by Art Lien | Mar 24, 2016 | Arguments, Supreme Court
I wish there were a photo directory of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. I could have have used it yesterday when the Supreme Court heard arguments in Zubik (as in Bishop Zubik) v. Burwell, the case challenging ACA contraception coverage. In the courtroom before the Justices came to the bench I sketched who I thought was Cardinal Wuerl, but later in the pressroom googling his image I realized I had the wrong bishop. I had instead limned the likeness of Bishop Persico of Erie, Pennsylvania.
At least I recognized the Little Sisters of the Poor as they gathered in the Court’s cafeteria.
Below are my sketches from the argument. You can read Lyle’s analysis here.
by Art Lien | Jun 26, 2015 | Opinions, Supreme Court
Didn’t have a chance to post yesterday’s sketches of two major Supreme Court decisions, Texas Dept. of Housing v. Inclusive Communities and King v. Burwell.
The big one, of course, was Obamacare and for the second time Chief Justice Roberts authored an opinion the saved Affordable Health Care.
I scanned the wide-shot before filling in the foreground with watercolor, and I think I like the result. Maybe I’ll continue this way, plus I’m naturally lazy and it’s less work.
And below is Justice Kennedy announcing his opinion reaffirming the Fair Housing Act ban on unintentional discrimination.
by Art Lien | Mar 25, 2014 | Arguments, Supreme Court
Supporters lined up behind the owners of two family owned businesses, Anthony Hahn, second from right, and Dave Green, far right, on the lower level of the Supreme Court building this morning. They were waiting to hear arguments in two cases concerning Obamacare’s required contraceptive coverage by for-profit employers. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialities both embrace Christian principles that cause them to object to forms of contraception that they believe are tantamount to abortion.
It’s been a long day of lively arguments, lots of drawings, and even a little bit of snow, so forgive me if I forgo further comments and simply post the day’s sketches. There are links at the bottom to reporting on the arguments.
Lyle Denniston’s argument recap here.
NYT story here.
WaPo story here.
And a must-read from Dahlia Lithwick here.
by Art Lien | Jun 29, 2012 | Opinions, Supreme Court
My sketches from the announcement of the Court’s opinion, and dissents, on the Affordable Care Act. 
As they took their seats Justice Breyer was smiling; Sotomayor looked glum.
Justice Scalia was actually sitting as far back from Roberts as possible. Forgive the artistic license, but I wanted to get his expression in the frame. 
by Art Lien | Mar 28, 2012 | Arguments, Supreme Court
I’m pretty much cross-eyed after three days of sketching the Supreme Court’s health care argument marathon, so I’ll just post today’s drawings with brief captions.
Paul Clement, shown above, begins his argument on severability.
Justice Scalia needles Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Smiley Kneedler.
Justice Breyer brandishes portions of the Affordable Care Act.
Clement makes his argument on Medicaid Expansion.
Solicitor General Donald Verrilli had a better day today, but too late?
Lyle Denniston’s recap of the arguments on severability is here.
And Lyle’s recap of the Medicaid arguments is here.
Courtroom sketching is a form of visual journalism or reportage drawing that is slowly dying out. Where once upon a time news organization each had their own artist covering a story, today a “pool” artist often sketches for all. It is a demanding and stressful discipline where the drawing is often done directly and under tight deadline.
After forty-five years of news sketching in courtrooms and congress I’m calling it quits. It’s been sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, almost always interesting. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great people. Don’t think I’ll miss it, but a little scared of not having a deadline.
While I won’t be sketching in court anymore, I may continue to post to this blog from time to time. Not sure what that might be. I’m about to start a new assignment documenting infrastructure and construction. Could be interesting.
