I was a member of the National Cartoonists Society for several years.Paul was the volunteer head of our chapter. I am grateful for the hard work he put in to make sure our ramshackle group of cartoonists always had a great time at our annual gatherings. I will miss him and his big smile.
I know he appreciated everyone who joined the chapter, Cedric. Paul always loved cartooning, and was glad when other folks younger than him would take up a pen and keep going with it. And I agree - I'll miss his warm smile & hearty laugh too.
Thanks, Tom. He did indeed herd all us cats in the North Central Chapter & our visitors - including you a time or two, if I remember right. And yes - his drawing style was gorgeous. I'm going to miss that too. Hope you're still drawing, and painting too.
I'll have to go check that out. Good to hear you're still creating. Paul was too, right up until he couldn't. I still think that's the best way to be: Keep working, living, and being creative as long as we can.
Paul was one of the most approachable and down-to-earth people I've met. While in Sioux Falls, S.D. at a National Cartoonists' Society event on the Augustan University campus, Paul spent over an hour speaking to my late Dad about the towns in Nebraska and Fort Robinson. During a memorial service for Chris Browne (Hagar the Horrible) at Wild Water West in Sioux Falls, I spent an hour visiting with Paul and his wife. He referred to her as his "better half". Paul was a fabulous cartoonist and an even better person. My name is Tim Benson. I'm an amateur political cartoonist from Sioux Falls, S.D.
Appreciate the remembrance, Tim. Paul's always wisely referred to Arlene as his "better half" - and like most guys, that's how we should all refer to our spouses. I went to some on the NCS events too, and remember Chris Browne & his wife too. Paul looped me in with the NCS folks, and I became a reference for many of them, in the transition from pen, ink, & paper to digital, and they were very thankful that Paul had found me and brought me into the fold. That's how Paul has always been - if he could connect people he knew in ways that benefited both or all of of 'em, he would. Because he always wanted to help others be better too. Another great lesson for all of us. Thanks, Tim. Keep tooning!
Growing up in Lincoln, I loved Paul Fell's cartoons, probably reading his Husker stuff first, then his political cartoons later. I'm sure his Husker cartoon books were in my school library. There were certainly well-worn copies in the public libraries. Then, a few years ago, I moved to California to serve as curator of the Charles Schulz Museum and have gotten to know members of the National Cartoonists Society. They'd always ask -- "You're from Nebraska! Do you know Paul Fell?" Only by reputation. You'll be missed, sir.
I did not know, until today, that he had passed. This news breaks my heart. Paul was one of, or maybe even the first, professional cartoonists I met (at the 2010 Ohio State Festival of Cartoon Art) who soon became a dear friend. In recent years we rarely communicated, much to my regret now, but I have such wonderful memories of times spent in his company, and of things he initiated that brought great joy to my life. He was special.
Thanks, John. His health decline was very recent and fairly fast, and somewhat unexpected, even by him. Still, glad you got a chance to meet and know Paul, and appreciate his work.
I am so sorry to read this post and send my deepest sympathies to Paul’s wife, family and friends. Paul struck me as modest, but his talent, like still waters, ran deep. Thank you for continuing to promote his work.
I've always loved Paul's sharp wit and razor sharp penwork on his cartoons. He always was upbeat and had something to say. It was my great privilege to work at the Lincoln paper when he was there, and to write columns for the Nebraska Press Association to go along with his cartoons. Nebraska lost a great talent.
I was a member of the National Cartoonists Society for several years.Paul was the volunteer head of our chapter. I am grateful for the hard work he put in to make sure our ramshackle group of cartoonists always had a great time at our annual gatherings. I will miss him and his big smile.
I know he appreciated everyone who joined the chapter, Cedric. Paul always loved cartooning, and was glad when other folks younger than him would take up a pen and keep going with it. And I agree - I'll miss his warm smile & hearty laugh too.
Classy guy, Paul. He was also a huge help to the NCS and almost singlehandedly herded the cartoonist cats in the North Central.
You won’t find a cleaner line.
Thanks for posting, Shawn
Thanks, Tom. He did indeed herd all us cats in the North Central Chapter & our visitors - including you a time or two, if I remember right. And yes - his drawing style was gorgeous. I'm going to miss that too. Hope you're still drawing, and painting too.
Still drawing and painting. Aa matter odf fact, I also have a Substack (@baldasari)
I'll have to go check that out. Good to hear you're still creating. Paul was too, right up until he couldn't. I still think that's the best way to be: Keep working, living, and being creative as long as we can.
My wife tells me she'll know I'm retired when she comes into tyhe studio with a cup of coffee and notice my head on the drawing board.
No joke, Tom. Pal said it in this piece here, the last sentence in the piece:
https://www.nebraskanewsservice.net/news/daydream-and-draw-cartoonist-continues-to-create-new-work-every-day-out-of-a-passion/article_c1bf711f-2b2e-50c0-b8f5-6a56f82bcf28.html
That's similar to what Paul used to say too. #GreatMinds
Paul was one of the most approachable and down-to-earth people I've met. While in Sioux Falls, S.D. at a National Cartoonists' Society event on the Augustan University campus, Paul spent over an hour speaking to my late Dad about the towns in Nebraska and Fort Robinson. During a memorial service for Chris Browne (Hagar the Horrible) at Wild Water West in Sioux Falls, I spent an hour visiting with Paul and his wife. He referred to her as his "better half". Paul was a fabulous cartoonist and an even better person. My name is Tim Benson. I'm an amateur political cartoonist from Sioux Falls, S.D.
Appreciate the remembrance, Tim. Paul's always wisely referred to Arlene as his "better half" - and like most guys, that's how we should all refer to our spouses. I went to some on the NCS events too, and remember Chris Browne & his wife too. Paul looped me in with the NCS folks, and I became a reference for many of them, in the transition from pen, ink, & paper to digital, and they were very thankful that Paul had found me and brought me into the fold. That's how Paul has always been - if he could connect people he knew in ways that benefited both or all of of 'em, he would. Because he always wanted to help others be better too. Another great lesson for all of us. Thanks, Tim. Keep tooning!
Growing up in Lincoln, I loved Paul Fell's cartoons, probably reading his Husker stuff first, then his political cartoons later. I'm sure his Husker cartoon books were in my school library. There were certainly well-worn copies in the public libraries. Then, a few years ago, I moved to California to serve as curator of the Charles Schulz Museum and have gotten to know members of the National Cartoonists Society. They'd always ask -- "You're from Nebraska! Do you know Paul Fell?" Only by reputation. You'll be missed, sir.
Thanks, Benjamin. Jean was a subscriber to many versions of our Daily Felltoons newsletter, and both Paul & I were always honored that she was.
Paul was a great ambassador for cartooning, as was Charles Schulz. Two humble, highly talented people, who made the world a better place.
Agree that Paul will be deeply missed.
So sorry to hear that Paul has passed, I only recently found him but his cartoons really hit the nail on the head
Thanks, Laura. Please go back and look through Paul's library. You'll find so many cartoons from the past decade or so that still apply today.
I did not know, until today, that he had passed. This news breaks my heart. Paul was one of, or maybe even the first, professional cartoonists I met (at the 2010 Ohio State Festival of Cartoon Art) who soon became a dear friend. In recent years we rarely communicated, much to my regret now, but I have such wonderful memories of times spent in his company, and of things he initiated that brought great joy to my life. He was special.
Thanks, John. His health decline was very recent and fairly fast, and somewhat unexpected, even by him. Still, glad you got a chance to meet and know Paul, and appreciate his work.
I worked for the Ne Appropriations Committee in the 80s and 90s. LOVED Paul's cartoons!
A little secret, Kathy - even some of the people Paul skewered over the years liked his cartoons. Glad that you enjoyed them too.
I am so sorry to read this post and send my deepest sympathies to Paul’s wife, family and friends. Paul struck me as modest, but his talent, like still waters, ran deep. Thank you for continuing to promote his work.
Thanks, ABL. Paul was a great friend, so I was always glad to help promote his work.
I've always loved Paul's sharp wit and razor sharp penwork on his cartoons. He always was upbeat and had something to say. It was my great privilege to work at the Lincoln paper when he was there, and to write columns for the Nebraska Press Association to go along with his cartoons. Nebraska lost a great talent.
Thanks, Paul. He enjoyed working with you too. Nebraska has lost a great talent, but we've lost a great friend.
I am really sorry. Heartfelt condolences.