Here are the two latest illustrations completed to close out 2007.
I have gone through various versions of Meyer Lansky (left), considered the grand poobah of Jewish hoodlums.
Former featherweight boxing champion Abe Attell (top) is an interesting supporting character in the annals of Jewish Gangsters. Attell served time as Arnold Rothstein's personal bodyguard and gambling partner. He was also a key player involved in the infamous fix of the 1919 World Series scandal involving the Chicago White Sox, of which Rothstein will always be historically affixed to despite being aquitted of the charges against him and his supposed participation.
As time creeps along, I have modified and changed some of the older, initial illustrations, feeling the earlier attempts were not strong enough (ie: like earlier Meyer Lansky versions). This has kind of a two pronged effect which sometimes leaves you in a semi-dangerous loop of creativity. The key is knowing when its time to stop, pull away and leave things be, but that's not always easy. Most artists will tell you that they are never completely satisfied with their finished work, that things could always be changed or altered, and in the end, better. But it is the constant craving of reaching for that artistic state of grace, which in the end generally never really comes, that drives the individual to pursue what they do in their chosen field.
