You know the old saying. Well, I never saw that 1% coming this time.
I quickly worked up this editorial cartoon for the next issue of Airstream Life magazine today, and uploaded it for the publisher to use in the next issue. As I looked at it one last time, something about it looked very familiar. Couldn’t quite put my finger on it, though. After all, I know I’ve never drawn a hick toasting an alien in a watermelon patch before. But still… what was it that seemed so familiar?
Then it hit me.
That little bit of inspiration came – quite literally – from the heavens.
I’ve done a lot of research for this children’s book about the Ramadan holiday. The middle part of the story takes place in a grandfather’s memory of his childhood in Cairo during the 1920’s and 30’s.
I really wanted my pictures to accurately reflect the clothing, architecture and “feel” of Egypt during that period, so I looked through hundreds of photos taken around this time, as well as antique etchings. In looking at the little winding streets, ornate windows and donkey carts, one thing has struck me again and again. There were hundreds of ornate domes and minarets around the city, and each one was completely unique from the next in size, materials and architectural detailing. It’s an endless display of creativity from one of the world’s greatest civilizations. And though many of these domes are now well over 600 years old, they look as perfect as the day they were finished.
