Francis Cleetus

{{main|It's Geek 2 Me}}

File:Group_shot_of_cartoon_characters..jpg

A tech cartoon about people and their off-center relationships with technology, "It's Geek 2 Me" pokes fun at its ubiquitous role in people's lives. Cleetus self-published his first compilation of tech cartoons in 2012 titled Wish Your Mouth Had A Backspace Key in the United States through Amazon.com.{{cite news|url=http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovationnews/geek050411.aspx|title=Pittsburgh cartoonist takes aim at technology|date=May 4, 2011|work=PopCity Media|access-date=June 25, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714204657/http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovationnews/geek050411.aspx|url-status=dead}} In 2013, a new compilation titled It's Geek 2 Me – Total Timepass Tech Toons{{cite news|url=http://www.hachetteindia.com/TitleDetails.aspx?titleId=43430|title=Hachette India releases 'Total Timepass Tech Toons'|date=August 15, 2013|work=Hachette India}} was published by Hachette India for the Indian subcontinent. He has also drawn tech cartoons for the Pittsburgh Tech Council's TEQ magazine,{{cite news|url=https://pittsburghtechburgher.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/toon-in-its-geek-2-me-lands-on-the-pages-of-teq/|title="It's Geek 2 Me" Lands on the Pages of TEQ|date=April 30, 2012|work=Tech Burgher}} Tata Consultancy Services' @TCS magazine and other publications.

File:Francis_Cleetus_adding_finishing_touches_to_a_mural.jpg

In February 2012, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh commissioned Cleetus to recreate ceiling murals from a 16th-century palace{{cite news|url=http://upperstclair.patch.com/groups/arts-and-entertainment/p/upper-st-clair-man-s-artwork-featured-at-phipps|title=Ceiling Murals at the Phipps Conservatory|date=February 16, 2012|work=Upper St. Clair Patch}} for their Tropical Forest India{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/life/garden/2012/01/28/Tropical-Forest-India-to-open-at-Phipps/stories/201201280178|title=Tropical Forest India exhibit to open at Phipps|date=January 27, 2012|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} exhibit. The Asia Institute – Crane House in Louisville invited him to host a solo exhibition{{cite news|url=https://allevents.in/louisville/karmalogue-francis-cleetus-exhibition-gallery-opening/1903586453217596|title=Francis Cleetus Exhibition Gallery Opening|date=June 9, 2017|work=All Events Louisville}} in June 2017. Pittsburgh's Not-white Collective featured his paintings in their 2018 juried exhibition{{cite news|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/in-between-the-middle/Event?oid=6182202|title=Notwhite Collective holds inaugural exhibition|date=January 10, 2018|work=Pittsburgh City Paper}} "In Between the Middle".{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2018/01/09/notwhite-collective-arts-exhibition-Brew-House-South-Side/stories/201712270010|title=In Between the Middle at the Brew House|date=January 9, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} In January 2018,{{cite news|url=http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/events-and-workshops-etc/gpacevents/event/562|title=Opening Reception :Karmalogue|date=January 26, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Arts Council}} the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (GPAC) showcased "Karmalogue", a themed show that featured Cleetus' paintings, drawings and sculptures{{cite news|url=http://www.pittsburghpatrika.com/2018/04/francis-cleetus-vibrant-paintings-on-display/|title=Vibrant Art on Display|date=April 10, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Patrika}} as part of the Gallery Crawl{{cite news|url=https://thealmanac.net/life-culture/upper-st-clair-artist-s-work-featured-in-gallery-crawl/article_4675fed6-fbd4-11e7-bb09-0b721a075d2f.html|title=Upper St. Clair artist's work featured in Gallery Crawl|date=January 18, 2018|work=The Almanac}} organized by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. In August 2018, the Westmoreland Cultural Trust put together "Conglomeration",{{cite news|url=https://triblive.com/aande/museums/13929387-74/conglomeration-showcases-contrasting-artists-styles|title=Group Art Show :Conglomeration|date=August 2, 2018|work=Trib Live}} a group show that included his work. The RAW artists organization invited Cleetus in November 2018 to participate in their Pittsburgh creative showcase "Ovation"{{cite news|url=https://popularpittsburgh.com/pittsburghs-creative-explosion-raw-artists-ovation/|title=RAW Artists Showcase:Ovation|date=December 1, 2018|work=Popular Pittsburgh}} that featured over 60 artists.{{cite news|url=https://www.rawartists.org/pittsburgh/ovation|title=Pittsburgh Ovation Showcase|date=November 28, 2018|work=RAW Artists}} In January 2020, his paintings were part of the "Past, Present, Future" exhibit{{cite news|url=https://www.wesa.fm/post/getting-hang-it-program-marks-decade-helping-artists-exposure-and-sales#stream/0|title=Getting the Hang of It|date=January 24, 2020|work=Pittsburgh's NPR News Station}} organized by GPAC{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/01/23/Greater-Pittsburgh-Arts-Council-Gallery-Crawl-Cultural-District-Pittsburgh-2020/stories/202001240030/|title=10 Years of Art on the Walls|date=January 23, 2020|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} along with 140{{cite news|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/past-present-future-celebrating-10-years-of-art-on-the-walls/Event?oid=16607974|title=10 Years and 140 Artists|date=January 24, 2020|work=Pittsburgh City Paper}} other visual artists.

File:KYTourism1.jpg

Cleetus has created integrated advertising campaigns for global brands at ad agencies in three countries. After spending his formative years at FCB Global in India, he moved in the mid-nineties to Hong Kong and worked at Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson{{cite news|url=http://www.adeevee.com/1998/08/pearl-dean-led-advertising-panels-angler-fish-print/|title=Print Ads – Pearl & Dean LED Panels|date=August 16, 1998|work=Adeevee.com}} and DMB&B, before relocating to the United States in 2001 to work at Doe-Anderson.{{cite news|url=http://www.campaignasia.com/article/headlines-cleetus-leaves-darcy-for-us-position/180322|title=Cleetus leaves Darcy for US position|date=February 2, 2001|work=Campaign Asia}} In 2007, he moved to Pittsburgh-based agency MARC USA. His advertising campaigns for Maker's Mark bourbon,{{cite news|url=https://www.behance.net/gallery/29525537/Makers-Mark-bourbon|title=Maker's Mark ad campaign|date=November 30, 2005|work=Behance}} Moen faucets,{{cite news|url=http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/moen_green_3/|title=Print campaign for Moen faucets|date=November 12, 2008|work=Ads of the world}} Epilepsy Foundation{{cite news|url=https://www.adsoftheworld.com/campaigns/interruption-57176

|title=Epilepsy Foundation ad campaign|date=September 10, 2008|work=Ads of the World}} and Mohawk flooring{{cite news|url=https://www.behance.net/gallery/29526197/Mohawk-flooring

|title=Mohawk Flooring ad campaign|date=June 15, 2008|work=Behance}} have crossed geographic as well as cultural borders and won creative awards in Asia, Europe and the US.

File:Two_dogs_who_love_art.jpg

A lifelong dog lover, Cleetus launched a collection of conceptual photography art just for dogs in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://articles.aplus.com/a/francis-cleetus-art-4-arf-dog-art?no_monetization=true|title=Because our pets deserve art too|date=October 23, 2018|work=Aplus.com}} The entire collection{{cite news|url=https://pawpulous.com/2019/04/19/fine-art-for-dogs/|title=Pittsburgh artist creates stunning art pieces for dogs|date=April 19, 2019|work=Pawpulous.com}} is conceived from a dog's perspective of the world,{{cite news|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/05/21/Artist-Francis-Cleetus-designs-work-for-dogs-Upper-St-Clair/stories/202004170004|title=Artist designs visual imagery for dogs|date=May 21, 2020|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} and features larger-than-life dog portraits; fire hydrant centric scenery; dog food still life and renderings of chewed-up tennis balls.{{cite news|url=https://thealmanac.net/news/art-for-arf-upper-st-clair-resident-goes-to-the-dogs/article_f7ad8d42-6944-11ea-9af2-67f2689e99a1.html|title=Upper St. Clair resident goes to the dogs|date=March 18, 2020|work=The Almanac}} The artwork{{cite news|url=https://thealmanac.net/news/plenty-of-talent-on-display-at-mt-lebanon-artists-market/article_b0d51ee4-2482-11ec-81e6-d731546f0f47.html|title=Dog Art on display at Mt. Lebanon Artists Market|date=November 14, 2022|work=Aplus.com}} is specifically designed to be hung at a dog's-eye level near the food bowl and brighten up the pet's personal space.

File:PICK 5K Event, Sept 14, 2019.jpg

In 2009, Cleetus worked with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western & Central Pennsylvania at MARC USA to create a community outreach ad campaign. The ads recreated the disruptive effect of seizures,{{cite news|url=https://www.behance.net/gallery/70502893/Epilepsy-Foundation?tracking_source=search_projects%7Cepilepsy+foundation|title=Ad campaign for the Epilepsy Foundation|date=October 7, 2009|work=Behance.com}} and the slogan 'seize back' urged people to help. Since 2013, Cleetus has been on the board of directors and executive committee at Pittsburgh Indian Community & Friends,{{cite news|url=http://www.pittsburghpatrika.com/2015/07/5-k-charity-event-by-pittsburgh-indian-community-friends-pic/

|title=5K charity event by Pittsburgh Indian community|date=July 2, 2015|work=pittsburghpatrika.com}} a non-profit that hosts the Annual PIC5K Run{{cite news|url=https://twitter.com/ACE_Innamorato/status/1576331605383127040

|title=Allegheny County Executive's Office|date=October 1, 2022|work=Twitter.com}} in the city. The organization has raised over $650,000 for more than 30 local charities{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuplJ1z_kB8&t=3s

|title=PIC5K Food Bank Fundraiser|date=June 16, 2020|work=YouTube.com}} including the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank{{cite news|url=http://www.pittsburghpatrika.com/2020/10/the-indian-community-responds-to-the-food-crisis-for-needy-families-in-the-pandemic/

|title=Indian community responds to food crisis|date=July 4, 2020|work=pittsburghpatrika.com}} and the Allegheny County Fire Academy,{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6YsIU3DGAg

|title=Allegheny County fire backdraft simulator|date=March 23, 2019|work=YouTube.com}} among others.{{cite news|url=https://www.chartierscenter.org/marys-market-celebrates-1-year-anniversary/

|title=Mary's Market celebrates anniversary|date=September 13, 2018|work=chartierscenter.org}} In 2021, Cleetus was invited to participate in the FISA Foundation’s “Southwest PA Says No More”{{cite news|url=https://southwestpasaysnomore.org/#

|title=Pittsburgh's Father's Day Pledge|date=June 20, 2021|work=southwestpasaysnomore.org}} initiative in partnership with the Heinz Endowments and United Way. He joined a diverse group of Pittsburgh dads{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTfFcGwzJx0

|title=Southwest PA Says No More|date=May 19, 2021|work=YouTube.com}} to take a Father’s Day Pledge to help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.

1. Total Timepass Tech Toons (August 2013, Hachette India, {{ISBN|978-93-5009-624-6}})
2. Wish Your Mouth Had a Backspace Key (October 2006, Amazon.com, {{ISBN|978-14495-8712-3}})

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Biography}}

• [http://www.franciscleetus.com Cleetus with a 'C' as in Creative]
• [http://www.geek-2-me.com "It's Geek 2 Me" tech toons]
• [https://art4arf.com Fine Art for Refined Dogs]
• [https://opapgh.org/pittsburgh-creative-corps/artist-directory/francis-cleetus/ The Office of Public Art: Pittsburgh]
• [https://archive.pittsburghartistregistry.org/accounts/view/FrancisCleetus Pittsburgh Artist Registry]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
• [https://www.amazon.in/Its-Geek-To-Francis-Cleetus/dp/9350096242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385554307&sr=8-1&keywords=it%27s+geek+to+me Total Timepass Tech Toons] on Amazon.in
• [https://www.amazon.com/Wish-your-mouth-backspace-Its-Geek-2-Me/dp/1449587127 Wish Your Mouth Had A Backspace Key] on Amazon.com

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cleetus, Francis}}

Category:Living people

Category:American artists of Indian descent

Category:21st-century American male artists

Category:American comic strip cartoonists

Category:American copywriters

Category:American art directors

Category:Creative directors

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)