Sunday, January 29, 2006

Illustration Friday: Glamour

Glamour is boring

A couple of news stories griped and gripped me today. One points out that the gap between rich and poor in the U.S. is growing alarmingly larger. We are the richest country in the world and yet have the greatest percentage of children living in poverty of all wealthy nations, nearly 22%.* Another article highlighted one of our celebrities, one of our glamorous, who declared bankruptcy a few years back, yet still owns three houses; one in Vegas and two in California.

The original sketch

* Berliner, David. "Fixing Schools Isn't Everything." NEAToday. February 2006: Pps. 38-39

39 comments:

TheTart said...

Wow..this is great! I love this..I know these people!

You are so talented.

Smooch,
The Tart

Ellen Byrne said...

Fantastic rendering of how tedious the so-called-glamourous, superficial, self-absorbed, celebrity-obsessed mind-set is. YOU are RIGHT! It IS BORING!

The Unknown said...

HA! Great stuff. Nice take on the theme!
love

Unknown said...

Great take... of course, I think we are on the same page here.

valerie walsh said...

You really captured the theme perfectly!!! I think I know these people too! Beautifully done and may I ask are they in a rolls?
Love this!

Unknown said...

I guess glamour doesn't make you happy :(
wonderful illustration!

Anonymous said...

Glamour doesn't make many happy ... not even the glamorous! Just the want-to-bes. Great illustrations of that!

andrea said...

Fantastically sharp observation! Nice take on the theme.

constanthing said...

you've captured the 'rich poor' well, nice take!

StayAtHomeKat said...

glamour can be expensive! it is too expensive for my tastes...I prefer moccasins to high heels! great illo!

Larry Lee said...

Perhaps, it is good that I have not found fame & fortune. Very nice illustration.
8^)

Anonymous said...

Nice take on this.

Detlef
http://www.detlefjumpertz.com

carla said...

You've captured the essence of the ennui of the rich...they have that real "lockjaw" expression on their faces. I love that you've included the sketch. What a great final product:>

modroom said...

Like the take on much of glamouur, and the polarization of rich and poor is a sad fact. Good to see the preliminary drawing too. Like the car lights in background and the veneer of the people. Quite empty in their car. Great illo.
...::o

Radha a.k.a Ratlion said...

How true! Nice take on the theme...you've got the expressions and the feel of the whole thing bang on!

CRISTOSOVA said...

Looking at your painting I find it could also be titled "Glamour is isolation", because to keep up that glamour you need to draw a line between you and the real world - and in some cases from each other, too. Great take on the theme!

Janet said...

Gosh...I think this is my favourite that you have done!

steve said...

Fantastic job! Yeah, those facts ring so true where I live also (Loudoun County, VA). It's really insane when you think about it.

HARDWAX said...

I don't know much about glamour-or what it's like for those who live-perhaps thrive in that world-but I know one thing-there are plenty of bores to go around-no matter their social status.
If people know you by your artwork-then boring is something you could never be accused of-amazing illustration

Aravis said...

I like this glimpse behind-the-scenes, that which happens when the focus is not on them. Well done! As for what you wrote, I agree. There's a lot in the news (or not but should be) that depresses me.

Great illustration!

Wilnara said...

Awesome! Absolutely a wonderful illustration and your commentary is right on the nose!

Anonymous said...

I've really..really like this...I've gone back to it several times..

I came to this site to see HARDWAX'S stuff..and happened upon yours too..

Great stuff..indeed!

Paul Tuller said...

this is my favorite take on Glamour I have seen - good message too - amazing illustration too

Unknown said...

beautiful illo!

Queen Tut said...

Love it, they are so bored with each other Haha. Thanks for leaving me a coment, I alwys enjoy knowing hwat you think.

Amy Zaleski said...

I just love it!!!! The pencil-thin moustache recalls an earlier time of glamour, but I think the Hollywood fame of today just must be much emptier....who knows? Great job capturing what's going on outside the limo, too.

Joy Eliz said...

The lighting on this is great. I know it doesn't look like them but it reminds me of a photo of Prince Charles and Diana

Dana S. Whitney said...

You definitely caught the dark side of riches. I especially like the light reflections on the car windows. VERY Hollywood-- at least from the days when the freeways weren't all in gridlock.

KarenW said...

Excellent illustration. I love the way you did the window reflections. You really created a wonderful narrative scene. Also, thanks for the depressing statistics. That's really horrible.

Melissa Ives said...

So, so right! Love this and the rest of your work!

Jaimie said...

This is great. I love the soft flowing colors. And don't they look bored with each other.
I agree with your comments about the growing income gap in this country. We need a revolution!

flossy-p said...

Glamour is indeed a kooky business, I imagine it would be pretty unsatisfying as well, as your illo so brilliantly portrays. I love the initial sketch too, thanks for including it.

Kay Aker said...

What a pertinent commentary on all the ersatz drek we're so incessantly bombarded with while real concerns are relegeted to oblivion. So well done!

TXArtcGal said...

Another great piece! You always have me in awe! This piece shows no matter how rich or glamourous you may be...you may not necessarily be happy! Very nice!

Artfully Mysterious said...

the shapes of their heads caught my eye... just like no two people are simmilar. very interesting view on glamour. please look at mine. thanks!

http://reaugh.blogspot.com

btw great job i love your style of art!

Tony Sarrecchia said...

Astute observation portrayed wonderfully.

Katili said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Katili said...

Great picture and I loved your presentation, I was stunned about the newly given fact that if all the money in this world would be shared in equal parts, everyone would enjoy of a happy life. Everyone. But then again, as your picture also shows, there's not necessarily happiness where there's richness. I personally prefer to keep my free mind and warm heart hidden from the cursed and long nailed fingers of too much money and greed.

Abbie said...

Very exceptional! Love your style of art! You captured boredom magnificantly! (AND glamour!)