California Laws

A piece about laws passed in California in 2011. They include ordering wine online, a ban on shark fin soup, and a law against selling dogs on a sidewalk. For the Los Angeles Times.

Nike Missile Site on Campus

This is for Cincinnati Magazine's Dr. Know column. A reader asked why there was a Nike missile site built near Miami University of Ohio in the 1950s. Those were simpler times, and I tried tried to reflect that era in the illustration. 

A Clean Sweep With All The Trimmings

This is an illustration for Tor.com. The story is about hitmen from outer space who pursue a "doll" in 1920s New York City. The story was written by James Alan Gardner and art directed by Irene Gallo. 

Susie

A sketch of my cat on a Sunday morning. 

Contagious Divorce

Studies suggesting that divorce could be contagious are under serious critical fire. For the New York Times Health section. Peter Morance was the fantastic art director. 

Roebling Suspension Bridge

Who pays for the electricity to light up the Roebling Suspension Bridge – Ohio or Kentucky? The question was asked by a grumpy taxpayer. For the Dr. Know column in Cincinnati magazine.

I've been longing for the opportunity to draw this beautiful landmark bridge. It was designed by John A. Roebling, who went on to design the Brooklyn Bridge.

Interesting yet sad sidenote on Roebling: 

 In 1867 Roebling started design work on what is now called the Brooklyn Bridge, spanning the East River in New York. One day in 1869 he was standing at the edge of a dock, working on fixing the location where the bridge would be built, when his foot was crushed by an arriving ferry. His injured toes were amputated. He refused further medical treatment and wanted to cure his foot by "water therapy" (continuous pouring of water over the wound). His condition deteriorated. He succumbed to tetanus 24 days after the accident.

Remembrances of Empty Subways of Weekends Past

For the New York Times City Room. Readers wrote in about their fond and not-so-fond memories of riding the empty weekend subway of the late 70's and early 80's. This is the first time I've attempted graffiti in watercolor.

Managing The Aftershock

This is for an article in Strategy & Business magazine about leading a business in the aftermath of a worldwide financial disaster.

Hidden Minnesota

This was for a special feature called Hidden Minnesota in Minnesota Magazine. It's a travel section about places to go and things to do in the state. 
The characters depict different areas and their local specialties: beer drinking, Norwegian folk dancing, etc., All things I enjoy. I've included some sketches as well. Kirsten Mortensen was the Art Director and she made it a lot of fun. 

Broetry

July 5th is the big release date for a book of poetry that I had the pleasure to illustrate: Broetry, Poetry for Dudes by Brian McGackin. It gave me a chance to illustrate such poems as "O Captain! My Captain America!" and "My Friends Who Don't Have Student Loans". It even has a poem with stormtroopers. And although I didn't illustrate "Cleaning Off My George Foreman Grill", I wish I had, because it's surprisingly poignant.

The art director was the fantastic Doogie Horner at Quirk books.

Hamilton!

The city of Hamilton, Ohio was renamed Hamilton! in the 1980's. What happened to the exclamation point? 
For the Dr. Know column in Cincinnati magazine. 

Racehorse and Choir Audition

The Racehorse is for an article entitled "New and Unproved" for Plansponsor magazine and the choir audition piece is for the Dr. Know column of Cincinnati magazine. 

Some Recent Sketches

These were done at the Philadelphia Art Museum, below I-95 in Philadelphia, and the figure studies were done at my desk.

When Self-Knowledge Is Only the Beginning

Self-understanding doesn't necessarily lead to happiness. For The New York Times Science section. 

Shifting Focus

For Plansponsor magazine. Art directed by SooJin Buzelli.

Natural Disasters In Dictatorships

A natural disaster will kill many more people in a non-democratic society than in a democratic one. Appearing in New York University's alumni magazine.