Bored Panda reached out to Rubin again to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of his comic creation. We asked him about his unique style and what draws him to feature animals and inanimate objects in his cartoons. "Animals have always been something I’ve been drawn to (pardon the pun)," the artist shared. "My mom had a book on how to draw animals which I still have. Animals are a delightful way to poke fun at humans. We live on an absolutely absurd planet and animals, both domestic and wild keep us grounded."
Every artist has a special place where they feel most creative. This space, filled with personal items and necessary tools, becomes a haven for new ideas. It could be a messy desk with sketchpads and paintbrushes, or a simple room with a computer and a comfy chair. These places are crucial for their creativity. For Rubin, his office, with stuffed animals and a gentle rescue dog, a six-year-old Aussie Shepherd, is his creative workspace.
Besides the workspace, many artists have routines or habits that help them get into the right mood to create. When asked about his rituals, Rubin shared that sharpening his pencil signals it's time to be creative.
As a cartoonist, it's fun to see how people react to your drawings. Over time, how people engage with cartoons has changed because of new technology, social media, and what's popular in society. Rubin, a cartoonist, says that before the internet "(waaaaaay back in the Stone Age)", he received letters. Now, people reach out through social media, texts, or email. "People write when they either find something very funny and/or relatable, or both. Either way, it’s always fun to hear from them."
"When asked what he thinks sets Rubes Cartoons apart from other comic strips or cartoons, the artist replied: "Rubes® celebrates its 40th birthday on November 1st, which is very hard to believe. I’d like to think it’s lasted this long because it stays consistently fresh, relatable, and (hopefully) funny."
