Reprinted Articles

“Congratulations, Ms. London,” I used to joke that the OB/GYN told my mom, “It’s a Realtor”. My parents owned a very old real estate stable family real estate company and were from a generation where, if and when an offspring arrived, especially a male, they were born to be bred.that is, bred into the family business, or made to be the prodigal son.

I was born in the tiny hamlet of Hattiesburg, Ms. I was not aware of these southern traditional family values, and, as I became more aware of my environment around me, I was certain I wanted to have something to do with humor as I grew older. How did I know this? It was all common sense. Try working for your conservative Realtor dad for five years. You will know. And you’ll know way before you finally have the nerve to “retire” in that five year period.

I can remember constantly being on parental probation, in trouble, about to get in trouble, or locked in my room with no going out with friends for some wrong-doing (never violent or terrible); only the same type of practical jokes that kids my age in New York or Philadelphia were honored for attempting.

Only a few times were my parents seemed joyful and smiling and not “on my case” and that is when they had weekend parties and were playing record albums by such comedy greats as Don Rickles, Tom Lehrer, Jack Benny, and the like. I introduced them to The Smothers Brothers as a teen, thinking I would earn brownie points but again given the pink slip for “leaning too far left”….whatever that meant.

My first shot at comedy was doing stand-up in New York City. Keep in mind this was straight off the farm from Mississippi to the Big Apple. I won’t “even go there” as to how awful I was. It was sort of like Dan Quayle in his memorable v.p. debate, but more like me debating, say, Steve Martin and my comparing myself to Lenny Bruce. Steve to me: “Mr. London, Lenny Bruce was a friend of mine, and you, sir, are no Lenny Bruce.” I guess you get the dismal picture of my short-lived stand-up career.

Around 1996 or so I became interested in humor writing, and was planning a book but decided on forming a group of artists and creating a cartoon instead. All of us were surprised when Londons Times Cartoons shot to the top of the Internet rating charts.

In my mid-40’s after a lengthy illness, I decided to start opening stores, selling products with my cartoon images which now amount to over 8500 in number and our counter shows over 8 million visitors since 2005. I have to admit this was quite a shock after only 25 visitors or so for so many years, as it was only a hobby.

Starting a cartoon is not an easy task, but an interesting and educational one. No matter what branch of humor in which one may find their niche, it is a growth experience and a process.

If it is in your blood, you will know it, and no matter what you were “born to be”, will not matter. It will have to come out in some way, shape, or form. Educate yourself, hang out with others who have blazed the trail, educate yourself and be persistence. Obstacles will show up, believe me. Learn to like obstacles as it is getting past those obstacles that make us creative and successful.

Last 5 posts by Rick London

• Popular Cartoonist's Life Saved Twice By Dogs - March 22nd, 2008
• Boost Your Immune System Naturally With Cartoon Laughter - March 20th, 2008
• Can A Mouse Pad Offer Zen? - March 11th, 2008
• Unique Discoveries I Found After Becoming Disabled - March 10th, 2008
• The Zen Of The Online Shopping "Hunt" - March 4th, 2008

Tags: Humor