Ello!!! It IS me you are looking for. That is if you are looking for me on Ello. As if I have time to utilize yet another social media platform when I don’t have the time to visit all of my friends blogs. But I always like shiny new things.
And who better to promote my starting on Ello, than Lionel Richie. Caricature included!!
So if you are looking for me, my profile over there is ello.co/bearman-cartoons.
Our friend Mark Stokes, writer and artist behind the all ages Zombie Boy Comics, has decided it is time to launch a Kickstarter campaign to publish the first 200 strips in the series.
So part of Kickstarter is to ask up front for money. Kind of like this…
But unlike the Make-a-Death-Wish Foundation, you get cool stuff in return for buying into different levels. However one thing you don’t get is a jar of Oil of Decay.
So please check out Mark’s work if you aren’t familiar and consider supporting this huge BEARMANiac!!
Actor Robin Williams passed away yesterday from an apparent suicide. Originally I was going to draw him meeting up with his mentor and friend Jonathan Winters. But then I came across this quote.
You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.
It reminds me of the basis of the movie Hook. where Peter must once again find his youthful spirit. It is that spark that allows us to dream, to see beyond our current situations to brighter days. Sadly maybe the real life Peter lost this for a minute too but sadly it was too late to refind it. Interesting Williams was also quoted as saying:
In America they really do mythologise people when they die.
May his family find comfort in the outpouring of sympathy of anyone who was impacted by Robin in any way.
Yes it is that time of year once again. The Bearman Cartoons Charity Challenge, where you do stuff and I donate money to worthy charities. I have been extremely fortunate that both my wife and I are gainfully employed so I am continuing the challenge at the same level for another year. This is the Sixth Year I have done this so far donating $4456 ($336 in 2009, $630 in 2010, $690 in 2011, $1150 in 2012, and $1650 in 2013) and it will run until the end of May. I do this challenge each year to raise awareness of my blog while giving money to charities who need it. Historically, this has been the majority of my advertising budget for the year so if you enjoy Bearman Cartoons, please help by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc and/or thumbing up on StumbleUpon or Reddit. Again this year I will divide evenly the amount of money donated between three charities up to $1500. The fact that we hit the goal last year made me want to do more this year: The first being the Cincinnati FreeStore Foodbank. This charity does great things not only to feed those in need but also to help families get back on their feet in other ways. The second charity is the Brandon C Gromada Head and Neck Cancer Foundation. This charity is named after my friend Brandon Gromada who was stricken with this terrible disease and passed away in 2012. His family set up this foundation to direct funds to research for better treatments. This is a rare type of cancer that research funds are needed to combat it. And the third is of course one of my favorite charities, Crayons to Computers. It is a free store for teachers allowing them to stock up on school and art supplies for their students/classrooms. But that is not all. Once again, I am going to match dollar for dollar anything you donate to Crayons to Computers up to a max $500. When donating just make it in Honor of Bearman Cartoons and they will know how to notify me. So that is $2000 of my own money I am will to put up to get the word out about these causes. I will donate the indicated amount for each thing that you do in the month of May:
If by some luck I hit the max payout and your are a cartoonist willing to utilize me/my name in your strip but haven’t posted yet, just let me know and I will still count those as part of the match money to Crayons 2 Computers. Thanks for your continued support.
So you may be wondering why I am “eating crow” this week. My wife and I tend to not argue about the big stuff, but rather the stupid stuff. One ongoing argument was how to end this childhood chant.
We always said Diarrhea, Diarrhea. Some people think it’s funny but it’s really BROWN and runny. My wife said it was “WET and runny” So I put it out to Google Plus and those losers (I say it with love) sided with her 11-8. I didn’t say who thought which but I would eat crow if I was wrong so here is me paying up my bet.
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Include Bearman in a webcomic – $10
Blog about the Challenge – $10
Adding Beartoons.com to Blog Roll or Banner Ad Addition – $5
New Followers on Google Plus – $1
551 new followers – $289
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Finally my friend and uber talented artist Christina Wald is the illustrator of a book called Wordsworth and the Dragon. Check out more and consider helping to fund the book printing in their Indiegogo campaign.
Week one of the Charity Challenge is rocking. Thanks to all who have been involved. If you want to get involved, since it goes through the end of the month, please go here for more information.
Include “Bearman” in a webcomic or Bearman Fan Art – $10
Blog about the Challenge – $10
Adding Beartoons.com to Blog Roll or Banner Ad Addition – $5
New Followers on Google Plus – $1
551 new followers – $551
Yes it is that time of year once again. The Bearman Cartoons Charity Challenge, where you do stuff and I donate money to worthy charities. I have been extremely fortunate that both my wife and I are gainfully employed during this tough economic times so I am upping the ante this year.
This is the Fifth Year I have done this so far donating $2806 ($336 in 2009, $630 in 2010, $690 in 2011, $1150 in 2012) and it will run until the end of May.
Many of you know that I do this challenge each year to raise awareness of my blog while giving money to charities who need it. Historically, this has been the majority of my advertising budget for the year so if you enjoy Bearman Cartoons, please help by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc and/or thumbing up on StumbleUpon or Reddit.
I have decided that this year I will divide evenly the amount of money donated between three charities up to $1500. The fact that we hit the goal last year made me want to do more this year:
The first being the Cincinnati FreeStore Foodbank. This charity does great things not only to feed those in need but also to help families get back on their feet in other ways.
The second charity is the Brandon C Gromada Head and Neck Cancer Foundation. Many of you know that my friend Brandon passed away last year leaving his wife and six month old daughter. His family set up this foundation to direct funds to research for better treatments. This rare type of cancer also took the life of one of Brandon’s idols almost one year ago today – Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys.
And the third is of course one of my favorite charities, Crayons to Computers. It is a free store for teachers allowing them to stock up on school and art supplies for their students/classrooms.
But that is not all. Once again, I am going to match dollar for dollar anything you donate to Crayons to Computers up to a max $500. When donating just make it in Honor of Bearman Cartoons and they will know how to notify me. So that is $2000 of my own money I am will to put up to get the word out about these causes.
I will donate the indicated amount for each thing that you do in the month of May:
If you add me to your blog roll, add/upgrade your banner, include this challenge in a post, please indicate in the comments. I’ll post a weekly update of the money raised and who did what to raise the money with links back to your site if applicable.
Thanks for your continued support.
Did the drawing for the Gourmet Popcorn Giveaway. Winners please email me your flavor choice and address.
Google Plus Winners: Christina Fisher and Carolyn Curtis
Beartoons.com Winners: Friggin’ Loon and Karen Elaine
Thanks to all that entered.
So it was announced yesterday that Google will end operations of Google Reader in July of this year. For those, like me, who utilize Google Reader to keep up with your favorite blogs this seems like an unwelcome move by Google. Sure there are plenty of articles floating around on alternatives to Reader but I have another option for Google that may help it save face. Integrate the functionality of Google Reader into Google Plus.
Both stream user content, one from those you follow directly on Google plus and one from the blogs you like to follow. So why not meld the two under the same umbrella? Posts from blogs may look a bit different as commenting would be disabled directly on Google Plus (unless a blog owner chose to integrate the functionality)
Benefits to Readers
Benefits to Blog Owners
CAVEAT: Currently Google Plus (especially on mobile) is horrible about placemarking where you are in your stream. So many times when you click on a link that takes you to a blog and then come back to Google Plus, you must start all over at the top of your screen. Having the ability to bookmark or check off read items is necessary to make this option worthwhile.
Other options Google can take?
Good friend Nate Fakes has started his first Kickstarter campaign to create his Graphic Novel Don Giovanni. When Mozart meets a dumpster diving trailer park, you know you might have something. Good luck Nate.