Pope Ratz ((((Click image to see larger version :o))))

So I'm finally done. But I'm not satisfied, however I have real work to do and must move on. I'll explain a little more about this work later. In the meantime, by way of simple explanation, this illustration takes its cue from the fact that Mr Ratzinger signed a document back in the day that clearly informed him of abuses. This document recently came to light and proves he knew all along about the abusers and rather than punish or expose them, he quietly protected them by swallowing up the truth. So you could sum up this illo with that old Cagney line - Pope Ratzinger..."You dirty Rat!".

This illustration was created as a sample for my new political illustration series / portfolio. You can see more of these pictures over at 'The Woeful Office'.

Rights to use these works for publication can be discussed here. opipop@gmail.com

Time To Count Zzzzzzzzz's

I'm not done, but I have reached a point from which I can see the end. I wish I could lavish time on my work, I don't feel I can. I don't have those extra hours anymore. So a project like this seems to stretch on day after day because I have so few hours a day to work. I used to work from dawn til dusk til dawn. But these days that's neither a very fare way to work (for my family) nor a healthy one. So I work on my pictures as best I can. My days are still long by most standards. Today for instance from 9am until 3pm, again from 4:30 until now (11:30pm). So still long, admittedly today was longer than normal. But I felt I could see an end to the picture...and that seems to be tomorrow. Ever tomorrow...manana.

Closing in...

This drawing is taking a while. I felt it was slipping away from my original vision, this always happens to some extent, I don't like to be too controlling. New things, happy accidents add vigour to a picture and surprise me. In this case I stopped and went back to the composition. I was determined to take it as close to what I had seen in my head as possible. I'm relaxing again now, letting it go it's own way a little. I've a few things to sort out yet...but it is getting close to finished. Hopefully tomorrow.