Occupy Chicago sketches

[scorcha]

I realized I haven’t posted very much from my sketchbook recently, which is a shame. In the last month I’ve drawn cats, baseball players, a design lecture, a night out with friends, protesters, and black-clad concert goers. I’ll be posting some more of this work, but let’s start with the protesters.

I went down to the Occupy Chicago protest about two weeks ago to check it out and draw some of the people. I hadn’t gotten around to scanning the pages until tonight, but here’s what I was able to accomplish while standing on the street, brush in one hand, ink bottle in the other. By now there are many more people down there, so another expedition may be forthcoming. In case you’re curious about the whole Occupy Movement and Occupy Chicago specifically, you can find out more here.

 

Protesters + some overheard comments from passersby. Lots of Guy Fawkes masks & bandanas.

More protesters + some odd looks. Also drum circle, at least one drum was improvised from an empty water jug.

 

People, chants, and a survey of male facial hair & female hair styles found among the protesters.

 

Since it’s a bit small, here’s some of the text on the last page. I had a short conversation with the local newspaper hawker. It went something like this:

Protesters: “People over profits!”

Newspaper Guy: “Ha! Sometimes.”

He looks over at me when I laugh.

NG: “I’ve got my ritual. I sit down and listen to some music, so I’m peaceful, then nothing can get to me, you know?”

Turns to commuters hurrying past through the rain.

NG: “Chicago Sun Times! Got an umbrella for you right here!”