Why is it such a secret?

06/10/11

Don't forget Father's Day! Click on the link to send your dad a great card from Greeting Card Universe! Personalize any card with your own message and have GCU send it directly to Dad - saves time by cutting the middle man!

Where Do Babies Come From?

06/17/11

So I've decided to start featuring other artists' cards on the LRC Blog.

I have an online store with Greeting Card Universe (GCU). For those artists and photographers out there - it is free to join and a wonderful community to be part of so please consider it if you feel up to sharing your work.

This is part of the 'Online Carnival'. Since it is summer we're to blog about summer things. It's a bit hard to schedule the LRC storylines with GCU events so I'll include a blurb about the Carnival Topic in a section now called:

Get to Know the Artist

Summer in So Cal is usually great. Back in the day I was an avid beach volleyball player; Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos were my idols! Nothing better than a day on the beach gettin' dirty! Now as much time as I spent on the beach - years in fact - very little of it was in the water. I can swim but I was always leary about jellyfish, riptides and God knows what is in the water off of Los Angeles - I'm not the best swimmer so I pretty much just waded in to my knees and went back to the court. I did go to Hawaii once and did manage get the hang of snorkelling - I think I drank half the lagoon - but once I got the hang of it - it was awesome! Now I swam in a very enclosed place, a large reef kept large critters out of the area and it was great to see the multi colored reef fish. Actually got to swim with a sea turtle - that was cool!

Now that I'm thinking about it - I better take advantage of having so many beaches nearby! The new summer resolution!

Anyways - here are the featured cards of the week - beach, summer and ocean is the theme - thanks so much for reading!  (And Happy Father's Day!)


Artist : Maria Botto


Artist: Catherine Sherman


Artist: Trudy's Corner


Artist: Me! = ;P

And since June is officiallly GLBT PRIDE Month - here's an extra one:


Artist: Clark Matthews

Remember the inside of EVERY card on GCU can be customized to suit your needs. They can also be sent directly to the recipient. Future delivery dates are also available - meaning you can schedule a customized card to be sent when you need it to be sent. It's a GREAT service. 100% guarenteed satisfaction.

Gay Power!

06/24/11

The Stonewall uprising was on 06/28/69. It is easy to forget how bad things were for the GLBT community here in the United States. Please remember those of us who live in places that are far worse than we ever had it here. 'Gay Power' was the chant used during the six night riots to rally the community against the oppressive majority.



June is officially LGBT History month here are some of my fellow artists on Greeting Card Universe:


Artist: Great Scott Designs


Artist: Clark Matthews


Artist: Doreen Erhardt



Artist: Me!

The inside of EVERY card on GCU can be customized. Do a 'search' for cards in different languages. Future delivery dates are available ie: schedule a customized card to be sent directly to the recipient when it needs to be sent and never forget a birthday/anniversay again!

LRC: It's OK to be Gay!

09/26/11

Well it’s been a very exhausting couple of weeks. The new job has had a very long project (that is still in the works) and that has lead to a very long work day for me. Not used to that anymore. Keep in mind I haven’t been working a full work day since January of this year and now that I’m back to working full time hours (plus a little more) I find myself a bit numb mentally after work.

But it’s all good and I’m just glad to be working so I guess I can’t complain other than it cuts into my creative time!  That being said I have a fun announcement for Little Rainbow Comics:

The VERY FIRST EVER calendar for our Terrific Trio is being unveiled: It's OK to be GAY! And even better – calendars ,cards and postage are ON SALE through 09/29/11! 25% off – use code HOLIDAY EARLY on check out.

 (Click the cover to see what's on special)

That (and other art projects) has been what’s distracting me from the weekly web comic. The calendar also features various dates through the year that reflect GLBT and/or Pop Culture events. The events are highlighted with a set of rainbow rings.  I tried my best to get the dates correct, trying to confirm them through multiple sources on the web ie: Harvey Milk Day, 1^st Ever GLBT Center opening, DADT repeal Date, etc. 

I wanted at least two events in each month – some months are more active than others- and  I wanted it to be both fun and educational – much like LRC. 

With this now behind me I hope to get back to the drawing board and start completing LRC’s 1^st compilation book- thanks so much for your patience!

Who's That?

07/01/11

For my US Fans : Have a safe and wonderful holiday!
If you feel like shopping - Zazzle is having a sale on T-Shirts through 07/04/11.
Use code: LANDOFTHETEE on check out to receive a 17.76% discount - thanks!


Browse other personalized gifts from Zazzle.

And check out these cool cards from my fellow artists on Greeting Card Universe. The inside of every card on GCU can be customized to suit your needs. If you don't want to forget - schedule a card for future delivery and never miss another special date.


Artist: Dogbreedz


Artist: M. Kimura


Artist: Susan McKivergan


Artist: Me

Who's That? Pt 2

07/08/11

Hey folks - hope my US fans had a safe Independence Day weekend!
Check out my fellow Greeting Card Artists below - thanks!


Artist: Lynda Mangoro


Artist: Chromatosis


Artist: Rachel L. Owen

Order 5 or more and get a slight discount - while it lasts!

Larry Cotter: It Begins...

07/15/11

Hello! So this week got away from me and I didn't get to a new strip...very busy weekend last weekend, a few errands during the week, phone conversations with the Hollywood types, and of course: the New (and last) Harry Potter film opens so poor time management on LRC's part.

BUT I did find time to do an LRC spoof on our favorite wizarding trio:

And I got a SHOCK today - there is a mug sale on Zazzle and I submitted these images on a mug and was told: 'We can't have this on our site as it infinges on other people's intellectual property'. Which I can understand BUT that will probably mean a lot of the work I did for the 2012 LRC calendar won't be allowed either - so screwed! Now I have to come up with plan B...oh boy!

So most of you know I have an online greeting card store. If you are also an artist and/or photographer I would recommend becoming part of this company: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/

One of our assignments is to showcase an artist by 07/27/11. If the people who agreed to submit do so I will have an Artist Showcase Series in that time so stay tooned!

Part of LRC's mission is to help promote other artists (esp GLBT artists) and their work so I will be sharing about 4 artists' work/websites so please take a look when the postings come around - thanks!

Artist Spotlight #1 : Cindy Johns

07/16/11

So I must say I think of my work as just this cute/fun little web comic (I like the term more than 'strip') that can bring a smile to someone's face and hopefully make the reader think in ways they wouldn't normally about the subject. A few fans have shared some very surprising things about how LRC makes them feel and I didn't think my work would effect people the way it has so it reminds me how important these little things can be and how profoundly it can touch someone's life.

Cindy is a fellow artist on Greeting Card Universe and that is how we found out about each other's work. Her words have inspired me that 'just a little thing' can mean a lot to someone.

Here is the first of I hope four spotlights this week!

Please visit Cindy's Store:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/ilovecuttables

And become a fan of hers on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/ilovecuttables

"Inspiration Can Come When and Where You Least Expect It."

I’m honored to write a guest post here at Little Rainbow Comics, and since Robert usually focuses on comics, I’ll try to keep this short and light-hearted.

Robert is an inspiration to me. I found his blog a couple months ago through GreetingCardUniverse.com where we both create cards. His cards are funnier than mine…so I’m using him as motivation in striving to reach my own funny spot, too… lol. But more importantly, he inspires me with his trail-blazing courage by creating comics that bring delightful charm and humor to a subject that was taboo not that long ago—growing up gay.

I’m not gay but I’ve lived with a different challenge for years that I feared and didn’t want to deal with: chemo brain--following cancer treatments in 1999. My self-confidence over the years has been sliced and diced, but seeing Robert bravely tackle social and cultural issues has given me hope.

Sure, fearing forgetfulness seems ridiculous (everybody forgets things, right?), and “chemo brain” probably sounds like a funny name for a disorder--but feeling like you’re losing your mind can only go so far in providing fodder for cartoons (ha!).

The point I’m trying to make is this: when I saw Robert’s sweet cartoons and the antics of Zack, Stan & Denisha, I was motivated to take a new look at my chemo brain-fog struggles and I was able to write an article describing what I’m going through and bring it to light. To take the point even further, Robert is my personal hero; because while I was doing research for my chemo brain-fog article (that I would not have written had I not been inspired by Robert’s work), I discovered that A.D.D. medication might help.

My doctor had never heard of that sort of treatment for chemo brain, but he prescribed it for me almost two weeks ago anyhow, at my request; and it is helping.

So this is my heartfelt thank you, Robert. Without your inspiration, I wouldn’t have had these recent successes in dealing with my own struggles. And on that note, I’d like to share some inspiring cards. :-)







 

Thank you Cindy!

PS - Not sure my cards are funnier but muchas gracias!

Artist Spotlight #2 : Corrie Kuipers

07/17/11

This next artist is probably one of the more successful on GCU and a driving force behind the scenes - in fact I wouldn't be posting these spots if it wasn't for her so she is very much involved with developing the artistic communities.

Her online store has over 8000 greeting cards and she opened hers in 2007. I opened mine in 2009 and I just barely broke the 200 card mark so I better get my as* in grear! What drew me to her work is that she is also a cartoonist - no offense to the photographers out there but I think in many ways we work way harder on our stuff - and she has such a fun and whimsical style. On top of all the different artistic pursuits she finds time for her partner - not sure how she does it!

Visit Corrie's store: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/corrieweb

Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Corrieweb

Corrie Kuipers: Rainbow Connections

In 1998, I met my perfect partner in an on-line group: Nene Adams (in the Minnie Hat), a published novelist, writer of lesbian mysteries and other award-winning stuff. We were head over heels in love, but one tiny problem stood between us.

I’m Dutch born and bred, living in the same village in the Netherlands all my life. And Nene lived in Florida.


The Atlantic Ocean doesn’t seem like a great distance until you try to bridge the gap with phone calls (the bills almost bankrupted us) and emails. But 4,500+ miles of seawater didn’t stop Nene from making a decision that would affect both our lives - she quit her job, upped stakes and moved to my country…and we’ve lived together happily ever since.

We make a good team. Nene’s the writer, I’m the artist. Together we’ve been creating original greeting cards (including GLBT themed cards for gay/lesbian weddings and GLBT support, etc.) on Greeting Card Universe almost since the business’ founding. And we also have other on-line stores like Zazzle, CafePress and RedBubble. It’s a living - not always a great one, but we have the freedom to create and express ourselves as we please.

Taking courage in our hands, we made our own personal rainbow connection, reaching out from two continents across an ocean to love each other. Now we live together, through good times and not-so-good times…and we never fail to find a reason to smile.

Zazzle: http://www.zazzle.com/cfkaatje
CafePress: http://www.cafepress.com/corriewebstore
RedBubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/cfkaatje

Kristen Perry?

07/22/11

Sadly, California continues to debate the issue of same-sex marriage. The video below is old footage but I thought it appropriate to post here...enjoy!



This week's featured artists:


Artist:Cindy Johns


Artist: Rachel Owen


Artist:Doreen Erhardt


Artist: Me!

Artist Spotlight #3 : Clark Matthews

07/27/11

I will be honest and say I am partial to cartoonists when browsing through the selection of cards no matter where I am so of course when I see some cool images that are probably drawn with a gay hand - I must take note! I contacted Clark first through email via Greeting Card Universe and then through Facebook. In addition to being very talented with a great sense of humor he has a certain sweet/sexy cave man look that - I must say- works really well for him! He was very eager to do the guest spot but didn't know where to begin and seemed frazzled like a puppy with too many toys. He managed to reign in his enthusiasm and give a nice note about himself and his work - thanks for sharing!


Visit Clark's store: http://www.gcuniverse.com/naughtygreetings

Being 'Naughty' in Washington DC

I was very young I'd say about 6 or 7 when I realized I was different....I don't think the whole GAY thing hit me until I was 11ish....but TOTAL honesty with me about me didn't hit until my late 30's!!! LOL and I don't think I ever really told anyone, gay just happened! (He's 45 now)

I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. In 6th grade the boys in my class used to give me their lunch money if I'd draw naked women for them....silly boys, I really had no idea what the hell I was drawing but I did it anyway! I loved to draw, began copying style from other artistic students in my classes, books and TV, a little bit of this style a little bit of that one....creativity builds on itself and what we can collect from others helps!

I believe my work has been most inspired by Hanna-Barbera, I was a HUGE Flinstones fan, I absolutely love humorous art, exaggerated features etc.

Cards by Clark: