Here’s my most recent cartoon from this week’s edition of The Economist. Any resemblance between the disreputable character portrayed in the cartoon and any cartoonist alive or dead is purely coincidental… more or less.

Recently in Washington DC, The Economist held a fabulous event titled The World in 2010 Festival. It featured a diverse and exhilarating group of speakers speculating on the events and trends for the upcoming year.

Among the guest’s was John Oliver, correspondent for The Daily Show. He delivered a terrific performance  which included a stand up routine and a “Tonight Show” style interview session with Oliver acting as host (See video below). I had the assignment of capturing the day’s events in a cartoon sketchbook. You can see some of the sketches below.

Included in the program was a short talk by me chatting about caricature and Obama in 2010. (see video above)

The Festival also included a trip to the recording of “Meet The Press” where we saw the physically imposing David Gregory interview NYT columnist Tom Friedman.

I was at a conference on the new Carbon Economy which inspired me to create this cartoon for this week’s edition of The Economist.

Here’s a sneak peek at the February spread of the new 2010 Economist illustrated wall calendar. You can order the calendar through The Economist website here , via the Kaltoons bookstore or place a phone order at 1-800-456-6086.  Only $15.00.

Here’s this week’s editorial cartoon from The Economist.  I enjoyed getting the three caricatures in this drawing.  After some false starts I think I am beginning to get the feel for Ahmadinejahd’s face now.

I am now back in the blogging saddle after a long delay (some caused by technical difficulties with my website). I am delighted to be back as I have some very exciting projects to share.

First, I am delighted to announce the publication of the first ever fully illustrated wall calendar for The Economist.  This was a herculean effort that took the entire summer to complete.  The calendar features full page illustrations written and drawn by me. Those interested in purchasing calendar(s) can go to my online bookstore.  Let me know what you think!

Here’s this week’s cartoon from The Economist with a Web related theme.

I have noticed recently how President Obama, like all his predecessors, has aged at a rapid pace in his first months in office. Above is a cartoon from The Economist that reflects on that observation.

While much attention is focused on how we cartoonists are adapting to the new president… there is another person whom we must master. The First Lady may not dominate the news as her husband, yet Michelle Obama is clearly becoming a household personality.  I enclose one of my earlry versions of Michelle Obama from this week’s Economist.

The Animated cartoons of Bugs Bunny, The Road Runner and Tom and Jerry have all successfully employed the specter of impending doom as a source of humor.  The cartoon characters in the films are forever enduring physical calamities in the shape of falling pianos, exploding cigars and nosedives from cliffs. These are standard fare in the cartoon menu. Always good for a laugh.

However, when real calamity hits these themes have a little more power.  The laugh is tinged with a cringe. Such is it today with the current financial crisis.