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    And Now a Brief Break From Insanity for Some UWS Spring Zen

    April 28, 2025 | 8:26 AM
    in ART, COLUMNS
    23

    Om.

    * * *

    Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for more than 30 years. His illustrations appear in the Rag on Sundays, chronicling life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. See them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com

    Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.

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    Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

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    23 Comments
    Neal Leibowitz
    Neal Leibowitz
    1 year ago

    Better late than never.

    3
    Reply
    Nancy
    Nancy
    1 year ago

    I spy with my little eye our neighborhood watercolorist and pet savior Anne Watkins!

    4
    Reply
    Gary
    Gary
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Nancy

    Good eye! That’s her lovely photo I used in background as well. Thank you Anne.

    2
    Reply
    Anne Watkins
    Anne Watkins
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Gary

    Thank you, Gary, for including me in this bucolic scene. We are so lucky to live here and enjoy the park. Shout out to the Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks for caring for this treasure. Delighted to be in your circle, Gary and Nancy!

    2
    Reply
    Judy Orich
    Judy Orich
    1 year ago

    Thanks Gary….much needed and beautifully illustrated.

    4
    Reply
    birdie
    birdie
    1 year ago

    Worth waiting an extra day for this sweet illustration. Sometimes calm is needed more than funny.

    1
    Reply
    Ken
    Ken
    1 year ago

    Is there a tiny iPhone hidden in your beard?

    2
    Reply
    nook
    nook
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Ken

    haha

    0
    Reply
    Jean Mensing
    Jean Mensing
    1 year ago

    Thank you Gary Martin…. N.Y.C. needs you

    3
    Reply
    Steve
    Steve
    1 year ago

    Totally agree. The blooming trees are especially beautiful this Spring.

    2
    Reply
    Nina
    Nina
    1 year ago

    Best medicane!

    1
    Reply
    Don
    Don
    1 year ago

    The more “OM” the better!!!

    1
    Reply
    Carmella Ombrella
    Carmella Ombrella
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Don

    Indeed. Adding a bit of SHANTIH to the OM.

    0
    Reply
    Arline Shenker
    Arline Shenker
    1 year ago

    This illustrates beautiful weather here

    1
    Reply
    David
    David
    1 year ago

    If there is a more beautiful springtime setting, I have not seen it. Thanks Gary.

    2
    Reply
    Terry
    Terry
    1 year ago

    Love springtime! Wondering if that’s my Stella in the background also is loving this beautiful weather!

    1
    Reply
    Gary
    Gary
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Terry

    Hi stella!

    0
    Reply
    Jerome N
    Jerome N
    1 year ago

    The only real insanity here is this never ending complaint of “insanity” from our usual neurotic and progressive UWS crowd…

    6
    Reply
    EricaC
    EricaC
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jerome N

    It’s funny. Even the people I know who like the things being done admit that it is bonkers. It is just a bonkers they like.

    1
    Reply
    ecm
    ecm
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Jerome N

    Don’t let us wake you.

    2
    Reply
    Joe Chiplock
    Joe Chiplock
    1 year ago

    Oh, my… Yes. Best image yet. That’s the Upper West Side I know and love. And I’m as thankful for what 10023/10024/10025 have to offer us as, it appears, Gary is. (And I love the two guest stars in the lower right-hand corner…#IFKYK.) Happy Spring.

    1
    Reply
    Nancy
    Nancy
    1 year ago
    Reply to  Joe Chiplock

    It’s almost exactly a year since Rosie died…

    0
    Reply
    Mark
    Mark
    1 year ago

    In so many ways, we’ve earned this spring. Thanks for commemorating this moment of grace, Gary.

    1
    Reply

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