The only one having fun at this tavern is the man wearing the red dress. Everyone is alone. The woman playing the bagpipes is standing on a box to be more visible even though she’s playing the only music in the room. When we are absorbed in ourselves we fail to see things around us: the sad man celebrating his birthday alone, the withdrawn boy in the corner, or the Lab bartender who’s mixing drinks from his chemistry lab bar which may or may not be safe to drink.

Mixed media, micron pen, ink, watercolor on 11×15 inch hot press paper

© TJ Askren 29 July 2024