BILL ABBOTT - Featured Cartoonist Interview - BIO

[Leah-Admin]

Bill Abbott Cartoonist

Bio

"I started cartooning when I was about 4 years old, drawing the Peanuts characters adorning my bedspread and curtains (I've since changed the bedspread and curtains). It's been my passion ever since. There were long hiatuses leading me away from art; I was a stockbroker, a career military man with tours in places like Iraq, and a police officer, but always a cartoonist. After returning from the Middle East in 2008, I decided to pursue cartooning as a vocation, and couldn't be happier that I have. In addition to my own cartooning, which I'm forever trying to improve, I've also been assisting others in their efforts."

Future Goals
"So far I've had a good amount of success in the greeting card, calendar, and other licensed products arena and I hope to expand my presence there. I recently signed with Adam Meiklejohn of MGL Licensing in the UK, and we're almost ready to announce a major licensee deal that's being finalized - stay tuned! Also, I've had some discussions with the Ink Bottle Syndicate in the US, and there may also be some exciting news to announce in the next month or so. "

Publications
"Reader's Digest, Medical Economics, the Illinois Business Journal, the Long Island Business Journal and about a dozen others or so. They're distributed in the UK through Cartoonstock.com. In licensing, they've appeared with American Greetings and Mead calendars, in greeting cards with Pictura USA, Marian Heath, Renaissance, Nobleworks, For Art's Sake, on mugs and figurines with Westland Giftware and cocktail napkins with Paperproducts Design. If things work out with Ink Bottle Syndicate, you may see "Spectickles", the name of my cartoon, in a whole lot more publications - fingers crossed!"

Favourite Cartoonists
"Oh man, there are so many. First would have to be Charles Schulz. He did an interview describing how he draws and the importance of line work which I wish I could find - an amazing artist. I love Jim Unger's art and humor - I think he used a brush which I'd love to try. Mischa Richter of New Yorker fame is brilliant. He wrote a book called "The Cartoonist's Muse" which is an absolute must-read for any serious aspiring cartoonist. Randy Glasbergen is fantastic. Mort Gerberg also of the New Yorker. I wish I could name them all, but that would make this interview book length."

Location
Western New York

[Leah-Admin]

Thank you Bill for taking part with our very first Featured Cartoonist Interview! Great read and I hope it inspires many toonys for yrs to come

[cartunes-r-us]

There's definitely a Gary Larson influence in there, Bill---very accomplished material.

[Kathy]

Thanks, Bill! Love your work!

[gjconser]

Bill-
Your work is great! I have visited your site several times and each time I say to myself, "Wow!"
Greg C.

[billcartoons]

Thank you all for the kind words. Now that I'm a big shot, can I get all my drinks for free? Just send them over with my groupies.

[Leah-Admin]

Hi Bill

I have created a badge for featured cartoonists to display on their sites if they so wish, here is yours

Code:

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[MRasheed]

I busted a gut lol @ "That's a tough question. I suppose I should be served with a dry red."

Very impressed with the stockbroker/soldier/cop/cartoonist.