I N TH E STI X Felmersham cartoonist shortlisted for national award
seen by a whole new audience – people who don’t read Private Eye or follow my social media feeds – which is great too.” It’s been a busy year for James who also released his fourth cartoon book in November. Quarantoons – Cartoons From A New Normal follows on from his previous books Drawn From History, Brexit; A Drawn Out Process and Drawn From Lockdown – Cartoons of a Plague Year. “My new book is a collection of my best cartoons from the past two years. It’s not entirely focussed on the pandemic but, given it has been the major news story, covid is the central theme. The illness, rules, and restrictions have made the last couple of years pretty grim and finding the humour has been important for coping and keeping going. Hopefully the book is a helpful way to see the funny and bizarre side of recent events.”
James Mellor, whose illustrations feature regularly in Private Eye and of course bedslife magazine, has been shortlisted for the Political Cartoon of the Year Awards 2022. The awards, which take place annually, celebrate the UK’s leading cartoonists from the national press. “It’s great to be shortlisted again,” said James. “It’s a crowded field this year and there are some really good cartoons by famous names in the running but sharing a category with brilliant cartoonists who I’ve looked up to for years is part of what makes it exciting. It also means that my cartoons get to be
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James, who also creates original cartoons for bedslife magazine each month, is enjoying life in Felmersham after moving to the pretty village a year ago: “My wife grew up in the village so is happy to be living close to friends and relatives again. Felmersham is familiar to me too as we were married in St Mary’s Church. Slowly but surely, the children and I are adapting to a more rural way of life. We’ve started keeping chickens and are enjoying walks in the beautiful countryside around the meandering river.” You can see more of James’ cartoons in each edition of bedslife magazine. His latest book, Quarantoons: Cartoons From A New Normal is available from all good booksellers and at www.jamesmellorcreative.com
