Work-Life Balance
Veteran comic artists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett kick things off a discussion about something every cartoonist wrestles with: Work-life balance. If you’re juggling a day job, relationships, and your creative ambitions, these practical strategies that actually work.
Comic Lab · Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar
Show Notes
This week on ComicLab, veteran comic artists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett kick things off a discussion about something every cartoonist wrestles with: work-life balance. If you’re juggling a day job, relationships, and your creative ambitions, Brad and Dave break down practical strategies that actually work — including:
• Why consistency beats intensity
• How to build a repeatable creative schedule
• The power of small, daily wins
• And why your health and relationships are just as critical as your drawing skills
They also tackle a big-picture career question: What happens when a long-running comic ends? Dave shares his thoughts on winding down Drive, how to retain an audience, and the challenge of transitioning into your next project without losing momentum.
Plus:
• Smart ways to monetize short comics
• Why finished is better than perfect
• And how thinking long-term can transform your creative output
Whether you’re just starting your first comic or planning your next big move, this episode is packed with actionable advice — and a few chaotic detours along the way.
Key takeaway: Three years are going to pass anyway… you might as well have a finished comic at the end of them.
Today's Show
• UPDATE: Enshittification of Bluesky begins
• Work-Life balance
• UPDATE: NCS Conference and Reuben Awards
• Monetizing short comics
• What will Dave do when Drive is over?
For more information about joining the National Cartoonists Society, go to https://nationalcartoonists.com/how-to-join/
• Get on the mailing list
• More information on the 27 Club
• 80th annual Reuben Awards and NCS Conference — August 6-8, 2026
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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.