Carmel resident passionate about drawing cartoons

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Nick Mangos has loved drawing cartoons all his life.

Nick, who is developmentally disabled, moved from Merrillville to Carmel two years ago to live with his sister. March is National Disability Awareness Month.

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Nick Mangos at his desk with his art work. (Submitted photo)

“I learned how to draw cartoons from this kids’ show called ‘Cartoon Town,’” Nick said of the Chicago TV station’s children’s show. “Instead of guessing who the character was, I would draw along. I draw along and see I (how) could draw Fred Flintstone or I could draw Scooby Doo. I used to watch that show every day when I came home from school at 4 o’clock.”

Tina said her brother enjoys drawing caricatures for people.

“He loves words, so a lot of his words are puns,” Tina said. “He worked as a page at the Lake County Public Library for 30 years before he moved to Carmel. He was always asked to do drawings for the children’s department or murals on the wall. He worked part-time at McDonald’s and would paint Christmas decorations on the window.”

Nick said he has created a couple of cartoon characters, Secret Agent K-9, a dog, and Inspector Hoo Dunnett, an owl.

“I write my own copy for the comic strips,” Nick said.

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Nick Mangos’ cartoon strip of Inspector Hoo Dunnett, an owl. (Submitted photo)

Nick usually crafts ink drawings that he colors in with colored pencils or pastels.

“My mom used to say, ‘One day, Nick, you’re going to die with a pencil in your hand,’” Nick said.

Tina said Nick enjoys showing children how to draw cartoons.

“He goes to Janus Development Services and they always ask him to draw for them if there is function,” Tina said. “He sold some of his work through Janus as well.”

Nick’s work will be on display at Westfield Washington Public Library’s “Art, Love, and Friendship Day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 8.

For more, visit tinamangosarts.com.

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