We recently connected with Leigh Rubin and have shared our conversation below.

Leigh, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Meaningful Project:

For the last five years I have been the Cartoonist-Residence at Rochester (NY) Institute of Technology.
In 2019 I began working on a book, “Think Like a Cartoonist.”- A Celebration of Humor and Creativity.
It will be published in October by RIT Press.

Each “chapter” in the book is by a personal friend-45 in all-and they provide a fun and often humorous way they have either creatively solved a problem or came up with a new idea. The contributors are from all walks of life-from rocket scientists, writers, artists, entrepreneurs, etc. Each story is accompanied by a cartoon which compliments the story. I have also written a number of chapters about creativity, persistence, perfection, etc. I has to be one of the fun/challenging projects I have ever worked on. (Please see: https://press.rit.edu/9781956313048/think-like-a-cartoonist/)

Earning a full-time living from your creative work:

There is nothing like the thrill of creation, and being able to make a living at it. I had a “real” job- working at my folks’ printing company for more than 20 years, 10 of which I was also creating my daily cartoon.

Being misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Occasionally, someone will write to me with some sort of complaint about a particular gag. Most of the time they are very polite, but sometimes that is not the case. I will always respond politely. No use in arguing or defending. I find that a number of the people that gripe simply didn’t understand the gag in the first place. I have always loved to draw and wanted to be an artist. It really wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s when I began to develop a plan to pursue a career in creativity.

Unexpected problems/issues:

Who knew that when I started doing the daily cartoon in 1984 that the Traditional Print Media-the newspaper industry-was in for such a massive change? Weathering the turbulence as a result of New Media has definitely been a challenge, but it has also provided a worldwide audience so I am not going to gripe about that.

What did your parents do right?:

My folks were wonderfully supportive of my career choice and supported me all the way. They were also my bosses for more than two decades, so I spent a lot of time with them.
As I mentioned, as long as I got all the printing work done (Paste up, layout, design, running the press, taking care of customers, janitorial, etc. etc.) I was able to use all the printing equipment, and phone- (as long as I paid for the long distance calls.)

Do you wish you could have started your creative career sooner or later?:

I was three years out of high school when the idea for starting a greeting card company popped into my head so I’m not sure I would have been able to begin my career much sooner

Leigh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always wanted to be an artist for as long as I remember. The Creative Journey has been long and rewarding (and naturally, challenging at times.

Through a variety of circumstances I was offered to create a daily cartoon for my (then) local newspaper in 1984. After four years
of self-syndicating I signed a contract with Creators Syndicate and have been with them ever since.

Short Bio:

Leigh Rubin is an accomplished author and cartoonist. He has written more than 20 books. 2023 marks the 39th anniversary of Leigh’s internationally syndicated cartoon, Rubes®, which is now, distributed by Creators Syndicate to hundreds of newspapers and media outlets worldwide.
Leigh’s latest book, to be published in October, 2023, is titled “Think Like a Cartoonist”
His work has been featured in film, television, and advertising. Leigh also enjoys a busy schedule giving thought-provoking and entertaining presentations on art and creativity at conferences, as well as professional organizations all around the country.
In 2018 Leigh began serving at Rochester Institute of Technology as the college’s first Cartoonist-in-Residence.
www.RubesCartoons.com

On the business side I have a rule” “No contract is better than a bad contract. NEVER sign a contract without first consulting a proper attorney. It may cost a bit up front but it will save you much grief and possibly a good deal of “rights” and money in the long run. PROTECT YOUR IP.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I have so many rejection letters, enough to fill a binder or two. Never stop persisting and stay true to your goals.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The freedom to be creative and being my own boss

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RubesCartoons.com
• Instagram: @RubesCartoons
• Facebook: [email protected]
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-rubin-90a3607/
• Twitter: @RubesCartoons
• Youtube: [email protected]
• Other: All social media; (Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Twitter, @RubesCartoons

Image Credits
Photo credit (for the one photo I uploaded: Sue Weisler All cartoons are owned by me.