While drawing this iconic physicist, I felt like I was getting lost in a tiny universe. Albert Einstein’s head may have been in the stars, but his heart was firmly grounded in humanity.
Prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop
From the Poles to the Equator - Art Box
I’m honored to have this piece on display in a public art box, which is located at 7260 South Broadway in Red Hook, NY (right next to Holy Cow Ice Cream). This artwork is titled From the Poles to the Equator, and it was designed to draw attention to endangered and vulnerable species around our planet. Enormous thanks to the Red Hook Sustainable Communities Program for helping local artist share their creations in our community!
On display are a Polar bear, Hawksbill sea turtle, Emperor penguin, and Javan Rhinoceros
James Gandolfini
He ruled this turf with killer acting chops.
Rest in peace, James Gandolfini.
This is part of an ongoing project, where I'm
attempting to draw a picture on every
map in an old Rand McNally atlas.
Stay tuned for more!
Hopi Indian Woman
Hopi Indian culture was destined to go viral, in a galaxies far far away.
This is part of an ongoing project, where I'm
attempting to draw a picture on every
map in an old Rand McNally atlas.
Stay tuned for more!
Grizzly Bear
With all due respect to Kevin Costner, here’s the real star of Yellowstone.
Prints of this portrait are available here, in my Etsy shop!
James Madison
This portrait of James Madison appears in today’s edition of The Wall Street Journal. This story looks at the debate our founders had about how much federal representation individual states should have. Madison argued that representation should be proportionate to the population of each state, which would have been more reflective of a true democracy. Unfortunately, the author of the Constitution lost this debate. Regardless of enormous disparities in population, each state has two senators. Thanks to art director, Alice Cheung, for this fascinating assignment!
(Map: David Rumsey Historical Map Collection. Convention scene: Alamy Stock)
Adrianne Lenker
The borough of Brooklyn is a famous hotspot for groundbreaking indie-rock bands. In that spirit, here’s a portrait of Adrianne Lenker, singer and guitarist for Big Thief. I drew this while listening to their rewarding new Album, Dragon Warm Mountain I Believe in You.
Baby Alligator
Baby alligators are pretty darn cute.
Signed prints of this portrait are available here, in my Etsy shop.
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are such badass-looking birds, I just had to draw one.
Signed prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop.
Patti Smith
Last year, my dear friend Bernadette found a beautiful Hammond Atlas at a Brooklyn yard sale. Knowing that I’m obsessed with drawing on old maps, she generously gave it to me. I wanted to give her a thank you gift, and she suggested a portrait of the great Patti Smith. Knowing that they’re both Jersey-girls at heart, I was sold on this idea. I hope I captured an inkling of this artist’s poetic spirit. Thank you for this incredible atla, Bernadette! It’s given me so much inspiration!
Ben Franklin
This piece was commissioned for a dear friend who recently retired from teaching social studies. As a history buff, she has always admired this founding father of the United States, Ben Franklin. And why not? To name a few accomplishments, he was a statesman, inventor, publisher, printer, abolitionist, as well as the first US Postmaster General (as a frequent user of our exceptional postal service, I really appreciate this last accomplishment) . While I have very mixed feelings about a number of America’s founders, this man embodied the best of the this young county’s spirit, and was a big believer in democracy. Thanks so much for this opportunity, Christa!
John Lewis
Out of humble roots in Alabama, John Lewis rose to become one of the most significant civil rights leaders in America. I was born on Bloody Sunday, the day he made his fateful march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This event would help inspire the most important voting rights legislation in US history. John Lewis is no longer with us, but he provided us with a template in fighting for voting rights going into the future.
Signed prints of this portrait are available here, in my Etsy shop.
Aldous Harding
This singer-songwriter from New Zealand makes the most enchanting music. I drew this portrait solely while listening to her new album, Warm Chris. Her lyrics are so cryptically beautiful, you're compelled to keep listening in order to decipher them.
Extraterrestrial
This undocumented visitor was recently spotted in New Mexico. This sketch is based on several eyewitness descriptions. The truth is still out there!
Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy Shop.
Māori Woman
No doubt, the number one priority on my bucket list is to visit New Zealand one day. In tribute to the indigenous people of this beautiful island, here's a portrait of a Māori woman.
Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy shop
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Metaphorically speaking, I was digging in Colorado, and unearthed this Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. No doubt, these majestic creatures are tough enough to survive in the most rugged of conditions. They're a perfect symbol for this iconic mountain range. This is part of a series called World Tour - in which I use pages from an old atlas as canvases - painting images relating to the place on each map.
Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy shop.
The Emperor of Antarctica
While drawing these Emperor Penguins, I read that temperatures in Antarctica are 70 degrees above normal (no typo). What does this portend for life on that continent?
Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy shop.
10% of profit from each print will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund
Sylvia Plath
Early on in Sylvia Plath’s classic novel, The Bell Jar, the main character, Esther, attempts to take her own life by drowning in Boston Harbor. This would set the tone for her struggles to maneuver through this world with mental illness. In real life, the author enlightened us to the deep depression so many people suffer through silently.
Montana Trout
Whenever I think of Montana, I think of fly-fishing for trout. No doubt, this drawing was influenced by Norman Maclean's classic novel, A River runs Through It, a wonderful meditation about the great outdoors.
Yale Alumni Magazine Cover
I had the pleasure of illustrating this cover of Yale Alumni Magazine. This portrait depicts Yan Phou Lee, Yale class of 1887. Originally from China, He would combat prejudice in America by becoming a fierce advocate for the rights of Chinese immigrants. Enormous thanks to art director, Jeanine Dunn, for entrusting me with this fantastic assignment. Below are some cover ideas:
Included in the interior article is this family tree I illustrated for Yan Phou Lee's descendants:
This article opener represents Yan Phou Lee during his time at Yale University, in New Haven, CT.
