Ink Blots Cartoons

More than just the funnies.

by Donna Barstow

How to Make Her Excited on Valentine's Day

Are you sure you are giving her what she REALLY wants for Valentine's Day? The heart wants what the heart wants. Read More

Do You Mate Like a Cavewoman?

Finding the right person requires savvy and skill. Perhaps Darwin could shed a little Love Advice your way. Read More

Is Online Dating as Much Fun as You Thought It Would Be?

It's easy to fall in love online. But how do you know it will work out IRL? A cartoon about how to be a winner, just like Courtney (The Bachelor). Read More

I Wouldn't Trust Him to...(Fill in the Blank)

Has this ever happened to you? You're in love, everything SEEMS fine, and yet...is he really making you the center of his world, as he should? Give him this test and find out. Read More

How Women Fantasize About Sex

If you're attracted to each other, you'll both be thinking about sex by the end of the date. But it may surprise you that some women will take that one extra step farther... Read More

Will Your Relationship go Farther if You're Similar, or Do Opposites Attract?

Opposites attract even more if you have a similar dysfunction underneath. Or do they? Isn't it better if you have differing good and bad qualities? A cartoon about one couple who knows more than I. Read More

How to Tell Your Daughter about Sex

As a young woman sits by the phone and waits, her mother tells her what happens with bad boys... A cartoon about just one fact of life. Read More

How Do You Know When to Stop Therapy?

Some therapists may be trying too hard -- and expecting too much from their patients. A cartoon about what happens when you go too far in one direction. Read More

You Talkin' to Me? You Talkin' to ME?

Do you take your mother to the gym with you? Join the club. Read More

Freudian Slip Cartoon—That's What She Said

Here's a good example of how to tell him what you really want. Will he be able to read between the lines, or is he fixated on those chocolate chip cookies? Read More

I Hope This Doesn't Happen to Me When I Die

This could be called either a phobia, or a control issue. But be afraid, be very afraid... Read More

Sometimes a Banana is Just a Banana

If you know what you like, and you know what you want, don't hold back! Plain speaking is not just for the Amish. A cartoon about straight sex. Read More

What if Your Best Qualities Still Aren't Good Enough?

What's your best quality? And how much money is it worth? This owl is about to find out. Read More

Ladies, Does Your Breast Size Affect Your Self-esteem?

Your body has nothing to do with how special you are! And you can always wear a smock, if you'd like. Read More

How to Write a Political Speech

Politicians say some shocking things...shocking, if you just arrived on this planet, that is. A cartoon about promises, promises. Read More

Why Men Don't Ask You Questions

If a man doesn't ask you any questions, maybe he really likes you, but respects your boundaries. Or something not as nice. Read More

What's the First Thing You Should Say to Someone Who Is Sad?

Whatever happened to the stiff upper lip? Don't be all touchy-feely when the other person is suffering--remind her what she CAN control. [A cartoon about good grooming.] Read More

Honk if I'm Rude

Being courteous to others has a nice side effect - sometimes you get what you want! A cartoon about a better world, but it doesn't involve religion. Read More

Sometimes You Just Gotta Make Room for More Stuff

You call it clutter. We call it being a savvy, smart buyer at yard sales, flea markets, and on ebay, with a fabulous collection of something or other that keeps on growing. And growing. Read More

Narcissism Isn't for Everybody

How do I love me? Let me count the ways... A cartoon about finding yourself in love with yourself. Read More

Beauty on 9-11

An editorial cartoon about 9-11, and one thing that people rarely mention. Read More

If He Has a Dog, Will He Be a Better Husband?

Compatibility begins in the kennel. Does your choice of pet also determine who you will choose as a mate? And is this a cat cartoon, or a dog cartoon? Read More

Do your TV choices affect how people think about you?

Reality TV is just like life. (No, it isn't.) Reality TV is innovative and hip. (NO, it really isn't.) Reality TV is a substitute for PBS. (What does substitute mean?) I don't watch reality TV. (Yes, I do.) Read More

What Do You Do on Sunday Morning?

A cartoon about church-goers, who might be tempted by one of the seven sins and need spiritual nourishment. Or just pancakes.. Read More

Sometimes the Best Way to Improve a Conversation is to say, Shut Up

It's important to figure out who's there to be a real friend, helpful colleague, or equal family member, and who just wants to hear himself talk. A cartoon about poor conversation skills. Read More

Do You Feel Like You Need to Go through the Bad to Get to the Good?

Is this you? You don't need to ask anyone's permission to be bad. Read More

Did Cavemen Have Addictions, Too?

A cartoon about the good things that happen when you're in recovery. Hey, it's better than papier mache. Read More

Two Fairly Goodlooking Men in Prison

Madoff stole from the poor. Blagojevich had his hand in a lot of pots, and finally got caught for being too uppity. This cartoon points out what they had in common... Read More

How to Find Good Ways to Look at Bad Things

A cartoon about a big lemon in life. No one wants to make lemonade, thank you very much. Read More

How Your Dog Can Help Select Your Mate

We could all use a second opinion when deciding who to date, who to mate. Also, listen to your good dog. Read More

Cartoonist Donna Barstow's work has appeared in publications including The New Yorker, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, among many others.

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About Ink Blots Cartoons

When I first watched "The Office" I was upset when none of the characters smiled. In polite society, people smile as a way to be friendly, and certainly on TV, actors smile constantly, especially if they've just gotten their teeth whitened, especially in a sitcom. But after watching a few episodes of the show, I realized that the serious expressions of the characters (except for Michael), made them that much funnier.None of my characters smile.I laugh as I write cartoons however, and at the funny way people think one thing, and do another. That's a cartoon you'll remember.