Josh Hara, also known online as Yoyoha is a writer and illustrator famous for his distinctive coffee cup cartoons. After graduating from the Columbus College of Art & Design in 1996 Hara worked in graphic design before gaining widespread attention with his #100CoffeeCups project where he illustrated over 100 coffee cups with witty and thought-provoking drawings. In addition to this project, he has also illustrated children’s books and continues to share his creative work online. We’ve previously showcased some of Hara’s clever and observational cartoons, so be sure to check them out. Now, scroll down to discover his latest creations and learn more about his artistic journey.
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We wanted to learn more about Yoyoha’s comic series, so we contacted the cartoonist with a few questions about his work. Josh shared what specific elements he finds most effective in creating humor in his comics. Being on a constant wheel of consumption, contemplation and creation is the most effective way to get ideas. I avoid consuming too much comic material as I never want other people’s ideas to affect my own. Still, without others successes as inspiration, I don’t think I would get better at anything much less how to draw something that will make people laugh.
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Also Read:
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- When Rival Dragons Become Cat-Sitters – A Hilarious Twist from Part Time Dragons
- Got Dreams? – A Heartfelt Comic About Life’s Journey
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When asked about other comic artists or comedians whose styles he admires, Hara shared. There are so many to mention, but from a cartoons/comics perspective, I’ve always loved The Oatmeal, Perry Bible Fellowship’s Nicholas Gurewitch, The Far Side by Gary Larson, Bill Watterson of Calvin & Hobbes fame, and New Yorker cartoonists like Ellis Rosen, Roz Chast, Liana Finck, and Asher Perlman. As for comedians, I’m a fan of George Carlin Steven Wright, and currently Nate Bargatze. There are just too many talented ones to name.
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Next, the cartoonist shared what aspects of being a comic artist he finds most rewarding and what keeps him motivated to keep creating new strips. It’s the search for an original idea. I spend a lot of my creative time filling sketchbooks with thoughts ideas and drawings of things that inspire me. I don’t sketch anything out first I go straight to ink because I don’t want anything in my sketchbooks to feel too precious. Thousands of ideas end up in that stream of consciousness not all are meant to become finished cartoons. But every so often an idea stands out and demands that I put in the extra effort to create something for public consumption.
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