It would be so worth it to take a crash course on operating these earth movers. Playing in the mud and dirt on a grand scale. Truth be told, I never learn anything quickly, so a crash would probably mean I crash those behemoths.
In the above sketch, the earth mover on the right has pontoons which help it float.
Drawn with a number of different fountain pens and Pitt Artist Pens.
Went to Lake County Courthouse this past Wednesday to witness the bond hearing of Robert E. Crimo III, the man charged with killing 7 people and injuring directly and/or indirectly two dozen more people in a shooting rampage at a July 4th parade in Highland Park, IL.
I did the drawing of Crimo, (who has confessed to the shooting and the intention to shoot more in Madison, Wisc. immediately afterwards), as I was taking the train to the courthouse. Having been in court a number of times in the past few weeks, defendants are given the option of appearing in court or by Zoom virtual hearings due to Covid. Many are choosing Zoom. So I anticipated I wouldn’t see him.
Upon arriving, I had to go and sit with about 10 people, mostly press, in the room adjacent to the court, which was separated by large glass windows.
When Crimo appeared as one of several small images on the video in the press/visitors room, he was asked if he had legal representation, to which he answered,”No.”
He was then assigned counsel who asked to meet with him briefly.
Upon returning after 5 minutes, the counsel apologized to the judge saying he would be unable to give Crimo legal counsel due to a conflict of interest.
The judge moved things forward by denying Crimo bond and assigned a date for arraignment and said that given the severity and number of crimes, if convicted he would serve life without possibility of parole.
First image, Drawn on train from a photograph, Crimo.
Second sketch, Chicago Sun Times reporter Manny Ramos and NBC correspondent Emily.
Third sketch, two unidentified journalist at the bond hearing.
Fourth sketch, out in front of the courthouse after the hearing. Lake County Deputy Sheriff Chris Corelli answers questions from forty some journalist and three times that many mics, cameras, and cell phones.
A very, very somber day.
Went to North Pond late this afternoon to check on the Renovation Project and saw the dredger with pontoons setting partially in the pond and evidence of deep tracks in the muddy banks. Had my subject so got a choice seat in the shade. I was pretty much finishing up the drawing with some background and final touches on the mud troughs in the foreground when I heard someone approach behind me making a call of sorts. I glanced backwards and dude with a backpack on a bike was lookin’ out over the pond. Out on the pond a swarm of Canada Goose paddled in my direction.
“Hey BUDDY!! You’re in their way”, sez the huffy fellow on the bike, whom I had seen throwing some sort of feed at them before.
I knew they had plenty of space to pass to my left, and thought I’d rather like having them troop past. Plus with the late afternoon light rapidly changing was intent on finishing up. He gruffly urged me to move, I insisted he had other places along the bank to call ‘em up so I informed him I was fine where I was. As the geese waddled by he called me a name. Yes, I called him a couple two-three in return, suggested an act he could perform solo and returned to finish my drawing.
I promise I’ll be more agreeable next time.
Fountain pen and Pitt Artist Pens on a Stillman & Birn Nova series Beige sketchbook.