Artist Reply: Yeah Gavin greed is different than making a profit though - you know the oil companies get blamed for greed, but they make only about 8% profit (I make considerably higher profit margin on me own work) - more than half the cost of fuel goes to governments who do nothing at all for that money - it used to be said that gov paid for roads with fuel tax, but it's been shown they've merely grown their bureaucracies and consumed the taxes into general funds and concern themselves with how to remain at the government teet. The oil companies are profit motivated - they couldn't stay in business without profits - and I don't much care for some of the salaries that the upper management types are paid, but the finger of blame really belongs on governments rather than the people who take the capital risks of providing the services and products - just remember, any time a government gets involved in a system it begins to go bad - there is nothing - other than armies - that our governments are any good at operating - give it some thought - it will prove to be edifying ~;0)

Artist Reply: Yeah thanks Steve - this prticular painting was very exciting jumping from the plane and sketching while falling at 120 mph - 250 kph sounds too scary - I knew it was time to pull when the guy above me seemed to stop in mid-air and get left behind - I'd push the little button on me wrist and wait to see if it was the jolt of the ground or the jolt of the canopy that I felt next. Ha! I was always the first one down ~:0)

Artist Reply: Yeah, you and me both Booker - when the idea hit me I couldn't stop laughing until I finished it and the old trouble and strife said, "It's Nice I guess". Just shown her too much quality of life over the years - I guess - Ha!! ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Renata - I think I shoulda had a scream-balloon with Aaarrrggghhh!!! innit there somewhere - more cartoon-like ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Stephanie - make sure you spell the names right and don't tell them about the parachute - Ha! ~;0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Mark - the fun part will be explaining to them that there is no parachute... wonder if they'll notice as the ground comes up - Ha! ~:0)

Artist Reply: With a thud!!! They'll keep at it as long as there's a nickel in the pot - all the thinking people know that without a parachute it's only a matter of time ~:0)

Artist Reply: I'm a pro JM - fast is the middle name of me neighbor's third child - just one suggestion - next time take a parachute - takes a bit longer to get down, but you can repeat the process that way - glad you're back ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks B-A, my work has hit some covers, but Time doesn't print my point of view - afraid it would have to be some other rag, but thanks for the sentiment - much appreciated ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Joke - a little sun, a little sky - congressmen dropping from the heavens... what more could one ask ~:0)

Artist Reply: But who would read it to them? It is like living in an episode of The Twilight Zone - my spidy-senses are throbbing - whattatime-whattatime - almost more than I can deal with - it's like everyday is Monday!!! I've sent it to a couple of guys I know - we'll see what happens - hope it's funny ~:0)

Artist Reply: Su it's nuts!!! If it was a movie, it'd be claimed too weird to be believed - takes more than a gallon of oil product and use to create a gallon of corn fuel we don't even need... it's actually affecting hunger around the world - it's no wonder the whole world is laughing... BTW, I'm working on a new pic that addresses the issue again in a more understandable graphic way - sorry to bet so serious - it's just that I've always taken the Twilight Zone too seriously ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Mel - you'd think when a product take more that a gallon of oil to produce a gallon of alcohol fuel, someone would take notice of it - not on the news... have a nice day! ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Lore - it is rather a pretty picture - too bad the subject is so disturbing - I wonder if I can go back home... ~:0)

Artist Reply: Thanks Alberto - it's hard to believe they're so stupid, isn't it? Talk about "Learning Curve" - Ha! ~:0)