The Republican (Springfield MA) is with out an art department after their illustrator, Bob Rich took a buy-out.
From Bob:
It was my choice, probably long over due. For a while now I have wanted to dive into the world of freelancing and, when the paper announced the buyout, I figured this was the time. As I mentioned above, with the changes in the newspaper business, my job had moved away from mostly illustrating to the other graphic needs of the newspaper. Also, considering the shrinking staff size at daily papers, I have to think if further cuts are necessary then my position would be eliminated before any more reporter of editing jobs.
Bob will continue to pursue freelance illustration work and focus on this new strip Balloon & Daisy.
Best of luck to him! His stuff is very nice.
(And you might want to fix the link’s spelling, Alan).
Bob Rich is an extremely talented cartoonist. His many Reuben Category wins attest to that fact. We all wish him well as he moves forward. He is as fine a gentleman as one would ever want to meet!
Great work! Good luck on your journey.