126-3657 – Exiled

Here is another attempt at a portrait – this time of Maria Machado (from an image on the BBC website). I struggled with the eyes in this one …but I am learning. Although she was barred from the Venezuelan presidential elections in 2024 the candidate she backed won easily…until Maduro was declared the winner. Now she has been able to return to Venezuela after secretly leaving to accept the Nobel Peace prize…and quite rightly has criticised the Trump-Rodriguez oil deal and called for new elections.

Fri-30-Oct-2026

126-3656 – Kitchen implements

These are three essential implements in our kitchen: A rubber spatular – perfect for scraping every last morsel of food from a bowl or pan; A large “kitchen devil” knife – always stays super sharp; and a stainless steel slice – made by prestige of Inox Steel – we will never need another one…all this from a pre-enshittification era.

Thu-29-Oct-2026

126-3650 – A persecuted woman

Here is another attempt at a portrait sketch – this time of Ilhan Omar who is being persecuted by Trump because of her vocal opposition and progressive views. Even Obama said it’s a transparent effort to intimidate a law abiding political opponent. The day I sketched this I read that she was even afraid to stay in her home because of death threats.

Fri-23-Oct-2026