posted: March 13, 2010

This story of the removal of the notion of the separation of church and state in text books in Texas if really alarming.  A far-right faction of the Texas State Board of Education succeeded Friday in injecting conservative ideals into social studies, history and economics lessons that will be taught to millions of students for the next decade.

Teachers in Texas will be required to cover the Judeo-Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers, but not highlight the philosophical rationale for the separation of church and state. Curriculum standards also will describe the U.S. government as a "constitutional republic," rather than "democratic," and students will be required to study the decline in value of the U.S. dollar, including the abandonment of the gold standard.
Ultraconservatives wielded their power over hundreds of subjects this week, introducing and rejecting amendments on everything from the civil rights movement to global politics. Hostilities flared and prompted a walkout Thursday by one of the board's most prominent Democrats, Mary Helen Berlanga of Corpus Christi, who accused her colleagues of "whitewashing" curriculum standards.
By late Thursday night, three other Democrats seemed to sense their futility and left, leaving Republicans to easily push through amendments heralding "American exceptionalism" and the U.S. free enterprise system, suggesting it thrives best absent excessive government intervention.
Republican Terri Leo, a member of the powerful Christian conservative voting bloc, called the standards "world class" and "exceptional."

The board rejected lessons about why the United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom”, while adding “references to “laws of nature and nature’s God” in lessons about major political ideas”. Students must study,
"The strong Judeo-Christian influences on the nation’s Founding Fathers, but there will be no coverage of the Bill of Rights “Establishment Clause” that was used to outlaw school-sponsored prayer and affirm separation of church and state in the U.S."

In addition to learning the Bill of Rights, the board specified a reference to the Second Amendment right to bear arms in a section about citizenship in a U.S. government class.

Conservatives beat back multiple attempts to include hip-hop as an example of a significant cultural movement.
Numerous attempts to add the names or references to important Hispanics throughout history also were denied, inducing one amendment that would specify that Tejanos died at the Alamo alongside Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Another amendment deleted a requirement that sociology students "explain how institutional racism is evident in American society."

References to Ralph Nader and Ross Perot are proposed to be removed, while Stonewall Jackson, the Confederate general, is to be listed as a role model for effective leadership, and the ideas in Jefferson Davis’s inaugural address are to be laid side by side with Abraham Lincoln’s speeches.
They also included a plank to ensure that students learn about “the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s, including Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract With America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority and the National Rifle Association.”

What to do?  Well, in Texas it appears little can be done. I believe the proposed changes are now in a period of public review and debate.  I hope the national media shines a blinding light on the blatant attempt to rewrite history to benefit the desires of conservative, white, gun owning, god fearing America.
I hope the rest of this country pays attention and makes their voices heard.  

posted: March 8, 2010

This is my contribution to the Haiti benefit exhibition and auction "100 Heads for Haiti" that Dave Plunkert at SPUR Design is putting together to benefit Doctors without Borders.  I will post a link when I get one.
Thanks you Dave and Jess.

posted: March 3, 2010

Recently I received a call from an AD at the magazine for Drury University.  He liked a  portrait I did for the Atlantic Monthly years ago depicting the 'Organizational Kid.'   The Art Director for the job was Mary Parsons who probably came up with the initial idea.  Thank you yet again dear Mary.

I was on the fence about taking the job.  I was busy and had some other work I thought I might like to do instead.  Still, the AD was a nice guy and was going to send over some recent covers.
This works at times to convice me to walk.  The covers can indicate their taste and show me that I might not get the piece I hope for.  I don't remember all the samples, but one was a great cover by Drawger's own, Chris Buzelli http://www.drawger.com/buzelli/.
Oh, okay.  If Chris did one then perhaps I can turn this article into a opportunity to do a piece I like.
The path was already set;  I would do a homage to my own Atlantic cover.  I wanted to get off the phone quickly as to not commit to too much so soon.
First the Atlantic cover...

Thumbnails were easy and I tinkered with the idea of having the model stand up as if typing in a note to herself before heading out.  I decided that this one was not as iconic and might imply a short attention span or that she is hurrying off to a kegger.

The only thing the AD asked was that I add the logo, which he sent over, and add books, a compass and perhaps a plant.
I thought about a compass but thought a globe would better convey a traveler's mind and look better on the cover.  An iPhone instead of the cell and earbuds rather that the headphones of 2001.

Picking models is a fun but nervous task.  In many cases I purchase reference to use for some of the people I paint or am provided reference.  In some cases however, I have to find a model. 
So it was a Saturday and I was working out at the gym.  On the mat, rehabilitating my sore hip when I looked up and saw a most pleasant face.  This young woman was smiling at some television program as she did her elliptical workout.  I sat and considered her.  She was perfect.
  So I was in full lurker mode; following her around the gym to see her in a better light.  You can't walk up to someone and ask them to model if you suddenly see that they are not right at all.  THAT'S awkward.
So I felt she was right but I lost my nerve.  Suddenly my wife Elizabeth showed up at the gym offering a ride home.  BINGO, a go between.  I could approach this young woman and NOT come off as a creep.  (DID ROCKWELL WORRY ABOUT THIS?  I doubt it.)
With Elizabeth standing next to me I stammered out the offer.  She looked a bit startled but agreed to help out.
Thank you Mia.

One of the main ways that this piece is different is how I like to have information in a piece but not light it all equally.  ADs often ask me to make colors bright and not so dark so I am not winning fans everywhere, but if I have the freedom, I enjoy adjusting the lighting to change the visual hierarchy of a painting.

Will I be asked to repaint this again in 10 years?  If so, what will she be listening to?  My hunch is in-ear buds that stream content to her wirelessly and some sort of iPad device.  Hopefully this device will be filled with illustration, even dark, brooding illustration.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Here is Chris' cover that helped me decide to do one myself.

posted: February 10, 2010

In a new article for Der Spiegel, they claim that nearly 100 clerics and laypeople had been suspected of abusing children and teenagers since 1995.
Many of the cases now surfacing are doing so because the statute of limitations is nearing it's end.  The scandal is a familiar one.  Abuse and cover up by the church.
Last Thursday morning at 9 AM I was asked to have a shot at a cover.  A photoshoot was in progress but I was hired to perhaps add something.
My initial sketch to them was a digital assembly as I had to find reference and see if this was feasible in the first place.  Der Spiegel  kept working on their end and sent me perfect reference by midday.
I worked all night and in the morning had a painting.  The editors went with the photo this time, feeling it was even more arresting.  Sometimes here in the states editors want that distance an illustration can provide.  Der Spiegel is different in it's boldness.
Still, a fun assignment and out of the studio in a flash.  That night I was off to the Society of Illustrators to celebrate our year together.

Here is a quick and awkward sketch. 

It might have worked but they gave me primo reference in the end.

I did move buttons around and remove a grin from the model's face.

But really, it was all about the Napoleon hand.

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