By Mark Kaufman
I’ve been meaning to write about an interesting article in last week’s New York Times entitled “What? And Leave Show Business?” about different actors around the country in various stages of their career arcs and varying degrees of success, professionally and personally. It has parallels across lots of professions, but I think it has even more resonance with earning a living as an illustrator. What came across to me in the interviews was the love of the craft that the actors had and the desire to keep on keeping on despite hard times. And there’s your corny, inspirational  thought of the day

By Mark Kaufman
In the “take it where I can get it” department, last weeks issue of The Stranger contained the following tidbit from A. Birch Steen, Stranger Ombudsman and OSHA Board of Governors Member (retired):

What I recommend, given the limited coherence of The Stranger's writers, are the items that revert to the primitive form of picture making. If a caveman can do it, I figure, then this paper's employees can surely do it, or at least do it well enough. Indeed,   the comics, the sketches,  and the photographs taken by an Irish person named Kelly O, are generally this paper's one redeeming quality. 

Since I am at the very least one of the cadre of cavemen that provides comics and illustrations to the publication, I will take it as a compliment. Even if it is a joke. Thanks!

By Mark Kaufman
Hey look at me. I am Friend of the Week over at Illosaurus. Head on over there for illustration portfolios, interviews, blogs and links to advice, other portals, and organizations. This image is only a detail, go over there and find out just what Uncle Sam is up to.

By Mark Kaufman
Alberto Gonzalez, the next time we see this guy, I hope it’s in handcuffs and not as a mouthpiece for some right wing think tank. 

By Mark Kaufman 
It’s Friday. It’s been a long week. I’m going home. 

By Mark Kaufman
New illustration of lefty and libertarian darling Ron paul going up in flames after the Iowa straw poll. Article on Iowa politcal front here.

By Mark Kaufman
I am very pleased to announce that the July/August 07 issue of Guild News the newsletter of the Graphic Artists Guild has included a profile of yours truly. As always I am in some very fine company, as there are also profiles of some other fine illustrators including Ken Orvidas, Margaret Cusack, Lloyd Dangle, Kristina Swarner, and David Opie. Hopefully as a Guild member you have recieved your issue. If you are not a member why don't you get up off your ass and join today. Here's a link you lazy bastard. The Guild does a lot of heavy lifting on behalf of illustrators, designers, and artists,  by advocating for your rights in contracts, copyright protection, legislation on taxes, and orphan works that benefit all of us. So don't be so damn selfish Mr. Lone Wolf. Join up because there is strength in numbers. A big tip of the hat to Patricia McKiernan and Deborah Kantor for including me!

By Mark Kaufman
Here's a recent project I did for the redesign of The Stranger. They’re being used throughout the paper to promote the Stranger’s web site. Little flags with the URL follow the burning blimps as it crashes.

By Mark Kaufman
Juxtaposed incongruities from my Chicago trip. Hot dogs win. 

By Mark Kaufman
I snapped this the other day while cooling my heels at O’Hare Airport. And no, I didn't have a drink there. I got hammered at PJ McGilleyO’hans instead.

By Mark Kaufman
Fakenomics. I know the mythology around W is that he has no conscience, and sleeps perfectly fine at night. However the furrows on his brow indicate the following metrics: 
RED - Bush popularity index
BLACK - The brush at the Crawford Ranch index
PINK - The Laura is bitching at me index
BLUE - The Cheney is bitching at me index
And now that Karl Rove has resigned his position as Bush’s brain, expect the wrinkles to get a little deeper. 

By Mark Kaufman
Here's an illustration I did for a funny article on The National Review's cocktail party in advance of a cruise from Seattle. Always funny to see how the other half of the electorate lives…and thinks.

By Mark Kaufman
I'll be attending the The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN) , Writers and Designers Conference in Evanston Ill. this weekend. mmmmmm…hot dogs. And Art Directors.

By Mark Kaufman
I came across this piece I did about the 2005 London Underground bombings and the cause/effect debate that followed. Final at the top and initial sketches at the bottom for an idea on how I work out a problem and present ideas..