artist Spotlight: Richard Thompson

Jason Chatfield

February 9, 2021

https://www.jasonchatfield.com/blog/artist-spotlight-richard-thompson

Richard Thompson fans at Who's Out There? blog

I recently got an email from one of the writers, noting,

At WOT, we really, *really* like Richard Thompson… and so refer to him at every semi-relevant opportunity.

https://whosouttherecomics.wordpress.com/tag/richard-thompson/

Beyond Richard, there's a lot of fascinating bits about cartoonists, and tentacles, on the site. I enjoy reading the 2 updates they do every week.

Thompson art for National Geographic's Everyday Science Explained

Yesterday, we took a look at the 2003 edition of the book New Everyday Science Explained, and I had a suspicion that the earlier Everyday Science Explained by Curt Suplee (National Geographic Society, 1996, ISBN 0-7922-3410-3) might have more images, and more in color (since Richard usually worked in color watercolor and never in grey washes that I can recall. I'm sure there's exceptions, but...)

As you'd expect from that opening, I was right, and thanks to a National Geographic contact, here are his illustrations in glorious color, along with a new dozen or so. More, bigger, and better!

 

Wasn't this version much nicer? Since they were already paying for full color pages, I have no idea why the publisher dropped the color on most of the images for the 2003 book.