Cartoonist and illustrator Bob Kain has passed away.
Robert (Bob) Kain
August 12, 1932 – August 31, 2021
His great love of cartooning took him to study at The Ontario College of Art, and then to New York City to attend The School of Visual Arts. For 35 years he ran Videoart, a commercial art studio in Toronto which was also one of Toronto’s earliest animation studios. When Bob was in his late 60s he began a second act in his career as an illustrator for a much loved Canadian children’s magazine. He cartooned his way through his 70s into his early 80s, at the same time teaching students of all ages to draw.
above: the first Chirp comic (1977) and a Chirp book © Bayard Canada
In 2014 toronto.com profiled Bob:
For Bob Kain, a freelance cartoonist and illustrator, his love of cartoons did not stop at childhood. He has spent his life pursuing his love of cartooning.
Kain is a local artist known for creating the Chirp character featured in the kids magazine of the same name, who also has a wide range of cartooning styles, including European, American, Manga and many more.
He has illustrated the many comics for the Toronto Star, including the money pages and the Starship page for kids. His work has also been featured in include the Montreal Gazette and the Toronto Sun.
Bob also created gag cartoons.
Kain started at drawing at five years old and when he was 14 took his first cartoon to a local newspaper. He sold his first cartoon at the age of 18.
“I was extremely nervous, but the editor was fantastic at encouraging me. We spent an hour just talking about my cartoon,” said a smiling Kain. “He really encouraged me and I like to do the same thing with kids today.”
“Cartooning is very relaxing for me. I’m more relaxed cartooning than I am doing anything else. I love it”
The National Cartoonists Society has an In Memoriam page up.
Oh, I’m so sad to hear this. Bob was part of NCS chapter and was a regular at our get-togethers. The last time I saw him was at the last TCAF before Covid. He was a lovely, charming man and so very friendly. My very best to his family.