There's been a lot of e-mails in the ol' inbox from artists and art-hobbyists who've been enjoying the last few strips -- especially the The Artist's Decision Tree. If you've been enjoying the last few days, then you'll want to check out previous interactions between Dante and Arthur about the artistic life:

- Handling Criticism

- Pouring Your Heart Out In Your Art

- The Artist Is A Little God

- Why Artists Don't Go To Prom

Also, quick follow-up: There's another interview with the Halfpixel guys over at Fleen, about our plans 'n projects 'n puppy-dog-wishes for the future.

Turns out the word "scritch" comes from Peanuts! Specifically, the Sept. 24, 1956 strip. Not surprising, actually. It *sounds* like a fun, Schulz-esque word, doesn't it?

When I was a Cartoonist-in-Residence up at the Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, I had great fun looking at his originals from the 50's and 60's (great years)...that's probably where my brain soaked up that word!

I love the sound "scritch scritch scritch". I don't know where I stumbled upon that particular word -- I certainly didn't create it....Crumb, perhaps? -- but it served me well in this strip, and in today's.

Speaking of today's strip, always fun to have the unnecessary "Soleil Moon Frye" reference in there. Makes absolutely no sense....for which I can only laugh.

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[LAST MINUTE EDIT: Ha! I just did an archive search for the word "scritch"...and this Sheldon strip came up as well.]