1.It’s been more than a year since the Rocky Mountain News closed up shop. Catch us up; what are the “adventures of Drew Litton” these days?
It’s been a cross between Alice falling down the Rabbit Hole and the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz singing “If I only had a Brain”. But it’s been fun! Except, of course, the part about the Rocky closing. That was, and still is, so hard to believe.

2.Where can people find your work?
DrewLitton.com is a good place to start. I draw my sports cartoons here at least 5 days a week, just like I did at the Rocky. It’s a fun place to hang out, lots of cartoons, some contests, and great sports fans! I draw 6 times a month for ESPN.com on their commentary page, weekly for the Chicago Tribune drawing all about Chicago sports. I do weekly editorial cartoons for my former Rocky colleague M.E. Sprengelmeyer. He owns the Guadalupe County Communicator in New Mexico so I draw local stuff, which is a blast. I also do weekly cartoons for the North Metro News community papers here in Denver. I’m also featured monthly right here in Mile High Sports Magazine and the Rockies magazine during the season. I’ll be drawing during the Broncos season for 9News as well.
My wife, Marcia, and I just launched a web comic. You can find it at caffeinatedschnauzer.com. My portfolio of work is at LittoonzStudios.com. I’ve also got a blog about creativity, creatorsincubator.com, and one on life as a cartoonist called TalesfromtheLooneyPen.

3.What’s been the best part of not drawing in the News on a daily basis?
It’s allowed me to fulfill a life’s dream of being able to go to work in shorts and Hawaiian shirts every day. And I can watch Ren and Stimpy cartoons on my lunch hour. Providing of course I look up from the drawing board to actually see them.

4.What’s been the toughest?
I miss the camaraderie of the newsroom. And the rush of being there during a big story. I also miss having a daily local print venue for my sports cartoons. I rang the doorbell at the Denver Post more than a few times but they finally looked through the peep hole in the door and went “No, we already have a lawn service.” So I found some other options. I’d love to draw for some Colorado papers like Ft Collins and Pueblo.
And the financial transition has been rough, but it’s getting better and I’m optimistic I can continue to do what I love, which is drawing cartoons.

5.Over your years, what’s been your very favorite Colorado sports moment?
I don’t think it will ever get better than Elway’s helicopter ride to win Super Bowl XXXII against the Packers. And the Buffs beating Nebraska. Every time. I loved that.

6.And your favorite athlete?
Rod Smith. He, to me, is the ultimate professional. Give me 45 Rod Smith’s and I win the super Bowl every year. Elway was a blast to draw and I’ve never gotten over my post Reeves stress syndrome. I loved drawing him the size of a mouse. But I admired the heck out of him. I also miss Patrick Roy a lot. He had a competitive spirit that was fantastic. It’s what I love most about sports. Achieving things people say you can’t achieve.

7.Is there any one (or two, or more!) illustrations you did that stand out as your “most famous”? Drawings that people still talk about today?
Oh yeah. Always, always the Rich Karlis Killer uprights cartoon. And the Elway looking through the window at Joe Sakic and his Stanley Cup.

8.How about you? You’re a Colorado resident of many years; do you have any favorite outdoor activities here?
Does grilling count?

9.Anything you’d like to try?
Chicken. I’d love to try to grill some chicken. Oh, not the answer you were looking for. Sailing. I’ve always dreamed of sailing. It’s on my bucket list.

10.What’s next for Drew Litton?
Right now, another cup of coffee. But I’d love to do some Children’s graphic novels and children’s books. And some animated content. The challenge ahead will be finding new ways to monetize content as print dies out to mobile technology. Will people still want cartoons on their Droid phones? The jury is still out on that. But I’ve learned a lot in these past few years. The keys to life are to count your blessings every single day and being thankful for what you have right now. I think the great Ferris Bueller said it best.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Oh, and another other key: a burnt chicken on the grill is better than no chicken at all.

Rating: