If you haven't already done so, go check out meetup.com--you can start a group there and see if you can get people in your area or nearby to join. You can also post a free ad on Craigslist.org, but be careful--there are a lot of shady people who lurk on that site looking for people to scam or worse.

You can also go the old-fashioned route: Post up flyers about starting your group around town--at the library, community centers, the Y, the Laundromat, local colleges, small grocery stores--anywhere that gets a lot of foot traffic. Many stores have bulletin boards for this. Also ask your local art/craft supply store if you can post a flyer. They are often really cool about that.

Good Luck!

Do you have a website? If not, you need to build one ASAP! If you want to be taken seriously, you must have a site up that prospective clients can look at. It doesn't have to be complicated-- you can go to wix.com to build a free one very easily and make sure you add a page that contains your contact information. Also, sign up to Linkedin.com, and really use that site to meet other people. It has a huge amount of info on all kinds of professions including art and design, and it is a good way to digitally network with others. Find out if there are any art/design meet-up groups in your area and attend some meetings, even if it isn't exactly straight illustration or cartooning. Also, make sure you have your portfolio book ready to go, and get some business cards so that you can give them to everyone you meet--again, nothing fancy. You can get very inexpensive ones at vistaprint.com.

Don't limit yourself to just your area. Now in this digital age, you can work for virtually anyone, anywhere. Contact advertising agencies in NY and London, contact magazines, design firms, etc.

Keep up the good work, and keep your mind open to all potential possibilities. God bless and good luck!