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Mutts
The Art of Nothing: 25 Years of Mutts and the Art of Patrick McDonnell
Timed for the 25th anniversary of the comic strip Mutts , The Art of Nothing celebrates the work of author and illustrator Patrick McDonnell Mooch, the curious cat, and Earl, the ever-trusting dog, are just two of the characters who inhabit the world of Mutts . In The Art of Nothing : 25 Years of Mutts and the Art of Patrick McDonnell , the award-winning author and illustrator’s beloved comic strip is celebrated as well as his bestselling children’s classics, including Me . . . Jane, The Gift of Nothing, South, Just Like Heaven, Hug Time, and Wag! , all shot from the original art. Also included are rare and never-before-seen artwork, proposals, outtakes, and developmental work, along with autobiographical commentary, a brand-new, career-spanning interview conducted by artist Lynda Barry, and an introduction by Eckhart Tolle ( The Power of Now and A New Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose ).
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2019
About the author
Patrick McDonnell
187 books397 followersPatrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries. MUTTS has received numerous awards for its artistry and its animal and environmental themes. These include the NCS Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, seven Harveys and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2020
This book reminded me of wandering around everywhere with a sketchbook, which I have done from elementary school through university. I don't know why I stopped. Maybe the coronavirus, maybe stresses over impressing people by other means if possible, maybe trying to do graduate school by other means than through drawing.
I was really, really into tons of webcomics for the longest.
ANYWAY, I got ~75% of the way through in a week and don't really care to finish looking at all these colour drawings of his dog and cat, whom I finally learned were named Earl and Mooch. (I always saw these drawings in the paper but never really knew what was going on!)
I have liked Earl Grey tea; before, that is, I heard the suggestion that I shouldn't drink too much tea, because of the difficulties with the caffeine and too much hot water, et cetera ad infinitum...
At the end, I didn't find it funny. Maybe that says something bad about me. The librarian was jealous that I got to read it. I see why the author called it the Art of Nothing. These aren't much to brag about.
HOWEVER, it IS Mutts.
I was really, really into tons of webcomics for the longest.
ANYWAY, I got ~75% of the way through in a week and don't really care to finish looking at all these colour drawings of his dog and cat, whom I finally learned were named Earl and Mooch. (I always saw these drawings in the paper but never really knew what was going on!)
I have liked Earl Grey tea; before, that is, I heard the suggestion that I shouldn't drink too much tea, because of the difficulties with the caffeine and too much hot water, et cetera ad infinitum...
At the end, I didn't find it funny. Maybe that says something bad about me. The librarian was jealous that I got to read it. I see why the author called it the Art of Nothing. These aren't much to brag about.
HOWEVER, it IS Mutts.
December 2, 2020
About the history of the strip. Influences such as the specific artworks he derived Sunday titles from. Strips in various stages. Picture books vs. comics. Some of the philosophy.
February 4, 2021
This was a special Christmas gift from my sister, Carol. She knows that I have enjoyed the comic strip, Mutts, for a number of years.
March 12, 2024
The quality of this publication is excellent. I imagine this is a must-read for fans of Mutts” as it’s an overview and retrospective of the comic strip. It gives behind-the-scenes peeks at how McDonnell works and visually demonstrates his growth as a writer and artist. It shares insights to what he cares about and even some glimpses of his work unrelated to the strip.
June 24, 2020
I read this amazing tome during the coronavirus pandemic, and it was such a comfort to read heartfelt comics and learn their backstory. McDonnell is a talented artist and his compassion and love for animals shines through his work.
April 22, 2026
Flipping through years of Mutts comics is such an enjoyable experience; reading the stories behind them makes it even more so. What I love about art books is taking the time to delve into the pieces, seeing the details of the artist's efforts. This especially applies to artists who embrace a minimalist style, such as McDonnell—and Charles M. Schulz, one of his inspirations. At first glance, you might describe their style as simple, but that's furthest from the truth. Their ability to tell a story, convey a scene, and communicate emotions in the least amount of lines takes such skill and practice. It's so impressive. Also, it's fascinating to learn more about the person behind the art. In McDonnell's case, his love for animals is obvious, and it's wonderful how he uses his popular artistic platform to advocate for animals in many different ways.
January 10, 2026
Why can't I give this book 4 1/2 stars?
I am offended by the eastern mysticism that is part of Mr. McDonnell's thought and on occasionally informs his writing and art, but that infects this book so seldom that I round up and not down.
There was much consternation c. 1980 when Harry N. Abrams published its first book not about a fine artist. The imprint has diversified, often downward, ever since. I cannot complain, however, about this mostly wonderful book about the career of MUTTS creator Patrick McDonell. From college work, abstracts, letters to Lynda Berry, and the many years of MUTTS, McDonnell has created mostly wonderful work that makes my heart smile. This is a comic strip and creator well worthy of the currently constituted Abrams imprint.
I am offended by the eastern mysticism that is part of Mr. McDonnell's thought and on occasionally informs his writing and art, but that infects this book so seldom that I round up and not down.
There was much consternation c. 1980 when Harry N. Abrams published its first book not about a fine artist. The imprint has diversified, often downward, ever since. I cannot complain, however, about this mostly wonderful book about the career of MUTTS creator Patrick McDonell. From college work, abstracts, letters to Lynda Berry, and the many years of MUTTS, McDonnell has created mostly wonderful work that makes my heart smile. This is a comic strip and creator well worthy of the currently constituted Abrams imprint.
August 5, 2025
Animals and art
I've read Mutts probably since its beginnings but this was my first book. The insights Into the author and others is wonderful. Basically if you like animals and or art you should sit back and read this one through. Just a truly fantastic collection and I loved the stories around many of the strips and books he has written. I have Leo been a fan of Peanuts since childhood and still have a good collection of paperbacks. I used to live for the comics in the papers growing up and read the Sunday funnies in at least two different papers every week. I read them all even if I wasn't a big fan of the strip.
I've read Mutts probably since its beginnings but this was my first book. The insights Into the author and others is wonderful. Basically if you like animals and or art you should sit back and read this one through. Just a truly fantastic collection and I loved the stories around many of the strips and books he has written. I have Leo been a fan of Peanuts since childhood and still have a good collection of paperbacks. I used to live for the comics in the papers growing up and read the Sunday funnies in at least two different papers every week. I read them all even if I wasn't a big fan of the strip.
December 25, 2022
The book ended with a letter exchange between Lynda Barry and McDonnell, wherein he explains Mooch’s name. McDonnell’s mother referred to cats’ head bump ‘kisses’ as mooches.
October 26, 2019
Everything.
August 26, 2020
A definitive collection.
February 23, 2022
Love the sketches and large format, the heart, and the fascinating letters at the end with Lynda Barry, where Patrick McDonnell explains his inspiration and process. Beautiful!
December 16, 2022
I liked all the behind the scenes stuff. And I liked that he said he'd have "Guard Dog" set free before the end of the strip. That made me happy.
September 10, 2024
Gosh how i love this! More, please!
March 24, 2025
Beautiful cartooning.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews