Famed Cartoonist Cobean Is Summer
Resident
Sam Cobean, one of America's best known cartoonists, narrowly escaped becoming a lawyer, never had formal art training, and "just gravitated" to a career that has brought him fame.
Sam at his drawing table in New York City
His work stems from a hobby begun as a boy in Altoon, Penna. He had never seriously considered cartooning as a career although he "always drew a little". Today the "Cobean" scrawl identifies cartoons, illustrations and advertisements in leading publications of this country.
Sam had planned on the legal profession, and spent three years at the University of Oklahoma in the pre-law course. He was editor of the college magazine, and became so interested that he decided to abandon law, and switched to journalism.
Later he created cartoons and wrote stories for Universal and Columbia Studios, Hollywood.
During the war Sam was a member of the Signal Corps Photographic unit, stationed on Long Island. Again he worked as a cartoonist and writer on training and combat films which were used for instructional purposes in all branches of the armed service.
It was at this time that Cobean sold his first cartoon to the New Yorker magazine. He has since joined the staff, and does a great deal of his work in the New York City office of that publication.
"Breaking into print does not depend on pull", Sam said. "Magazine editors are constantly looking for new talent and fresh ideas. Because they prefer discoveries, I would suggest that hopeful artists develop their own style instead of imitating that of established cartoonsts."
"Cartooning is like writing or any other form of art", he explained. "It takes time and thought to make the work look spontaneous". Sam always makes a rough sketch of a cartoon, submits it to editors or advertisers and after receiving their approval finishes it.
Most of his work is
done for advertisers, among them the Chicago Tribune house ads,
Ken-L-Ration, and Florida Citrus Growers. His cartoons appear in
the New Yorker, Saturday Evening Post, Mademoiselle, McCalls, Harper's
Bazaar, Colliers, Esquire, and the Reporter.
His taste in comics runs to the to "Li'l Abner" and "Dick Tracy".
Sam, who has traveled throughout the United States and Cuba, returned this spring from a four months' tour of Europe with his wife, Anne.
Until three years ago, the Cobeans had never heard of Watkins Glen, but on their recent visit to England, answered questions about the village in regard to its Sports Car Grand Prix.
They are enthusiastic about the lake country, and have purchased a large farmhouse on west hill, where they spend their summers. They expect to return to New York at the end of the season.
His taste in comics runs to the to "Li'l Abner" and "Dick Tracy".
Sam, who has traveled throughout the United States and Cuba, returned this spring from a four months' tour of Europe with his wife, Anne.
Until three years ago, the Cobeans had never heard of Watkins Glen, but on their recent visit to England, answered questions about the village in regard to its Sports Car Grand Prix.
They are enthusiastic about the lake country, and have purchased a large farmhouse on west hill, where they spend their summers. They expect to return to New York at the end of the season.