A New Philosophy Of Cartooning by Rick London

A New Philosophy Of Cartooning by Rick London

by Rick London

Picasso's Peanuts: A Londons Times Cartoon

I entered the business of cartooning in March of 1997 having no idea what was to come. Before I embarked upon this “mysterious venture”, I decided it would be to my advantage to consult with top cartoonists around the country. I was surprised how many of them were “open and available” to speak with me were. Fortunately, I was both too young and naive to know NOT to bother “the masters”. So when Charles Schulz picked up his phone, I started asking the five journalistic W’s (Who, what, when, why, and where). His (and others) advice turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. I was starting to “develop a philosophy” of cartooning even though I had not even yet begun my amazing adventure into online cartoon merchandising.

Why did Schulz become a cartoonist? Like me, he’d tried just about everything else and didn’t do it very well. I asked him if there was any money to be made in such a venture. I could almost “see” his smile on the other side of the line. He assured me there was plenty, but not to expect it in newspapers. He told me that even if you do get syndicated, the money is still just pennies per newspaper and that the smart way to approach it, that is, to look at it as a career, is licensed merchandise, such as tees, caps, mugs, etc. He told me he made millions more in licensing than in publishing.

I told him I did not draw very well (which is true) and, that I wanted to try something very new and different. It was to be a color cartoon in which the artwork, for the most part was more “fine art” than cartoon art, and that I wanted a “different look and feel to each cartoon, but a theme, focused on wordplay and picture-play in which, at times, the viewer might have to take a second or two to “get it”.

Seeing Guide Cats: A Londons Times Cartoon

Schulz assured me that nearly 20% of all cartoons we see in the newspapers are “team efforts” that is, an artist and writer, and that if I did not feel my own artwork was “up to snuff”, to recruit an artist to draw my concepts. He also encouraged me to read as much as I could about Walt Disney because what I was about to attempt was actually a “Disney model without animation”; he actually called it “Disney meets Gary Larson”, which was a bit flattering to say the least.

I also spoke with several other cartoonists, most of whom created in the same genre as Gary Larson’s Far Side, such as Leigh Rubin (Rubes), Dave Coverly (Speed Bump), and Jon McPherson (Close To Home). I was amazed, again, at how open and available they made themselves. In fact Leigh and I became good friends and talked regularly on the phone. He was already one of the world’s leading cartoonists, and I was just starting. That didn’t matter to him. I will never forget that kind of generosity and his willingness to lead me in a direction that made it work for me. And of course the same is true for Charles “Sparky” Schulz (Sparky by the way was what he liked to be called. That was the name of his favorite dog, a Schnauzer; and I knew I liked him right away. I have a tendency to “hang with” fellow animal lovers, and Schulz also had an uncanny biting wit, often held back in “Peanuts”, even though it was always funny, was meant for family audiences, his target. In real life, he displayed a sense humor that reminded me a great deal of some of my British favorites such as John Cleese of Monty Python.

There seemed to be a common thread regarding “the philosophy of cartooning, amongst all of the masters. That is, “Sure, you must make a living in this world, but keep the day job. Cartooning is a labor of love, and, only 1% or so actually end up doing it for a living. One must approach it with a very open mind and a love for making people laugh, and to be flexible, as the Internet at the time, was changing the whole nature of the “cartoon business”.

All of this advice turned out to be pragmatic. The Internet changed everything. Licensed merchandise became even more of “the key” to making it work than Sparky Schulz had felt; and he had seen it coming. Today, though my cartoons appear in publications worldwide; mostly trade magazines, college textbooks and on websites, the majority of my take is from the sales of funny gifts and collectibles. When I look back over the past twelve years it has all becomes a blur. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the finest illustrators in the world, who could comprehend and render my concepts and writings, Thinking back to the words of the cartoon masters it is still a labor of love.

Roach Infidelity: A Londons Times Cartoon

Although I am one of the few lucky ones who has been able to eek out a living via cartoons, even if I didn’t I would probably still be doing it, or something creative, merely because I don’t care for water fountain gossip and power-ties that choke my neck while doing work I despise (or simply can’t do very well). In the end, if someone is entertained, or feels better because of something I have created, or a job or jobs are created because I thought of a cartoon and it was created, I go to bed thinking, “No, I didn’t save the world (as I felt surely I would in the ’60’s), but I hopefully, when I leave it, it will be a little bit nicer place to live.

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Author Rick London is the founder of Londons Times Cartoons, Google’s #1 ranked since 2005 and four funny gift stores featuring his licensed images.   He also is the founder creator of ShoesThatAmuse.com, the worlds only women’s footwear featuring famous philosophers and their love quotes. He designs licensed Hemingway gifts and collectibles for actress/author Mariel Hemingway, and is co-founder of SEO firm PenAndInkinc.com

Winners Named Of Mariel Hemingway Write My Cartoon Caption Contest

The  1st place winner “serious” caption:  Brenda Trigg of Ms, having written: “You are after all what you cook”

The 1st-place  winner of the humor caption is Tina Marie Stinnett f Ca., with:  “Om yummy earth deva”~Mariel’s green goddess kitchen” Tina Marie Stennett.

Actress/author Mariel Hemingway added a new humorous twist to go with the relaease of her new Mariel’s Kitchen holistic cookbook (HarperOne) by adding a “Write My Cartoon Caption” contest.  Her cookbook teaches simple methods to cook simply and live holistically.

The book can be purchased online at Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles or purchased at your favorite local bookstore.

She also has her own personal blog which she updates regularly.

Much on her blog deals with family, quietness, meditation, spirituality, yoga,  and much more.There were  two (first place) winners. One in the humor category, and one more serious category.

The cartoon was created by Rick London and Gogue of Londons Times Cartoons, Google’s #1 ranked offbeat cartoon since 2005.

Both winners will receive a signed copy of Mariel’s Kitchen Healthy Living Cookbook, an organic T-shirt designed by Rick London from Hemingway’s soon-to-open-store Mariel Hemingway Healthy Gifts which will have the address www.MarielHemingwayHealthyGifts.com.  They also will “be followed” on Twitter by both London and Hemingway.

Both Mariel Hemingway and Rick London are descendants of famous authors; of course Mariel’s maternal grandfather was Ernest Hemingway and London’s great x3 aunt was poetess Emma Lazarus who penned the poem “The Next Colossus; the last verse which appears on the pedastal of the Statue Of Liberty: “Gift us your tired, poor, huddled masses, etc”.

They met at Twitter, ironically arriving the same night, noticed they had many common interests and similar backgrounds and began doing business together.  Of course Ms. Hemingway was the first actress to speak publicly regarding healthy eating and the environment, and perhaps has done so the longest.  London is the only cartoonist who has devoted an entire store to organic tees bearing his cartoon images at Rick London Organics.

Both London and Hemingway thank everyone for the fine job, there were some wonderful entries, and congratulations to both winners, Brenda and Tina.

Mariel Hemingway “Write My Caption” Contest

Write A Caption & Win Prizes

To enter Mariel’s contest: You may post your captions here on this blog (below), or at Mariel’s personal blog or email to ricklondon@cablelynx.com.   Hemingway will announce the winner on both blogs and at Twitter on May 4, 2009 at 1 p.m. E.S.T.

(Note): If you do not have a WordPress account, and do not wish to open one, please mail entries to info@LondonsTimes.us

(Please note there is an “s” after the “n” in LondonsTimes, not Londontimes. Thank you.

Rules: All caption entries must pertain to health, healthy food, holistic, nature, etc. Copyright to the caption will remain the writer’s, but by entering the contest, participant agrees to allow usage of caption on Mariel Hemingway Health Gifts.   The winning entry will receive a signed copy of Mariel’s new book, a signed organic cotton tee, a signed open edition cartoon (of image seen above) autographed by Rick London, and both
London and Hemingway agree to “follow the winner” on Twitter (should the winner choose for them to). Please open a free WordPress.com account to enter contest here, or a free Feedburner.com account to enter  on Mariel’s blog. Or you may email your caption(s) to info@LondonsTimes.us (In subject line please put MHContest). Please note there is an “S” after the “N” in Londons Times. It is not “Londontimes” .  Thank you and good luck! (Family and associates of Mariel Hemingway & Rick London are exempt from enterting this contest). Entree deadline is May 1, 2009 at 9:00pm EST. Mariel will announce winner on May 5, 2005.

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For more information regarding Mariel Hemingway’s book and products please read press release .  Thank you. 

Mariel Hemingway Name-That-Caption Contest To Coincide With Her New Mariel’s Kitchen Book & Organic Goods

Mariel Hemingway Write-My-Caption Contest

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact:              Rick London Group, LLC

March 20, 2009                                                               info@LondonsTimes.us

ACTRESS/AUTHOR MARIEL HEMINGWAY FINDS NEW CREATIVE WAY TO RAISE HOLISTIC HEALTH CONSCIOUSNESS VIA TWITTER, PUBLISHING, ORGANIC CLOTHING, AND A CONTEST!

Debates between literary scholars continue over who was the greatest author in contemporary history, and whether they agree or disagree, the name “Ernest Hemingway” always evolves. Historians tend to agree, he was, no doubt, one of the greatest, if not the greatest at his craft of all time.

Another phenomena is happening in the Hemingway family,  just two generations later. His maternal granddaughter, Mariel, one of America’s favorite actresses, and now author and holistic-health activist, has completed numerous books and her latest one, is regarding healthy living titled “Mariel’s Kitchen: Simple Ingredients For A Healthy And Delicious Life” to be released May 5, 2009, but can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble, or from your favorite neighborhood bookstore. (Mariel’s Kitchen: Simple Ingredients for a Delicious and Satisfying Life Mariel Hemingway. HarperOne, $32.99 288 pages)

More information on Mariel and the book are available on her personal blog on yoga, healthy eating, meditation, and spirituality, and Mariel’s Kitchen website which describes her healthy recipes and ways to live a better, happier life including love and spirituality.

Hemingway says, “It is about real food for real people with simple ingredients and recipes that are healthy, seasonal and make you conscious and aware of what you are eating so that you can feel good, eat well and be totally satisfied.” Hemingway said.  She even has her own recipes for her new organic treats “Blisscuits”.

And Hemingway is not the only one who believes in what she has written. Publishers Weekly reviewed the book and said, “Hemingway proves that healthy food can be enticing, and her dishes will appeal to even the least health-conscious among us.”

Mariel Hemingway is even going a step further with this holistic cookbook,  utilizing not just image licensed products, but organic ones in what might call a “new holistic techno-paradigm” utilizing technology.  She plays no roles on the Internet. at social networks like Twitter. It is like talking to one’s best friend or neighbor.

She provides valuable information to her thousands of Twitter followers on a daily basis. Unlike many celebrities who use pre-written text; or, are simply “bots”, Hemingway thoughtfully takes time with each question regarding holistic living and answers it personally.

Ironically, cartoonist/writer/& digital-product designer Rick London (creator of Mariel’s licensed goods),  also, coincidentally, is a direct maternal descendant of a famous writer, poetess Emma Lazarus, who penned the poem “The Next Colossus”, part of which appears on the base of the Statue Of Liberty, “Give us your tired, your poor, huddled masses…etc”.  His family has a museum,  called Gomez Mill House, which was the first family home in the 1700’s. The Gomez webpage has  “history page”

Both Hemingway and London met while social networking.  They started on Twitter.com at the same time.  A story appeared about it in the Hot Springs Sentinel Record by A & E reporter Alison Harbour.

Hemingway will be opening an online store, “Mariel Hemingway’s Healthy Gifts” in late April or early May to coincide with sales of the book. The shop will start with 100% organic cotton T-shirts for men and women, designed  by London, (founder of Google’s #1 offbeat cartoon “Londons Times Cartoons”), and his partner/illustrator “Gogue” of Spain.

Both Gogue and London have worked together for years, with London as creative/art director, and Gogue as illustrator. London also owns numerous online stores featuring his funny gifts and tees.

They created two cartoons for the campaign, with identical backgrounds. Both show a caricature of Mariel cooking in her kitchen, along with herbs and flowers growing throughout the cartoon, and even caricatures of her two daughters (growing out of an herbal stem) as if they were blossoming flowers or herbs. It even includes her to Yorkshire Terriers, one on her head and one with paws on stove watching her prepare her food.

The textiles for the tees are manufactured by Edun Live, which is owned by Paul Hewson (Bono Of U2) and his wife Ali. Ali has her own line of organic fashion as well which are sold at Edun.

Print-On-Demand firm Zazzle.com is printing and drop shipping worldwide, offering fast turnaround, and 100% money-back guarantees. In addition, Zazzle uses a totally non-toxic dye process. Some are not aware, but not all organic clothing is made equally. Salon Magazine recently published an article on the subject of toxic dyes in some organic clothes. Mariel’s Healthy Gift Tees are 100% toxic-free, as well as 100% organic cotton.

Finally, Hemingway is taking yet another creative twist in her efforts to promote good health. At Twitter, she is launching a “TwitContest” (or contest on Twitter) which allows twitters to blog to her with the best captions for her “image cartoons” The winner will receive a free signed copy of her new book, and a signed organic tee from Mariel Hemingway’s Healthy Gifts.

Though designer Rick London is adding “famous quotes regarding healthy living, food, exercise, etc onto tees with her stock photos, on other Hemingway tees and goods,  he has purposely left the cartoon caption blank at Hemingway’s request.

London said, “Mariel actually came up with this “name the caption” idea.  I was floored.  I thought to myself  (in a David Letterman-esque way) “This is going to be more fun than human beings should be allowed to have…Not to mention having fun getting healthy. She’s offering the entire spectrum of holistic living as nobody else has before, to my knowledge.  Even adding family, humor, love, and other values that we so often take for granted in our fast-paced society.”

He adds, “And as if that is not enough, she’s also, in a way, offering an ‘Andy Warhol fifteen-minutes-of-fame’ to someone who comes up with the best caption for her cartoon.”

She plans to add other organic products as well such as aprons, tote bags, etc.

She will not decide the winner on her own but have friends and family vote on it democratically so as to offer transparency, as well as holistic goodness.

To enter Mariel’s contest: You may post your captions here on this blog (below), or at Mariel’s personal blog.  Hemingway will announce the winner on both blogs and at Twitter on May 1, 2009 at 10 p.m. E.S.T.

Rules: All caption entries must pertain to health, healthy food, holistic, nature, etc. Copyright to the caption will remain the writer’s, but by entering the contest, participant agrees to allow usage of caption on Mariel Hemingway Health Gifts.   The winning entry will receive a signed copy of Mariel’s new book, a signed organic cotton tee, a signed open edition cartoon (of image seen above) autographed by Rick London, and both
London and Hemingway agree to “follow the winner” on Twitter (should the winner choose for them to). Please open a free WordPress.com account to enter contest here, or a free Feedburner.com account to enter  on Mariel’s blog. Or you may email your caption(s) to info@LondonsTimes.us (In subject line please put MHContest). Please note there is an “S” after the “N” in LondonsTimes. It is not “Londontimes” .  Thank you and good luck!

What Happens When Descendants Of Two Famous Authors Meet (On Twitter)?

Image By RickLondon/& Gogue

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DESCENDANTS OF FAMOUS WRITERS MEET? Actress/holistic author/environmental activist/authorMariel Hemingway (www.MarielHemingway.org) is a direct descendant of author Ernest Hemingway, her maternal grandfather. In cartoonist/E-entrepreneur Rick London’s direct line of maternal fire was poetess Emma Lazarus, who was a great (etc) aunt or cousin on his mother’s side of the family www.Gomez.org), built by London’s great great, etc. grandfather, Luis Gomez, and is the oldest continuously lived-in Jewish home in North America.

London never explored the exact connection with his maternal (Gomez-side), and only learned of it in his young adulthood, when his grandmother, Ruth London, was contacted by author Stephen Birmingham in the mid 1970’s for an interview for his book “The Grandees” which highlights his mother’s family. Also in that lineage was U.S. Supreme Court Judge Benjamin Cardozo. Ernest Hemingway, of course, authored “The Old Man And The Sea” (among many others) and Lazarus penned the poem “The New Colossus”, in which the last verse appears on the base of the Statue Of Liberty “Give us your tired, poor, huddled masses” etc. (among many other poems). She was mentored by her best friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

However the chances of the two meeting and doing business together were slim. London grew up in Hattiesburg, Ms, and now lives in Hot Springs, Ar. Hemingway was born in Mill Valley, Ca, grew up in Ketchum, ID and makes her home in Los Angeles. London says, “The Internet turned that into a 6 Degrees Of Separation” story. London is the founder and co-creator of Londons Times Cartoons, the #1 Google-ranked offbeat cartoon on the Internet since 2005, http://www.londonstimes.us. He also is the founder of Shoes That Amuse, the world’s only famous love quote shoes, recently featured in the Hot Springs Sentinel Record. (www.ShoesThatAmuse.com).

Londons Times Cartoons is a cooperative effort, between London, (writer and creator of concepts) and a group of team illustrators led and managed by cartoonist Rick Diesslin. Diesslin also has his own cartoons regarding religion and scouting and is a published cartoon author with books available at Amazon.com http://www.the-cartoonist.com. Hemingway has been on the front-lines of American culture via her acting skills for several decades, and is not yet fifty. London is fifty-four.

Hemingway has had leading roles in a large spectrum of films from “Lipstick” to the riveting sad but true, Bob Fosse Film “Star 80” regarding Playmate Dorothy Stratton.

Ironically, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, shares the same birthday as Hemingway, grew up on the same street in Ketchum, ID, and also played Dorothy Stratton, in the made for TV film “The Dorothy Stratton Story”. Now, Hemingway, though still involved in acting, has set her sites on “giving back” via “Mariel Hemingway’s Healthy Living”, teaching people to eat well, live healthily, meditate, exercise, and create a “new self”.

Her web blog is a plethora of “green information” which London said is “extremely helpful and insightful”. In late February, London was digitally-designing both shoes for his online shoe firm and cartoon products for his online licensed stores. He received a notice from Keds that his most recent design, a love quote and image of author Ernest Hemingway, had been approved.

At the end of the day, London, as usual, shifted gears and begin his online social networking campaign, this night, he chose Twitter.com. He was new to Twitter, but had been hearing all the hype and decided to try. Oddly enough, at about the same time, Hemingway, who was readying her new holistic cookbook “Mariel’s Kitchen, Healthy Living From The Inside Out, for publication in mid-April 2009, also chose Twitter, and was “learning the ropes there”. Both parties were impressed with the myriad of “Twitters” from Internet marketers to Hollywood celebrities; all walks of life.

One of the first persons to welcome London to Twitter was actress Demi Moore. About a decade ago, London and his creative staff had created a Demi Moore cartoon as part of a creative series titled “Panel Hollywood Cartoons”, a part of Londons Times. The particular panel was a parody on the cover spread of Moore when pregnant on Vanity Fair.

London, who admits both growing up in the rural south (and seeing many cows and becoming “familiar with their humor” and the later influence of Gary Larson’s Far Side, helped him in his decision to “humanize cows” as, he felt they were already funny. Often he would combine popular Hollywood Celebs with cows which he often jokingly called “Bovine Divine”.

London sent a link to Moore to the cartoon of her on his website at Twitter.  She wrote him back a “Thank you, and that she’d gotten a good chuckle” London says, “Demi is a great sport. I’ve noticed a great many actors and actresses of whom we’ve forwarded copies of their cartoons enjoy them, and some have even given us a positive review which appears on our website.

And a few don’t asking that we remove them, which is a bit silly as it helps them too, and when one cannot laugh at self, there may be some big unresolved issues underneath. It is so important to do that. Even for me.”

A few hours after chatting with Moore, London heard from Hemingway, via a message. She’d “heard” of his work. London says that Mariel revealed that Demi (Moore) had been the impetus to let her know of his work. He was stunned. “I felt Mariel had too much on her plate from her own busy career to know that he or his work existed.”

Oddly, London has followed Hemingway’s career for several decades and was always a big fan since Woody Allen’s “Manhattan”. Hemingway was a very young actress at the time. London adds, “After reading Mariel’s blog, I discovered that, though she still enjoys acting, and why not, she is as good as it gets in that arena, she also is very interested in family, and health and helping. That can be a rarity,a stabilizing force, and I was impressed.

Her blog is very prolific and newsworthy, and (not surprisingly) well-written. When they met London said, “I may have jumped the gun. I’m not superstitious but I felt it was too odd that Keds/and Zazzle had approved the Ernest Hemingway shoes, and then 6 hours later I was talking to his granddaughter. So I asked her if she might model the Ernest Hemingway shoes if Keds liked the idea, I would pitch it. London says, “We chatted several times. She did not care for the shoes, but enjoyed the handbags and was always polite and friendly.

He adds, “However, she did enjoy my digital designs and cartoons and became more interested in digital design creations for online products and Internet marketing and we talked a bit about it. I learned a good deal about it when going back to school in my forties. London said, “I read Mariel’s beautifully-written blog and discovered yet another commonality. She has been very active in holistic healing and healthy-eating, and I had always had an interest in that.

I opened one of the early health food stores in Mississippi, in 1977. I was a marathon-runner and a bit of an outcast as a vegan in that part of the world at the time.” Hemingway has written several highly-rated books on the topic, and this has helped London renew his interest in the topic. He started back on a healthy diet almost immediately after reading the blog, something he had often ignored, making excuses for “lack of time” etc.

The two continued talking about health and products and seemed to share a vision on that philosophy and London asked if he might design a few 100% organic cotton tees to begin a licensed product store and she agreed. London coincidentally was the first (and only to his knowledge), cartoonist to “go green” with his T-shirt manufacturing http://www.RickLondonOrganics.info (launched last year). London designed several men’s and womens tees for Hemingway, which she liked, but wanted some minor changes which London is in the process or facilitating. The store Mariel Hemingway’s Healthy Gifts (www.MarielHemingwayhealthygifts.com) will be launched in April after London has completed about 50 designs using her stock photos and adding a famous quote regarding nature, animals, pets, eating, etc. on each tee.

London said she plans to add organic tote bags and other organic goods, and will offer both retail and bulk wholesale as London says, “I’m hoping she might agree to show the products to major retailers such as Wal-Mart etc. and see how the organic clothing line works in these outlets.

I noticed Wal-mart had very much increased its natural and healthy food lines, and it only makes sense that clothing and peripheral goods will come next. I believe whichever major retailer tries them will profit greatly, and, provide a much-needed product. London says, “Am sorry to drop names but this is one of those “name dropper” stories in that it is a “kismet one”. He adds, and I have to drop yet another to complete the entire story. Bono (Paul Hewson) of U2 and his wife Ali, own the textile manufacturing plant that produce our organic women’s tees www.Edunonline.com, both are very active in holistic living and health and Ali Hewson has her own designer line of organic clothing at Edun Live.

London says, “So as usual, here I find myself way out of my league, but it is great fun to know that I can make a difference in a small way, just being involved with these talented and caring people, who, prove by their actions, they are not just in it “for them”, they really give something back, and that is a great educator for me.

In addition to all this, London says he and his “better half” had already been in the early stages of a trip to Ireland next year. Hewson makes his home in Dublin, and the couple have been in touch with Edun Live about touring the factory that produces Londons’s women’s green tees. London is waiting to hear back from Bono on that issue. London says, “The whole story is still such an oddity to me…one of those ‘truth can be stranger than fiction ones, but it was too odd not to take notice.

(Addendum) to story: London contacted his family museum, Gomez Mill House and director Ruth Abrahams revealed to him that (in the plans) for their upcoming 300th anniversary, they plan a huge organic garden (this was before London even contacted the museum). So the story has yet more oddities. Also London (and his partner Gogue (www.GogueToons.com) from Spain) designed this (attached) new image for Mariel Hemingway’s licensed products this week, for her new holistic-living products. For more information contact green@londonstimes.us

$500 Gift Certificate Contest For “Most Friendly Twitter” From Cartoonist Rick London

My Jewish Dentist

TOP GOOGLE OFFBEAT CARTOONIST AND  E-GIFT SHOP OWNER OF LONDONS TIMES CARTOONS & GIFTS  OFFERING $500 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO LUCKY TWITTER WHO CAN PUT HIM AT THE VERY TOP (OF TWITTER)  (If he doesn’t go to “The Twitter Top” he’s still giving a $250 gift certificate to the one who retweets him most)

Dateline: Hot Springs,Ar. March 11, 2009:   Cartoonist E-entreneur Rick London announced today his firm, Rick London Group, LLC., is offering a $500 gift certificate to his award-wining top-ranked offbeat cartoon funny gift stores, if Twitters will put him at the top of Twitter. Making it “to the top” simply means having the most followers. (His user name is “ricklondon”) on Twitter.

London is the founder of Google’s #1 ranked offbeat cartoon, Londons Times.

London’s six award-winning Internet stores feature over 165,000 gift items such as coffee mugs, T-shirts, gourmet coffee gift baskets (his own line of farm-fresh coffee beans with cartoon mugs and coasters, teddy bears, maternity wear, magnets, buttons, jogging suits, caps, aprons, hoodies, shoes, wall and desk clocks, and much more more.

London is also the designer of (Shoes That Amuse) women’s casual sneakers with famous love quotations and graphics of the famous person who penned them, featured recently in USA Today and AP Wire which will also be included in the contest. London adds, “But not to worry, even if I don’t make it to the top, (Obama is there now), so we are also giving a $100 certificate for the most ‘retweets’.

So I really don’t have to be at the top for other Twitters to win. Simply following me and retweeting, and one can still win a $250 gift certificate, easily, without even a drawing. Second most retweets #50 gift certificate.

We simply count the retweets of each Twitter member at the end of the contest. A re-tweet is when another blogger at Twitter copies and pastes your tweet with an “RT” in front of it which stands for “retweet”,  giving the original blogger credit for the post, and, sharing it with , often a whole separate network of followers.

London will allow 120 days for the contest to end, and a name to be drawn at random on his birthday which is July 16th, when the winner will be announced, and paid on August 1 via Paypal or check (winners choice). London plans to print his page of followers, cut the names into squares, place them in a box, and draw one.

London adds, “In addition, we plan to issue a press release, if the winner wishes, including his/her name and web address to the wire services for yet more value to the prizes. Londons says, “There also will be a second prize winner, of a $250 gift certificate. In addition, a $50 second prize for the second most “retweets”.

The gift certificates will be good at all of London’s stores. He founded Londons Times on March 22, 1997, and it has grown to be one of the most visible sites on the Internet, and Google’s #1 ranked offbeat cartoon and gifts since 2005.

He will also add an extra $25 bonus gift certificate if the winner has visited his main superstore site and signs up for his monthly newsletter. His stores include Rick London Special Editions Top-selling funny gifts Rick

LondonWear rare line of funny rock star memorabilia and other novelty gifts

Rick London Collection Huge variety of best-selling funny gift ideas

Londons Times Superstore Londons largest funny gift store and exclusively sells world’s only gourmet coffee cartoon gift basket (Londons Own Line).

Rick London Organics (organic cotton tees) bearing his top-selling cartoon images. Shoes That Amuse (World’s Only Famous Love Quotation Shoes) These are not cartoon products but women’s casual shoes he designs. For more information: contact: info@londonstimes.us

A Londons Times Cartoon

A Londons Times Cartoon

Famous Love Quotes On Shoes Featured In USA Today This Weekend

Thought this might be of interest to my Gather friends.

Several weeks ago, my local paper ran a story on my “famous love quotation shoes”which I design in conjunction with U.S. Keds. I call my online Store “Shoes That Amuse”. I also design matching bags.

Today, USA Today picked the story up on The Associated Press Wire and ran it, so, it may run in your local papers in the lifestyle, style, or life section over the weekend.  Thanks so much, all!  It should run worldwide on radio, tv, newspaper, and Internet this weekend  CLICK HERE TO SEE USA Today STORY Rick L.

Atop London’s “Shoes That Amuse” appear such graphics (and quotes) from Shakespeare, Emerson, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Mother Theresa, Helen Keller, Louisa May Alcott,  Socrates, Plato, Virgil, Einstein, and many others.

I only share this because so many seem to give up in this economy. Please don’t. I don’t mean to sound “Horatio Alger-ish” but I started it with nothing and knew very little about art/design.  If I could learn to use the software and create, anyone can.

And even if you can’t you can become an affiliate and promote and sell other designs such as mine and others and still make a comfortable living if you give it time.

So please hang in there all.  If I can do it, believe me, you can.

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Rick L. is a writer/cartoonist and E-entrepreneur and founder of Londons Times Cartoons, Google’s #1 ranked offbeat cartoons and funny gifts since 2005. He has now created the world’s only shoes with famous love quotes called Shoes That Amuse.

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Google’s #1 Offbeat Cartoon, Londons Times Celebrates 11 Years

A Londons Times Cartoon

A Londons Times Cartoons

Picasso's Peanuts: If Picasso Had Been A Cartoonist

Cartoonist and founder of Londons Times Cartoons, Rick London, says “Beware of the sides of March (as they may hurt from laughing)….at least I hope…but maybe not. Hold onto ‘em just in case you may one find one or more to be funny.”

London’s story is legendary within the cartoon world. He began his venture with no art background, little money, no home (he lived in an abandoned warehouse in rural Ms. for a year, had a phone line, a stray mutt, $200 and a beat up clone pc computer  and a book titled “Internet For Dummies” as he’d not learned the net yet.

He had been taking care of his ill mother for 4 years and took a job in sales, after returning to his small Ms. town after 17 years away. He had been living in Los Angeles, NYC, and Washiongton, D.C. He said, “I never thought I’d get a ‘culture shock’ going home, but that’s an understatement.”

Shortly after his mom died, he also lost his sales position. He had no idea what he was going to do. Cartooning kept coming to mind, but he was not sure why.

Eleven years later Londons Times Cartoons or LT Cartoons is one of the most visible cartoons on the Internet with over 3 million visitors per year and has been the #1 ranked offbeat cartoon on the Internet since 2005 (Google Rankings). His site boasts over 8000 original images that of which he conceived and wrote. He also does the marketing and deals with manufacturers of his licensed  funny gifts and collectibles.

London owns a number of E-stores featuring his cartoon merchandise, funny tees, funny mouse pads, funny greeting cards, funny clothing, and other cartoon collectibles.

London says the project has consumed much of his life. There’s an original quote by him on his main website, “I used to have a life, now I have an Internet.” London used “The Disney Model” to create his venture (except not using animation) but, like Disney a team of idea persons, writers, and illustrators. Disney started with similar beginnings as well. He had no money and a good idea, and a lot of preserverence.

London adds, “Please don’t misunderstand. I don’t compare myself to a legend with the talent of Disney. Only that I read enough about his life and business acumen to understand what it would take to launch this baby. And, as the years went by, it finally ‘worked’.”

London is known to love “all things Irish” so he is glad Londons Times Cartoons falls within a week of St. Patrick’s Day (anniversary is March 22) Since it’s beginnings London has created a number of “world’s firsts” such as:

First offbeat cartoon to reach the Alexa top 100,000 most popular websites First offbeat cartoon to be approved by U.S. Keds as one of their products (Funny Shoes)

First (and only) cartoon of any type to “go green with merchandising”; producing 100% organic cotton tees for men and women at Rick London Organics (Bono of U2 provides the textiles for all women’s tees; American Apparel for men’s,)

First offbeat cartoon to stay at Google’s #1 ranking for 3 years in a row (Going on Fourth) First cartoon to create a gourmet coffee gift basket (the mug and coasters feature LT Cartoons) First and only cartoonist to create custom cartoons for Dr. Vinton Cerf (Father Of The Internet), Barbara Orbison (Widow of Roy Orbison), and Xaviera Hollander (The Happy Hooker)

First (and only) offbeat cartoon to receive approval from the U.S. Post Office for real postage; more than 30 images are on real U.S. Postage Funny Stamps. A percentage of all licensed merchandising sales benefits animal, children, and environmental causes from Londons Times Funny Stores. He says when he started, it was merely a hobby between he (the writer and concept man) and a few artists. We had no idea it would grow like it did and take a life of its own. I still wake up every day thinking it might be a dream and will disappear any day no

A Londons Times Cartoon

A Londons Times Cartoon

w. But it keeps growing and our merchandise remains popular. I am very grateful, and I thank you, the public for making it what it is. We could not have done anything close to this without your support.

Would You Wear George Washington’s Shoes To Help The Stimulus Package?

Stimulus package or no stimulus package, you don’t have to wear the Father Of Our Country’s actual shoes. But the hottest funky women’s shoes today are famous love quote shoes by Shoes That Amuse which feature casual women’s slip on and lace ups with famous love quotes from such notables as Van Gogh, Emerson,Shakespeare, Helen Keller, Louisa May Alcott, Mozart, and many others including yes, President George Washington. Founder and designer of Shoes That Amuse says “Why just talk about love when you can now walk the walk of love”? He has a good point and a lot of famous philosophers, poets, politicians and even saints backing him up. The shoes are now manufactured by U.S. Keds and can only be purchased online at Shoes That Amuse, without a doubt the most show, stopping, people talking, amazing, famous love quote shoes. Try a pair today! Wearing love quote shoes may not contribute to the Stimulus Bill but it sure will stimulate YOUR life.

Shoes That Amuse Present President George Washington As A Stimulus Package For Your Own LIfe

Mozart Famous Love Quote Shoes

Designed by Rick London. Sold Exclusively by Shoes That Amuse

Designer Rick London of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas announced today that his Mozart Love Quote shoes (3 pair) have been approved by U.S. Keds) plus one matching tote bag. Each shoe includes a colorful graphic of Mozart and one of his most famous love quotations (as does the bag). They can be seen at his Shoes That Amuse store that carries only funky women’s shoes and unique tote bags with famous love quotes

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