Home on Prom Night

This time of year, I always tend to get somewhat emotionally envious.  It’s a time of year where I’m home on prom night.  Or could easily be compared to being single on Valentines Day.  Why?  It’s the National Cartoonist Society Reuben’s Awards this upcoming weekend.  It’s like the Oscar’s for cartoonist.  There are awards, celebrations, tuxedos, toast and – well – I’m not there.

Above:  National Cartoonist Society emblem.  Nate will not see many of these this weekend.

I always pushed myself to be amongst that crowd that will be in Las Vegas this year attending (it does change cities every year).  Even as a child, I’ve wanted a Reuben (it’s a shiny award – again, like an Oscar).  And so one day I hope to go, even if I don’t win the thing.

To go, you must be a member of the NCS.  I’m not.  I might try to be one of these days, but first I have to probably put a few more feathers on the cap and become maybe just a bit more established.  I can honestly say I think I’m almost there, but I’d rather feel like it more myself before trying for eligibility.  There are a lot of categories with the awards, so the ones that I would go for are gag cartoons, greeting card illustrator – and, the big one – cartoonist of the year!  As for currently, I could easily win the “Not Happening this Year” category, if they had that.

What’s sad for me is the fact of the state of syndication.  That’s always been my big one to go for, yet, I’m not sure if it’s remotely possible.  What I hate about the business model of cartooning and syndication is this:  The way it is right now, I feel like there’s no room for advancement.  Unless you hit the papers 5 or more years ago, you didn’t make the ship.  It feels like being the fryer at Burger King and knowing that you will probably never be a Whopper builder.  And there’s no push to get new material in papers and it seems rather stag at the moment.  I’m hoping change is in the air, but if not, that “Cartoonist of the Year” probably isn’t too likely since there’s no place for my work to compete with work that is out there (you can be “Cartoonist of the Year” as an illustrator, designer, etc. as well, but syndicated cartoonist is what I have always wanted).  And we all know that a lot of cartoons never leave the funny pages (think Peanuts), so that makes my chances slim (for now – let’s hope SOMETHING changes with newspapers and the industry).  Those cartoons I like to call ‘Thorn in my Spine’.

I did pitch an envelope up to the NCS panel to nominate myself for a divisional award – which they’ll announce who wins that AT the Reuben’s, so I wouldn’t know if I won or not right away.  That would be cool to get.  I think I messed it up though when I submitted it.  I thought clips of my actual work would be a clearer representation, and proof of being in the newspapers, so I literally clipped out (with scissors) cartoons from the paper, taped them onto typing paper and dated each page.  Honestly, it looked kind of tacky, but I’m hoping they look through the tackiness of the submission and just enjoy the material.  We’ll see.  They didn’t send it back with a big “X” on it, so that’s good.

And something else, you know how typically if you’re a doctor, lawyer, flight attendant – whatever – you know other people in your field?  I know hardly ANY cartoonist.  We’re all scattered across this country like roaches in a tool shed.  They all come out for conventions and this.  And since I dislike conventions, I figure this would be the only time to really meet a lot of them.  I correspond with many professionals online and Facebook, but I like to actually meet people  (crazy, I know).  So, I would like people to know the face behind the work.  My visit to Universal (my syndicate) in Kansas City last year was fantastic – even with many out of the office, still, that little visit was superb to meet some of the awesome people behind the curtains and a chance for them to see my mug.

So, I will be sitting on the couch draining my sorrows this weekend as I think about the good time all of my colleagues are having.  I might dip into some wine and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas while chewing on some Gobstoppers; only hoping for maybe – just maybe – I’ll be amongst the crowd at the next gathering.  (Actually, I’m probably going out this weekend and having fun.)

Above:  Nate might be singing with them – and crying.

More Misadventures of Nate and Kelsey in St. Petersburg

There’s a lot to do around here.  In fact, I’ve coined the term “over-stimulating” when describing where we live.  Constantly – daily, in fact – there is something to do in our area.  Between Rays games, beaches, festivals and occasionally getting a glimpse of a guy that dresses like Peter Pan (seriously, CLICK HERE) – entertainment abides.

Kelsey and I decided to take advantage of cruising around the bay several weeks ago.  Instead of trying to risk becoming our own captains and chartering a boat, we hopped on one that already had the enmities on-board (like, a captain) and decided just to enjoy ourselves.  Along with that, we scoured downtown with friends and livened up the area with our antics.  Some of which, as you will see, was captured on film.

We typically can indulge in things rather quickly.  In other words:  It’s hard for us to say “no”.  So, when opportunities arise and there’s a good excuse to have fun, we’re quickly ones to jump on it.  The good news is it’s all typically on the weekends.  Yes, I have a very productive week.  In fact, there is the occasional weekends as well where it’s all work and no play.  But, if we do head out, it can be mayhem but also it’s never dull.  Sometimes we can tend to scare away newly acquired friends that really can’t handle too crazy cats like ourselves.  Generally though, we’re on good behavior (yea, right).

So, back to our boat ride and downtown doings.

I find it best to describe things better through pictures sometimes, so I figure I’ll just post them up from A to Z and mention what’s happening, where we’re going, who’s doing this and that – you get the idea.  Hey, let’s just get to it.

Above:  The night before anything, it was beach time.  Actually, it was a wedding as well (our friends John and Jerrell).  So, here I am at St. Pete Beach enjoying some last minute sun before it gets dark.  This time of year, the water is warm (like a bath).  I actually enjoy swimming in January and the winter months when it’s nice and cold.  I’m a little crazy like that, but hey – I get the beach to myself and it’s actually a fun game for me to see how much of the cold I can take.  (It’s all a mental thing, you know.  If you get in cold water, it’s cold because you think it’s cold.  Just think about those Folgers coffee commercials and you’ll be just fine.)

Above:  Kelsey and I on the same beach.  Kelsey WILL NOT swim with me in the winter months.  She doesn’t think about those Folgers commercials, I guess.

Above:  The next day, we’re on a boat!  And did I mention, it was Kelsey’s birthday?  Well, it was.  So, this was a pre-downtown birthday event.  Breezy day, warm and no showers.  Not too shabby.  With this being Kelsey’s birthday, I’m pretty certain that’s not just a Kool-Aid in her hand.

Above:  The front of the boat.  What else would it be?  Sorry if some of these comments are obvious.  I could’ve said it was the sewage drain, but no one would believe me.

Above:  If you have several hundred (or thousands) of dollars to play with, spend it here at the Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete beach.  It’s an old historic motel built – I believe – in the 1930′s.  All I know is it’s supposed to be haunted and a bunch of celebrities always stay here.  I’ve actually never even stepped inside of the place (no, I’m not scared of ghost).  Looks nice.  I’m not sure it can top our Motel 6 that we usually stay at when on the road.

Above:  Us again.  We’re on top of the boat.  Drinking (squinting eyes) something?  Not too sure.

Above:  Kelsey with the captain.  He was pleasantly amused that she wanted a photo with him.  He was not amused when she asked to steer the ship (okay, she wanted to ask him but didn’t).

Above:  Us and several members of our posse as the events kick-off for Kelsey’s birthday bash.  We’re off the boat and ready to go.  Everyone that attended had a good time.  The man next to our table where this photo was taken did not has as much fun.  He thought we were loud.  Us?  Loud?  Now, that’s funny.

Sorry to say, but those were all the photos from that 24 hours.  There might be some more resurfacing soon.  And, if not, there are plenty more photo displays to come on here.  We don’t just go out for the birthdays.  Like I mentioned – there’s always something happening around here.

Next misadventure photo blog:  Nate and Kelsey’s Peter Pan Adventure.  (Joking…..joking.)

The Animals are Coming

I don’t like to just talk shop on this blog.  I know that any readers that I do have probably would rather read a variety of things and truthfully I enjoy writing more about a variety of things.  As promised several weeks ago, I’m going to attempt to at least keep some material on here regularly.  But, bear with me for today, as I wanted to pitch an idea out there and get any thoughts about it. I’m not Reader’s Digest where I have a broad variety of reading material.  Sorry about that.

I had a fantastic meeting with the SPCA a little over a week ago where I met with several directors and such.  Anyhow, put it to you this way, there’s a lot of things happening around Tampa Bay with my work concerning animals and pets.  I’m excitedly working with them and am anxious to donate hopefully a lot of money toward SPCA and other shelters now and from here on out with benefits from my illustrations/cartoons.  And again, call me a hippie, but I am a big fan of helping animals.

One of the projects to go along with such things like my new website, www.cartoonyourpets.com, is a book.  I would produce a music video, but I can’t sing or dance.

I want to do a book full of my animal cartoons from my syndicated work.  I’m thinking 130 pages or so – full color – maybe a couple of hundred cartoons and some bonus material, like my comments on certain things and so-forth.  Anyhow, to do a project like this takes money right away.  Sure, I could do pre-orders and things, but my issue is I don’t have much of a social media platform or way of promoting it online – yet.  My sales with SPCA are done through being there, live and in person, and also at stores and events, which I already have lined up.  So, like every other cartoonist on the face of this earth, I’m thinking about doing this through KICKSTARTER.

Here’s my deal though:  I don’t like asking people for money.  I don’t like begging and pleading for support.  I’ve tried it before, and with my lack of a big social media outlet and website, I’m not sure it will happen this way.  I can only hope that if I do go this route, people will pitch in for it because of the SPCA factor (it will be the norm of 20% of sales donated to them) but I’m not sure how they’ll even see it or know about it.  I know I can sell the books once I get them because I’ll be at events and things.  I’m guessing hardly any sales would be done through online or my website.  But, like I mentioned, it would take getting the book done first, which would have to be funded – first.  And obviously it’s not just asking for money.  People pledging toward it would get something – probably the book and other goodies I haven’t figured out yet.  (If you’re not too sure how Kickstarter works, CLICK HERE.)

And I’m in the bad because I’ve yet to help support a Kickstarter project myself (holding head down in shame), so it’s hard for me to ask others to do it for me.  My reason for not doing so is mostly lack of funds and because I have several friends in the community and online that have put out books of their own out that I STILL haven’t yet bought but need to before I do anything else.  (You know who you are.  Trust me – I want your book!  I am slowly getting there once I pay off my laundry bill.)  And did I mention I still have a 1 gig computer?  Gonna have to upgrade soon.  Cha-ching.

So, any thoughts?  Any of you use Kickstarter and have it fail miserably?  Or have you had a successful run with it?  Maybe Kickstarter kicked you?

Anyhow, this is what I’m thinking about today.  I have been for awhile.  And there will definitely be a book out (actually, several, because I want to have complete Break of Day books as well with ALL my cartoons).  Hopefully sooner than later though with the summer coming up and events just around the corner.  It just boils down to money.  And I don’t like failing at things, and I’m afraid I couldn’t generate a lot of buzz with a Kickstarter for this.  I tried an Ebay auction last month where I practically gave away originals to help support a shelter with a 100% donations going to them and it brought in less than $20, so I’m not sure how well this would work.

I’ll keep you updated, and I promise not to talk shop on my next post.  Maybe I can talk about the weather?  That’s always a fascinating subject.  Yes, the weather.

I’m Not a Stumbling Man

On occasion, the internet makes me feel like a moron.  Okay, not really on occasion, but on a regular basis.  It’s rest assured that I’ll keep logging into it though and keep the momentum fast-paced toward really making me feel stupid.  Beer kills brain cells?  Ptth, please.  I’m guessing my laptop does worse.

Okay….

Almost every blog or website has a little shiny button on it that looks like this (see below).

Above:  The shiny button.  You want to push it, don’t you.

What is it?  It’s a website called Stumbleupon.  Here, I’ll let them describe what they do in their – well – ‘What is Stumbleupon?’ section:

We help you easily discover new and interesting stuff on the Web. Tell us what you like, and we’ll introduce you to amazing web pages, videos, photos and more that you wouldn’t have found on your own.

As you Stumble through great web pages, tell us whether you Like or Dislike our recommendations so we can show you more of what’s best for you. We’ll show you web pages based on that feedback as well as what similar Stumblers and the people you follow have Liked or Disliked.

Our members have given us some pretty great compliments in the past, including describing us as “the entire Internet, all in one place,”  ”an epic journey” and “a map to an adventure you wouldn’t otherwise have found out about.”

Whether you’re interested in Humor, Photography, Fashion or Sports, we have something for you.  Every Stumble is an adventure, and something amazing is always just a click away.

Okay, so I use the thing.

I’ve had a Stumbleupon account for years now – and I STILL don’t get it.  I use them for my cartoons to draw in some newer readers and, quite frankly, page hits (I get paid advertising dollars, so can’t blame a guy).  But…it’s never, NEVER the same.  And I don’t understand the inconsistencies of it.  One day, I get several thousand hits from posting up something.  The next day – zero.  Why is that?  Also, some days it’s just four people.  And then the next day 40.  Yet, the content is pretty much the same.  How the??  Why?

Here’s a screen shot of recent posts.  Notice the thousands on one of them – and the zero at the top of the screen (you can’t the actual image, but it’s just another cartoon).

Click image for larger view

I have read through everything about how Stumbleupon works, but it doesn’t seem to work that way, you know.

Not that I really care that much about it.  It takes me less than a minute to submit my work to the thing so I’ll just do it regardless, but now – after years – I’d like some answers.  I don’t think it has to do with the popularity of a comic.  Some of my best work gets zero – or twenty.  Yet, some of the less-popular ones can one day garnish thousands upon thousands of hits.  I dunno.

I notice some sites get tens of thousands a hits a day from Stumbleupon – consistently.  How come I can’t?  Am I not a Stumbleupon groupie or something?

So, I’m pleading with you.  If anyone out there can explain this phenomenon, please fill me in.  I’m sure once you do, again, I’ll feel like a moron because I didn’t realize something, but I don’t mind.  I’m so used to it now, it’s the norm.  Der!

I’ve Been Lagging

I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again, but I apologize for my lack of commitment to Nate Ramblings here and not posting regularly.  For my dear readers, all I can offer you is cookies and milk if you happen to be in the St. Pete area anytime soon.  I’ve been – like everyone else on earth – busy.

What have I been doing besides slacking on blog writing?

Well, as many of you know, I’ve launched my illustration endeavors recently.  Illustration jobs haven’t exactly been rocketing in.  Good stuff is happening on the greeting card end as I’ve sold several more.  And – of course – my Break of Day feature continues onward and I’m happy with the result.  If only it could just beat out Snoopy….

I was inspired recently to do something that I’ve always wanted to do – but never quite figured out a good way to do it.  And that is support animal shelters.  Call me a hippie, pud or whatever, but I enjoy helping the animals.  If there’s one organization I enjoy helping it’s shelters – they need it.

So, I put my thinking cap on (it’s not an actual cap – more like hair follicles) and after an auction I did several weeks ago, I decided to launch a side business drawing peoples pets.  And every order helps contribute to a shelter of the customers choice (20% – to be exact).

I’ve had a lot of request recently to do this, and it is going well.  Plus, I enjoy drawing the little guys.

I have just launched Cartoon Your Pets.  I’m excited about it and it’s getting a lot of positive attention already without even promoting it.  And if you’re reading this – you’re one of the very few that get to stop in first.

I’m hoping that this will be a successful side business for me as I continue in my cartooning profession.  It’s a great way I can contribute as well.  Until I’m financially stable from Break of Day syndication being bigger than Peanuts, a guys gotta eat, and this seemed like a great way to help me do that.

I hope you check it out.  And if I could ask one thing – PLEASE spread the word!  Share it, post it or anything would be great appreciated.  It’s a small business, but I’m hoping it does well along with my other projects.  It’s a nice fit.  Woof.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Also, I am going to make a REAL effort to load up this blog more.  I actually have a lot of things I’m anxious to write about, but that time thing, you know.

Thanks for hanging in with me.

 

Original Art for Animals

Anybody that would be interested in donating to the Pinellas County Humane Society can by just bidding on some original art!  100% of the profit will be donated to the shelter.  What’s up for grabs?  This Sunday Break of Day cartoon.

Above:  Want the original?  Bid!

The auction is starting at .99 cents and FREE SHIPPING, so don’t miss out!  CLICK HERE! 

If all goes well, I’m going to try to make this a regular thing.  Thanks to all!

An Expensive Course of Action

Just for the fun of it, here’s a slimmed-down version of my college life and what it’s done for me.

Yes, to the surprise of many, I went to school after kindergarten, middle and then high.  I thought I’d better get in the door of a university to at least get that piece of paper.  And when I started, it was an awkward time.  I actually considered going in for nursing off the bat.  Believe it or not, I saw how much they made (my mother was a nurse) and being single, I knew it was mostly females in that profession, so I thought I’d have a good chance of meeting several young ladies.  Of course I was still going to pursue cartooning, but you know.

The whole nursing idea only lasted a month or so (especially after I saw the courses needed taken).  I thought about acting as well, but that idea also was very modest and lasted very briefly considering my acting talent was nil.

So, I dropped that idea and went for the obvious choice – art.

I started at Wright State University’s Lake Campus in Celina, Ohio.  A very rural, small and scampi school.  I thoroughly enjoyed it though during that time.  Obviously, it wasn’t a big name college with fraternities, parties or anything fun that would get me in trouble.  It resembled a high school cafeteria at best.  Definitely a commuting school, meaning anyone that went there drove there from a range of 0-50 miles or so (mostly through farmland).  Being in the area at the time, my commute was roughly five minutes.  Not too shabby, if you ask me.

It was nice because I knew people there as well.  It was small, so professors actually talked to their students (like me) and did everything to help you out.  Basically, I did pretty well there.  If they read this, I’m guessing they would think I’m giving them some good PR.

Their courses were limited, so I stayed for roughly a year and then made the leap down south to Dayton, Ohio, where Wright’s main campus was.

Above:  Some more good PR, Wright State.  Your logo!  You can pay endorsements to Nate later.

My school career in Dayton was a four year extravaganza.

I can’t explain it, but it was worth the money to take the art classes.  (I can’t explain it because the cost of taking them was phenomenal.)  No, I didn’t learn to draw there.  I always could cartoon – or scribble – but I kind of fine-tuned a lot of my craft and learned a few new tricks.  I took the drawing, painting, history – all the essentials – and basics.  I churned up some good work, I must say.  I was actually quite competitive in the art classes considering after each project, all the students work would go to the front of the classroom for a critique.  Some were brutal (critiques), so that’s how I got my strong backbone for rejection letters and harsh criticism (which accompanies a path in cartooning).  So, I always set out to have the best project out there and blow the other students away.  Sometimes I had success – other times not.  There was one student in particular I was always in silent competition with.  We never spoke of it, but you could feel it between us that we were competing.  Who was better?  Me or him?  That was my mornings during critiques.  I didn’t really care about an ‘A’.  Mostly, I just wanted to watch the other guys reaction when I received rave reviews.

While in school, I became the cartoonist for the school paper, The Guardian.  I was labeled a ‘graphic artist’ for the paper, but quite frankly, all I did was two comics per issue and an occasional ad or two.  I’m not sure how I got the job, because my cartoons stank.  They were awful.  At the time I believed they were great.  Looking at them today it’s remarkable I’ve had any success (let alone got that job).  I’ll post them up here one day when I feel brave enough and can muster up the energy to be laughed at.

Alas, my art major was always what got me my internship at MAD Magazine in New York.  I mean, that’s worth everything right there.  Those awful cartoons (yea, the Guardian ones) actually landed me that.  Shocking?  Yes, indefinitely.  But, there must have been something in them that struck a chord.  Once again, making me think my work was better than it really was.  But hey, good or bad – my opinion didn’t matter then.  I was happy to get it.

Above:  Where MAD is and where I learned the fine-art of stupidity for awhile.

So, after my internship, my intentions were to “make it” in New York and stay there.  Nope.  That didn’t happen.  I quickly realized that when I found myself waiting tables at the local Pizza Hut.

I headed back to Dayton and started up again at Wright State.

Now, at this point in my college career, I wasn’t really focused on the classes as much as I wanted to just start cartooning.  You don’t need college for cartooning, you know.  I figured I took all the meaningful classes (my arts) and the rest was things I hated (math, sciences, etc.).  But, I kept pushing forward, determined to do it.

Well, what it boiled down to was, I wasn’t really college material.  I was fantastic, scored great grades at my arts, English and communication.  Stuff I was good at.  However, when it came to the basics of the other things, I was horrible.

I didn’t make it.

I knew I was done with college when I spent 10 hours straight studying fora  Spanish test.  I never took Spanish in high school, so I was already at a disadvantage.  But, I did study.  And I felt good about it.  I was ready to ace the test.

I took the test.  F.

It really dampened my spirits.  I’m guess I’m kind of a moron with the basics.  That’s all I can boil it down to.  I spent my life studying for these test only to fail.  Spanish wasn’t the only one.  Just about every math course was a failure as well.

Above:  A Spanish book I probably flunked.

So, I went and had a talk with my adviser.

“What should I do?” I asked.

“Well, Nate, I have to be honest.  Some people are not made for college.” is what I was told.

And goodbye.

I left, without a degree.   I spent five years in school.  But you know, it was worth it in many ways.  Even though I have mountains of debt due to student loan payments and am poor, I couldn’t be happier about all the GOOD classes I took and experienced.  Also, my internship.  And the people I met along the way.

It’s just funny how now – seven years later – I still feel like an idiot for not getting through it.  But, on the other side, I devoted a lot more time developing my drawing and cartooning.  (A lot of smart kids can’t draw.  Take that!)  However, now I’m in a profession where I’m still unclear what my outcome is going to be.  I’m syndicated, yet, where can it go from this?  Newspapers are out.  But, as I always mention in here, I’m optimistic.  There are new trends coming about (iPad aps, greeting cards, etc.) where my work can fit in accordingly.  Throughout college, I never imagined cartooning disappearing like it seems to have as of late.  Who would have thought?  That’s why I wasn’t worried as well for a ‘backup plan’.  I always thought backup plans were an excuse not to make it.  So, I never had one.  And still don’t to this day.

So, if you’re in school, I can’t say you belong there.  I hope you do.  But, you might be a moron like me.  A lot of artistic people suck at the basic courses of those institutions.  But, good luck.  I envy people that graduate and have a degree doing something they wish.  I often times wished I would have born without the desire to pursue cartooning.  Just get a normal job, make a paycheck, buy a  house with a white, picket fence and live.  However, I’m still working out the kinks.

With my career in the abyss,I sometimes question other professions.  No, I doubt I would ever do it.  But, I do question it at times.  And when I do, I sometimes feel like I did right before college:  What am I going to go into?

My guess is something that doesn’t involve Spanish or math.

A Year as an Illustrator: Part 2

In case you missed Part One, it’s here.

Anyway…

This past month with my illustration endeavors has honestly been quite – at moments – testing and discouraging.  But, from what I hear, that’s pretty typical off the start.  I didn’t get any new clients or jobs and after mailing close to 200 postcards, I haven’t heard anything back.  But again, I guess that’s typical.  So, I have had my days of frustration and feeling a bit, I don’t know – low about things, but I remain optimistic and keep at it.  Let’s just say though the phone hasn’t been ringing off the hook (which it probably wouldn’t anyway, since most people email).

I did sign a contract for a new greeting card last month and my syndicated work is going fantastic!  I have written some of the best material (in my opinion) that I ever have.  It’s just too bad that my feature is a bit limited at the moment because of the market.  However, this year I have some things in store for it that ARE in my control.  At any rate,  I keep getting happier about the way Break of Day is going (I mean, I’ve always been happy with it, but you know).  I look back a year ago and cringe at some of the material I was cranking out.  (I say that every year.)

BUT – this is a post about illustration.  My first plan as a child was to just be syndicated and do that (ha!  my timing in life is impeccable), however, due to factors beyond my means, I have illustration as well that is another great potential for my line of work.

One major thing that I did this past month was a lot of good ol’ fashioned PR.  I was out and about meeting new people and letting them know who I was.  I handed out quite a few business cards after striking up conversations.  So, we’ll see where that goes.  A lot of times it doesn’t lead to much but “That’s cool!  You draw!”  but someday I might bump into the president of a major publication and he’ll have me doodle on his napkin.  You never know.

So, a little discouraging this month?  Yes.  But, that has always helped me in the long run.

I’ve actually accomplished everything I’ve ever set out to do in my career.  I was in MAD Magazine, became syndicated and am in other publications.  My biggest issue though is – yes, I hit these goals, but consistency hasn’t happened.  I can be in MAD one month, and then not for another year (I don’t know how Al Jaffee does it).  Never consistent.  Same thing with some clients.

That being said, I’m VERY consistent with my syndicated work and I do have some repeat clients that I keep great communication with (where others just want one job and that’s all).

The month of April I’m going to be focused on several things.  For one, stop eating so many donuts.  For two, I’m sending out more postcards.  I’m focusing on the local market though this month.  I figure they might know me from the newspaper everyday, so that can’t hurt.  Plus, I’m going to start to look for an artist rep.  I’m not sure how that’s going to go considering I don’t have many illustration jobs out there – just mostly cartooning.  However, I have a lot of credentials.  We’ll see.

Along with that I’ll continue my greeting card work because – well – it’s fun!  And I’m happy about how my profits are made off sales, so there’s some potential in these.  This market is kind of a mix of illustration, cartooning and writing – depending which way the wind blows.

Something I decided NOT to focus on – which I was excited about at the beginning of the year – are new cartoon markets.  Cartoons don’t make much money in hardly any publication.  There are a few regulars I’ll be submitting to, but not really any new ones unless some with potential come along.  I don’t know why growing up I thought cartoonist in magazines made so much money.  It’s pretty impossible unless you get in many prestigious ones or numerous small markets.  Sure, you can.  And they’re rewarding.  However, with my current laughable income, I need to focus on stuff that can afford me time to maybe do that line of work in the future.

Sorry I don’t have much more for you.  That kind of covers it for now.  So month two of my illustration journey is over.  And it was kind of a number two (crappy).  But call me crazy, I keep pushing forward with everything.  I’m a bit behind with things like buying a house, having a savings and raising families – you know – the small stuff (my poor wife).  It’s all delayed due to my overwhelming desire to conquer this business no matter what.  So though I might die trying, I’m still remaining encouraged about the future.  After all, I’ve actually “made it”, yet – income hasn’t been part of that.  And I’m guessing that’s kind of a necessary part.  So, onward we go!  Let’s flush this second month.

It’s Like Walking Through the Dark Woods at Night

What a double-edged sword we have with the internet.

I definitely have a hard time coming up with a consensus of what to think of it as time goes on.  Let me get right to the point:  Is it me, or are jobs, products and other tangible things being lost left and right due to the thing?

I don’t have any analysis of how MANY jobs the internet has created.  I’m guessing it’s quite a few.  But, has it made up for the magnitude of jobs I see being lost?  I again don’t know, but I doubt it.  But, again, I don’t know (wait, I just said that).  I don’t have those precise flow charts and mathematical figures in front of me.  Quite frankly, I didn’t try to get them, either.  However, everyday there’s a new business shutting down due to the internet.  That’s what I’m observing.  What’s going to happen about it?  Nothing.  It is (the internet) our darling princess in this society.  For me as well for a lot of things.  Your reading this because you’re online.  (Unless, somehow, you’re in my head.  Creepy.)

I don’t think I’m writing anything original here.  I’m sure it’s passed by your thinking as well.  We’ve all seen it.  It’s nothing new.  It’s just maddening to me of all that I see happening with it though so quickly.  I mean, will there be hardly ANY physical jobs out there in the near future which doesn’t require actually being there (such as, oh, let’s say – an oil change in your car or a mustache shave by the barber)?

I talked to my step dad the other day and he would constantly shop at the CD/DVD store at the Dayton Mall in Ohio.  It shut down (the CD store).  And I wasn’t shocked at all.  And that got me to thinking again about all the other CD/DVD stores out there.  I mean, the people that work in them, aren’t they just counting down the days until they shut down?  So, some jobs were lost there.  But you know, I’m to blame as well.  I listen to practically everything on YouTube.  So, don’t take this as me complaining, but isn’t it a little scary?  (On a side note, Best Buy announced yesterday they are closing 50 big-box stores due to a new “restructuring” plan – which means online sales.)

And the post office.  We all know the dismal state.  But, again, of course I’m going to pay my bills online and save money and time by not buying stamps.

Oh, and look at my career!  What is the future of newspaper syndication in comic strips?  Is there going to be a need for them when any schmuck can just grab a free web comic and post it instead of paying someone who devotes 40 hours a week to them.  I’m not too sure.  I always dreamed of just being syndicated and not doing the other projects needed to make a buck.  But, as of now, it’s not possible for me or anyone new.  Cartoonist that are living strictly off syndication right now hopped on the boat a decade or more ago and are still afloat, but there are no new tickets for introductory features like my brain-child, Break of Day.  Just online.  (I will mention that I am pursuing other opportunities for the feature though in other mediums.  Wink-wink.)  I always mention to people that even if the highly successful comic Calvin and Hobbes debuted today, it would probably just make the online market and nowhere else.  And no – I’m not comparing myself to Calvin and Hobbes in terms of quality or anything, but I just believe it’s anyone.

And other areas.

Even socializing is getting scary.  People seem to be losing touch on how to communicate verbally.  How often do I get phone calls?  Well, let me put it this way, I almost fell out of my seat when a client of mine actually called me on the phone the other day to discuss a project I’ve been working on.  I was startled – but that phone call meant a lot.  And to be personal on the phone was so much more uplifting than just your email.  I would be verbally telling you all of this right now if it was possible for me to stick my head out of this computer screen.

Everything to colleges, books, movies, friends and any business you can come up with is online.

And like I mention, I know I’m not informing you with any information that you’re not already aware of.  Of course you see this trend.  But, do you see the scary part of it like me?

I don’t know.  I can just envision a world almost where nobody leaves their homes and are all sheltered up doing EVERYTHING online.  No mom and pop shops, no print, no hardly anything.  The only time people will leave their homes is for travel and a sun tan (if they would like one).  Even grocery shopping will probably be a thing of home delivery from your computer.  There’s already services like that in place around here.

I’m a little old fashioned.  I can appreciate technology though.  And I just don’t see as much money in putting everything out of business by allowing it online.  But, here is that double-edged sword part – it’s kind of great.  I like shopping online (hell, I hate malls with a passion).  I like getting on YouTube, typing in an album and having – not only the album – but the live version or old bootleg copy yet heard on my ears.  But, on the opposite side of the coins, I remember eagerly anticipating one of my favorite bands releases, going to the record store and buying it.  I’d love the album cover art, I’d flip through the lyrics that were printed on the inside.  Even the smell of a new CD – kind of nice.  Yet, like everything, I read in the latest Rolling Stones magazine that CD’s are about to be extinct.  And that’s not a surprise.  And that will be more job loses.

So, I’m really torn.  I’m really upset at the internet for taking away my potential to be a thriving syndicated cartoonist and appearing in numerous papers.  Yet, without the internet, I’m not sure I would have ever had as much exposure as I have, and I’m not sure if I would’ve ever been syndicated.  Most of my work started online.  So, what’s a guy to think?

Double-edged sword (I’ve mentioned that a lot through this post).

I just hope there will be a nice, level balance between real things (like physical stores you can go to) and your whole online experience.  Yes, I shop mostly online (as I mention, I hate malls) but there are times I enjoy going into a store just for some atmosphere.  But one has gotta feel for people (actually, like me) that base their existence on something and then have it not being really existent anymore.  I always bring up the steam train engineer as an example.  What if I wanted to be a steam train engineer (as a living) and then diesel comes along and wipes away the steam trains?  That eliminates that possibilities (which happened already many decades ago).

So, what I’m getting at is I realize things change.  And maybe it’s not as scary as I think.  But, if my observations are right, it just seems like a lot – like, TOO much – is disappearing.  I dunno.  I could be totally wrong on job loses from the internet as well.  But, if my observations serve me correctly, it seems like shops are closing up left and right which, obviously, means job loss.

At any rate, maybe in the future, you and me can grab a burger online.  Cool?

Dogs Online…Everywhere!

I always find it awkward when – in the comics pages – my neighbor cartoon comes up with a topic similar to mine.  It’s happened before (you can see that HERE).  Obviously, it’s by total coincidence.  None of it’s planned.  But, somehow it looks like it is.

So, as I flipped through today’s paper, I noticed that suddenly, dogs everywhere are getting online.

Seems our four-legged friends are looking quite a bit up these days.  Yes, if it’s in the comics, then it must be true.

Here’s today’s cartoon(s).

Click image for better view

As for the late Nate Dogg cartoons?  Sadly, I have none.

Above:  Legacy in the cartoon medium?  Doggoned – I never thought of one!

Speaking of rap – er – dogs…

If you get a chance, check out the current issue of City Dog Magazine.  I have a cartoon in it.  Not about dogs on computers – but dogs….well, you’ll have to grab a copy.

Above:  I’m guessing there are dogs in this issue.  And a cartoon.