I came across this glamorous yacht illustration in my files the other day and wondered why my life did not imitate my art. It is common knowledge that all illustrators become millionaires early on in their careers, where did I go wrong? This seemingly innocuous illustration appeared in the travel section of The New York Times many years ago, the large dated flip phone is a dead giveaway. Why I drew a disembodied hand spilling wine over the VIP 's head remains a mystery to me, though I often restrain myself from doing just that in real life to boors who spew inane verbiage over their phones at decibels that cannot be ignored in social settings.
I firmly believe that banning smoking at outdoor cafes foreshadowed the demise of the art of conversation but cell phones dealt the death blow.
I suppose we may all live a few annoying years longer than good taste dictates but I would rather spend a few hours with a chain smoking drinking buddy than an excruciating eternity with a health conscious fool who accepts every call, text message, and tweet.
Will somebody please help me down from off this soapbox?
I firmly believe that banning smoking at outdoor cafes foreshadowed the demise of the art of conversation but cell phones dealt the death blow.
I suppose we may all live a few annoying years longer than good taste dictates but I would rather spend a few hours with a chain smoking drinking buddy than an excruciating eternity with a health conscious fool who accepts every call, text message, and tweet.
Will somebody please help me down from off this soapbox?
29 comments:
The flip phone! Hahaha! So Y2K! In any event, blonde's up-do is genius! XXX DD
htp://www.dariandarling.com
I would happily dump a drink on this very ignorant person as well, anyone on a cell at a party, function, gathering, outing is fair game! I find them extremely rude.
Exquisite illustration by the way, cheers!
Oh I most certainly agree, people on their phones in social places, and those who text and reply to messages incessantly, drive me utterly insane. I find it so rude, and so ignorant.
But your illustration is wonderful, as is the Trenet video; La Mer is one of my all time favourite songs, so it was a treat to listen to here :)
No I'd probably stagger up on that box and back you up....people on cell phones in social places irritate me immensely.
xx
Love the VIP badge on the cell phoner, very clever detail.
Sharon
Oh yes.
I used to love being totally incommunicado and unreachable. That's what made driving so much fun. I often turn my phone off to recapture that feeling. And it is always, always off whenever others are around.
Yes, pour the drink on the fellow.
Ti lascio un salutino
Gio'
http://remenberphoto.blogspot.com/
HI David
I love this illustration. something about it.. the lights I think... make me think of vacations and celebrations.. and those harbour cruises from my youth.... although we were far from being the 'beautiful ppl'. No up do's for us!!
I'm right there with you re the mobile phones.. ppl taking calls in public places.. incredibly annoying!!
Hope you have a fab week.. xx Julie
Bonjour David
Lovely illustration, I quite agree with you about mobile phones I have friends and family who are particularly bad offenders, I get so embarrassed when their phones ring in a restaurant and they take the call, speaking louder than normal, I now threaten to walk if they persist!
Have they really banned smoking at outdoor cafes in the States? Thank goodness they have not done this in France, think there would be a revolution if they did, I got really annoyed a couple of years ago, whilst sitting outside a cafe somewhere in Corsica, I lit up whilst having a coffee (I try to be considerate and make sure my smoke does not waft over people) there was an American couple who started coughing and waving there arms about, my smoke was going nowhere near them, talk about making a fuss, they moved tables only to be subjected to further diners lighting up, Ha, then they left, good riddance!
Love that song, it makes one feel so relaxed just listening to it.
XXX
you said it mister! the smoking ban did start the decline but the cell phones defintely put the nail in the coffin. you said it best. I am worried my boys won't know how to carry on a conversation. have you seen the teens today? they all sit a table together and TEXT each other instead of talking. it's insane!
and hey, i like the disembodied hand spilling the drink. Makes it look more like a party i'd want to be at. it's not a party until something gets broke! or spilled!
This illustration reflects perfectly the superficial world of those kind of people.
I also think that lot of people loose connection with their real present life while being connected to the whole world digitally and living on the phone or in a virtual world.
Stay up on your soapbox, just move over to give the rest of us room.
I would rather spend a few hours with a chain smoking drinking buddy than an excruciating eternity with a health conscious fool who accepts every call, text message, and tweet.
Yes, Yes, Yes! If you answer your phone in a restaurant or text while you're talking to me, I reserve the right to think evil, violent thoughts about my fist and your head. Not YOU, I mean... Generic "you". :) Also people can be as health conscious and disciplined as they like but I reserve the right to stuff the occasional french fry or nacho in my mouth without being judged, thank you.
You can stay on that soap box, really, it needs to be said.
Also, I love illustrations. I need to go check yours out now!
I am happy you became a follower on my blog,thank you.
I love yachts and NY!
Joined yours too.
Ah, love that song. Just stumbled upon your blog. My mobile phone is constantly in off mode.
I only check for message and when at parties, gals etc, my phone is usually in off mode, too. Doctors need to have their phones on - so that's a plausible exception.
I agree with you - it's such bad form to be glued to one's mobile when at a gathering or event.
David,
I can't help you get down off the soapbox, but I might actually build another level for you to get higher and carry on with your thoughts.
I am so personally sick and tired of having to listen to the screamers on their cell phones who I am CONVINCED are speaking to dead air or their deaf grandmothers.
Carry on my friend...
Hi, I really like your illustrations and I'm following, I want to see more! The flip phone isn't necessarily outdated - I've seen a lot of those in Asia, especially Japan. So there you are, in case you needed an argument that this picture isn't 'old' :-)
Burst out laughing! Please stay on that soapbox!
People can still smoke on outdoor terraces in France and it seems to me many people are learning proper cell phone manners so I feel the art of conversation isn't dead in France quite yet... but then we invented it and brought it to the point of being what it is - an art.
Yuk - what I wrote above is very poor English. Well, you get the idea.
David, Where does your talent come from?!
As far as the post ~ WELL SAID!
Kristin
David, As of late I find myself checking into your blog for the enjoyment of your refreshing take on life around you. Right now I have you to credit for a good chuckle..(Thanks, I needed that!)Other days I am at a loss for words and my typed out thoughts seem so tryt. So I delete. On the subject at hand.. I must say I quit agree but in all honesty I am a hipocrite! I have found myself being the jerk in those settings and then hating myself for answering the blasted phone in the first place. Truly I love/HATE my cell phone! And I despise the bone head that talks on the cell phone while driving or WORSE the bluetooth while shopping for groceries. We are a society addicted to gadgets. On a more enjoyable note I do love the smell of a freshly lit cigarette even if I gave it up years ago. Regarding your last comment, I have an image in my mind of an outdoor cafe' the light has become blue, cigaretts flicker in the night like fire flies. The hum in the air is of conversations between people face to face. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and of course great art.
very interesting (:
this is such a lovely song !! =)
lovley illustration :D
xx
Johanna, Sweden
ART, http://johannaurban.blogspot.com/
LOVE all your posts ans all your illustrations. Stay on the soapbox, but please don't let anyone smoke up there when I join you... merci.
David,
This post and illustration had me laughing. Somehow I've managed to live a life that rarely requires a phone. My phone is so out of date it resembles an 8-track. People can't believe that I haven't updated it for the latest, coolest status phone. If I wait long enough it will vintage and everyone will want one!
Catherine
totally agree with yoo...annoying to see people living by their phone 24x7...
While I can't be around the smoke (a result of quitting a 2-1/2 pack a day habit some years ago) I can certainly agree with you about the cell phone thing. I ride the bus with a young lady every morning on my way to work who is always yammering on her cell without fail. I really do feel like drop-kicking her into another dimension of the space/time continuum, but I like you, must restrain myself:)
Have a great weekend.
I love your drawings.
Post a Comment