Well, if the jury decides in favor of the paintiff, it is a bit like winning, isn't it? She will recieve a payment and have had her day in court. That's winning two important things. And I do feel that if the jury decides for the plaintiff, everyone--even the jury-- assume he did what he did, which is rape Ms. Carroll. Deciding for the plaintiff, the jury will be saying, yes, he did "batter" her. The judge instructed the jury on day one that civil batter is "unwanted touching," which in is defined as spanning the gammet of a shoulder touch, a punch and rape.
Ooph some of those quotes are heavy and sad, but also strong. It’s interesting seeing the color vs. the uncolored drawings. The uncolored ones feel more sober and the colored ones feel more ‘enthusiastic’, maybe because of the yellow? But I’m just reacting at a gut level on first glance.
One thought about Tacopina’s ‘shuffling’ or seeming lack of organization. I’ve sat in jury duty twice, and in both cases the defense attorney acted exactly that way, until their closing arguments when suddenly they were like a different person, all buttoned up and polished. I don’t know why they did it, but my guess was to confuse the jury during the bulk of the trial, because if they acted disorganized it allowed the information to reach the jury in a disorganized fashion and thus weaken any strength of the prosecution and witnesses arguments. I don’t know, just a guess. Will be interested to hear how Tacopina acts in his final arguments.
Have fun at the UN, sounds cool! And thanks for all this witnessing. A really unique and personal way to see this important trial unfold.
Philip, That's very interesting, and if so, an annoying tactic. Was he trying to annoy the judge so the judge would get angry so that Trump defense can say, look, he's prejudicial? His cross was very confusing at times, you are right. I asked another journalist during break, does Tacopina do many trials? But now that you say this, it wouldn't be surprising.
Thanks for your comment and your support!! I like the yellow, too.....
I love the ‘looseness’ of the pencil and watercolour. It feels alive, more like a candid photo, rather than a staged picture. The pencil only drawings are powerful too, because those are the ones you’ve mostly attached the writing to, but there’s something more ‘alive’ when you add the movement of the watercolours. 🥰
I hope you have an amazing day at the UN event - that sounds pretty special! - I do hope we get to see some sketches tomorrow 😁
I prefer the pencil only drawings. Maybe it’s my fondness for the minimalist style. It is also how black and white photos strike me differently than color. They seem to evoke more emotion out of me and I spend more time looking at them -- focusing on the various details of your drawings.
I am curious if the time to add color takes away from another scene you could be capturing by doing pencil only. Also, in this setting in a full courtroom, are there issues with juggling the added materials of doing watercolor?
I’m all for pencils only and if that is freeing and reducing any burden or stress of adding color, then all the better!
I’m glad you captured the “bench, party of one” guy. I’m SUPER curious about that!
James, I actually totally agree with you. Color is fun, but really not necessary. And where do I draw the line (no pun intended) as to how much color, how little? What does it provide in the end? The courtroom artists I watched seemed to almost try to mimic photographs. I don't, and can't! I hope I provide feeling in the lines I draw and the words I write. Thank you.
The lines you draw convey so much emotion, one must really take the time to not only look at everything but see it as well. Your provide clarity and context and are greatly appreciated.
I appreciate the color added, but I agree with a previous statement that it must take away from the drawing of other scenes/images. This is like Greek Theater, but we're missing the main element, who is off preparing for the final scene we may never see. The jury is our Greek Chorus. How do they seem?
It's difficult because the court is arranged in a certain way and no matter which gallery seat I sit in, I can't see it all. The laywers have their backs to us during the proceeding, and the jury is partially obstructed. All I can see head-on during the trial is the judge and the witness. Very little variation of that. The jury seem attentive and serious, those I can see.
I’m fascinated and the drawings give me a sense that I can easily imagine myself being there, witnessing and sketching as you are. The immediacy of it makes the scenes palpable rather than rarified. E Jean feels so much more knowable to me as a result of your drawings.
I’m interested that many comments see the touches of watercolor applied with pencil as making the drawing alternate, a different version. I see it as added information, just my take. Many times you may not feel you need that added information, that you got the scene across and.. next!
Peter, Thank you so much. That means a lot to hear you say that. I can't draw a good likeness of her, so I reach for a feeling along with some kind of impression of her. I am sitting pretty far back, but she is a distinctive figure. The judge not so much, he was hard to grasp visually. Tacopina looks like a beefy Nixon who works out a lot.
Well put on the watercolor. I am thinkng that the added information is decorative, or haha, "gives color."
For the first few days of the trial, I could not remember Tacopina's name, so I kept refering to him purposefully as Tapioca, to my husband, not publicly!
So enthralled by your ability to capture the essence of the drama. And am very sympathetic to her words referencing “after 76 years” and “we were taught to stay silent”. Both of these evoke truth to the situation. Bringing this out into the open and coming to terms with the upbringing women went through in the 50’s & 60’s are both cathartic and comforting to her. She is very courageous to do this, no matter the outcome. Thank you for sharing your wonderful drawings.
Hearing her talk about that in court was very real, and incredibly believable. Her personality as she descirbed herself made so much sense (and full disclosure, I have met her). Stoic, always wanting to be hepful, kind, incredibly gregarious. I am almost 15 years yonger than her, but even I feel that we women of a certain age were not taught to complain, don't accuse, don't make a scene, don't bother anyone. And as a non-screamer, I get that too.
This part, illustrated by the quotations in the drawings, is central. E Jean is both trying to get her life back, and giving that testimony for all women. What a momentous and greater-than-herself thing she is doing!
“Early in his career, Dickens was a court reporter and a parliamentary reporter, where having a system for quick note-taking came in handy.” NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/books/charles-dickens-secret-notes.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare His Pickwick Papers novel was lavishly illustrated, although his reporting wouldn’t have been. It tickled me to think of the juxtaposition of his fulsome style as a novelist and the dry subject matter of his reporting with your economy of expression and fluidity of subjects.
Thank you!
Well, if the jury decides in favor of the paintiff, it is a bit like winning, isn't it? She will recieve a payment and have had her day in court. That's winning two important things. And I do feel that if the jury decides for the plaintiff, everyone--even the jury-- assume he did what he did, which is rape Ms. Carroll. Deciding for the plaintiff, the jury will be saying, yes, he did "batter" her. The judge instructed the jury on day one that civil batter is "unwanted touching," which in is defined as spanning the gammet of a shoulder touch, a punch and rape.
Ooph some of those quotes are heavy and sad, but also strong. It’s interesting seeing the color vs. the uncolored drawings. The uncolored ones feel more sober and the colored ones feel more ‘enthusiastic’, maybe because of the yellow? But I’m just reacting at a gut level on first glance.
One thought about Tacopina’s ‘shuffling’ or seeming lack of organization. I’ve sat in jury duty twice, and in both cases the defense attorney acted exactly that way, until their closing arguments when suddenly they were like a different person, all buttoned up and polished. I don’t know why they did it, but my guess was to confuse the jury during the bulk of the trial, because if they acted disorganized it allowed the information to reach the jury in a disorganized fashion and thus weaken any strength of the prosecution and witnesses arguments. I don’t know, just a guess. Will be interested to hear how Tacopina acts in his final arguments.
Have fun at the UN, sounds cool! And thanks for all this witnessing. A really unique and personal way to see this important trial unfold.
Philip, That's very interesting, and if so, an annoying tactic. Was he trying to annoy the judge so the judge would get angry so that Trump defense can say, look, he's prejudicial? His cross was very confusing at times, you are right. I asked another journalist during break, does Tacopina do many trials? But now that you say this, it wouldn't be surprising.
Thanks for your comment and your support!! I like the yellow, too.....
I love the ‘looseness’ of the pencil and watercolour. It feels alive, more like a candid photo, rather than a staged picture. The pencil only drawings are powerful too, because those are the ones you’ve mostly attached the writing to, but there’s something more ‘alive’ when you add the movement of the watercolours. 🥰
I hope you have an amazing day at the UN event - that sounds pretty special! - I do hope we get to see some sketches tomorrow 😁
Thank you, Kathlyn! I am enjoying pencil and watercolor for the live drawing.....
What Philip Shane said!!! ;-)
Your drawings provide a very intimate and personal touch to the on going... Thank you
Thank you, Larry.
...silent for 76 years... thankful we are finally hearing her voice 🙏🏼💪🏻
YES!
I prefer the pencil only drawings. Maybe it’s my fondness for the minimalist style. It is also how black and white photos strike me differently than color. They seem to evoke more emotion out of me and I spend more time looking at them -- focusing on the various details of your drawings.
I am curious if the time to add color takes away from another scene you could be capturing by doing pencil only. Also, in this setting in a full courtroom, are there issues with juggling the added materials of doing watercolor?
I’m all for pencils only and if that is freeing and reducing any burden or stress of adding color, then all the better!
I’m glad you captured the “bench, party of one” guy. I’m SUPER curious about that!
Thank you and keep up the great work!
James, I actually totally agree with you. Color is fun, but really not necessary. And where do I draw the line (no pun intended) as to how much color, how little? What does it provide in the end? The courtroom artists I watched seemed to almost try to mimic photographs. I don't, and can't! I hope I provide feeling in the lines I draw and the words I write. Thank you.
The lines you draw convey so much emotion, one must really take the time to not only look at everything but see it as well. Your provide clarity and context and are greatly appreciated.
If Charles Dickens teamed with you he would have stayed in court reporting
What do you mean? Funny thought...
Enjoying the subtlety of the pencil and color combinations. Great variety with it all.
Thank you, Carol!
I appreciate the color added, but I agree with a previous statement that it must take away from the drawing of other scenes/images. This is like Greek Theater, but we're missing the main element, who is off preparing for the final scene we may never see. The jury is our Greek Chorus. How do they seem?
It's difficult because the court is arranged in a certain way and no matter which gallery seat I sit in, I can't see it all. The laywers have their backs to us during the proceeding, and the jury is partially obstructed. All I can see head-on during the trial is the judge and the witness. Very little variation of that. The jury seem attentive and serious, those I can see.
I’m fascinated and the drawings give me a sense that I can easily imagine myself being there, witnessing and sketching as you are. The immediacy of it makes the scenes palpable rather than rarified. E Jean feels so much more knowable to me as a result of your drawings.
I’m interested that many comments see the touches of watercolor applied with pencil as making the drawing alternate, a different version. I see it as added information, just my take. Many times you may not feel you need that added information, that you got the scene across and.. next!
Brava.
Peter, Thank you so much. That means a lot to hear you say that. I can't draw a good likeness of her, so I reach for a feeling along with some kind of impression of her. I am sitting pretty far back, but she is a distinctive figure. The judge not so much, he was hard to grasp visually. Tacopina looks like a beefy Nixon who works out a lot.
Well put on the watercolor. I am thinkng that the added information is decorative, or haha, "gives color."
The best new Tacopina nickname! BeefyNix! Thank you.
My 2 cents: subtle wc tones are more than a decorative add-on to my eye.
For the first few days of the trial, I could not remember Tacopina's name, so I kept refering to him purposefully as Tapioca, to my husband, not publicly!
Love the added color. It really makes the drawings feel like real life. Thank you
Thank you, Susan!
So enthralled by your ability to capture the essence of the drama. And am very sympathetic to her words referencing “after 76 years” and “we were taught to stay silent”. Both of these evoke truth to the situation. Bringing this out into the open and coming to terms with the upbringing women went through in the 50’s & 60’s are both cathartic and comforting to her. She is very courageous to do this, no matter the outcome. Thank you for sharing your wonderful drawings.
Hearing her talk about that in court was very real, and incredibly believable. Her personality as she descirbed herself made so much sense (and full disclosure, I have met her). Stoic, always wanting to be hepful, kind, incredibly gregarious. I am almost 15 years yonger than her, but even I feel that we women of a certain age were not taught to complain, don't accuse, don't make a scene, don't bother anyone. And as a non-screamer, I get that too.
This part, illustrated by the quotations in the drawings, is central. E Jean is both trying to get her life back, and giving that testimony for all women. What a momentous and greater-than-herself thing she is doing!
Totally. She is doing this for others as much as herself. I admire that.
“Early in his career, Dickens was a court reporter and a parliamentary reporter, where having a system for quick note-taking came in handy.” NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/books/charles-dickens-secret-notes.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare His Pickwick Papers novel was lavishly illustrated, although his reporting wouldn’t have been. It tickled me to think of the juxtaposition of his fulsome style as a novelist and the dry subject matter of his reporting with your economy of expression and fluidity of subjects.
Thank you! So interesting to learn this.
This is a great post! I love the combination of written information and the drawings.
Thank you!