A visual gallery of life’s little ironies

Life is funny.
Especially when
it isn't trying.

Fifty imaginative illustrations uncover the humor in everyday habits, grand ambitions, and familiar contradictions. Take a closer look—there is a story behind every smile.

Explore all 50 artworks → Our story

Watercolor illustration of a sweating man on a stationary exercise bike holding a cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake, captioned “It’s all about balance.”

Watercolor illustration of an art critic in a tweed suit contemplating a blank white canvas in a gallery while a smiling maintenance worker walks by carrying a framed landscape painting, captioned “A profound statement about emptiness.”

Illustration of an exasperated older man locked outside a modern house at night facing a glowing “Access Denied” smart lock, while inside a dog sits on the counter amid a running blender, speaker and robot vacuum, captioned “Your home is smarter than you.”

50 moments. Endless irony.

“Sometimes the best way to understand ourselves is to laugh.”

From the gallery

A smile in every scene

From the age of smart devices to the pursuit of perfect health, these pictures offer playful observations of modern life. Start with eight favorites, or explore the full collection.

See the full gallery

ARTWORK 01

Burger on the Bike

Fitness Enthusiast

Watercolor illustration of five people at a candlelit dinner table, each looking at a smartphone, while a golden retriever watches a tablet on the floor, captioned “Quality family time.”

ARTWORK 02

Dinner by Screenlight

Modern Family Dinner

Watercolor illustration of a smiling bearded man driving a large mud-spattered military-style SUV through the desert at sunset, with a “Save the Planet” sign on the bumper, captioned “Every little bit helps.”

ARTWORK 03

Desert Cruiser

Environmentalist

Watercolor illustration of a wide-eyed robot reading “How to Understand Humans” at a desk while a man and woman tug on a TV remote behind it, captioned “Artificial intelligence meets natural stupidity.”

ARTWORK 04

Reading Room Robot

Intelligent Robot

Watercolor illustration of a gray-haired man relaxing in a backyard hammock as a woman in a gardening apron holds a very long to-do list, captioned “Finally, some free time.”

ARTWORK 05

Hammock Hour

Retirement Dream

Watercolor illustration of a dog trainer kneeling before four seated dogs and their owners in a park while a scruffy terrier on a picnic table holds a sandwich, captioned “Do as I say, not as I bark.”

ARTWORK 06

Park Obedience Class

Dog Trainer

Watercolor illustration of a man in a camp chair watching lions on a giant screen built into the side of a luxury RV in the desert, beside a vintage camper van, captioned “Getting back to nature.”

ARTWORK 07

Satellite Safari

Luxury Camper

Watercolor illustration of a woman photographing a roast chicken dinner with a professional camera and ring light while a man waits at the table with his arms crossed, captioned “First, we feed the followers.”

ARTWORK 08

Dinner Photo Shoot

Social Media Influencer

The idea

Art that sees the joke.

Recognizably human

Our most familiar routines become surprising little stories when viewed from a different angle.

A modern comic eye

Contemporary illustration meets a timeless subject: the funny business of being human.

Made to enjoy and share

Take home a favorite as a digital file from this site, or order it as framed artwork through Fine Art America.

Discover your favorite

There's a little bit of all of us in here.

Browse fifty comic scenes and find a favorite. Digital files are $6.99 each for a limited time (regularly $10.99), and framed artwork can be ordered through Fine Art America.

Visit the gallery →

Bring a favorite scene home

The artwork, your way.

Every artwork in The Human Comedy is available two ways: as a digital file from this site, or as framed artwork through Fine Art America.

Digital files

~~$10.99~~ $6.99 each Limited-time price

$5.00 each when you order 3 or more

Open any artwork in the gallery and click Add to order.
Review your selection on the order page and pay securely with PayPal or a card.
Your files are emailed to you within 24 hours.

Choose artwork →

Framed artwork

Framed artwork of every image can be ordered through our Fine Art America gallery. Choose the frame and size there; Fine Art America handles checkout and delivery.

Order framed artwork at Fine Art America ↗