When the page stares back at you

Another year, another uncomfortable self-portrait

December 16, 2022
New York, NY

Every year around this time I use my 'warm-up sketches' time to scribble a self-portrait. It depends on whether I’m at the drawing board or sitting at the Wacom Cintiq. I don't meditate on these; I just start drawing and see what comes out. It’s usually a reflection of my feelings about that year.

2021:

I seem to be trepidatiously opening my eyes to see if another shitty year is over.

2020:

Pretty obviously the end of a harrowing ordeal of a year: Becoming overly familiar with masks, gloves, and social distancing. Coming out the other side of a battle for my lungs.

2019:

Working on deadlines right up until Christmas morning. Again.

2018:

Finally becoming one of the Usual Gang of Idiots at MAD Magazine.

2017:

The year of the GIF.

2016:

An homage to the great Stan Chow, a brilliant caricaturist, and illustrator.

2015:

Me and my pal, Ginger.

2014:

Flat line drawing while waiting for my Green Card to be processed.

I'll see what falls out of my pen for the 2022 portrait.

Update:
December 31, 2022

Well, this is what fell out of the pen after all of that grunting and grousing…