The Cartoons of Deek Deidricksen

By Craig Lindberg

What do slugs, Iron Maiden, and Tiny Houses have in common? Nothing at all…Unless you live in the slightly demented world of Derek “Deek” Deidricksen.

Deek, as he prefers to be addressed, is an independent cartoonist/artist who has been doodling on notebooks since high school.

“The things I was into and drawing just seemed more important than learning the Quadratic Formula, which, I’d like stated, I have never used once in my life.”

It would appear Deek was right in pursuing his self-professed doodling rather than any mathematical theories he may or may not have retained throughout his schooling.

A carpenter by trade, Deek finds time on the side to write a little comic happily titled “Slugs not Hugs.”

“Slugs” is featured on Deeks’ website www.purerockfury.com, a website which also features indie rock of all types.

“’Slugs’ is just something I’ve always done.” says Deek, “It’s basically just random things that come to my mind, that’s how most of my stuff comes about.”

Focusing mostly on the trials and tribulations of the local music scene, of which Deek has been a part for many years, “Slugs” puts a humorous twist on what can be some pretty frustrating issues for musicians of all levels ~ Booking shows, moving equipment, annoying bar patrons. While musicians everywhere read “Slugs,” relate and smile (or wince) knowingly, those not familiar with the music scene can still appreciate the clever anecdotes and drawings and get a chuckle (and maybe a little insight into the scene) too.

Preferring to use pen and paper from first mark to last for his sketches rather than go the traditional pencil route, Deek creates from impulse and emotion rather than from overly thought-out storyboard ideas. This approach gives Deek’s creations an old school, almost childlike feel.

“Sometimes I’ll be drawing and make a mistake, which leads the cartoon in a different direction due to my having to cover up. It often works out much better than I anticipated. I like the challenge of pen, I feel it’s a little more real, more honest.”

While cartooning is not exactly a fiscally stable line of work, it has landed Deek some small endorsement deals. Crooked jaw clothing in NYC (www.crookedjaw.net) has used Deek’s artwork for their clothing lines, and what drummer (yet another hat Deek wears “on the side”) wouldn’t love and appreciate a stick endorsement! Devinstater Drumstick Co. in New Brunswick, Canada keeps Deek in fresh lumber for his contributions to their company.

So what’s next for this cartoonist, carpenter, musician, web-master?

He’s glad we asked.

Deek’s putting the finishing touches on a book of sketches and definitely revealing both his quirky and carpentry sides in the working title: “Humble Homes, Simple Shacks, Cozy Cottages, Ramshackle Retreats, Funky Forts, and anything else we could squeeze in here.”

“It’s basically a book about different types of low cost, small footprint, functional homes and different ideas on how they can actually work.”  Deek explains. “Tree houses, Junkyard forts, Fold-up homes. I want to show people some of these ideas are actually possible, it just takes a little ingenuity….and some trash.”

Photos by Elizabeth Diedricksen