This interview originally appeared in the Summer 2007 issue of Release, the CAPS magazine. The mag is sent free to all supporters; for details click here. Dan Piraro may not be a name known to many people in the UK, but in his native USA his BIZARRO cartoons have appeared in newspapers since 1985. He has published eleven collections of cartoons as well as a book of prose and performs live shows. In addition, Dan is a strong campaigner for animal rights, using his cartoons to inform readers, in his uniquely quirky way, about everything from the use of animals as food to animal experiments. CAPS: When was it that you first realised you had a talent for drawing? Dan: Since before I can remember, my favourite activity was always drawing. I was fortunate to have been born with a lot of natural ability and desire in this area and by the time I was three years old, my favourite toys were crayons and blank paper. My parents realised I had a lot of talent immediately, so I grew up being told I was gifted in this area. CAPS: Were your friends and family quite supportive of this talent or did they think that you were crazy to try to make a living this way? Dan: Very supportive until I reached high school. When I announced I wanted to be an artist instead of going to college for a ‘real’ career, my parents began to sweat. They encouraged me to pursue art, but to have another career to "fall back on", like medicine or law. I ignored them, went to art school, dropped out after one term and hit the streets. It was foolish, but it worked out in the long run. CAPS: Where do you get the inspiration from for your pictures? Dan: Thin air! CAPS: You state on your website that you think your Aunt Ruth is an alien. When did you first notice she was different? Dan: No earthling could survive under the weight of that much rouge. She must have been an extraterrestrial! CAPS: It's quite clear to see that you love animals through some of your works of art. Are you veggie or vegan and if so, why? Dan: I'm a devout ethical vegan. There are numerous reasons - health, environmental concerns, compassion. Eating animal products is bad for me, the production of it is devastating the environment, and it is cruel to sentient beings. In 21st century America, eating animals isn't a matter of survival, the only reason we do it is because they taste good. A few seconds of sensory pleasure isn't worth the misery and destruction it causes. CAPS: What do you think about zoos and animal circuses? Dan: I find the practice of slavery immoral and reprehensible regardless of the species being exploited. It is clearly immoral to cause suffering to another for one's own amusement.
CAPS: How do you think your artwork helps animals? Dan: There have been a number of times over the years that people have written to me or spoken to me after a public appearance and said they've changed the way they think about their life style choices because of issues I've brought to their attention in my cartoons. That's the best one can hope for. CAPS: Do you have any advice for people who want to use their talents to help animals? Dan: Just follow your passion and your talents. Do what you think is right, using the skills you have. It takes you where it takes you and how well it works is not really under your control. Good things happen to people who work hard for good things. Dan has kindly allowed CAPS to reprint his cartoons in Release. To see more of his work, see his website www.bizarro.com and join CAPS to receive Release. |
Interview with Bizarro cartoonist