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Doug Hill, at 76 years old, continues to charm and engage audiences with his unique blend of humor through his Laughing Hippo Studio comics on Instagram, where he has garnered over 5K followers. Drawing on his extensive life experiences, including being a family man with 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, Doug's comics often explore family dynamics, everyday situations with a twist, and respond to current trends and news with a humor that bridges generations.

His background in art education and a diverse career that spans over five decades informs his creative process, blending traditional techniques with a keen eye for the comedic potential in the mundane. Despite the shifts in his artistic pursuits—from adult magazines to greeting cards and online comics—Doug remains committed to the traditional pencil and paper method, with digital tools playing a minor role primarily for coloring. 

More info: Instagram | cartoonstock.com

In a recent exchange with Bored Panda, Doug opened up a little bit more about his work and life.

Doug shared, "Well, I've never really aimed to target a specific audience. I guess my humor naturally appeals to a wide range because I draw from a lifetime of experiences. The fact that I'm 76 probably flavors my cartoons with a bit of boomer humor, but honestly, I just write about life as I see it. Whether it's something funny I've noticed on television or something absurd about daily living, it's all fair game. My grandkids think some of it's funny too, so maybe I'm doing something right!"

Reflecting on his over 30 years in teaching, the artist noted, "Teaching never really changed the way I make comics, but it sure did give me a lot of material! And perhaps, without realizing it, the way I approach teaching—breaking down complex ideas into something digestible and entertaining—has seeped into my cartooning. I've always included a cartooning component in my classes. Sharing what I love about comics and animation with my students has been one of the best parts of teaching."

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Doug admitted the challenges and his approach, stating, "I wish I had a magic formula for this, but I don't. Sometimes, just stepping away and doing something else lets the ideas start flowing again. I might catch a phrase on TV or mishear something someone says at the store, and suddenly, there's a cartoon forming in my mind. It's funny how creativity works—often when you stop trying to force it, that's when it decides to show up."

The comic artist also discussed the evolution of his work, saying, "Over the years, my style has definitely evolved, shaped by everything from my early days copying Mad magazine cartoonists to my formal art education and even my stint in the army. Transitioning from magazines to greeting cards was a big shift, too. Each stage has taught me something new about my craft, whether it's refining my drawing skills or finding new sources of inspiration."

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On his preference for traditional tools, Hill explained, "I've always been more comfortable with pencil and paper. There's something about the tactile feel of drawing that digital tools can't quite replicate for me. Sure, I use Photoshop for coloring and text, but the heart of my work is all done by hand. It's how I started, and it's how I'll probably end. Plus, I think there's a certain charm to hand-drawn cartoons that just feels right for the kind of humor I'm going for."

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FranklySpeaking
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect situation to find out if your boss is an idiot or not. Tell the truth. If he fires you, you didn't want to work there anyway.

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Sleepy children love Moon
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IMO, I think it's super annoying how hard it can be to get help from our parents when doing homework. like, the teachers always say "oh yeah, if you need help just ask your parents, they'll know what to do." um, no they won't. I have to teach them the math or the science that I'm doing, which just counteracts the point of me asking for help. eventually I just end up looking it up online which isn't what the teachers want, but what I have to do if I want to get the homework done.

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Lotekguy
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they'd left one finger unwrapped, he could have given the perfect answer.

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Kevin gore
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does because the roof snow melts and drips into the open grille

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Arnold Larkins
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, I wish I can wake up at 4:30. Maybe I could get to school on time

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
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1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew a TV weatherman who received a call from a woman demanding he shovel 6" of "cold and sunny" off her driveway.

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