89,000 and Counting

4,000 U.S. soldiers and more than 20 times as many Iraqi people dead from a war based on lies, hate, and greed. Why are we in this war?

To quote one of my favorite bands:
"George Bush, leave this world alone." "George Bush, find yourself another home."

Happy Easter

It seemed like the appropriate day to post this image.
Hope today is a happy and peaceful one for all.

George Bush

This is a journal drawing I did after the 9/11 attacks and in the early days of the buildup to the invasion of Iraq. It was done at a time when anyone who dissented was treated as an anti-American apologist for terrorists. (Someone actually called me this in response to a letter I wrote expressing the need for intelligent, well thought out actions, not all out war.)

Anyway, it is GWB. I was trying to decide while listening to all of his lies whether he most resembled a rat, weasel, or snake. I think any of these comparisons only demonize the poor animals referenced, and obfuscate the truth, that he could only be one kind of animal, human.

I submitted the piece to an online show at Drawger and they accepted it. The entire show can be seen here: Drawger: Portraits of a President.

Tim O'Brien Cover on Rolling Stone

Tim O'Brien, one of the most skilled artists working in illustration today, did a beautiful painting of Barack Obama for the cover of the March 20th issue of Rolling Stone.

If you have not seen this, go to your book store or magazine stand and check it out. Though there are other items of interest in the issue, the cover itself is well worth the price of the magazine.

On Tim's blog, you can see an earlier version of the cover and read about the changes he made and a little on how he went about making them.

Tim O'Brien's blog

Drawings of Gracie

Here are the drawings I did of Gracie on her last day, March 4, 2008. They are on 12" by 12" Cartiera Magnani brand, Hot Pressed watercolor paper that comes in a pad. The third one is on two sheets.

Photos of Gracie

Here are some pictures of Gracie. Three from yesterday (her last day) and one from a recent snowy day.

Gracie

Today I had Gracie put down, put to sleep, euthanized, what have you. It was pretty much one of the most difficult things I have had to do. She had been slowing down so much in the past few days and her body was full of fluid. I don't know if she was in any pain, but I hope not. She was the smartest dog I ever had. Gabriel cried this morning and hugged her, I cried this morning when I made the decision and when the doctor injected her with the anesthetic that caused her to drift quickly into sleep then death. One minute she was alive and the next she was gone.

Afterward, I took her home and dug into the soft earth, through rocks, roots, and clay to make a place to lay her head down and her body to rest. It almost gave me a coronary to dig the small hole for her. I am completely out of shape. Then, I laid her down with one of her toys and a small stick. (Gracie loved to chase sticks) Doing this gave me some sense of closure, and made me feel very human, very close to reality. All my bullshit was gone out of me. I hope that the experience will help to make me a better person. I know that my life was enriched by her presence. Her absence from our lives leaves a hole. We miss her, she was part of our family and too young to leave.

Thank you to the people who commented earlier and sent their kind words and wishes to Gracie.

Bill

I did some drawings of her and will post them along with some photos when I get them scanned.