When I was very young our city paper had editorial cartoons by several artists. 5 year old boys don’t have much of a feel for politics or social commentary, but there was one man’s work that I was drawn to.
Doug Wright was a Brit, who emigrated to Canada and made himself a career out of illustration. He had several successful endeavors, but I knew him through his newspaper editorials. He preferred to illustrate the everyman sort of situation, and clearly he loved vehicles. Unlike most cartoon cars, his actually looked like the real cars that I was learning to identify on the streets.
Recently I learned that a collection had been published in 1973 (when I was six years old) so I located a copy. To my great delight several of my favorites were included, so without further ado I present the auto art of Doug Wright:
I remember cutting this one out of the paper and taping it to my wall. This was what I aspired to, and in hindsight I’d say I succeeded!
I included this one for the sweet little VW there, but also as an example of how early 70’s social commentary doesn’t always work anymore. Or at least is amusing for a different reason, society has changed in 50 years.
The final three are from the book’s cover. As you progressively back up you see more of what is actually happening:
Doug Wright died in 1983, an illustrator who could get a 5 year old to read the newspaper.
Great work! For editorial illustrations, Mr. Wright’s work, was exceptionally detailed. He must have put hours into creating many of these. Given the Spectator was owned by the Southam chain, and the quality of his work, his illustrations were likely syndicated across Canada.
I notice he created many of his own textures by hand. A lot of work. In the 1970s, many editorial illustrators were using a product called ‘Letratone’. A pre-printed texture in dry transfer, or peel and stick form. As late as 1987, a sheet of Letratone would sell for around $8.50, at Loomis and Toles in Toronto.
Thanks for posting Doug, Doug!
The last image took me back in time, to the early eighties. That same big rig was on display in my bedroom, 1/25 scale model kits.
This end dump semi-trailer:
Coupled to this tractor:
Never saw these. They’re drawn really well–realistically yet humorously . . . with little details in the background that add to the interest and humor. Sort of in the tradition of Charles Addams and MAD magazine.
Can anyone draw this well anymore? I’ve stopped reading the newspaper comics because they’re not that funny (or I don’t get it), and editorial cartoons look scribbly and not drawn with much care.
Humor is dying. From c. 1980s-2000 I used to watch a lot of stand-up comedy on TV (especially Comedy Central). A lot of those comedians were really funny and had real charisma! I see much less stand-up these days, and most of the comedians aren’t very good.
I’m not just saying this like an old curmudgeon–I think this is a real cultural shift. But I can’t fully explain what it is.
Oh, wait . . . memes are funny. I think graphical humor has switched over to memes.
I hope he had another pool for the other side.
I feel the same way about the daily newspaper comics. Very few of them are actually funny.
I guess this is where I yell at you to get off my lawn!
As a similarly aged fellow Canadian who grew up just east of Toronto these are so relatable and have made me smile.
Thanks DougD.
His work never made it to my western Canada locale. Nice to see though. Takes me back to reading Cracked, Mad, Punch, Heavy Metal and others.
These are great. Loved the one with the hopped-up Pinto.
Thanks for sharing these.
The Anglia reminds me of something I’d forgotten for 50 years. Anglias were the original riceburners. (Sconeburners?) A neighbor in 1969 had a jacked-up Anglia that looked just like the jacked-up Pinto. Another friend hotrodded his Anglia in a less visible way.
Really, really funny. Goes back to the days when anyone of any age could look at a cartoon and find it funny. Why did society ever lose its sense of humour? Thanks so much for showing us.
The detail of his artwork is extraordinary for newspaper editorial artwork. At a similar age I also enjoyed political cartoons (we always called them political cartoons, even if the subject wasn’t politics), but I remember mostly illustrators who used simple line drawings, and any cars were wildly anonymous. I would have loved to open the newspaper and see a realistic drawing of an Olds Cutlass!
And it’s not just the cars that have great detail – each editorial is full of amusing details… like how the truck company’s name in the “Mother enjoying the view” drawing is “Peebles Pebbles.”
I like the example with the kids saying that some guys think today’s youth are out of shape because they ride around in cars all the time. Some things never change – now adults complain that today’s kids are out of shape because they play computer games all the time.
There’s also local jokes sprinkled in the artwork. For instance the “Skyway Sardines” on the side of the semi trailer references the Burlington Bay Skyway, a local high level freeway bridge.
On the same truck, the refrigeration unit has Cool Queen on it, no doubt a play on Thermo King.
Great to see these.
Most excellent ! .
Here and there I see young folks doing 1940’s style cartooning it too takes practice and time .
-Nate
Apparently Big John, the Skyway Sardines truck has a 6V-71 Detroit Diesel engine.
Thanks for these. I don’t recall seeing these out on the Wet Coast so I really enjoyed looking at them.
LOL!
These are great, and so well drawn! I’ve been on the Skyway twice.
Love that cover illustration!
Doug Wright’s comics remind me of the days I read Mad Magazine and The Far Side. Always funny with a healthy dose of satire.
Skyway Sardines! With a picture of the bridge on the trailer! Excellent!
If these are just your favourites, please post more of these, if you have time. Great reading!
I love the double entendre on the McBoing Spring Service, considering Spring is pot hole season.
Remind me to look this tome over next time we get together.
So many great ones with hidden and custom message. I have about 30 original prints Doug Wright drew in 1978 for Paling (Collision and Alignment) in Hamilton. I have never seen them published anywhere. They are great!
Hello Nicole,
I would be very interested in seeing or purchasing copies of those cartoons that were drawn for Paling Collision. They are part of our family history.
Thank you for any help you can offer.
Carolyn