Janet Hamlin Illustration

Bigfoot (Sasquatch) footprints at North Fork Survivors

2012-01-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

For those interested in the legend of Bigfoot, visit North Fork Survivors in Washington State to see a display of 'footprints' and various lore on Bigfoot. I illustrated the poster based on descriptions and various footage for my parents, who own and run the shop. Initially they opened the site because they were one of the few structures that survived the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, now an official state site 'the Buried A-Frame'. You can find a plethora of St. Helens objects and artifacts there, as well as free camping.

Read the Roadside America article on North Fork Survivors:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9057

And see it for yourself at:
http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/Toutle-WA/North+Fork+Survivors/30515

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

2012-01-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

Today our nation celebrates Martin Luther King, as we continue to strive for
the peace and unity he so gracefully upheld.
I have had the opportunity to create several posters, as shown above. Truly
an honor to illustrate this great man.
Read and learn more about MLK:
http://www.thekingcenter.org/

Brilliant Woody Allen

2011-12-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

I just watched Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris' and loved it. How phenomenal would it be to travel in time and meet all of those creative icons? It was filmed and cast pitch-perfect and made me yearn to see Paris for myself.
Here is an illustration I had done for The Associated Press of Woody Allen. Fun.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T09:37:00.001-08:00

Peace on Earth, good will to all. Happy Holidays!

Choking sea life in LI

2011-12-09T09:06:00.001-08:00

Last week I was assigned this piece on how the Long Island waters are being hit by red tides and algae blooms that have been very toxic to the local marine life. The idea of a watery skull seemed fitting as a good visual statement about this issue.

Positively colorful portraits

2011-11-30T08:15:00.001-08:00

Recently I completed this assignment- a mix of my line drawing with colorful
digital color overlays. Simple, clean portrait illustrations. Photoshop and layers,
with varying opacities and transparency, keeping my palette for
each harmonious yet varied and something that would work individually
as well as grouped.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T13:08:00.001-08:00

Interview with Voice of Russia about court sketching in Guantanamo

2011-11-23T07:25:00.001-08:00

Diana Ray of Voice of Russia interviewed me recently, right after the Nashiri arraignment in Guantanamo. Her questions were excellent, and shed some light on the experiences that I've
had sketching in Gtmo.
You can listen to it here:
Voice of Russia interview-Janet Hamlin

Guantanamo, one year later- Nashiri arraignment

2011-11-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

It has been over a year since Omar Khadr's sentencing October 31, 2010. I had not been
back since then. Nashiri, accused USS Cole bombing suspect, had an arraignment today
and it is a death penalty case. Media arrived to find new work stations for both print and
TV and a reorganized Camp Justice.
Nashiri has not been seen publicly in 9 years, so we were all anticipating what he would look like. The arraignment was held in court 2, a venue that is much more difficult to draw in than court 1.
We are held in a glassed-in viewing room, watching from behind sound proof panels in the back of the court. Sound is piped in at a 40-second delay. Victim family members were in attendance, and with permission, I sketched those that I could see. We are now done, and the case will take some time before going into trial.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

Martin Luther King, Jr. -an homage

2011-10-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

I recently completed this poster of Martin Luther King, Jr.- the final poster will have a wise quote on the bottom. If you are in Washington, DC treat yourself to a visit and see the new MLK Memorial.

Reports Gadhafi dead

2011-10-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

It is reported that Gadhafi is dead- see link HERE for CNN
and HERE for NYT articles.

Akbar court martial, Fort Bragg

2011-10-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

A few years back I had traveled to Fort Bragg to sketch at a court martial.

It was my first military court experience, prior to working at Guantanamo.

It was also the first time I'd been back on a military base in years. Having grown up on bases, with a father that served in the Air Force it felt so familiar to be in that kind of environment.

My goal in every court sketching assignment, is to capture to the best of my ability and honest and telling scene.

Remembering 9/11...

2011-09-10T16:45:00.000-07:00

Muammar el-Qaddafi

2011-09-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Muammer el-Qaddafi remains elusive as of this writing hiding from the wrath of 42 years of extreme and unpredictable ruling he held over Libya. Read more about Qaddafi aka Ghaddafi (among many names he is known by) here:
NY TIMES Muammar el-Qaddafi

Steve Jobs

2011-08-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

The

announcement that Steve Jobs was resigning from his post as CEO at Apple hit me like a brick. What would the world be like without Apple? Here is a link to see all the patents Jobs has: Steve Jobs Patents (NYT)
Enough said.

Pat Summit's courage

2011-08-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

It was with a heavy heart and great dismay to learn the news of Lady Vol's winning basketball coach Pat Summit share her diagnosis: early onset dementia. With frank and honest grace, she shared the news today:
Pat Summit's announcement
NY Times has a good article:
NY TIMES SUMMIT ARTICLE

Super committee

2011-08-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had an assignment to illustrate the 'super committee' that's been formed to vote on budget reform. Half are Democrats and half Republicans, and the hope is that they can come to an agreeable solution to several budget cuts and issues. The term 'super' applies to the fact that this particular group overrides many hurdles and their decisions can be enacted fairly quickly.

I chose to approach with a little bit of humor while making the point.

Media circus

2011-07-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

I recently completed this piece for Newsday Op-Ed on how the Casey Anthony trial became a classic
example of a 'media circus'. Media now having so many options, I thought a combination of all the screen sizes would make a good visual staement.

Violence in Syria

2011-06-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent illustration I did for Newsday to accompany an Opinion article focusing on possible reasons for the lack of response from peaceable countries such as America, to violence in Syria. You can read the Opinion article HERE

Please remember image is copywritten by Janet Hamlin Illustration and Newsday.

UBL

2011-05-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a portrait I created for the Associated Press of Usama bin Laden.
President Obama's confirmation and announcment of the death of Usama bin Laden, courtesy of NYT online:
Obama announcement

Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today Elizabeth Taylor passed away at 79, which seems young. She had quite a full life- a wonderful obituary from the NYT
can be read HERE

Some recent work

2011-03-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

I've been busy and not always posting, so thought I'd share some recent work from a court here in NYC. This was a day of streaming witnesses, a personal best - I did 8 sketches. This particular hearing gave me the perspective of 9/11 from the other side, our firefighters. The casualties from that day are still adding up, unfortunately.

Autism; a sensitive topic

2011-03-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked to illustrate an Op-Ed on Autistic programs and how budget cuts could affect them. The focus was on children, and how programs specifically for them can help bring a quality of life, expression and awareness. I thought of 'square to the circle' because often that must be how it feels; not quite fitting in, or 'staying in the lines'.

Painful cuts

2011-03-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

Not long ago, Newsday hired me to do an op-ed piece on education cuts. With today's announcements of NYC Board of Ed's teacher cuts, I thought this would be a timely post. Such a painful fallout from our struggling economy. Here's hoping
things lighten up soon and these educators can be placed back where they belong- teaching our children.

Recent work- Pace University's Annual Report

2011-02-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

When I was contacted to work on this by an art director I'd worked with in the past, I was thrilled. He had these great ideas, and is the kind of art director I truly enjoy working with- he pulls out the best in me, praises my aesthetic, but adds his own in a very
precise way. Here you see select pieces of the project, which was a cover and 4 inside spots.

Peace on Earth, good will to all in 2011

2010-12-23T10:03:00.000-08:00

Thank you for visiting my blog. I wish you all well, and a Happy New Year in 2011.

Omar Khadr verdict- trial is over

2010-11-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

The verdict finally came in on Sunday late afternoon. The jury deliberated for quite some time, and had some testimony replayed.
Finally, the word came out; the jury was ready, and the sentence had been reached. Jury gave Omar 40 years, much more than anyone had anticipated, sending out a strong message. But a plea deal was set in place, so the actual time served is a maximum of 8 years- 1 in Guantanamo, and then he will serve the rest of the time in Canada.
Read Michelle Shephard's account from Toronto Star HERE

Days 5 and 6, Khadr trial

2010-10-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Closing arguments were put forward to the jury, and we now await the verdict. On hold until 12:30 tomorrow, Oct. 31.

Khadr day 4 afternoon-Khadr apologizes

2010-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

What an emotional-filled day in court. Omar Khadr took the stand for the first time, and apologized to widow Tabitha Speer.
Prior to that, a Canadian christian college professer spoke about her communication and opinions with and of Omar Khadr.

Day 4 Khadr trial

2010-10-28T09:26:00.001-07:00

The widow of soldier mortally wounded during battle reads a letter her children wrote to Omar Khadr, who pled guilty charges of manslaughter. Emotions ran high. Earlier testimony via video conferencing from Afghanistan by a soldier testified he believed Omar can be 'rehabilitated'.

Day 3 Khadr

2010-10-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today's sketches.. 6 in total.

Day 2 Khadr trial

2010-10-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

Day two, Omar Khadr trial in Guantanamo Bay. We saw )and heard) what an exploding russian grenade does to a truck, landmine elements, and a few witnesses. Off to court in a few minutes, so closing for now.

Khadr pleads guilty- Oct 25, 2010

2010-10-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

This morning Omar Khadr pled guilty to charges that included mortally wounding a U.S. soldier during combat over eight years ago. Here we see him pleading guilty under oath. Trial will continue with military jury and witnesses present tomorrow.
Here is a more detailed outline in a statement released by military spokesperson Maj. Tanya Bradsher:
"The Department of Defense announced that Omar Khadr pled guilty today in a
military commission. In accordance with a pre-trial agreement, Mr. Khadr
admitted, in open court, to committing murder in violation of the law of
war, attempted murder in violation of the law of war, providing material
support to terrorism, conspiracy, and spying. His sentence will be
determined at a hearing that begins Tuesday."

Sketching on the fly; camp tour in gitmo

2010-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

We did a 'camp tour' yesterday. I brought my sketchpad and sketched while we were moving through. It's a good challenge, and practice for me. It was one of the quicker tours, moving through at a pretty good clip, maybe 10 minutes in each area at most. We toured camps 5 and 6, and the hospital. My sketches were OPSEC'ed- approved by military- before posting.

A new Martin Luther King, Jr. poster

2010-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of doing another MLK poster; this time I used Wordle to break down Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech into
a word cloud, to me a graphically beautiful background that has meaning as well.

World War Two veteran Pete Cavallo, servicing the 28th/ 39th Division

2010-10-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have had the good fortune of crossing paths with a friend's father, former World War Two vet Sgt. Pete Cavallo.

Pete had a suitcase with a lot of his documents which I've posted here:

-Photo of the troop
-Sailing orders
-Signatures of some of troop (Elmer E. Walk, Robert K. Southerland 'Good luck from the Rebals' , Robert E. Shull, Joseph E. -Lee, Greg Cottonhill, Turibio LaBelle, Mario Mazzella, Vincent C. Lora, Charles Martin, Earl T. Bettner)

They served from 1950-1952 helping the 28th and 39th Divisions, in Germany Army of Occupation. Initially trained defensively, they used generators to burn oil called 'fog oil' to create smoke camoflauge with the Chemical Corps. The Korean War started the same week they were sent.
If anyone has an affiliation or history with this troop, send me a message and I'll gladly connect you.

Figure drawing workshop at Hopper House 9/30/10

2010-09-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

In between trials, teaching and freelance I also run figure drawing sessions.
Next thursday Sept. 30th we are having a very special event, posing two scenes based on Hopper paintings and doing our own viewpoint and studies of them at Hopper House, 82 North Broadway, Nyack, NY. The paintings we are going to emulate are on this flier. Bring your camera to shoot your viewpoint so you can continue your work after the pose is over. Also, dress warmly as one pose will be out on the porch, weather permitting. See you next Thursday!

Khadr trial on hold,

2010-08-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

We were told this morning following the collapse of Khadr's lone attorney Lt col Jon Jackson, that he is being airlifted to States hospital for care. Trial is on hold for 30 days or perhaps more.
We will be shipped out either today or tomorrow.

In the meantime, I want to share a link that Muna Shikaki of Al Aribiya, has produced using my sketches:

Al Aribiya video

Guantanamo Bay, Khadr day 4: trial begins

2010-08-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Omar Khadr's trial began today, with military jury present. However, for the first time since covering these commissions I was not allowed to draw the jury in any way- not even an outline. So you see large numbers representing them. At the end of the day one of the attorneys collapsed. We await word on his condition, though he was responsive. Thoughts to the positive.

Qosi sentenced and Khadr jury selection complete

2010-08-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

A very interesting day in the Guantanamo courtrooms; the Qosi trial has concluded- first under Obama administration- and Khadr jury selection is complete. Khadr trial begins in earnest tomorrow morning.

The kicker is that I was told that drawing the panel(aka jury) is no longer allowed. Not even an outline, odd when you look at previous commissions I've sketched in, and you see the various services, ranks and genders of the military jury. It is a powerful image.

Here's hoping this can be overturned.

Omar Khadr suits up- Canadian press video

2010-08-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

A nice use of my drawings by Colin Perkel of Canadian Press:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/omar-khadr-suits-up/article1668623/
Another video by Colin's was also featured in The New Yorker blog by Amy Davidson:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2010/08/guantanamos-child-soldier-trial.html

Day two, Guantanamo court sketches

2010-08-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

I did 'split shift' in the Guantanamo courts today, juggling Khadr/Qosi dashing from one to the other when there was a hold (twice in the qosi court). Managed to get three of Khadr done, though not as filled out as I'd liked. I did the Qosi courtroom in detailwhile waiting for things to begin- that drawing will post tomorrow once it's complete.

Guantanamo, day 1 of Khadr/Qosi sketches

2010-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today I sketched at one court, then another while two cases were going at once; al Qosi and Omar Khadr. After 8 years in detention, Canadian Khadr is going to trial, slated to take between 2-6 weeks. Al Qosi is expected to be tried and sentenced much sooner, which will make it the first case going to completion under the Obama administration. Stay tuned for more sketches tomorrow.

Two cases at once happening in Guantanamo

2010-08-08T12:43:00.001-07:00

Great article by Mike Melia of AP that explains it all:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/08/1766973/guantanamo-gears-up-for-1st-trial.html
I'll be dividing my time between both courts tomorrow, and then focusing on Omar Khadr thereafter. You will see postings as the week progresses.

ICON 6

2010-07-23T16:13:00.001-07:00

I attended ICON 6 last week and found it to be an excellent conference. My table at the Roadshow was shared with HAMBOT (pictured on left). You can see video footage of some of the conference topics HERE

Another digital painting

2010-07-07T18:35:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd post a somewhat recent piece I did for a financial magazine client. I use photoshop, multiplying the layers in various opacities and brushes, with a charcoal underdrawing. It's such a fun way to paint. Here is the technique described step-by-step:

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

Biking New York

2010-06-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

On a total side note from art, here's one of the things I always wanted to do; bike from where I live to Manhattan and back. It was such a gorgeous ride, 67 miles in total riding through Jersey, across the GW Bridge and into Manhattan. We then rode along the West side bike path all the way to Battery Park, where we admired the Statue of Liberty as well as taking a moment to view the World Trade Center sculpture, a heartbreaking site. I used to love to sit in the middle area of the WTC by this sculpture.
I recommend to anyone who likes to cycle to ride the West Side path.

Blueprint for Accountability

2010-06-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

I recently attended the 'Blueprint for Accountability' presented by the Culture Project in Manhattan. Informative, with a format that brought in a diverse panel, multimedia, and celebrity performances.
Learn and see what it's about:
BLUEPRINT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Some recent work

2010-06-10T04:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted up freelance work other than my Guantanamo sketches. I have to say, I really enjoy the diversity of the work that I do and appreciate that my career has followed that open path; from sketching live in court (very intense and gratifying work) to teaching online (love seeing my students progress in their drawing ability) and last but not least, freelance illustrating, giving a visual narrative.
Here are two pieces for Newsday's Opinion editorials. The hand with the stopwatch is about Long Island having hospitals that can deal in a timely and effective manner with stroke victims- time always being of essence in an injury, but with a stroke what you do-and when, can make a huge difference in the outcome.
The second piece is about Health Care Reform, and our own ability to take preventative measures in our life choices; from eating, to reducing stress by reading, and of course, excercising.

Final day at Omar Khadr hearing, May 6

2010-05-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

The hearing is on hold for now, so my visual coverage comes to an end today for the time being. Seen here via video testimony is a former Bagram Interrogator referred to as #1. In foreground, Omar Khadr listens, with attorney Kobie Flowers beside him while Barry Coburn questions #1 at the podium.

May 5, Guantanamo Bay, Khadr hearing

2010-05-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

More from Omar Khadr's hearing today. In the top image, you can see how I build out the sketch, using brown conte' crayon to lay it in, and then coloring in. Check links for more info from yesterday's posting.

Day 6 Guantanamo, Omar Khadr hearing

2010-05-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

Three witnesses today, as the hearing continues on in Guantanamo. More to come tomorrow..
for more information check these media sources:
Miami Herald
Toronto Star
Globe and Mail

Day 5-Sketching in Guantanamo

2010-05-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

Omar Khadr was in court today after being absent for several days. Two videocast witnesses testified; "Mr. M' and former NCIS agent Greg Finley.

Day 4-Sketching in Guantanamo

2010-05-01T15:03:00.001-07:00

A few from today's hearing in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for military commissions hearing of Omar Khadr. I managed to do 5 today- we started at 7:30 and ended at 4 pm. Hoping Omar shows up Monday. We shall see.

Day 3 -sketching in Guantanamo

2010-04-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Another day of 8 days slated for Omar Khadr's hearing. Today he did not show due to illness, but several witnesses testified.
Gavel down at 7 am tomorrow morning..

Today in Guantanamo

2010-04-29T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is the 4th sketch I've done since arriving in Guantanamo. I'm covering the hearing of Canadian Omar Khadr, who has been detained here since he was 16, and is now 23. Today an agent testified, and video was displayed showing young Khadr with older known al Quaeda individuals making bombs. He reluctantly came to court, his damaged eye apparently bothering him, so you can see him here with head in hands. The agent holds a disk of the movie in his hands while testifying. Tomorrow we're back in court at 0800. Look out for more postings.

Inspiration: Joyce Howard

2010-04-10T12:30:00.001-07:00

Here are a few samples of amazing work from Joyce Howard. It's simply gorgeous, and her diversity and creativity are inspirational. You can see more of her work on the blog we've created at:
http://jhowardfolkart.blogspot.com

Jihad Jane

2010-03-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

Collen LaRose, aka 'Jihad Jane' had an arraignment in Philadelphia yesterday. Quite a change from what I've been drawing in connection with terrorism; a blond female American. Learn more on these links:

Video HERE

Print HERE

Zora Neale Hurston

2010-02-19T16:58:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite books is 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' written by Zora Neale Hurston. I had the great fortune of getting an assignment to illustrate a cover for a biography on Zora. I researched her, and read the book so that I could put as much of
who she was into my illustration. To learn more about Zora Neale Hurston, click HERE.

Winter Olympics

2010-02-12T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here's some Winter Olympics illustrations I had done for the AP's coverage of the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. Such a fun job! Then art director Scott Johnson really pushed me and opened a whole new world for me with digital media.

Movie stars

2010-02-09T09:39:00.001-08:00

Here's a collage of some iconic movie and tv personalities for fun! Academy awards are on the radar.

My next promotional card

2010-02-01T09:01:00.001-08:00

I really hesitated for a long time to do a portrait of Obama, because so many artists have done that. He is truly
breaking so many boundaries- our first African-American president for starters. This being Black History Month, I felt it was time to pay my artistic homage to our President. Here he is with his State of the Union speech as word emphasis.

A bad, bad trip

2010-01-22T07:53:00.001-08:00

I'm posting this in honor of Illustration Friday's topic 'Clumsy'. The dollar does seem be tripping us up lately, with unemployment rates highest in 17 years in NYC and the recession not seeming to ebb fast enough.
On a high note, though, the power of texting as charity is mind-blowing, as the Red Cross can attest with donations texted for aid in Haiti. In this, our dollars are proving to be quite mighty.
To see just what I'm talking about click through HERE

Honoring Martin Luther King

2010-01-18T03:11:00.000-08:00

Today we honor a man who stood for civil rights and peace, who at the age of 35 was the youngest to receive a Nobel Peace Prize at the time. Our country is getting there, realizing his dream of equality and peace for all, but sadly at the immeasurable cost of lives, such his own- assassinated just over 40 years ago at the age of 39.
Read more about Dr. King at the Nobel Peace Prize site HERE

First session at Hopper House in 2010

2010-01-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are over, our figure drawing sessions have begun at Hopper House. I broke out my nupastels and
did this sketch.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

Video and feature story from LoHud on Guantanamo sketches at Hopper House on display until January 10

2009-12-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

VIDEO
Well done video by Mark Vergari, LoHud videographer and photographer.
Also a well written article by Khuram Saeed.
ARTICLE

A nice suprise

2009-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

What before my wondering eye should appear but this post from Siobahn Dooley, a friend most dear..
An unexpected front-page story by LoHud reporter Khurram Saeed. If you are in the area, please come by Hopper House
82 N. Broadway, Nyack NY - opening is tonight, 5-7pm. Not only my artwork, but several other lovely works
of the figure by local artists.

Show!

2009-12-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

It's up and I'm getting last minute things together to embellish this first time showing of my Guantanamo sketches.
So many things are making this a very special event; journalist friends I've made during my trips there are coming
from near and far, as are family and friends. Hopper House, Edward Hopper's boyhood home and now an Arts Center is the perfect place in which to debut the work. This show is in conjunction with figure drawings done by local artists at the weekly figure drawing sessions I facilitate at Hopper House.
Here is a blog posting from LoHud about the show:
http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2009/12/09/nyacks-janet-hamlin-displays-her-guantanamo-courtroom-sketches/

Snow!

2009-12-09T19:08:00.001-08:00

Today I woke up to the sound of snowplows and knew I was in for it. Sure enough, my very sloped driveway was slick with a slushy thick layer. Out I went in boots and coat and took more than a few sliding spills. Tis the season! So I'm posting a
happier memento of snow; this snowboarding image I had done for the AP's coverage of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Hibernating in the habitat

2009-11-29T12:19:00.000-08:00

A chill is in the air as winter settles in; I thought this illustration of bunnies fit nicely in between all the holiday
happenings. A cozy winter for all!

2009-11-25T07:42:00.000-08:00

Baking the bird

2009-11-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

This is a piece I did for the AP showing how to choose and prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving. Prepping the bird can be a lot of work, but the results.. well, memorable.
Copyright AP.

Joyful saxophone

2009-11-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

This is a personal piece I did on a lito aluminum plate, spattering and drawing, trying to capture that flow of music.

On the lighter side- football

2009-11-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

I love branching out creatively, and my stint on board at Associated Press as a staff illustrator gave me the chance to stretch and try out a variety of styles. Fun! Football players are the perfect thing to caricature. I designed this to be in a column format for
newspapers.

Full circle- 9/11 co-conspirators to have trial in NYC

2009-11-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

Breaking news confirmed that Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and the other four co-conspirators will be tried in NYC courts, raising arguments for and against, as opposed to continuing to press charges via the Guantanamo tribunal system.

Hopper House drawing 11-12-09

2009-11-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

Oodles of doodles

2009-11-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Last week's session at Hopper House- we had a very interesting model, whom I look forward to working with again.
I'll be posting details about an upcoming show of the figure drawing, as well as a first-time showing of some of the Guantanamo court art.

Amelia

2009-11-04T07:25:00.001-08:00

I had done this illustration some time ago for an educational biography on Amelia Earhart. Her story is of course an enduring one, complete with a recent feature film release. There were several women pilots at the time, but none that have become as iconic as she.
On a similar track I happened to hear of a group of female pilots known as WASP- Women Airforce Service Pilots. They were the first women to fly military craft in World War ll as test pilots and trainers. It was a controversial contribution to the war, and records of their service were put in a classified file.They only just received the Congressional Gold Medal this year- more than 60 years later. To learn more click HERE

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

Focus on the Figure/ Guantanamo sketches; showing at Hopper House Dec 12-Jan 10

2009-10-24T21:54:00.001-07:00

I'm curating a group show of the figure drawing work done during our weekly drawing sessions. This will be a unique show in that it's really two shows; the figure drawings, and in a separate gallery room, some selected sketches from the tribunals at Guantanamo Bay. This will be the first time I will be publicly displaying the original art.

Another digital painting

2009-10-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

A recent portrait I did for one of my regular clients, Treasury and Risk Magazine. I really enjoy working with photoshop
and multiple layers to build up the painting. You can see my technique archived in my blog postings under 'digital deliciousness'

Recent figure studies, Hopper House

2009-10-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

These are from last week's session. Great turnout again- we're gearing up for the group show in December at Hopper House
gallery.

Oct 16 at Hopper House

2009-10-17T20:12:00.001-07:00

Great session last Thursday; more students are showing up, so we have this tremendous diversity in ages, experience, and styles. I'm thrilled that this venue is drawing people in. Any who are interested:
Figure drawing every Thursday night from 7:30-10pm, Hopper House, 82 S. Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
http://hopperfiguredrawing.blogspot.com/

October 7, at Hopper House

2009-10-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

Great session at Hopper House last week. Our model was Nick, and we had a full house-lots of creative energy, and always glad I participated and stretched the creative muscle.

October 1- drawing at Hopper House

2009-10-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Some of the sketches from last week's drawing at Hopper house. Great model and quite a turnout. Ebbs and flows on my ends- some tight, some loose..

Back in Hopper House

2009-09-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a model that really brought everyone to the drawing table- he was striking some great poses and the energy was high. These are the days when I realize why I love to draw- especially with these other artists. Pure bliss.

KSM compare and contrast

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday photos of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed appeared in the Miami Herald, and from there were picked up by the NYTimes Lede Blog, Washington Post, and Daily Mail. A former West Point terrorism expert who monitors jihadist Web sites, Jarret Brachman, published images on his blog
Here you can read just how and why these photos were taken and the likely process to online distribution.
Many might recall the story of how KSM disliked the initial drawing I did of him, primarily his nose.

Figure drawing sessions start up SEPT 17, Hopper House

2009-09-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Fall is just about here, and the figure drawing program will be starting up again at Hopper House Thursday nights:
http://hopperfiguredrawing.blogspot.com/

Uncle Sam burdened

2009-08-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

I did this spot for Newsday last week, on how some religious institutions in LI have made use of a law that allows them to ignore zoning restrictions and build freely, burdening the community with no tax income.

Walter Cronkite

2009-07-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

2009-07-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Just finished with sketches at Guantanamo Bay, of hearings held on Omar Khadr, and al Qosi yesterday, and today, Bin al Shibh, Aziz Ali, and Hawsawi (who requested to leave, and was allowed to, when he found he was not going to be allowed to speak that day) In the media section were more families of 911 victims. At first none of the 911 co-conspirators showed up; then after a while the three did. Court reconvened after a break sans any observers. It will be interesting to see how this moves forward.

Illustration for Newsday, pre-K funding

2009-06-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

Newsday asked me to illustrate an editorial on how much of the funding available for Pre-K classes in the LI area have gone unused. Why, might you ask? Turns out that schools are concerned that if they create a pre-k program and funding gets pulled, they end up bearing the expense; a gamble. I decided to use that angle, showing the croupier scooping the funds back, knocking the spelling blocks aside. Spelling blocks are not exactly original- but they worked with this idea.

Publisher's Weekly cover

2009-06-22T19:35:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I have posted; during that time my online class began and various other projects cropped up, once of which you see here. The cover story for Publisher's Weekly is entitled 'Who Owns Holden Caulfield?"
JD Salinger, author of 'The Catcher in the Rye' is taking legal action; someone has written a book based on 'Catcher' 60 years later. It will be interesting to see what the outcome is.

You see the comp, then comped cover, and my painting before being placed. It's a combination of traditional painting, with acrylics and gesso (applied with a toothbrush to achieve the wood grain), and then I brought it into Photoshop for additonal adjustments.

First GTMO commissions hearing since Obama became President

2009-06-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

As promised, am following up with sketches done in today's commissions hearing. The focus of the discussion was Khadr's defense team. In two fairly brief meetings, it was determined that court would reconvene in July with Kuebler until Khadr could choose his defense lawyer. AP,Reuters, Miami Herald, Toronto Star among others are here covering this story.

On the island

2009-05-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

I'm in Guantanamo now for Omar Khadr's case scheduled in the courts tomorrow- a first since Obama has taken office as President. I'll be posting sketches. Not sure how many; session will likely be very short. Stay tuned..

Figuratively, traditionally, and digitally

2009-05-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

Here's another example of a digitally painted portrait, using a basic charcoal line drawing and adding layers in Photoshop. I've got an archived series in this blog on the whole process- look for 'digital deliciousness' if you are curious. This other is just a warm-up from my last figure drawing session that had a little movement to it.

Sketchin' time

2009-05-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

I hauled out the pastels and totally tightened up; notice the difference between my looser gestural sketches and the ones with color. I'm going to keep pushing through the dust and have fun while doing it.

Stretching and sketching

2009-05-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

I've been finishing up with my online students- finals- so have not been quite up-to-date with my postings. It's already Thursday and I'll be doing a new session tonight- how quickly time passes. Here are my studies from last week.