THE BREAKUP!

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I don’t know how else to say this – we’re done! It’s over! I’m breaking up with you. I purposely packed all your hate, anger, divisiveness, lies, mistrust, and verbal abuse into tidy little boxes – they’re on the front lawn – take them when you go! You are not welcome back.

Sincerely,
Humanity

The age-old relationship between humanity and hate does not discriminate between sex, race, religion, nationality, greed or culture – because it claims them all. Sadly, this is not a relationship of necessity, but of choice – a personal choice. 

We foster this toxic relationship by turning a blind eye to its misdeeds, or worse, nurture it with our willingness to happily mistreat others for our own twisted gratification. Humanity and Hate will never truly be apart – history teaches us this with brutal honesty – but we can lessen its impact in our lives by making a personal choice to break up! Send it packing with all the putrid baggage that has been cluttering your life so you can move on to more constructive relationships.

STAY FIRED UP, and it’s time – write your breakup letter.

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To see more Drawn By Fire cartoons or to purchase prints, go to:
http://artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm

READY TO GO!

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June Fire Engineering​ cartoon: Ready to Go!

Your passion is calling!

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To see more Drawn By Fire cartoons or to purchase prints, go to:
http://artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

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NEW Fire Engineering​ cartoon: Emotional Support

No earth-shattering commentary here, just a whimsical firefighter spin on our challenging social and divisive firehouse times—and the dual attitudes toward dealing with the madness.

To see more Drawn By Fire cartoons or to purchase prints, go to:
http://artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm

CHOICES

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https://www.fireengineering.com/2020

“In Lord of the Flies, author William Golding argues that human nature, free from the constraints of society and common law tugs good people away from reason and toward cruelty and savagery. His underlying argument is that human beings are savage by nature, and are moved by primal urges toward selfishness, brutality, and dominance over others.”

I like to think this is not true!

However, it does not take much effort to witness these behaviors in others on a daily basis – whether it be on a personal level, or watching it unfold via social media or cable news. Global societies are no stranger to malicious, violent, cruel and savage acts – history teaches us this in vivid detail. Is it easier to fall into the trap of indignant acts than to hold out a helping hand to others? Is it easier to tare down the walls that others have built so you can stand triumphantly upon the rubble? Has society fallen so far into the hole of despair that we feel comfortable stumbling in the darkness?

These are troubling days, indeed.

This cartoon was originally drawn to spotlight the bad behaviors within our firehouse walls, but in recent weeks it has gained a deeper meaning for me. I want to believe that the good far outweighs the bad and that humanity has the ability to light the way out of the darkest of times. This will take work. This will take hardship. This will take sacrifice – but worth the high cost so future generations can bask in freedom and live in harmony. It starts with one! It starts with you saying you will not succumb to the ugliest forms of human nature – daily – hourly – minute by minute. Because the monster is always at our heels taunting us to resort to what Golding proposes – that humans are unruly savage animals that cannot be tamed.

It starts with you… today. Treat people right!

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To see more Drawn By Fire cartoons or to purchase prints, go to:
http://artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm

Darth COVID19

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NEW Fire Engineering blog cartoon: Darth COVID19No point being made, just some silliness in these strange and troubled days. Remember to breathe, be tolerant, smile (even behind a mask), and stay safe out there!STAY FIRED UP, and show compassion, understanding, and love – it’s what makes US human.

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Hat-tip to fellow artist and Star Wars geek, Kory Hubbell, for allowing me to have some fun at his expense. “Live long and prosper,” amigo!

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To see more Drawn by Fire cartoons, go to:http://artstudioseven.com/page-fire-ems-prints2.htm

SELF-SERVED

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I recently attended a conference in Miami (corporate, not fire) where the industry leader/conference sponsor had a signed copy of Adam Steltzner’s The Right Kind of Crazy delivered to the hotel room of every attendee (note: the industry leader signed it, too). Great book with great leadership lessons. However, throughout that week our industry lead went on the contradict every leadership trait he was promoting with his pompous self-serving actions. So, two good things came from that experience: a free leadership book, and a cartoon lampooning the behavior of providing leadership knowledge that you do not follow, or believe you’re above.

STAY FIRED UP, and lead first by example, then by sharing your gained wisdom.

Go to http://www.ArtStudioSeven.com to see more Drawn by Fire cartoons.

TITO and BIG RAGE

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Tito learned quickly that it’s a dog-eat-dog world and that he needed to be tough to survive as a little unknown dog in a big, big world. Alone, hungry, and mad at the world, he discovered early that he could channel his anger through playing guitar – and writing angry songs with spirited lyrics. He formed Tito and Big Rage which topped the charts with their first hit Mange My Mind, and sell out stadiums around the world. Now, everyone wants a piece of Tito, and are frequently bitten for their efforts!

Title: Tito and Big Rage
Series: Rock Dogs
Print Available Soon!

THE HOSE CHARMER

April Fire Engineering magazine cartoon: The Hose Charmer.

 

What tune are you playing?

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See more Drawn by Fire cartoons here,

http://artstudioseven.com/page-fire-ems-prints2.htm

RING THE BELL

Americans can be a divided, contentious, and unruly mob… until you slap us in the face with a common challenge. We are kind of like a big crazy combative family that loves and loathes each other – but nobody from the outside had better mess with one of us or you’ll get the wrath of ALL of us!

The current COVID-19 reality and challenges have given us more than a few knocks, but like Americans always do, we get up and continue the fight – always fighting. There are so many front-line first response warriors depicted on my modern and fiery Uncle Sam, but there are so many more to be recognized: from grocery and hardware store clerks, repair stations, transit and utilities workers, mail and package delivery personnel… the list goes on and on and on.

So here’s to you, America, and for everyone who is putting themselves at risk to keep this great nation grinding forward, and of course, fighting – always fighting!

God Bless America… and every nation on this earth!

STAY FIRED UP, and keep swinging!

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To see more Drawn By Fire cartoons or to purchase prints, go to:

http://artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm

NEVER TOO CAUTIOUS

Here’s a little levity in these strange and challenging days. However, the message holds true: you can never be too careful and protect yourself, your family, and your crew the best you can and don’t take your good health for granted.

STAY FIRED UP, and remember to smile when you can.

To see more Drawn By Fire cartoons or to purchase prints, go to:
http://artstudioseven.com/page-LE_Prints.htm