By Gary Martin
You know that moment you wake up to realize you have more in storage than you have in your apartment and you feel – wait, something’s not right here? Well, we’re there. My wife’s simultaneously employing her inner Marie Kondo while shopping with the madness of Lucy Ricardo. I can only watch in bemusement.
Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for more than three decades. His Sunday illustrations for West Side Rag chronicle life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. Watch for Gary’s illustrations on Sundays in the Rag and see them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com
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You read my mid! Yay, Gary!
I wait all week for this feature! Thank you for starting my week off on the right note. I have to go purge my belongings now
Know this all too well…
Story of my life! Thanks for finding the humor in everyday situations. My husband is very excited to be cleaning out our closets next weekend! Once again, Gary has nailed it!
Been there, done that. My happiest memory of that wretched year 2020 was when I sold off my last item in grudgingly held in storage and closed for good my 5 x 10 Westy’s locker. Pure liberation.
You are an inspiration. I didn’t use 2020 right.
Another great cartoon!!
Truer than true. Seems I get rid of one thing and another appears.
I’ve been loving these cartoons! Inventive, clever and genuinely funny.
Truth! Another great one, Gary.
Oh, hoarding in NYC. I feel your pain!
I LOVE throwing things out! (Almost as much as I love buying new things to fill the void…)! Great illustration!
I can relate! My kingdom for a closet…or six!
One day you wake up, look around and ask yourself why am I surrounded by so much crap. Thanks, Gary, for commiserating.
So true! I cleaned out a lot from my storage room, then found at least as much stuff at home I had to put back into it.
So true, so true. As always — Gary’s nailed it with his unique talent for combining artistry with honesty and humor.
Story of my life! Spot on, G Martin!
All too true! Insightful with a laugh!
Such a good one! The illustration looks just like my “stuff” too.
I feel your pain—but not so much of a problem when you live in a studio!
Amen
This is so true. If I knew this 25 yard sales ago I would have saved a lot of money. I keep downsizing but the junk still keeps appearing.
Ha! This is perfect, Again Gary has articulated exactly what is happening among the elder citizens of this democracy!
I think the whole concept of “acquiring” really hits home when you have to sort through those things that were your parents life. Clearing out an estate is not for the faint of heart. The number of folks that stopped by to pick up items that said “wow this is what my kids are going to have to deal with”. Lesson learned: prioritize experiences over stuff.
Great cartoon, Gary! It’s amazing how “stuff” can complicate one’s life. It’s really one of those things where less is better.
I like your style, Mr. Martin. Martoonerville looks like a fun – if sometimes anxiety-ridden – place to inhabit!
I only moved to the Upper West Side a little over a year ago. Gary Martin’s “Martoonerville” cartoons so accurately capture what I have experienced and come to appreciate in our lovely neighborhood. Looking forward to what comes next…in the neighborhood and in his strip!
But be careful purging. There’s Martoonerville material in those boxes for sure!