Identity in Provincetown has become such a monumental force that it is worthy of an anthropological study of tribalism. Or it would be a great subject for ridicule. It all depends on what team you’re on. Artist Brian Einersen’s new book P-town Humor features cartoon drawings with a sly sense of humor about some of the more absurd aspects of life in Provincetown, particularly the strong opinions that can plant people firmly in opposing camps.
With a deep interest in pop culture, Einersen tapped into a faux rivalry created by the media as inspiration for the book, which features t-shirts declaring dueling devotions to Provincetown institutions, characters, and locales.
“Back when Brad Pitt left Jennifer Aniston for Angelina Jolie someone created t-shirts saying ‘Team Aniston’ and ‘Team Jolie’,” says Einersen. “The media pits those two against each other. In town there are not so much rivalries, but so many categories, like Team Sunburn and Team Sun Tan. There always seems to be two of everything in Provincetown.”
A native of Westchester, New York, Einersen returned to Provincetown this summer to hang a show of his drawings at Spiritus after spending the summers of 2006 and 2008 in town. He decided to stay. And through observations and eavesdropping, Provincetown figured into his work as a natural fit for a smashing together of pop culture, art, and parody.
“I would overhear conversations at Far Land or Joe’s and work them into a cartoon,” says Einersen. “The people in Provincetown say funny things. I think it’s a bit like a Fellini movie here in Provincetown, even though I’ve never seen a Fellini movie.”
In 2009, Einersen’s comic book Lady Saga, about pop phenomenon Lady Gaga, gained major attention with mentions by pop zeitgeist columnists Perez Hilton and Michael Musto, and it was carried in Marc Jacobs stores. That year, Einersen also created a short video piece, The Cubicle Circus, starring pencil people designs inspired by the wire-constructed circus people in Alexander Calder’s piece Circus (search “The Cubicle Circus” on YouTube). Creating P-town Humor consumed his summer, with Einersen frequently working at a table in Spiritus, Far Land, or Joe’s, using the street scene in Provincetown as a model for his live drawing cartoons.
“It’s kind of like living on Fantasy Island here,” says Einersen about the constant supply of fresh material. “Every Friday a new boatload of people arrive with hopes and dreams about Provincetown.”
Einersen is now going through the traumatic labyrinth of trying to find an affordable and decent place to live in Provincetown, as he would like to stay year-round. He continues to draw cartoons, with most recent additions featuring the exploits of Tawny Heatherton, a new roaming drag persona created by actor/director David Drake, as well as a comedic look at Jesus Christ posing for photographer Bobby Miller’s book Fetish, and poking impish fun at local celebrities, particularly those who don’t like to wait in line.
“In some ways I draw the pop stars of Provincetown,” says Einersen. “The real stars of this town are the dogs. They run Provincetown. They are the future of Provincetown.”
“P-town Humor” is available at www.blurb.com. Einersen’s work can be seen at the Patty DeLuca Gallery, 359 Commercial St. To see more of Einersen’s work go to www.brianeinersen.com. To contact Einersen write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .