(written by Terry MacNeil, on July 4 and August 31, 2025)

Back in the day, a former friend of mine would frequently give me shit for not paying attention to “art”. One time, he said “How can you know so much about the Paris Commune, but have NEVER read the poetry of Rimbaud?” And my answer to that (everytime, and paraphrased) was “I don’t care about poetry, paintings, architecture, etc. Call me a philistine if you please, but I simply don’t give a fuck. I focus on other things that are more ‘important’ – like economics.” To be clear, I never said anything as literally harsh as THAT to my former friend – but that paraphrased quote DOES sum up my CURRENT stance (a stance I’ve had many years).

Speaking for myself, I find it WAY easier to read the printed word, than listen to an audio speech of someone speaking. So I find it astronomically easier to focus when I am reading the printed word, than when I am listening to someone speak. No offence to the speaker – I’m like that with every speaker. So that is why I made sure I acquired a physical copy of Kate Beaton’s great and impressive speech, titled Bodies of Art, Bodies of Labour. That speech is as focused on class as it is on art – but I won’t say much of anything about class in this note, because I would quickly run out of space.

One of the main arguments in Bodies of Art, Bodies of Labour, is that for people who come from wealthier (aka “more comfortable”) economic backgrounds, it is WAY easier for them to become “artists” (of one sort or another), than people who live in poverty (or are among the “working poor”). Put simply, people from the lowest social classes rarely become artists.

By Beaton’s definition, I can self-identify as an “artist” – because I write fiction whenever the mood seizes me. That said, I am personally more comfortable embracing the label “writer” than “artist” – even though I’ve never been published, and do not make a living by writing. In actuality, I’ve been unemployed for decades and live with my mother – things society says I should be ashamed of, but I’m not. Why? Well, unemployment has given me the blessing of “free time” to engage in more “creative” pursuits. That said, I doubt I could make a living as a writer – because I can’t fathom ever writing anything unless I FEEL like doing it (for pleasure, as well as FUN). Also, as far as most of my writing goes – my primary concern is to make Terry MacNeil laugh. Since I find so much of my writing hilarious, I am pleasing my audience (which is solely comprised of me). And the former friend I mentioned earlier – always found it unusual that I was so eager to show off my first completed novel to other humans (as in, my level of insecurity and self-consciousness with regard to my writing – was, in his opinion, very low).

Kate Beaton will never hear of Terry MacNeil. But if she DID hear of me, and wanted my advice? I’d say “Well, obviously, keep making cartoons – it is clear that is what the VAST majority of your fans want (as well as being your primary artistic passion). But I’d also advise you to write occasional text only essays for your Patreon subscribers – such as an essay on Sheldon Currie, or reviews of Craig Thompson’s graphic memoirs Blankets and Ginseng Roots, etc. Such text only content won’t be as appreciated by (most of) your fans as your cartoons – but you’ll always have a large segment of fans who recognize you for your command of the written word and insightful analysis on whatever you choose to write about.”

Also, Beaton is a socialist – so that will ensure the socialists in her fanbase (like me) will want to read any written political content she creates.

I am not currently a paid subscriber to Beaton’s Patreon – but I expect to be, soon. Ⓐ