Meet Clovis Brown - Jamaica's Cartoonist Extraordinaire

by Clovis Brown & Wellesley Gayle
(My-Island-Jamaica.com)

Have you ever been drawn to any of the cartoons in the Jamaica Observer newspaper?

If you did, then you are probably one of the thousands who admires the beautiful work of Clovis Brown.

A master cartoonist, Clovis has been entertaining, yet piquing and educating Jamaicans through his cartoons for over two decades! As Petrine Archer wrote, "Clovis Brown’s cartoons are satirical and well crafted with strong caricatures and controversial punch lines". He is certainly a master is his class, but perhaps more importantly, and ardent and passionate Jamaican. Needless to say that he's my favourite cartoonist.

Here now is our very own Clovis Brown - a true 'son of the soil'. I hope you enjoy his interview as much as I did bringing it to you.

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1. Welcome Clovis. Let's start by you telling us a bit about yourself, including perhaps where you grew up, family members, school, and indeed, anything else you'd like our readers to know about you.

I grew up on Brunswich Avenue, in Spanish Town. I attended Cresent All-Age, which was the best school in Jamaica at that time, because they had the most Common Entrance passes :-).

I passed to Bog Walk High School and left to Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts to pursue a diploma in Graphic Arts. I have one sister and three brothers. I am great admirer of the late King Tubby.

2. For many of us, you are undoubtedly one of the most talented cartoonist in Jamaica, and based on the tremendous quality of your work, it is clear that you love what you are doing, where did all this get started Clovis?

At school; everybody at school found out that I could draw, so they would bring their exercise books and I would fill them up with drawings for $2 each. It ended up looking like a comic book.

3. When did you get your first big break Clovis?

I did a Gleaner full page political drawing of Seaga And His One Man Band for Moo-Young Butler Advertising Agency.

Oliver Clarke saw the ad and summoned me to join The Gleaner Company, which I took over from Leandro.

4. Is there anyone or situation you could say inspired you along the way?

The artist John Buscema, who drew the Conan comics, was my inspiration.

5. You have done hundreds, if not thousands of cartoons, right? So, I know this question may be a bit awkward, but I'm throwing it at you anyways :-) Which of your work would you say is a personal favourite?

'Everybody Tun Don' with Edward Seaga for the Gleaner Company.

6. We all have some noteworthy event in life, don't we? What would you say is your most memorable experience?

Being summoned by a United States ambassador to Jamaica who wanted to meet me at home on Long Lane, Stony Hill.

7. Outside of depicting a funny side to topical and significant issues in Jamaica, what do you do for fun?

Listen to the roots music of the 1970s.

8. In your opinion, what makes Jamaica special Clovis?

The women

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Short and sweet, what else can I say? Clovis is really a special guy though. He too has made his mark on Jamaica, in what I tend to say is "his own little way".

We wish him continued health and prosperity as he continues to entertain, teach, enlighten and pique our minds through his marvelous work.

Thanks again Clovis!

You can find some of his Clovis' latest cartoons here on the Jamaica Observer's website.

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