Author Archives: Panda in Chief

About Panda in Chief

Anne Belov paints, writes, makes prints, and is the founder of The Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire. You can find her paintings at the Rob Schouten Gallery and Fountainhead Gallery, her cartoons on The Panda Chronicles, and her new book here. She also writes regularly for The Whidbey Life Magazine, a free journal of art and culture on Whidbey Island. Her main regret in life is that there is no MacArthur Grant for Panda Satire.

We’re back, and hope that all charges against the panda kindergarten will be dropped in due course…

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warning It has come to my attention via a faithful reader, that there was a shooting  tragedy in a Seattle coffee shop in the past week or so.  She suggested that I pull this cartoon and at first I agreed, but then I had another thought (which is probably NOT a good thing, as I am sleep deprived and extremely jet lagged, having just returned from foreign lands.)

Throughout cartooning history, cartoonists have walked a very fine line between commenting through satire and just being in extremely bad taste.  It’s what we do to make sense of the world around us and sometimes the “funny” is overpowered by well, powerful sentiments. (As evidenced by death threats against cartoonists.)  This cartoon was originally drawn in protest of open gun carrying policies and through the absurdity of an over caffeinated cat with a gun, show that maybe, just maybe, carrying weapons in public is just a bad idea. So, I’m going to let this cartoon stand, with deepest apologies to anyone who has ever had to deal with the aftermath of violence.  Big pandy hug.

 

Just a quick note to let you all know that I and the panda kindergarten have returned from our “cultural enrichment excursion” to Italy and Holland.  All rumors of Interpol involvement and international crimes against property and good taste have been vastly exaggerated.  In any case, the panda kindergarten would like to apologize (yes they WOULD…NO BACK TALK) for any unintended “mishaps” that may have occurred as a result of “cultural misunderstandings.”

Until we have time to start drawing the saga of the pandas in Italy, here is a classic offering from the Panda Chronicles to keep you amused.

What could be more Italian than espresso?

Be the Bear!

Bob T. Panda

One for the road….

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While the panda kindergarten deals with the fallout from the (slightly) premature selling of the Olympic torch, Pandyland Security  is preparing to stand guard at the Olympic games.  We thought you could use a reminder of this well disciplined task force.

Keeping you safe from evil cuppycakes….

Be the Bear!

Bob T. Panda

The Torch Bears Reveal their “Enterprising” Personality

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Once again, a story has come across the airwaves that is just ripe for panda satire.  And, as you know, we at the Institute for Contemporary Panda Satire can NEVER resist such a good story.  It just makes me proud to be a cartoonist.  The story of former Olympic torch bearers selling their torches on Ebay is one such story.  Believe me, I am NOT making this up.

It’s all in the timing…..

Be the Bear!

Bob T. Panda

New Growth

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I’ve known Vicky and Tom for 4 or 5 years at least. They are hard-working, supportive of their community and make fabulous cheese. We all talk about supporting small, family farms. This is a chance to put our money where our mouth is. I hope you will do this (or I might have to send the panda kindergarten to your house.

I love Paris in the Springggggtime!

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Well, the torch bears are at it again.  Will they reach the Olympic Games in London in time? And what does dinosaur flatulence have to do with pandas?  Tune in and see…..

Never underestimate the power of a good “fart joke”

Frommage, indeed!

Be the bear (oops)

Bob T. Panda

I love Paris in the Springggggtime!

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Well, the torch bears are at it again.  Will they reach the Olympic Games in London in time? And what does dinosaur flatulence have to do with pandas?  Tune in and see…..

Never underestimate the power of a good “fart joke”

Frommage, indeed!

Be the bear (oops)

Bob T. Panda

And the letters just keep on coming!

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Dear Ms. Mehitabel,

Thank you for your recent letter.  If you would be so kind as to consult your instruction manual, you would see that the sequence of connecting the plugs must be in a precise order, or the interface will not combobulate.  We hope that this clears up any misunderstandings about the warranty on your specific product.

Sincerely,

The customer service panda

The Panda Chronicles

Dear Mr. Panda,

I most certainly did not write to complain about a product that I might (and did NOT) purchase from The Panda Chronicles.  In fact, I would never buy anything from a company that:

A) Uses such terrible grammar; and

B) Can not direct complaint letters to the correct department.

Please be advised that I am forthwith canceling my subscription to The Panda Chronicles and request a refund for any issues not received.

Sincerely,

Mehitabel the Cat.

Dear mizz cat,

We hardly think it is our responsibility if purchasers REFUSE to read the instrucktion manual.  we think you should take our product and wear it on your head as a hat.

So there,

The panda kindergarten   Panda Chronicles service department.

I didn’t even know we HAD a “letters to the editor department!”

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Dear Mr. Panda,

I am writing in protest of your recent cartoon. (Pandas mourn death of Maurice Sendak)  It is my feeling that you are exploiting the death of noted children’s book author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak, for the express purpose of allowing the panda kindergarten to run amok.

As a member of SCCWI (Society of Cartoon Cats of Whidbey Island) I must also take exception to the cavalier treatment of your feline characters.

Furthermore, I do NOT believe that “rumpus” is a verb.  This is a blatant example of the verbification of nouns, and will not be tolerated.  I am considering suspending my subscription to your publication.

Sincerely,

Mehitabel the cat.

Maurice Sendak passes away, pandas everywhere mourn…..

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I have to admit, I had thought that Maurice Sendak was gone years ago.  Maybe because his books were among my favorites as a young cubbie.  His quirky and dark sense of humor continues to be an inspiration to me with my own work.  Imagine my surprise to find that he was still alive, at least until this past Tuesday.  I have to admit, that the idea of honoring him with a wild rumpus was not my original idea.  On Tuesday night there was a meeting of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) in Seattle.  So, thanks for the idea.  I do believe I was the first to have the panda kindergarten rumpus in his honor.

Nobody can rumpus like the panda kindergarten!

 

Be the Bear!

Bob T. Panda

From the “I am NOT making this up” department….

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I was listening to NPR last night (that’s National Panda Radio, you know) and heard a story about researchers giving orangutans  iPads in order to teach them to communicate with people.  I would respectfully (of course) point out that pandas have been using mePhones for several years in order to track each other (and occasionally order pizza) with great success.

Remember, you heard it here first!

Be the Bear

Bob T. Panda