John Atkinson’s Clever Take on Culture, Art, And Irony (20 Fresh Comics)

Atkinson, who was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, graduated many years ago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

"I started drawing cartoons at a very young age, inspired by some of the greats like Schultz, Watterson, and Larson. It wasn't until much later in life that I decided to share my work online," the artist shared in an interview with Bored Panda.

When asked how Atkinson chooses the topics for his comics, he shared that the subject matter often comes from things he is passionate about and has knowledge of.

"History, literature, and art are all areas I am familiar with and appreciate. I also like to throw in the odd pop culture reference to keep everything grounded," the artist said, noting that he consciously avoids politics as he finds it too easy to satirize (especially in this day and age) and too triggering.

While many artists draw inspiration from their deeply personal experiences and challenges, Atkinson prefers to keep his work separate from anything personal.

"Although humour is a very subjective and personal thing and I avoid blatant references to myself, if you read my cartoons on a regular basis, you can generally glean the kind of person I am," he explained.

For those curious about what Atkinson's typical day looks like, the artist unveiled that his day consists of many naps, a great deal of staring off into space trying to think of something clever, and copious amounts of coffee.

"Oh, and I also have to fit in my 'real' job as a graphic designer," he added wittily.