When I’m really low, looking at something beautiful usually helps, and if it’s not nature photography (or my little fuzzball), it’s art.

I’m a fan of the impressionists, among others; Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Seurat … they all make me happy.

Poppy field near Argenteuil, by Claude Monet.

Irises, by Vincent van Gogh.

Dancers, by Edgar Degas.

Woman Singing in a Café Chantant, drawn by Georges Seurat.

I’m also a fan of newer artists, especially ones who have a sly bit of wit in their work, like Banksy.

That’s the way to clean.
Artwork by Banksy, via Twisted Sifter.

At the moment, two of my favorites are having health issues. Ray Ferrer I know only through his work, his blog and by email, and he was one of my first followers when I started this blog nearly two years ago. All my dealings with him have been wonderful, and his strong character comes through his words and his work. He’s in the hospital now with a brain tumor, and I hope everyone will send Ray and his family lots of love and positive thoughts (and maybe drop by his Etsy store and pick up a print to help with medical expenses).

The other I know very well and work right next door to (and our birthdays are only two days apart). John Deering is one of my favorite people in the world, and one of the busiest. Between drawing two syndicated comic strips (Zack Hill and Strange Brew) and editorial cartoons, as well as the bulk of that line art you see on the editorial, Perspective and Voices pages (and occasionally here), he’s also a well-known sculptor, illustrator and painter. I’m not sure when he sleeps, but he manages to do all that and more, plus entertain and bounce ideas off me and others. This week, though, he’ll have to take it easy since he’s having his spleen yanked out. I suspect, though, that Kathy will have to tie him down at some point to keep him from trying to work. 😀

What art in my office that isn’t nature photographs is by these two. Enjoy some of my favorite works from these guys, and keep thinking good thoughts for them!

Type bar, by Ray Ferrer.

Intuition, by Ray Ferrer.

Diner, by Ray Ferrer.

The artist himself, Ray Ferrer.
Image from North County Woman.

Singularity, by John Deering.

The Other Side of the Cove, by John Deering.

Testament, sculpture of Little Rock Nine on Arkansas Capitol grounds, by John Deering.

This, which I had John draw for a John Brummett column, cracked me up. I just wish I could have used it more than twice on the Voices page.
Cartoon by John “The Masked Danger” Deering.

My buddy John, and one of his pieces.
Image from AY Magazine.