Fall of the American Empire
An illustration for the New Statesman
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/244c2b86ca06e02c6cc4fe3922b4cf8d/d36143adbbbaa56b70cf2ff7260fb763634315b3ff5f8168ac3742145d5c7edce6ff8a611456aa04_rw_1920.jpg?h=ee0f1a8836384a747abb8496940c8683)
This was originally commissioned as a cover illustration for the New Statesman's lead article, on the decline of American influence from Roosevelt's and Kennedy's presidencies to that of Donald Trump
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/244c2b86ca06e02c6cc4fe3922b4cf8d/2433151693c12f0fab4f744be76bd7c05d2ef5282c3c61325c34406c05f02091db153579371229bb_rw_1200.jpg?h=173cb15fd8b3e7f77f1ad0ee0585f8ab)
These are some preliminary concept sketches. The third one was the New Statesman's preference.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/244c2b86ca06e02c6cc4fe3922b4cf8d/2c6ccc490a93afb355f6720538a3bd3e5faea07ff69d5c65003f29749da9231aa8e599115415e06c_rw_1200.jpg?h=f33955c75f27c89253950b91eb307df7)
The illustration was completed, but it was decided to run it as a full-page opener for the article. A different illustration ran on the cover.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/244c2b86ca06e02c6cc4fe3922b4cf8d/bc9d954764bfe4f1c4b39964e2fa9b815b78eb59effca67a56ecbfc2a53937ab72f547a15c0ae3e6_rw_1200.jpg?h=df68bb66b469b357b44ba4e657a673b0)
I like to add a little cheeky detail when I can. Here, mr Trump is represented by a small piece of orange crap on the floor of the cage.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/244c2b86ca06e02c6cc4fe3922b4cf8d/5b6e6a6bfd3e226d013aa8a1ae346bc81dba936dd5a151290129c40920316ed433c61770931105b1_rw_1200.jpg?h=91ae590214c1db0397515dcbe086f29f)
The final spread. It's nice to get a cover spot, but on the other hand an inside illustration can be seen in all its majesty, uncluttered by masthead and headlines.