Some recent editorial art
I've done over 500 illustrations for the alternative weekly Phoenix newspaper (Boston, Providence, RI, and Portland, ME, branches) since 1996, but lately I've been working for the Providence Phoenix pretty exclusively. The Phoenix changed its design a while ago---clean lines only, no visible brushstrokes, photoshop color and greys only, so I was forced to adapt my style. Here are some recent illos:

16-year-old criminals getting sent to Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions:


Rhode Island's fear of doctors being able to legally prescribe medical marijuana...


and the reality of patients using the drug:


The evolution of bank robbers:






Here are a few I did before the redesign.
College grads losing their jobs, then their homes:


Minorities mistrust of police after way, way too many bad-cop incidents:


Mentally ill criminals released back into society because of institutional budget cuts:


A rare non-depressing article, this time about (ironically!) biking in Boston:



I'm slowly getting more comfortable using the computer but I've got to admit, I still really prefer painting. These editorial jobs are really useful, though, and usually fun to do despite the heavy subject matter: they force me to keep thinking fast, and working fast. Most jobs are done, from getting the story emailed over, to sketch phase, to finished illo, within 24-48 hours. In the late 90s I was drawing editorial stuff day and night, but these days I do way more painting for myself and self-generated projects with longer deadlines. The editorial work keeps me on my toes.

Cover for this week's Boston's Weekly Dig

This is their "Good Bostonians" issue so I included (from left to right) my buddy Moka and my own 2 Boston Terriers, Frankenstein and Mr. Giles. I need to run out and grab some copies! Thanks again, Tak, for hiring me for this fun job.