Illustration Friday - Midsummer Night

A very young Mickey Rooney as Puck in the 1935 movie of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Illustration Friday - Launch

A few years ago I attended a book launch and reading for Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates. One of America's great living writers

Illustration Friday - Swept

As a Canadian it's impossible to not be swept up in the excitement of the Stanley Cup finals. Here's hoping Vancouver wins Game 7. Thursday update - well, sadly they didn't. Congratulations to the Boston Bruins

Illustration Friday - Shadows

A quick sketch from the video of Tom Waits performing Bronx Lullabye in the movie "Poetry In Motion"

Illustration Friday - Asleep

Detail from a recent life drawing session

Illustration Friday - Soaked

When Tom Waits moved to Island Records and released Swordfishtrombones he explored a whole new range of sonic territory including the Howlin Wolf influenced blues shouter Gin Soaked Boy. Swordfishtrombones was one of the greatest albums of the 80's in my opinion

Tom Waits - Gin Soaked Boy Lyrics

I got a belly full of you
and that Leavenworth stuff
now I'm gonna get out
And I'm gonna get tough
you been lying to me
How could you crawl so low
with some gin-soaked boy
that you don't know

I come home last night
full a fifth of Old Crow
you said you goin' to your ma's
but where the hell did you go
you went and slipped out nights
you didn't think that I'd know
with some
gin-soaked boy that you don't know

Well I would bet you as far
as Oklahoma by now
the dogs are barking out back
and you're knittin' your brow
well I'm on your tail I sussed your M.O.
from some gin-soaked boy
boy that you don't know

Illustration Friday - Safari

There's been a large controversy about animals in zoos recently in Toronto, specifically elephants. Much as I can understand the concerns, since I will likely never be able to go on an African safari I do appreciate the opportunity to see these animals at close range