Hugh Macleod is a cartoonist, artist, blogger, and social media marketer whose inspirational, no-nonsense approach to art made him a very successful man. He recently came to Miami to display his artwork at Ecco Pizzatecca where one of his large prints was captioned, “South Beach: Because Los Angeles just wasn’t shallow enough.”
Hugh Macleod has made a name for himself with his multi-talented endeavors including cartooning, art, blogging, and social media marketing. He also recently wrote a book which is now a Wall Street Journal best seller entitled, Ignore Everybody and 39 Other Keys to Creativity.
While Macleod currently resides in Alpine, Texas, he has frequently made trips down to Miami since 2005 where his art business is located, including all components of printing, marketing, and administration. When he was younger, he lived in New York City and tried to carve a niche in advertising copy writing which led to him coming up with the idea to draw cartoons on the back of business cards before starting a widely popular blog called Gaping Void where he regularly posted cartoons and insightful writing which eventually became the basis of his recent book.
While visiting Miami recently, Macleod’s artwork was displayed in a backroom of Ecco Pizzatecca where a large print was dedicated to the 305 and captioned, “South Beach: Because Los Angeles just wasn’t shallow enough.” Touché.
Macleod did not initially intend on expanding his businesses via the internet but as blogs began to gain momentum, “many people resonated with his witty cartoons and thought-provoking posts.” It soon became a great way for Macleod to develop a mass audience for his vision, and he noted, “Blogs were cheap, easy, and global. Advertising was expensive, difficult, and provincial.”
During his recent show in Miami, Macleod also said, “Work has become all pervasive. It has started to lose meaning. We’re always on. We’re always handing out business cards. We’re always on social networks. But we have an unlimited need to believe in what we’re doing. We want to create work that matters to ourselves and to our friends.”
When the Miami New Times had a chance to speak with Macleod after his presentation in Miami, they asked him the question which may be on your mind: Why is South Beach shallower than Los Angeles? Macleod replied, “I’ve lived in L.A. South Beach has a community of people who don’t even have to think for a living. It’s not a bad thing, but the money comes in so easily. They’re the ultimate consumer. Their lives are defined by consuming. There’ members of the lucky sperm club. I’m not anti-SoBe, though. It’s all about the hustle.”
MacLeod spends a lot of time in South Beach when he visits Miami, and when asked what he thinks about Miami proper, he answered, “I’m aware that Miami isn’t SoBe. There are a lot of people getting by. It’s a gelatinous culture: Latins, snowbirds, rednecks, etcetera,” and added, “Miami is very vibrant and so is my work. I have an affinity with Miami because, again, it’s somewhat gelatinous and the culture is unformed. It’s very 21st century. It’s not about maintaining the interests of the old aristocracy. I love coming here.”
