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30 Wholesome Cartoons Featuring Social Justice Themes By Henry James Garrett

Interview With Artist

Some artists choose to use their talent and creativity to contribute to larger causes, focusing their work on common social issues. There's nothing wrong with dedicating their crafts to something as light-hearted as humor, as everyone needs it from time to time! Then there's a third group of creative minds, attempting to combine both approaches to create something light in form yet with deeper meaning, discussing important matters in a lighthearted way to make them more approachable to a wider audience.

Today, we're excited to introduce you to the work of Henry James Garrett, a writer, illustrator, and the creator of the wildly popular Instagram account formerly known as Drawings of Dogs, now simply named after him. Through his heartwarming drawings featuring animals and everyday objects, the artist focuses on expressing thoughtful ideas about wellness, social justice, equality, LGBT identity, and more.

More info: Instagram | henryjgarrett.com | twitter.com

This post may include affiliate links.

Final score:

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Bored Panda reached out to Henry to find out more about his work. We were wondering what inspired the artist to start creating his heartwarming cartoons. The illustrator shared with us: “I began creating comics in earnest when I dropped out of academic philosophy due to anxiety. I wanted a way to talk about morality - what doing the right thing consists of, and why we don't always do it - that was more accessible, had a wider reach, and was more likely to connect with people emotionally; in my drawings, I've found just that.”

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Henry continued and told us more about his first creations: “The initial inspiration for drawing animals and objects was my dog, Billie, who was always with me and had such personality and warmth. Ideas delivered by animals act a bit like a Trojan Horse, people let their guard down due to cuteness, and then wham! I confront them with their complicity in violent forms of structural oppression.”

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102points

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Final score:

99points

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ElfVibratorGlitter 6 months ago

The best flavour of marshmallow is incinerated charcoal.

38points

R Lenz 5 months ago

I disagree...Golden bown all over and completely gooey in the middle!

3points

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and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 6 months ago

Fun story: I used to light my marshmallows on fire, as many impatient people do. And then one day, my marshmallow had an active spark in it. I had a blister in my mouth for a week. Never again.

2points

anonymouse 5 months ago

I'm the same way. I will be sweet and nice, but if I even get the feeling that you are going to cause harm to my family (not even me, I couldn't care less about what happens to me) I will burn you into the ground. And then I will deal with the consequences our messed up world gives me.

1point

flower petals 6 months ago

“I’m a super friendly fur faced doggo, but if you harm my humans, you get the teeth and the claws.”

1point

Mimi La Souris 6 months ago

and you need a dentist

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Asked about recurring themes and motifs in his cartoon series, the artist answered: “It's nearly all politics. But so is life. Dogs feature most regularly in terms of who the actual characters are. But thematically, I touch on gender, race, colonialism, capitalism, queerness, disability, fatness, and the Israeli genocidal campaign.”

Final score:

91points

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Final score:

90points

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Lastly, we wanted to know how Garrett comes up with ideas for his new illustrations, and we found out: “I ask myself what I'm angry about today. I try to contend with what tragically mistaken habit of thought has allowed a group of humans, all of whom I believe to be capable of courageous kindness and atrocious cruelty under the right circumstances, to head down that latter path. My comics are of course sardonic (and some might even say, glib) but I do hope to take seriously the harms I'm commenting on, and the material factors that motivate the ruling class, and those fighting for liberation.”

Final score:

89points

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Final score:

88points

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The artist mentioned he hopes that in some way, his work is inspiring and plays a role in pointing the way to greater solidarity: “The drawings can be this kind of motivational, reassuring, connection-building, and argumentative-strategy-providing resources at their best and that function makes me ecstatic to be doing this work.”

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Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

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My name is Gabriela, and I’m a Community Manager at Bored Panda. In real life, it means that every day, together with my team, I ensure that all the posts submitted by our creative pandas display their work in the best possible way. I'm always on the lookout for new artists who would like to join our community and share their content with a wide audience. In addition to that, I keep my finger on the community pulse and supervise its activity, ensuring that any problems our members experience on our website are promptly resolved. Before joining the Bored Panda team, I worked as a freelancer, offering my creative services to people around the world—starting with graphic design, photography, and finally videos. Now, I pursue these activities only as a hobby, capturing moments with my cats and documenting new places I visit during my travels.

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What do you think ?

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Pug person 6 months ago

I am going to name names, Rodney sumner your comments are obviously unwanted and every single one had at least -4 down votes so it is proven that you are not supporting this artist and this space is not welcome for haters like you that just want attention and has absolutely no contribution. Also i loved these comics so much i loved the twists that was put on them and how it was kinda ruined by Rodney Sumner commenting hateful things.

10points

Noah Chambers 6 months ago

I agree with you, but -4 downvotes is the same as 4 upvotes. I knew it doesn't really matter. It just bothers me for some reason

1point

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Toothless Feline 6 months ago

Great comics. Too bad certain commenters feel the need to sh*t on them instead of trying to understand them.

7points

Ephemeral Mochi 6 months ago

Rodney needs to touch grass.

4points

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GDbolt 6 months ago

Some were cute, some were eh.

2points

Alison Tackett 6 months ago

The power of sin is in its beauty.

2points

Multa Nocte 6 months ago

These are brilliant - thanks!

2points

Bayram Durmuş 2 months ago

Dear Hidrėlėy, Please kindly reply my below request, sent to you twice last week. "Dear Hidrėlėy, Author, Pro member of Bored Panda website, I write you this message as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beyaz Nokta® Development Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. Please find the English translation of our website at link: https://tinyurl.com/3pkb8x3m . Recently, we came across your interview with Henry James Garrett under title: “30 Wholesome Cartoons Featuring Social Justice Themes By Henry James Garrett” at link: https://www.boredpanda.com/spreading-smiles-and-social-justice-henry-james-garrett/ We wish to fully publish this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Therefore, we request you to inform us your kind permit for publishing this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Your kind affirmative response will be highly appreciated. Best Regards, Bayram Durmus +90.542.653-9401 (Whatsapp) bayramdurmus@gmail.com"

0points

Bayram Durmuş 2 months ago

Dear Hidrėlėy, Author, Pro member of Bored Panda website, I write you this message as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beyaz Nokta® Development Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. Please find the English translation of our website at link: https://tinyurl.com/3pkb8x3m . Recently, we came across your interview with Henry James Garrett under title: “30 Wholesome Cartoons Featuring Social Justice Themes By Henry James Garrett” at link: https://www.boredpanda.com/spreading-smiles-and-social-justice-henry-james-garrett/ We wish to fully publish this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Therefore, we request you to inform us your kind permit for publishing this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Your kind affirmative response will be highly appreciated. Best Regards, Bayram Durmus +90.542.653-9401 (Whatsapp) bayramdurmus@gmail.com

0points

Bayram Durmuş 3 months ago

Dear Hidrėlėy, Author, Pro member of Bored Panda website, I write you this message as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beyaz Nokta® Development Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. Please find the English translation of our website at link: https://tinyurl.com/3pkb8x3m . Recently, we came across your interview with Henry James Garrett under title: “30 Wholesome Cartoons Featuring Social Justice Themes By Henry James Garrett” at link: https://www.boredpanda.com/spreading-smiles-and-social-justice-henry-james-garrett/ We wish to fully publish this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Therefore, we request you to inform us your kind permit for publishing this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Your kind affirmative response will be highly appreciated. Bayram Durmus, bayramdurmus@gmail.com , +90.542.653-9401 (Whatsapp)

0points

John Harrison 5 months ago (edited)

Many of these were pretty good. Some were just knee-jerk human-bashing. Good post overall. Thank you.

0points

randomhungryhamsterperson 6 months ago

i did not know that animals were so wise

0points

Addison Withers 6 months ago

Cute art. Braindead artist.

0points

ElfVibratorGlitter 6 months ago (edited)

I like the animals and the drawings. I like the messages, but some of the animals and the messages seemed contradictory? Made me think though. Edit : maybe overthink/flat out missed the point. :)

0points

Meami 5 months ago

Sigh. These truths made me sad.

-1point

VOTE if you live in the USA 6 months ago

Hidreley, thank you for scouring the internet to share comics with us pandas. We appreciate you!

-2points

Fatma Feustel 6 months ago

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Pug person 6 months ago

10points

Noah Chambers 6 months ago

I agree with you, but -4 downvotes is the same as 4 upvotes. I knew it doesn't really matter. It just bothers me for some reason

1point

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Toothless Feline 6 months ago

Great comics. Too bad certain commenters feel the need to sh*t on them instead of trying to understand them.

7points

Ephemeral Mochi 6 months ago

Rodney needs to touch grass.

4points

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GDbolt 6 months ago

Some were cute, some were eh.

2points

Alison Tackett 6 months ago

The power of sin is in its beauty.

2points

Multa Nocte 6 months ago

These are brilliant - thanks!

2points

Bayram Durmuş 2 months ago

0points

Bayram Durmuş 2 months ago

0points

Bayram Durmuş 3 months ago

Dear Hidrėlėy, Author, Pro member of Bored Panda website, I write you this message as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Beyaz Nokta® Development Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. Please find the English translation of our website at link: https://tinyurl.com/3pkb8x3m . Recently, we came across your interview with Henry James Garrett under title: “30 Wholesome Cartoons Featuring Social Justice Themes By Henry James Garrett” at link: https://www.boredpanda.com/spreading-smiles-and-social-justice-henry-james-garrett/ We wish to fully publish this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Therefore, we request you to inform us your kind permit for publishing this interview and its Turkish translation at our website and its sub-sites. Your kind affirmative response will be highly appreciated. Bayram Durmus, bayramdurmus@gmail.com , +90.542.653-9401 (Whatsapp)

0points

John Harrison 5 months ago (edited)

Many of these were pretty good. Some were just knee-jerk human-bashing. Good post overall. Thank you.

0points

randomhungryhamsterperson 6 months ago

i did not know that animals were so wise

0points

Addison Withers 6 months ago

Cute art. Braindead artist.

0points

ElfVibratorGlitter 6 months ago (edited)

I like the animals and the drawings. I like the messages, but some of the animals and the messages seemed contradictory? Made me think though. Edit : maybe overthink/flat out missed the point. :)

0points

Meami 5 months ago

Sigh. These truths made me sad.

-1point

VOTE if you live in the USA 6 months ago

Hidreley, thank you for scouring the internet to share comics with us pandas. We appreciate you!

-2points

Fatma Feustel 6 months ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

30 Wholesome Cartoons Featuring Social Justice Themes By Henry James Garrett

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