How About This presents Dawn Mockler

In which we talk about the fabulous and witty New Brunswick Internet cartoonist

Welcome to a feature of How About This: interviews! Our latest interview is with a New Brunswick based cartoonist who is well known in NB Twitter circles for her drawings and humour. Dawn Mockler (@dawnymock on Twitter) is appreciated for her humour and kindness online. We’ve given Dawn a few questions by E-mail and she graciously responded. Some of Dawn’s cartoons are included with her permission.

Here’s Dawn!

1.  I believe you are a physiotherapist by training.  How did you end up in that profession, was it a life-long goal?

I have been a physiotherapist for 32 years. While studying for a B.Sc at Mt. A, I thought my active lifestyle and love of science would make physiotherapy a good fit. I knew I didn’t want to sit at a desk. In the late 1980s there were many bursaries and incentives for physios in NB. When I left for university (I was first in my family to go!) I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was just 17 and the first time I was ever on a campus was when my parents dropped me off.

2.  Same for drawing and visual art, how did you come to make art part of your life?

I can’t ever remember not drawing. I would sit and draw Disney characters for hours on end. In grade 4 I won the provincial poster contest.. I won $10 and a plaque. My poster was a mother robin feeding its fledglings, caption was Taking Care of Natures Wonders. Deep for 9, haha. So I’ve always been a bit of an environmental cartoonist! I didn’t start painting until my children got a bit older and didn’t want to hang out with old Mama. Before that, pencil drawing was my thing.

3.  In 2021 your cartoon about smallpox vaccination was a big hit, thanks in part to it being shared by at least one influential Twitter user.  What was that experience like?  Did it have any lasting effects?

In 2021 my vaccine cartoon went viral. A couple of twitter friends were saying that I should do something to convince people that they should get vaccinated because they were worried the anti vax movement would affect our pandemic recovery. This was in mid Dec 2020, before vaccines were available. It was a bit of a wild ride, with phone/iPad dinging constantly, messages of thanks and encouragement. It was used by Canadian Medical Association for their vaccine campaign promo. I saw it translated in 3 or 4 different languages. A school is Morocco used it for art class. I was interviewed on live radio, on news and for the paper which was fun but as an introvert, I prefer to hide behind the art :) It has opened some doors; one of my cartoons was included in Aislin’s fundraising book of his favourite Covid cartoons. My work is now available on CartoonStock (including the famous cartoon…..which goes nicely on a mug … hint hint

Dawn’s now famous smallpox vaccination cartoon

4.  Any major blowback from your more political or controversial cartoons?

I have had some backlash from the anti vax crowd, although not as much as I expected. Someone found my work FB page and wrote a mini thesis on how bad my cartoon was. My boss told me, I didn’t actually read it. The biggest backlash was after a cartoon I did when there was a mini Frex with rides, after they canceled the actual Frex way back in 2020. CBC ran the cartoon with a written piece (I did an interview I mistakenly thought they would air)…sometimes when your words are written and edited they lose nuance and intent. What was genuine worry and concern was mistaken for disdain for the company that was trying to make some money. I knew comments were bad when I was getting messages from my friends asking if I was ok. I learned long ago to read one or two.. then move on. There is a trend now whereby newspapers are telling cartoonists to stay away from more controversial topics. But that is exactly what we need to be doing. Sometimes people need to feel uncomfortable. And I don’t expect anyone to agree with all of my cartoons. PS I’ve raised 3 teens…you can’t scare me ;)

5.  Do you ever get recognized in public because of your Twitter account and art?  Any good stories?

I sometimes get recognized at the grocery store…I know when someone calls me Dawny that they must know me from twitter. A lot more people know me from the physio clinic! Since masks are still required at work, I have to get them to put one on so I recognize them. A patient I hadn’t seen in a while saw my cartoon story in the paper; she called the clinic and just wanted to express how happy she was for me. That was very sweet. I also received a thank you note from Dr Ann Collins, who was president of the CMA. That was very special.

6.  Now that we're in year 3 of COVID-19, do you feel any lasting concern and anxiety about the situation or does it feel more like we are living in a redefined normal?

I am no spring chicken, have had thyroid cancer a few years ago, so my anxiety is still quite high with regards to the ongoing pandemic. Because I work with the public, Covid is always a danger. I deal with my anxiety by wearing a very good mask and keeping it on when I’m indoors. My parents are vulnerable because of their age, I test before visiting them. I am equal parts afraid of getting long Covid and of giving it to someone I love. Because of my job, I’m probably more aware that many people have illnesses that aren’t visible to others. I figure it’s best to err on the side of caution. Plus, masks aren’t so bad for the naturally shy!

7.  Would you recommend New Brunswick as a good place to live ?  Pros/cons?

7 I love the beauty of NBs forests and beaches, the amazing trails, winter or summer, the community spirit that makes things like Harvest festival and races, etc so enjoyable. I don’t like big cities, so NBs cities are just right. The cons of living here are of course our healthcare system, which seems to be worsening. The lack of action on Climate Emergency is upsetting, especially when places like PEI are building Solar farms and you look across the bay Chaleur and see the big windmills. I always comment isn’t there wind on this side of the bay also? I’ve lived in PEI, NS and NL, but NB is my home. Despite our problems, the people are kind and it’s a great place to live.

8.  Pretend you wake up one morning and you learn that the Internet has been destroyed.  What do you do?

Paint. And knock on doors to show random people what I’ve done. Haha!

Thanks to Dawn Mockler for being interviewed! Keep watching for more interviews!