Hamdam Guantanamo tribunal

Several special agents are testifying today, and I managed to get one sketch here before flying out in a few hours.
I'm hoping to return as the case comes to a close- momentous, as the second tribunal to come to closure. Keep your eyes peeled- I am adding a link to this blog that covers the tribunals daily.

A full day in court, Hamdan

Today was a full day in court; my last for now. Much of the day was spent watching a video interrogation after the morning testimony. I was able to move to the other side of the courtroom to get a fresh perspective- literally. After the group scene I chose to focus on the video imagery as it won't be made available in any other form.

Guantanamo Bay chronicles

I've flown in to Guantanamo Bay today and by noon was in court; or rather, in the court's hallway. I'm here to sketch Hamdan procedures- Hamdan was Osama bin Laden's driver. The witness up stipulated to not be drawn and therein insued confusion and the utterly frustrating experience of being a court artist not allowed in court. The happy ending of sorts is that I managed to get one done when I was allowed in at the tail end of the day- 4:30. Given that every drawing is not allowed out until it has been approved by military it was clearly unnecessary to keep me out- I would not have been able to draw him anyway. Ah, well, what's done is done, and tomorrow is a full day- in court. Just an added note, the military did apologize several times over and assured me it won't happen again.
Swing by tomorrow eve for an update..

Mandela

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday today, and the photos of that celebration speak volumes. What an incredible person.

DeBakey homage

Dr. Bakey's artificial heart was a groundbreaking achievement. With his passing, a tip of the artistic hat and my respects for the great work he did in his lifetime.