Interview with... Scotty's Cartoons
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hello! I’m Helen, also known as my maiden name Scotty. I’m in my very late 30’s (49) and I’m a dog cartoonist for dog lovers and dog businesses.
What is your Business? How old is it?
My business is Scotty’s Cartoons, and is 15 and half years old. I began specialising in dog cartoons about 13 years ago.
Did you have to do training? How long does it take?
My Pops taught me to cartoon when I was diddy, but I didn’t take it up again until 2009. I did an online diploma course and then joined a cartoonists forum and learnt a lot from professional cartoonists who had been in the business for years, like Steve Bright from Bananaman fame, and Rich Skipworth of the monk cards and greyhound cartoons fame. Both amazing humans and have had a big influence in my work. I finally set up in business in 2011.
Why did you want to do this profession?
I became ill with Dysautonomia (dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system) when I was 17. After a while it became apparent that I wasn’t getting any better, so I ditched my original career plans and started trying to find something that I could do from home. I tried jewellery making and gem trees creations, and whilst I loved doing them, I couldn’t do any of it laying down, which I need to do very regularly. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) reminded me that I’d often spoken fondly about cartooning as a kid, and I laughed at the suggestion as I was dreadful and didn’t even take art at school! I kept coming back to the idea though, and began to consider relearning. I studied hard and I now have a bed with adaptations that allows me to cartoon laying down, and I absolutely love my job!
What is your most bizarre moment?
Some years back I started applying my cartoons onto pumpkins at Halloween and carving various designs. I posted the pictures online just for fun, and the following day I was contacted by someone working behind the scenes for The X Factor. They wanted me to caricature the 4 judges and carve pumpkins of them. The trouble was, they gave me two days to do it and wanted me to courier them to London! There was no way I could meet that deadline, but it was certainly the funniest and most bizarre request I’ve had!
Name one unusual fact about your profession.
I think this must apply to other cartoonists too, but I guess it could just be me..! I find myself mimicking the expression of the dogs that I'm drawing. Occasionally, I will look in a mirror and do it to get a better idea, but often I do it subconsciously and my husband is always amused!
What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to enter that profession?
Keep drawing! When I was trying to improve early on, people kept telling me to just keep drawing, and I found it so frustrating because I didn’t feel it was good enough. But they were right: the more that you draw, the more you learn from your mistakes and the better you become.
Are you owned by any animals?
I am indeedy! I will always be owned by our gorgeous blue roan cocker spaniel Jasper, who sadly is no longer with us but there will forever be a place for him in my heart. He is, and always will be, the face and heart of Scotty’s Cartoons. We also now have Sadie, who is a collie x kelpie cross, and she’s way brighter than me so keeps me on my toes!
Where is your favourite place to be?
I’m always happy when I’m surrounded by my family or by dogs, but in terms of place, I love the beach. It brings a peace to my soul that I love.
What sort of music do you like?
When I was younger, I would have said RnB and some dance, but these days I mainly listen to music that relaxes me. Some examples are Jason Mraz, Sting, Norah Jones, Walk Off The Earth, and Simon and Garfunkel. I have quite eclectic tastes, but I’m often drawn to music with good harmonies that I can relax to. I still love a bit of Pink! when the mood takes me too.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Winning Theo Paphitis’ #SBS was a big moment for me. Having come from frantically searching for something that I could do as a business all those years ago, to getting his seal of approval, made me a very happy bunny.
What is your next goal in life?
To always keep improving! To try and be the best human I can be, and to keep improving my cartooning skills.
How can everyone get in touch with you?
I’m @scottyscartoons across Instagram, Facebook and X, and Helen Scotty King on LinkedIn.
You can also find me through my website:
www.scottyscartoons.co.uk
or email me on
Finally and most importantly... What was your most embarrassing moment?
I think a very appropriate one is when I met you online, Tigger! I didn’t realise that your username was after your dog, and assumed it was from Winnie The Pooh. I signed off my email with “Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy,…Fun, fun, fun!” Then half an hour later I had that dreaded hot and cold flush moment when I saw a post of yours about your dog Tigger. Ooooh the shame,
I’m cringing as I type this right now! Haha!