‘Rubes’ cartoonist’s returning to RIT for session on imagination
Syndicated “Rubes” cartoonist Leigh Rubin’s office is in his home on California’s Central Coast, so the coronavirus pandemic didn’t upend his work life.
Which is not to say he was unaffected by the public health crisis.
The uncertainty about venturing out resulted in some stress. And banana bread.
“I was baking a lot of banana bread. Boy, I really got sick of banana bread,” he said during a recent phone interview.
He also was unable to visit Rochester Institute of Technology during 2020 and 2021, which was the plan when he was named the school’s first cartoonist-in-residence in late 2018.
That will change next week, when he’ll return to campus, including for a talk on the power of imagination at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the Wegmans Theatre in MAGIC Spell Studios.
“I can’t even tell you how thrilled I am to be able to visit in person,” Rubin said. “I’ve never been to a place so full of enthusiasm and innovation and excitement. I’ve made a lot of friends there.”
His presentation, sponsored by RIT’s College of Liberal Arts, is free and open to the public, but tickets and proof of vaccination are required.
People can register by scanning this QR code.
“We all have this incredible imagination,” he said. “Wherever you are in life, I think people need to exercise that more.”
He hopes his talk inspires them to try, especially given that COVID doesn't appear to be going anywhere.
Rubin realizes he’s lucky to have a job that provides him not only with an income but with a relief valve for pandemic-related stress.
His cartooning career began in 1978 when he launched his own greeting card company, Rubes Publications. “Rubes” began in 1984, and the first paper collection of the cartoon was published in 1988. It now appears in 400 media outlets worldwide, including the Democrat and Chronicle.
“It’s good for my mental health to draw,” he said. “It’s an incredibly healthy outlet.”
But creativity doesn't require artistic ability, and that is what he wants to bring home with his talk.
“Solving a simple household problem involves creativity,” he said. “Fixing something by jerry-rigging it. Or customizing your cellphone or dressing a certain way. Everybody’s a designer to some degree. Those are all kinds of ways to express individuality. It’s just using a different canvas.”
For more, go to rit.edu.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: ‘Rubes’ cartoonist’s returning to RIT for session on imagination
