Ball point pen on the morning newsprint

As the world economy sinks into crisis, people are seeking refuge in the world of romance and happy endings. As newspapers and magazines continue to loose money and close their doors, sales of romance novels are once again on the rise. Harlequin Enterprises, the world's leading publisher of romance novels, reported that fourth-quarter earnings were up 32 percent over the same period last year. Donna Hayes, Harlequin's chief executive, said that sales in the first quarter of this year remain very strong.

While I'm working in my studio, I always have a TV on in the background tuned to a cable news station. I just happened to be working on a commission from Harlequin when this story came over the air. I can't help having mixed feeling about this story. While I know many are suffering under this bad economy, I can't help being glad that sales are up and proud that the covers I paint might have played even the smallest role in helping some escape the realities of this difficult time.

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