For the past fourteen years, artist John Persons has embarked on a unique daily ritual: creating a drawing to encapsulate each day. This ongoing project, titled “Daily Geology,” is more than just a series of sketches; it’s a visual diary that captures the subtle shifts and profound changes of life as they unfold. Through simple moments – some humorous, others poignant, some filled with wonder, and some tinged with melancholy – Persons’ John Persons Comic series reveals larger patterns of growth and transformation that might otherwise go unnoticed. This essay showcases a selection of drawings from “Daily Geology,” offering a glimpse into the artist’s world and the evocative power of daily artistic practice.
Daily Geology project title card by John Persons
John Persons' Daily Geology comic project introduction
The beauty of john persons comic art lies in its ability to distill complex emotions and experiences into relatable visual moments. In one frame, we see a sudden jolt of anxiety, depicted as a figure waking up startled, shouting in bed. This raw portrayal of a nighttime awakening resonates with anyone who has experienced the sudden rush of fear or unease that can disrupt sleep.
Startled awakening depicted in John Persons comic art
Transitioning from nighttime anxieties to daytime routines, another john persons comic captures the mundane yet essential act of working at a desk. A person sits at a computer, uttering the simple phrase, “I need to do some work.” This everyday statement encapsulates the constant demands of modern life and the often-unspoken pressure to be productive.
Working at a desk depicted in John Persons Daily Geology comic
The series then shifts to more abstract and symbolic representations of inner states. Two panels, seemingly without figures, convey feelings of being overwhelmed or lost. These john persons comic panels demonstrate the artist’s ability to use visual language to express emotions that are difficult to articulate verbally.
Abstract panel in John Persons comic art depicting feeling overwhelmed
Abstract panel in John Persons comic art representing feeling lost
The narrative takes a turn towards vulnerability and physical discomfort. A sketch of a person curled up on a couch, labeled “Not feeling good,” speaks volumes about moments of illness and the universal experience of physical unwellness. This john persons comic is a stark reminder of our shared human fragility.
Person feeling unwell depicted in John Persons comic
Further exploring physical sensations, another drawing depicts a hand with radiating lines and the caption “Sharp stabbing pain in my hand.” This visceral representation of pain makes the invisible sensation tangible and relatable. John persons comic art here gives form to the often-isolating experience of physical suffering.
Sharp pain in hand visualized in John Persons comic
The drawings continue to chronicle a range of physical discomforts, from itching and scratching (“Scratch scratch scratch my face and nose”) to tremors and unease. A john persons comic showing a person and dog both shaking, walking with visible tremors, poignantly captures the unsettling experience of physical instability.
Itching sensation depicted in John Persons Daily Geology comic
Tremors visualized in John Persons comic art featuring person and dog
The sensation of tremors becomes a recurring motif, visualized in another john persons comic as a person surrounded by lines and arrows, head bowed, with the simple caption “Tremors.” This repetition underscores the persistence of these physical experiences in the artist’s daily life.
Recurring tremors depicted in John Persons Daily Geology comic
Abstract representations return, this time with concentric, wavy lines and the caption “Internal tremors.” This john persons comic delves deeper into the subjective and often unseen nature of physical ailments, suggesting sensations that are felt internally and difficult to communicate.
Internal tremors visualized as abstract lines in John Persons comic
The imagery becomes more graphic and disturbing with a drawing of a knife slicing between arm bones, accompanied by the stark text: “Pain so bad it feels like my bones are being cut apart.” This intense john persons comic vividly conveys the severity of the pain experienced.
Intense pain visualized in John Persons comic art as bone cutting
Continuing the theme of pain, a person standing in a shower with lines indicating pain on arms and chest is captioned: “Hot shower to try and ease the pain.” This john persons comic captures the attempts to find relief and manage chronic discomfort through everyday actions.
Pain relief attempt in shower depicted in John Persons comic
Insomnia joins the list of daily struggles. A person lies in bed with a thought bubble stating “Can’t sleep again,” highlighting the frustrating cycle of sleepless nights. This john persons comic speaks to the widespread issue of sleep deprivation and its impact on daily life.
Insomnia depicted in John Persons Daily Geology comic
Mental and emotional distress are also explored. A person sitting on a toilet, head in hands, with a thought bubble of a scribbled black mass, is captioned: “Dark thoughts again in the morning.” This powerful john persons comic captures the struggle with morning anxiety and intrusive dark thoughts.
Morning anxiety visualized in John Persons comic art
The drawings then depict external environmental factors. Two panels show industrial scenes, hinting at a potential external source for the artist’s ailments. These john persons comic panels introduce the idea of environmental influence on personal health.
Industrial scene in John Persons comic art suggesting environmental factors
Industrial landscape depicted in John Persons comic hinting at pollution
The narrative connects personal symptoms with environmental pollution more explicitly. A person dreaming of “rotten eggs” leads to the realization of hydrogen sulfide gas from a nearby coke production plant. This john persons comic marks a turning point in the search for answers, linking symptoms to a potential environmental cause.
Dreaming of rotten eggs in John Persons comic, a clue to hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide gas source identified in John Persons Daily Geology comic
Despite the company’s response disputing the link, the artist’s personal experience leads to a confirmed diagnosis. A drawing of a person typing at a desk explains the relief at finding an explanation for symptoms, confirmed by a doctor as consistent with hydrogen sulfide exposure. This john persons comic highlights the validation and relief that comes with finding answers to health mysteries.
Company response note included in the original article
Response from US Steel regarding environmental concerns in the original article
Diagnosis confirmation depicted in John Persons comic art
The daily drawings continue, now informed by this new understanding. Further panels in the john persons comic series might explore coping mechanisms, ongoing struggles, or advocacy efforts.
Further panels in John Persons Daily Geology comic series
Continued daily drawings in John Persons comic project
Ongoing artistic exploration in John Persons comic series
Evolution of themes in John Persons Daily Geology comic project
Finally, a hand holding a smartphone displaying an air quality app suggests a proactive approach to managing environmental health risks. This john persons comic hints at empowerment through information and technology.
Air quality app use depicted in John Persons comic art
Concluding panel of John Persons Daily Geology comic series
Through “Daily Geology,” john persons comic art provides a powerful and intimate window into the artist’s life, chronicling not only personal struggles but also raising broader questions about health, environment, and the subtle yet significant changes that shape our daily existence. John Persons’ ongoing project serves as a testament to the power of art to document, explore, and make sense of the complexities of life.
