Photo Finish

I have never attended the Kentucky derby. I do however show my face at the meets of Saratoga as much as possible.
I occasionally wager small bets but it is not one of my vices as I have never experienced the addictive exhilaration that follows a win.
The odds are always in my favor if I settle for outrageous hats, good company and Mint Juleps.
Here I have illustrated the equestrian tracks for Town and Country. I dedicate this post to my cousin Melissa who as a child, begged me to draw horses for her, and to my cousin Kelly who loves a good cocktail recipe...
MINT JULEP
2 fluid ounces Early Times Kentucky Whisky
1 tablespoon simple syrup
fresh mint sprigs
crushed ice
silver mug and straw

Please drink in this Cecil Beaton racetrack image from My Fair Lady of Audrey Hepburn before you imbibe.

Ash Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...

I am told that in certain parts of the world the Icelandic volcano plume has created the most beautiful sunsets, this is small consolation for many I know.
The rather spectacular sunset over Big Ben was drawn for the Wall Street Journal's "Finicky Traveler" column. I am sharing with you a small detail of the illustration as I am not thrilled with the rest of it. I was trying to please the art director and the columnist who had opposing opinions which made for a convoluted mess.
I am however, quite pleased with the portion you see. I drew my favorite Prada loafers which have traveled the world with me. The fact that they have thick soles has always posed a problem while passing airport security but they are truly comfortable and worth the raised eyebrows.
A strikingly beautiful Italian friend of mine with an explosive temper worked for Prada here in NYC and would always sneak me into the sample sales before the doors opened to the public. She has since moved back to Milan and I miss her more than comfortable shoes.

Train Wreck

I would like to tell you that this illustration appeared in Vogue or Elle but the truth is that it was drawn for the New Jersey Transit Onboard Magazine, something for the commuters to ponder as they ride the rails.
Not every assignment can be high profile in a wrecked economy and I am grateful for every job that pays the bills.
I gave the model a Louise Brooks bob to soothe my ego. If you have never heard of Louise Brooks, check out the video below and rent every DVD you can find of the silent films she starred in, start with Pandora's Box, Diary of a Lost Girl, and Prix de Beauté, you will thank me for it.

Through a Glass Darkly

Once again the denizens of Manhattan are squinting their eyes while donning sunglasses as they venture from cavernous bars to spill onto what NYC calls an outdoor cafe. While I enjoy basking in the sunshine over a noontime vodka and tonic, I am about to go postal over the residual din of stupidity.
The fashionable yet annoying Cooper Square Hotel has a rooftop deck that faces my apartment's bedroom window. Unfortunately the establishment allows drunken morons to "woo wooo" over each and every tequila shot simply because they can afford the elephantine prices. Just because you're from the Jersey Shore and for inexplicable reasons have been featured in Harper's Bazaar (Bizarre is more accurate) gives you no right to hoot and holler till three AM. This is not Rear Window as I knew it, Grace Kelley has been replaced by some creature called Snookie who sports something called a bump. I deplore violence but am considering throwing eggs.
The above illustrations were commissioned by various NYC restaurants.

Fashion Lessons

My father fought in WW ll, my brother fought in Viet Nam and I was paid to draw this illustration. I feel a bit ashamed of myself.
There is nothing glamorous about war but every five years or so the fashionista dictators order us to wear a military inspired look.
Here are two photographs of my Dad sporting his summer and winter sailor wear.
My brother never gave me any military photos of himself for reasons that should be obvious to anyone who has studied history. His war is now with the government who denies Agent Orange had any side effects.
We can learn from and adapt the beauty of a practical uniform but we should really learn to stop hating each other.