Brian Ponshock

Cartoonist and illustrator Brian Ponshock is a featured artist with Antigo Visual Arts. Inspired from an early age by the classic Peanuts comic strip, Brian began creating cartoons as a child and has continued developing his unique artistic voice through illustration and storytelling.

Brian studied Architectural and Residential Design at Northcentral Technical College and today works as a mechanical designer and estimator by day while pursuing his passion for art and cartooning by night. He is the creator of the award-winning cartoon panel *Mindframe*, recipient of the Twain Award for Best Single Panel Cartoon of 2014–2015. Brian is also the co-creator and artist behind the comic strip *Prideland* and the syndicated cartoon panel *Yaffle*, which appears on [GoComics](https://www.gocomics.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

His work is also well known locally through the Veterans Mural located on the east side of the Neve’s building on 5th Avenue in downtown Antigo. More recently, Brian illustrated *Rocket – The Super Hero Therapy Dog*, a children’s book written by Dennis Erickson of Elton. The two artists connected through AVA and are currently collaborating on a children’s alphabet book.

A graduate of Antigo High School, Brian credits his art teacher, Andy “Mr. K” Kazukewicz, with introducing him to oil painting and a variety of artistic mediums. Though largely self-taught as an illustrator and cartoonist, Brian’s creativity extends beyond the page into technical design, where he combines artistic vision with precision drafting.

Brian resides in Antigo with his husband Ron and their two dogs, Rex and Molly. He enjoys spending time in his studio, surrounded by original artwork and creative inspiration. His cartoons, illustrations, and artwork can often be seen at the AVA Gallery on the third floor of the Langlade County Historical Museum.