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