Yo! The Bio!  (Artist Profile)

    Hi, I am Steve Langille, creator of a hilarious, single panel cartoon called "STRANGE BREED".  Born in '67 in Massachusetts and raised in central Maine, I now reside in northern California.  I started drawing at the ripe age of 7.
    I took a few drawing classes here and there in school. I  truly believe I inherited my artistic talent from my mom and my goofy, off-the-wall humor from my father.  In my teens, I knew that I wanted to be an artist and maybe a cartoonist, but at the same time, I did not want to become a "Starving Artist."
    After high school graduation, with no money for college, I was military bound.  In the Air Force I studied computers and electronics, not quite art, but a potential for a good career. While on active duty, I was stationed in Germany, right when the Berlin wall was coming down.
    I got hooked on Gary Larson's "Far Side."  His work inspired me and constantly kept me laughing. I felt I could do that also. Why not?  I have a crazy, weird sense of humor, and I can draw.  So, I set off to become a great cartoonist, being careful not to just be a "Far Side" clone or rip off.
    Leaving the Air Force after eight years, I landed in northern California, in the heart of Silicon Valley, and in the middle of the computer/electronics boom!   So, I stayed.  I still cartooned some, but nothing serious. Yet, art and humor always remained my passion.
    I read in the San Jose Mercury News that Dan Piraro, of "Bizarro," would be in San Francisco doing a book signing. I'm a big fan of his, so I decided to go. (Of course, I bought one of his books and had him sign it.)  I had a nice talk with him and later persuaded Dan to let me take him to the airport the next morning.   I figured this was my chance to show a professional cartoonist my cartoon portfolio and get some good feedback.
    Now, remember, this was several years ago, so my cartoons were still in their infancy stage. The next following morning, until the very minute Dan got on the plane, I showed him my cartoons. He then said that they needed a lot of work, but I showed promise. He liked my cartoons!  Dan Piraro liked MY WORK!!
    Well, that was the great push and jump start I needed to finally get serious about cartooning.  Following that experience, I put together a cartooning critique/ support/bounce-ideas-off-your-forehead group. For a short time, the group consisted of several, fellow aspiring cartoonists -- James Newman, Ray Guiziki, Sean Spitzer and myself.  Through this influence and support, I grew a lot in my cartooning abilities.  These guys were great in helping me along my way, and I will be forever thankful!
    Let's not forget all the encouragement from my family, friends, choice co-workers, and especially my girlfriend, Robin Barnes.  Every time I visit a town, I grab all the free magazines, newspapers and newsletters I can get my hands on.   I then send a package of my cartoons with a cover letter and s.a.s.e.  Any paper will do -- from the dinghy street corner to the uptown coffee house. As you would expect, the rejection letters came rolling in. I decided right then that I would constantly try to improve my drawing ability, my handwriting skills and humor. Also, I have continued my onslaught of mailings.

                                   Update   (as of 26 July 99)

      A lot has happened since my last "BIO" update. I'm getting married to a wonderful woman by the name of Robin Barnes (pictured above). She also has two wonderful children Josh, 15 and Michelle, 13 (pictured above), from her previous marriage. Also pictured above is one of my best friends, Paul and myself.
     Robin and I are getting married on August 21, 1999. I'm 32 and this is my first time, I am a little scared, but I know she is the one I love!

    I am also published in two newspapers on a regular basis, the "Sierra Star" of Oakhurst, Ca and the "Santa Cruz Mountain Times" of Santa Cruz, Ca. I am currently doing the cartoons for a new book due out soon by Thomas Peacock, about food and restaurant inspecting. It has a Dilbert flavor to it.

                              New Update (as of 2 August 99)

     The wedding plans are going smooth! Thanks to everyone one on all the support and congrats, Robin and I have received. She also loved all the nice comments, she had received, on her pictures above, it really made her day.
    Another thing I would like to make known, is that Robin and I are "Born-Again Christians". We both love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of our hearts. If anyone has any questions about Christianity, how to become one or what it is all about, please feel free to email any time.

         **** NOTE ***  Earlier, I had accidentally said that I was getting maried August 1st, that was just a typo. I have corrected the typo and am here to say that it is August 21st. Sorry about the confusion!!