For some strange reason, whenever I think of Texas, Wille Nelson comes to mind. No doubt, he has legendary status as a musician, activist and weed proponent. Given these credentials, it makes sense that Texas is in a Willie Nelson state of mind.
Prints of this piece are available here (in my Etsy shop)!
!0% of proceeds from each print will be donated to Farm Aid, a charity which he founded to help farm families in need.
This iconic actress is one of Belgium’s most extraordinary exports, Audrey Hepburn
Signed prints of this portrait are available here (in my Etsy shop).
His name was Sitting Bull, and as an advocate for indigenous rights, he towered like a Standing Rock.
Prints of this piece are available HERE (in my Etsy shop)!
This rooster portrait was inspired by a piece of sheet music I found at my local recycling center.
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Bard college is a vital part of my small town, Red Hook, NY. This institution adds so much culture and diversity into our community. With this pandemic raging on, I really miss the energy and spirit all the students bring here. Here’s a portrait of the school president, Leon Botstein. He’s also the principal conductor of the American Philharmonic Orchestra.
Thanks for visiting. You can view more of my map portraits here, on my website.
Rear Window is one of my all-time favorite films, and this actress is a big reason reason why. Born in Philadelphia, Grace Kelly would become one of the biggest movie stars in the world, and would eventually wear a crown as Princess of Monaco.
Signed prints of this drawing are available here, in my Etsy shop!
She doesn’t wear boxing gloves, but this congresswoman is a tenacious fighter from the Bronx. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fearlessly champions the working class, civil rights, and human rights.
Signed prints of this piece are available here (in my Etsy shop)!
This piece for American Educator accompanies a story about this magazine’s history of supporting literacy research. It was fun to work with a straight-forward concept, On the Road to Literacy. This is the publication of the AFT, the largest teacher’s union in the Untied States. I have many friends who are public school teachers, including my girlfriend of 8 years. It is nice to know this magazine will be delivered to their mailboxes, and that I can connect with them through my artwork. Given that we have been living through a pandemic, this has been a very challenging year for educators. Living with a teacher, I see firsthand how dedicated they are, and how hard they work. To all my teacher friends, I salute you. and wish you a relaxing and peaceful summer. You deserve it!
Special thanks to art director, Jennifer Berney, for this super-fun assignment!
Below are sketches I submitted for this assignment:
This guy may just look like typical musclehead from California, but looks can be deceiving. With a simple podcast, and an ocean full of curiosity, Joe Rogan has pioneered the art of long-form conversation. Joe is also known as an amazing standup comedian, martial arts expert, and UFC fight commentator. But for my money, his greatest contribution to society is showing us the value of a good deep-dive conversation.
Signed prints are available here, in my Etsy shop.
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This philosopher effortlessly traverses the topography of spirituality, the arts, and politics.
From Sacramento, California, it’s the one and only Dr. Cornel West.
It's interesting how certain musicians we discover in our youth help shape our world view. I stumbled upon one such artist as a senior in college, Tom Waits. With his entirely unique approach to songwriting, this singer effortlessly channels downtrodden characters, like hobos, carnival barkers, and junkyard dogs. His attention to those fringe dwellers in society helps to confirm the humanity in all of us. Thanks to this artist, who was born in Pomona, California, for reminding us that everyone has a good story to tell.
Signed prints of this portrait are available Here, in my Etsy shop!
As we live through this modern-day pandemic, I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction, but also finding escapism through classic literature. One particular story which was assigned way back in high school English class, Young Goodman Brown, has always stuck with me. Having recently reread it, this devilish tale still spooks the hell out of me. The author is the descendant of a judge who presided in the Salem Witch Trials. With that kind of family lineage, no wonder his writing is so vivid and haunting.
Signed prints of this portrait are are available here, in my Etsy shop!
Just looking at pictures of a young Elvis Presley, it’s easy to understand why he found such meteoric success. This native of Tupelo, Mississippi exuded an aura which has yet to be duplicated. While drawing this legend, I found myself continuously mimicking his distinct southern drawl. He sadly lost his way in life, but his early contributions to rock and roll will reverberate forever.
Signed prints of this piece are available here (in my Etsy Shop)!
When people of color are continuously let down by our justice, healthcare, and economic systems, frustrations bubble up to the surface.
Civil rights icon, Martin Luther King Jr. summed it up best, ‘A riot is the language of the unheard.’
Signed prints of this piece are available here.
(25% of each sale will be donated to Black Lives Matter.)
Much of this author’s literary universe is set in the fertile lands around his hometown, Salinas, California. If he didn’t have the life experience which was shaped by this region, we would never have The Grapes of Wrath, or Of Mice and Men.
Signed prints of my John Steinbeck portrait are available here!
Living the majority of his life within the borders of this map, Henry David Thoreau would dream big ideas on Walden Pond. His essay, Civil Disobedience, is an argument for peaceful protest against an unjust state. Right now, while our leaders consistently favor corporations over everyday people, this concept is more vital than ever.
Signed prints of this portrait are available here, in my Etsy shop!
Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, he’d grow up to become a founding father of the civil rights movement. W.E.B. Dubois
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Here’s a portrait of noted author, Zadie Smith, who was born and raised in London. Her novel, White teeth, is my younger daughter’s favorite book.
Signed prints of this piece are available here!
Her star is so bright, to an iconic degree. I failed to fit this portrait in just Tennessee. Born in a one-room cabin in Appalachia, Dolly Parton would grow up to master country and bluegrass music, acting, and business. Her efforts to promote literacy, along with her support for the LBGTQ community, have shown to be a true humanitarian.
Signed prints of this portrait are available here!
Here's a drawing pondering that age-old question,
Which came first? the Chicken or the Egg?
