Kiwi Bird

 

If New Zealand had its own version of Godzilla, I imagine he'd look something like this. All jokes aside, this country is at the very top of my bucket-list to visit. I'd love to explore all the culture, grand landscapes, and exotic nature which this nation has to offer (I'm also a fan of such bands/musicians as The Chills, Lorde, the Verlaines, and the Clean). When contemplating a subject for this map, I felt this unique national bird felt like the proper tribute. My next-door  neighbor (who's from Australia) once mentioned that the nickname for New Zealanders is "kiwis", and that put a cherry on top of this theme.

Sign prints of this portrait are available here, in my Etsy shop!

Fala

Fala, a Scottish terrier, was FDR's beloved sidekick throughout the latter part of his White House years. The President was given this loyal pooch by his cousin, Daisy Suckley, who raised and trained Fala at her Rhinebeck estate, Wilderstein. This glorious home on the Hudson is now a historical site. Along with other local  artists, I was asked to decorate a cast-iron Scottie-dog to be auctioned off at a fundraiser for Wilderstein. I thought collage might be a fun way to connect the elements of this story together. 

I applied collage elements all around Fala

          

 collaged details of the history, locale, and natural setting of Wilderstein

 

Creating this piece helped me hone my exacto-knife and Modpodge skills...

This is the original cast-iron Scottish Terrier I started with...

This piece will be included in a silent auction on at Wilderstein's Summer House Party, July 8th 2023  5:00-8:00 PM (330 Morton Rd, Rhinebeck, NY). You can RSVP on their website, or call 845-876-4818 for more information. Enormous thanks to my friend and Wilderstein board member, Robin Cherry, for including me in this project. 

 

Fala having an intimate moment with my sweet pooch, Dolly.

 

   Thanks for viewing!

Secretariat

 

No doubt, the spirit of Secretariat looms large in Louisville. I finished this drawing a few days before the 2023 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. I discovered later that this year's race marks the 50th Anniversary of this racehorse's legendary Triple Crown run, an extraordinary achievement.

Signed prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop!

Mapping Exhibit Announcement

 

I'm thrilled to announce that this portrait, John Lewis, Civil Rights Hero, has been accepted into a juried show at 440 Gallery, 440 6th Avenue, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The theme of this exhibit is Mapping, and the opening reception is June 29, 5-7 PM. Enormous thanks to jurist, Maddy Rosenberg, for recognizing this piece for inclusion with other great artists. Hope to see all my Brooklyn friends there!    

American Bison

I grew up far far away from Wyoming, in Buffalo, NY. The The American Bison is a symbol of my home city, so I've always had a strong affinity for these beautiful animals. It's frightening to think they were nearly brought to extinction in the late 1800's. Thankfully, these majestic creatures are roaming Yellowstone Park and ranches of Wyoming once again. No doubt, it's on my bucket-list to visit this epic western state.

 

Signed prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop!

Matt Berninger

 

 

The National is a band whose music has helped me (and many others) through troubled times. Their songs seem to tap  into our worst anxieties, and then they help us exorcise those emotional demons. I drew this portrait while listening to their new album, The First Two Pages of Frankenstein. It was inspired directly by lyrics from their singer, Matt Berninger. If you're familiar with the band's music, you might be able to guess the song.

 

Stephen King

 

Just as the boogeyman was jumping out of the closet, Stephen King was emerging out of Maine. At age 14, I picked up my first collection of short stories by this author, Night Shift. Foolishly, I brought this book on a camping trip, deep in the New England woods. While reading in the isolation of the forest, his stories scared the crap out of me, and I loved every minute of it. Decades later, I'm still hooked on the King of Horror.

Signed prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop