To what does Mr. Shultz, who started in the design field as an art teacher way back in 1976, attribute his youthful outlook and professional longevity? “When I was around ten years old, I observed what appeared to be many unhappy and unfulfilled adults,” says Tom. “I realized that they were taking life far too seriously. I guessed they had just forgotten how to play... I vowed to myself then and there that I would always remember to keep the fun in all that I do! That promise has kept me fresh and open to new ideas and ways of expressing myself. It not only made me an artist, but it reinforced my strong work ethic. Today, I aspire to work hard and play hard. I guess you could say my Creative Attitude is my fountain of youth and makes me feel eternally youthful.”

Although this playful approach underscores nearly everything that this spirited eclectic artist produces, it doesn’t mean Tom isn’t taking life seriously. Perhaps his serious side is best exemplified by a successful career as an educator, his pro bono design work for nonprofit organizations and in his body of satirical works such as BuzzWords — a unique, weekly pictorial, editorial feature for newspaper. First begun in 1988, Buzzwords was conceived as much more than a political cartoon, combining Tom’s love of the visual with his sensitivity to the power of the written word. In it, Tom has lampooned everything from national politics and world events to the human foibles rampant in our popular culture.

These days, Tom believes he is only beginning to hit his stride. In reflection he tells us, “I was fortunate to grow-up as an ‘Air Force brat’! It gave me an opportunity to travel the world and to see more of its fascinating diversity and to view it from a variety of vantage points. Influences of cultural icons ranging from MAD Magazine to the Mad Hatter, Dr. Suess to Dr. Strangelove, and Jonathan Swift to Jonathan Winters — just to name a few — have cultivated in me a love for the dissection of the human condition and the multitudes of quite complicated critters that I see wandering all around me. And now, with the Web as my playground, I find I have many new toys at hand for all sorts of multimedia mischiefmaking!”   ts/ca