Wednesday, December 5, 2007:

I've been off-and-on interested in R. Crumb's line-work over the past couple of years. He does have a nice way with the pen, busy, almost obsessive little hatching. I think I've seen a couple of sketches lately where, casting about for inspiration I guess, he doodles a quick interpretation of a magazine cover. In particular, I remember a cover or two from the Economist (found it - Mineshaft #17, page 59). I read the magazine regularly and like it. It is my gateway to the world in the midst of a very busy teaching schedule. I should draw from it, maybe the images conjoured by stories instead of copying covers. He did pick one hell of a picture to copy, though.

It is a weak, local rag, though, that was sitting on my desk during a recent presentation, The Stamford Advocate. It features maybe a page or two of international news each day and seems to come free with my teaching job. A couple of students deliver it to me with a smile each morning. The woman above was just below the fold on the front cover for no important reason. He popped out of my head or pen. I'm happy with her mouth and the side of his head.

-Bob Stevenson