Page 23 - Classically Carolina 2019

PEOPLE

The Ariails
began
restoring
the house in
2001 and are
still doing
so 18 years
later. It is no
mean feat
to keep up,
the editorial
cartoonist
says. The
home boasts
more than
2,000 square
feet of
porches, for
example.

“It’s a lot of
maintenance.
Now we’re
on our third
time … of
repairing and
doing touch-
ups. There’s
always something to do.” uses a computer to scan and enlarge the sketch. He
prints a larger version of the sketch than will appear
The home serves as a backdrop for Ariail’s work. in newspapers to ensure proper print reproduction.
He says his work is an attempt to offer up his Using a light-table, he traces the copy of the sketch
perspective on current events. onto heavier paper with ink. He can also add color
via computer to the scanned copy of the sketch.
In the past, Ariail worked directly for several
newspapers. Now, his work is distributed via “I try to be topical. I try injecting humor if I can,
syndication to about 630 newspapers across the and usually do see the humor in things.”
country, but allowing him to work for himself. He
self-syndicates some additional work focused on After 35 years, doing so has become second nature.
South Carolina issues to community papers. Some days, he says, he doesn’t want to work, but he
still enjoys it.
“I work every day but try to keep my weekends
free,” he says. “I start in the morning and usually He has no plans to leave Camden anytime soon,
get done by mid-afternoon. If there’s time, I’ll start noting the best thing the city has to offer is its
a second cartoon.” people.

Ariail starts off by sketching out ideas -- usually 10 “It’s a friendly little town. We were made to feel
to 20 different iterations -- until he finds the best very welcome,” Ariail says, adding, “It has a lot of
representation of what he wants to depict. He then character.”

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