In 1999 and 2000 he served as President of the 'National Caricaturist Network' which is an organization of professional caricaturists and is currently the president of the National Cartoonists Society, a 65 year old organization of professional cartoonists. He has received many prestigious awards and it is truly a great pleasure to feature such a talented artist on our blog. Let's learn more about him in the interview below and catch some of the great creations by him:
Tom, please introduce yourself to E-junkies.
My name is Tom Richmond, I'm a freelance cartoonist, caricaturist and humorous illustrator.
As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to be an artist. Batman comic books got me drawing when I was a pre-schooler.
I did a lot of little jobs here and there for small companies, but my first really professional piece was art for a billboard ad for an Ohio radio station morning show, with caricatures of the hosts. My first published art was in the comic book Married... with children by NOW comics in 1990.
Enlighten us with your art style. What is it influenced by?
I was influenced early by the work of Neal Adams, Dick Giordano and C.C. Beck, when as a kid I loved superhero comics. Later when I turned to humor, the classic artists of MAD, especially Wally Wood, Jack Davis and Mort Drucker, were some of my favorites. I also have been influenced by illustrators like Norman Rockwell, Andrew Loomis and C.F. Payne.
Which project is the most dearest to you and why?
I have many clients but working for MAD is always the high point of my time at the drawing board.
There were several actually. the first was getting a job doing caricatures at Six Flags Great America as a college student in 1985. I worked with some very talented artists and they motivated me to really start working hard at my art. Years later, I joined an organization called the National Caricaturists Network (now the International Society of Caricature Artists) and attending their conventions and seeing the brilliant work of it's members once again motivated me to re-energize my efforts to improve my skills. Still later, I joined the National Cartoonists Society, where I met many of my cartooning heroes and through networking ended up showing my work to the people at MAD. Finally, coming on board at MAD Magazine really got my career off the ground. I'm still waiting for the next turning point.
Looking and studying the work of others motivates me to reach farther with my own work. I very much look up to Jack Davis, a legendary artist for MAD and humorous illustrator. He is the consummate professional, and approaches his work with an objective eye.
In many ways the Internet is hurting artists and creators, because young artists are giving away their work in exchange for internet notoriety. Internet notoriety and $3.50 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Until artists start respecting the value of their own work, and don't do it for free so they can see how many "hits" their website gets, no one else will value their work. I think the Internet is going to be the main outlet for all creative work, but we all have to figure out how to make a real living with it.
What are the other things that interests you? Tell us about your hobbies, your interests. What are you passionate for?
I am an avid weightlifter and bodybuilder, like computers and gadgets, and enjoy spending time with my family.
What message do you have for our readers and other aspiring artists? Few encouraging words for them?
Aim high in your work. Be happy with where you are as an artist today, but do not be happy to be in the same place tomorrow.
Tom, thanks for talking to us. It was a wonderful experience to learn about you. We wish you all the very best!
Check out his website.
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Any of the standard "Oh, I used to love MAD when I was a kid, are they still putting it out?" people need to take a look at the current product. You'll be surprised by how good it is, helped in no small part by Mr. Richmond's work!
Any of the standard "Oh, I used to love MAD when I was a kid, are they still putting it out?" people need to take a look at the current product. You'll be surprised by how good it is, helped in no small part by Mr. Richmond's work!