A Sea of Distraction

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?

We All Get Lost Along the Way

I have not written much of late as I have been uncharacteristically depressed by the world's news.
The fact that BP is now burning trapped endangered sea turtles alive, Haiti has been all but forgotten and Times Square along with every corner of my city is a potential target, has taken it's toll.
I have no money to donate, I am a commercial artist trying to survive in a wrecked economy despite the cheerful facade I have hopefully drawn of my life in the past.
Times are tough for most of us but giving up and turning a blind eye (I am preaching only to myself here) is not the solution.
I did physically volunteer at ground zero, that I could do. I cannot go to the Gulf Coast, I cannot go to Haiti.
I can however, humbly, offer my illustration services for free to any legitimate organization that is trying to make a positive difference in this world, just email me.
I feel better already having said that.
Please do not donate children's books to Zimbabwe at St. John's parish hall, the event is long over, I just used this as an example of work I have done in the past.