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Hey friends,
We were featured in the Geneva Republican. Article is here or pasted below:
When Joe McMahon learned the pope had resigned, he envisioned a greeting card.
The front would have a drawing of the pontiff. The inside would include two words: I quit.
The amateur cartoonist was in the process of putting his vision on paper late last month. As is his process, he printed photographs of the pope – including one of him looking out his Vatican window – to use as a drawing guide.
“I do it because, first of all, it’s an expression,” McMahon said of his artwork. “Second of all, I think it’s funny.”
But the Geneva resident also has found a charitable use for his artistry. For six years, he has produced and funded the Joman Calendar to benefit Lazarus House, a St. Charles organization that serves the homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
The 12-month calendar features his one-frame cartoons and includes a donation envelope for Lazarus House. Last year the calendars raised $3,400, he said.
The McMahon became involved with the St. Charles nonprofit when his company, Geneva-based McMahon Builders, did work for the shelter. The calendar was his idea, he said, noting it has grown from 100 to 300 copies.
“This almost forces me to draw,” he said.
McMahon draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including current events and instances from his own life. For example, he said, an empty nest cartoon was inspired by robins that built a nest in lattice work at his home. The mother and father continued to visit the nest even after their babies had left, he said.
McMahon’s love of comics stem from his childhood days in New Jersey. He would collect glass soda bottles – the small Coke bottles netted him two cents and the large bottles got him a nickel – so he could buy Mad Magazine, Batman comics and Superman comics, he said.
“I liked the stories the best,” he said.
Even now, stories seem to be his priority. McMahon, who couldn’t take an art class in high school because it was overcrowded, doesn’t consider himself a good artist. His goal is to put items in a picture that will lead readers to the idea he is trying to portray, he said.
“It’s me saying something that is more meaningful than if I kept silent,” McMahon said. “It’s an expression of my thoughts.”
Christmas gifts don’t get any better than this!
Now you can put a smile on a friend’s face, brighten their wall and benefit Lazarus House all at the same time. That’s right. The “Joman Calendar” is back!
This coveted calendar makes a perfect gift. For the past few years, yours truly has created a 12-month masterpiece, all for the benefit of our neighbors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. People who have seen past calendars are just waiting for the new one to come out. You won’t want to miss it.
McMahon Builders absorbs the entire cost of the calendar; 100% of your donation goes to Lazarus House.
Order a calendar for your friends, but you’ll also want to get one for yourself. Only 200 copies of the 2013 edition are available. To guarantee receipt in time for Christmas gift, place your order soon!
To order, leave us a comment below or email us (joe at mcmahonbuilders dot com) Lazarus House thanks you for your support, as will your friends.
You might have noticed that we’ve been missing from the blogosphere lately. Well, let’s just say we’re having a few, ahem, technical difficulties over here at mcmahonbuilders.com. Read: I broke my computer. We’re all friends here, so let’s be honest: I don’t know what I’m doing with these newfangled computer things. Most days I can’t even spell computer, let alone use it.
Rest assured, the situation is being remedied, but you’ll have to wait for the latest pictures on our projects since I can’t upload my pictures yet.
In the meantime, I wanted to let all of you know about a few new developments.
- After years and years of denying my cooking skills, I decided one day to enter a chili contest. Folks, I assure you this was my first time cooking something that didn’t require a grill or microwave. Well, I won! Go figure. Watch out Rick Bayless, my cooking skills have been unleashed!
- Our calendar is going to the presses soon! If you want to order one, send me an email or comment on this post. As in previous years, any donation for the calendars goes to Lazarus House.
I’ll be back with more pictures when that tall thing that sits next to my computer monitor is fixed. Oh, my daughter says that’s the computer. Hard drive. Whatever, I’m a chef not a techie.
-Joe
Hi Friends!
That’s right, the 3rd annual Joeman calendar is now available! As usual, all of the proceeds benefit Lazarus House in St. Charles. And also as usual, I guarantee that it will not disappoint. Without giving away too much, my daughter’s favorite month is October and my son-in-law likes March. You’ll have to buy the calendar if you want to end the suspense.
2010 limited edition!
Add a comment to this post or email me if you would like a calendar – I’ll send you one with an envelope for a donation to Lazarus House.
Joe
UPDATE: Our calendar sold out right away this year! Look for the Joeman calendar again next year, and get your orders in early!!!
McMahon Builders 