As part of our ongoing Q and A series with Lynn, we asked about her favourite authors. Here’s what she had to say!

Hoooo…favourite authors. I buy books by the BAG from a local thrift shop! So it’s hard to name a single author, Steph!

Right now, I’m reading a book by Gary Jennings, called "The Journeyer". It’s wonderful historical fiction, following the life of Marco Polo. It takes you on a ribald–but believable and thoroughly well-researched–lifetime of travels through China and the Middle East.  I don’t want it to end!

I love his writing. I plan to reread “Aztec”, another of Jennings’ works, next. He is a master of his craft and well worth recommending.

As part of our ongoing “We Asked Lynn” series of blog entries, we questioned Lynn about whether she’d ever consider writing a novel. Here’s her answer:
A novel? Sure. I even have an outline. The thing that keeps me from writing a novel is, well, the arduous task of actually writing a novel! Also, after writing the outline, I realized I’d have to do a significant amount of research on the BC railways in the 1970s. I’ve started doing that—sort of.

Another thing keeping me from writing the novel, (which has been hounding me for years) is the ending. I have the story, some intrigue, some comedy, love, tears and so on….ahhh, but without a good ending, there’s no point in putting pen to paper.

Now, I know for a fact that a novel often “writes itself”; there is a spontaneity to it, which is almost like spirit writing. Characters often tell you things you didn’t know, and the story will sometimes take on a life of its own. The ending is sometimes changed by the muse, which takes over, and the author simply goes along for the ride! What an incredible experience that would be—something I’d give anything to enjoy. All I have to do is sit down and begin to write…and for that, I haven’t yet found the energy, the time, or the courage.

As part of our on-going blog series, we’ve been asking Lynn some interview questions. Our most recent query was, “How did you meet Phyllis Diller?”

I met Phyllis Diller when she came, as a guest, to open the newly refurbished Capitol Centre in North Bay, Ontario, in 1997. She arrived with a chaperone, and with a small suitcase for her wig and wardrobe.

I left a small bouquet of flowers in her dressing room, along with some refreshments and a copy of her book, which I asked her to sign. Having waited in green rooms a few times, I knew a few presents would be welcome. I didn’t expect to actually meet her, so I left a letter telling her how much her work meant to me, and how much I admired her talent as a writer and performer. I even had the cheek to leave her one of my books, autographed to her.

Phyllis did a wonderful performance. She was over 80 years old, and still delivering a wildly funny–and entirely original–live stand-up show. Afterwards, we all expected her to retire to her hotel, but she graciously came to the reception room upstairs, to meet the staff and some of the audience. She sought me out. She knew my work!

I was flattered and giddy with excitement. I couldn’t believe I was talking to someone I so admired. She eagerly shook hands with everyone, congratulated the general manager and her staff on their outstanding renovation of the theatre, and before she was too tired, she asked me to talk to her privately. She wanted to tell me that she knew my friend Mike Peters well. Mike does “Mother Goose and Grimm.” Phyllis and Mike’s mother had done a radio show together in Dayton, Ohio, when they were young mothers. Mike had been “part of her family” for years! Mike Peters and his wife, Marian, are good friends of mine, and with that connection made, Phyllis invited me to visit her the next time I was in Los Angeles. I told her to be careful about such invitations, because I would take her up on it. And, I did.

Over the years, I visited her several times, went to dinner with her, met some of her longtime friends in comedy, and got to know her as a friend. I found her to be genuine, compassionate, brilliant, forthright, and angry. She had seen some truly difficult times, both privately and professionally. I’d read her books, and didn’t need to ask why she was so defiant and strongly opinionated.

She was also spontaneously funny, with a generosity that allowed other funny people to come in, too, and be part of the repartee. Verbally sparring with Phyllis took courage, but once I was in her circle, I was OK. Anyone who has bureau drawers filled with jokes–her own jokes–is a formidable comedy partner when the martinis come out. To have joked with, laughed with, and had advice from Phyllis Diller, makes me one of the lucky ones.

There are millions of people whose lives are steeped in comedy. How do they do it, where does it come from, and how can you find more? Some people live on the periphery of stand-up, imagining themselves able to perform that most perilous craft. I am one of those people. I will never take for granted the honour and the joy it was to have been part of Phyllis Diller’s circle of friends. I was a new friend, but she cared for me. I meant something to her. You can’t get much closer to heaven than that!

A picture of Phyllis’ cat, snuggling with the plush Farley doll that was a gift from Lynn.

Lynn has had the privilege of meeting many artists during her lifetime; for our ongoing Q and A session with her, we wanted to ask this question because we knew the answer would be interesting: “Who are some of the artists you admire?”

Robert and Birgit Bateman

It’s been wonderful fun, and a great privilege, to have become friends with Robert Bateman (website) and his wife, Birgit (website). The first time I went to their home, they were living in an oceanside house in Fulford Harbour on Saltspring Island.

Bob showed me around his hand-crafted Japanese style garden. A painter with a green thumb! Their house was warm, welcoming, and the perfect roost for a creative and down-to-earth family.

An interesting feature of the house was the alcove underneath it. Just below the guest room, a family of otters had made a nest–and from the windows upstairs, you could see them sliding down into the water. It was charming, but Birgit wanted them to move elsewhere. Bob liked their company. The pros and cons of leaving the otters to live under the house made for funny-but serious-running commentary, and I think the Batemans eventually moved inland, to avoid dislodging them.

In their new home, Bob still works in a spacious, well-lit studio with big windows. The last time I was visiting, he was working on a large commissioned piece; a mountain scene. It was interesting to see his work in progress, to hear him talk about what he would change, what he would add. We always see his work in galleries, or in books, and we never think about the journey behind the images; how they are designed, worried about, and changed. I could see the materials he was using, the way he wiped his brushes, and the way he sat as he painted, and I felt very much at home.

Birgit Bateman is also a talented fine artist. She is a photographer, and her work makes you stop in your tracks. Birgit sees images in things another artist would casually walk past. Her photographs have been shown in galleries all over the world, and she has several books in print. To enjoy Bob and Birgit’s company on Saltspring Island, away from the pressures of publicity is a treat…and I look forward to seeing them again this summer.

Here are some of Birgit’s Photographs:

Keith Campbell

Keith Campbell (website), a world-class potter and creator of some of the best political Canadiana, is a great friend. I admire his work, and his work ethic. He is an exceptional teacher whose knowledge, experience, and great sense of humour have inspired students from coast to coast. Every time I am in his studio, I am able to see works in progress, pieces he has discarded, and materials ready to be put to use. It’s an inspiring place.

I met Keith, his wife, Terry, and their daughter, Alex, when he asked me if I’d do a comic art workshop for “Artsperience”, a summer art program he had spearheaded at Canadore College in North Bay. I agreed. Our friendship was instant. For over 35 years, we were connected through classes, events, and community work.

When my daughter, Katie, studied pottery at the Emily Carr College of Art here in Vancouver, she was (and was not) surprised to see Keith Campbell’s work in one of her textbooks; an example of craftsmanship in porcelain. Keith is another treasure in my life; a fine artist and very close friend.

Some of Keith Campbell’s Work:

Keith talks about these pieces:

The first image is called “Cat Woman Of The Senate” (Senator Pamela Wallin) and the other images is called “Never Enough For The Duff” (Senator Mike Duffy). Lynn was the one that came up with the title for the Duffy piece and suggested I should do a piece on Pamela Wallin. Both works are of porcelain, thrown, sculpted, photo stencil airbrushed with stains, draw, painted, with clear glaze over fired to C/6.

The Duffy work is 38 cm high and the Cat woman work is 22 cm high.  My works are usually about Canadian History Myths and Legends. These works are present day political/social statements! They were made in 2015.

We asked Lynn, “What was a memorable gift you received from a fellow cartoonist?”

Here’s her answer:

I was in Charles Schulz’s studio one day, as he was opening a box of paper. He was changing his drawing format for Peanuts, and this was new paper cut to the new size.

As he placed the new paper into a cabinet, he bemoaned the fact that he had a lot of the old size left. It was good quality stock, and he didn’t want to see it go to waste. I asked to see it. I measured the length, and it was almost exactly twice the length of the paper I worked on. He asked me if I’d like to have all his old paper, and I was happy to accept.

He mailed a large box to me. For a long time, I worked on Charles Schulz’s paper. When you turned one of my original drawings over, there on the back were printed the boxes in which he drew his comic strip–and the word “Peanuts” on the top left hand corner.

What a great gift!!!

Lynn’s art on paper that belonged to Charles Schulz