Andertoons Cartoon Blog

Two Year Anniversary

I love Halloween!

All the candy and dressing up is fun, but October 31st holds a special significance for me; it's the day I officially left the corporate world and began freelancing full-time.

It's hard to believe it's been two years since I went into work dressed in pajamas with a burp cloth pinned to my shoulder. I messed up my hair and wore slippers and went as a stay-at-home dad (or SAHD as we're more commonly known).

I'd considered not telling management I was leaving until that very last day (often they'd let you go on the spot to "protect themselves") and dressing only in jeans and a t-shirts. When asked about my costume my planned response was "I'm a guy who doesn't work here anymore. Let's talk..."

Now that it's been two years, I'm finally at the point where it's difficult to imagine that I've ever done anything else. For such a weird job and lifestyle, my days are fairly run-of-the-mill.

I'm still looking for ways to grow and challenge myself, but it's more of a "wouldn't that be fun?" type thing than a rat race-esque "must... preserve... sanity!" response.

I guess Halloween is a strangely appropriate day for starting to freelance; it's scary, and it's supposed to be. But if you do it right, you end up with enough candy to last you for a while.

Technorati Tags: andertoons, cartoons, freelancing, halloween

Newspaper Should've Stayed Non-Prophet

You got your prophet in my cartoon!

You got your cartoon in my prophet!

Link...

Technorati Tags: cartoons, newspapers, religion

My 500th Blog!!! (Well, kinda...)

I've been watching my number of entries as of late, knowing that I was getting close to penning my 500th blog (can you believe it?!) and had planned for it to be a true blogstravaganza!

And then this morning I realized I'd already written it. (see Picasso's Quixotic Comics)

Well, damn.

I even looked on the Wayback Machine to see if I could find my original Blogger stuff, but alas it hadn't grabbed anything before I dumped it all over to my various MT incarnations. (Although, if you'd like to see the very first Andertoons site...)

Anyway, you gotta admit, 500 entries is pretty good, even if the 500th entry (and 501st) is simply average.

I promise my 1000th entry will really be something, though! Dancing bears, strippers, the whole shebang!

Technorati Tags: blogging, cartoons, andertoons, websites

Picasso's Quixotic Comics

Sometimes while trolling for cartoon/comic news to blog about you find some truly weird stuff.

Take this excerpt from an article on Rousseau's influence on Picasso:

The first anti-war images Picasso ever made preceded Guernica by a few months. He etched the first six scenes of The Dream and Lie of Franco in January 1937. In this preposterous comic strip, a bulbous version of Don Quixote goes around on horseback, raping Spain with his huge phallus...

I gotta refine my Google News...

Technorati Tags: fine art, comic strips

X-Ray Sea Monkeys With Real Footlocker!

Looks like I've got another book to ask the library to purchase. (One of the benefits of having the second largest library in the state right down the road.)

Recommended by The Mad Professor, Hey Skinny!: Great Advertisements from the Golden Age of Comic Books looks like a hoot.

I remember longing to buy those sea monkeys, whoopee cushions and x-ray specs that I knew deep down in my 8-year old gut would make me the envy of all the other boys.

I'm hoping it will be half as good as Cheap Laffs : The Art of the Novelty Item which was another inspired library acquisition.

Technorati Tags: advertising, blogs, cartoons, comics, books, retro

Video iPod Cartoons

I'd discussed iPod cartoons with a number of cartoonists recently and was wondering how long it would take to happen.

So, without further adieu, a brave new cartoon world...

(Thanks LifeHacker!)

Technorati Tags: animation, blogs, cartoons, ipod, video

New Feature!

OK, in my ever growing list of stuff to prattle on about, please welcome "Freelancing - Likes & Dislikes."

This is a category for me to post some quick reflections on the ups and down of being an independent cartoonist.

Our first entry...

Like - I just sold a cartoon for a presentation in New Zealand. Gotta love the internet!

Technorati Tags: business, cartooning, cartoons, presentations, freelancing, websites

Best Mailbox Yet!

Yes, grab some pretzels and a Shasta 'cause it's time for more Andertoons mailbox!

(Note - Names have not been included, but the quotes themselves are exactly what I received, minus the bold formatting.)

hello how are u i am fine

also fine c ya

hello u have great cartoons, you are very talinted. your cartoons are funny and set the right example toward others, from ur 13 year old friend

Honestly, this is a nice change of pace. I'm not sure even I would follow my example, but thanks for the kudos.

I was wondering if you took advertisements on your blog site. My agency represents the New Yorker and would like to perhaps put up some banner ads on your site. When you get a chance let me know if you accept ads, and if so what the pricing is like. Thanks!

OK, this has gotta be a combination of the most flattering and most ironic email I've gotten thus far.

The New Yorker has never been wild about my cartoons, in fact they hardly ever even bother to send a rejection, (Wait, maybe they've all been published and there's some bookkeeping snafu! Note to self: check back issues...) so the prospect of them ponying up some cash is attractive, but then again, this is a chance to reject The New Yorker! I mean how many cartoonists are given this opportunity!?

After a few days, some emails back and forth, and close examination with my monocle, I've decided to decline their offer.

Technorati Tags: advertising, blogs, cartoons, magazines, new yorker

Toonorati

I've embraced tagging and Technorati lately. (I know, I'm a tad behind...)

While browsing "cartoons" I noticed the following:

Related Tags: Politics, Religion, Wisdom, Philosophy, Humor, Life, Fun, Entertainment.

I totally dig that Technorati considers those terms so closely related to my profession/passion. "Wisdom," "Philosophy," "Life..." Very cool.

Young cartoonists take note -- when your high school guidance counselor says cartooning is no good and you should join the Army, just show him that list.

Technorati Tags: blogging, blogs, cartoons, websites

Frigid Falls, Mount Seldom, Lake Flaccid...

Check out the Guide to Springfield USA!

They're not particularly concerned with complete accuracy, but it's apparently good enough for The Harvard Map Collection.

It's a fun visit and you gotta love the names of those Springfield establishments.

Technorati Tags: cartoons, websites, simpsons, tv