Appaloosa Horses of Idaho

 

In recent months, I've been feeling creatively stuck. Part of the issue is that I work primarily in B&W, which can get monotonous. To shake things up, I pulled out my gouache paints, Prismacolor pencils, and markers. It was a lot of fun to fill the paper with color, and work loosely, without pressure.

I've been focusing on drawing various official US state animals. In this case it's Idaho, known for Appaloosa horses,

 

Birds of Africa

 

In recent months, I've been feeling creatively stuck. Part of the issue is that I work primarily in B&W, which can get monotonous. To shake things up, I pulled out my gouache paints, Prismacolor pencils, and markers. It was a lot of fun to fill the paper with color, and work loosely, without pressure.

I had a lot of fun drawing some birds of Africa!

Drawing as Meditation

 

In this topsy-turvy world, drawing can be a wonderful way to center yourself.

Beyond the Curves Exhibit at Gallery 40

I’m thrilled to have the piece below included in a juried group show Gallery 40, 40 Canon St, Poughkeepsie, NY. The exhibit, Beyond the Curves, is a celebration of courageous, outrageous, and trailblazing women. My drawing depicts Mollie Burkhart, whose story inspired Killers of the Flower Moon. The show opens tomorrow, July 6th, 5-7 PM, and runs through July 28. Check it out! 

Justice Alito

 This guy has a lifetime seat on the US Supreme Court, and yet, his concept of America is completely upside down. 

Summer City Exhibit at Equity Gallery

 

I’m thrilled to have the piece below included in the Summer City group show @equitygallery 245 Broome St, NYC. This exhibit is part of an exchange program between The New York Artists Equity Association and the Woodstock Artists Association @waamart (of which I’m a member). The opening is June 20 @ 6:00 PM (which, unfortunately, I can’t attend) and the show is up until July 20. NYC friends, I hope you can check it out!  

"Italy is for the Animals"    charcoal on 1893 map    33" h by 26" w

 

Dying Aquarium

 

This piece is currently on display in a group show, Sea Change/See Change, at Mattatuck Museum , Waterbury CT . Along with my fellow artists, who all come from diverse artistic disciplines, our goal is to draw attention towards the impacts of climate change on the health of our oceans. This drawing was sparked by one researcher’s assessment that our oceans are “suffocating” due to being under-oxygenated. Enormous thanks to curator,  Keffie Feldman, for including me in this compelling exhibit, which is up through May 19. 

    

 

  

 

Patti Smith

 

Without question, Patti Smith is one of the most iconic Jersey girls to emerge out of the Garden State. Attending one of her concerts, which are filled with inspiring songs and poetry, is like witnessing a force of nature. Her message is to use your voice to help make this world a better place. Patti has the power to make us, as citizens, realize we have the power to make a difference on this planet. For that reason, she's one of my heroes.

Jimmy Carter

 

Here's a tribute to a peanut farmer from Georgia, who in retirement, built houses for people in need. Throughout his life, Mr. Carter was involved in many humanitarian causes, and, oh yeah, he also served as 39th President of the United States of America. This is part of a series called World Tour - in which I use maps and 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.

Gabriel García Márquez

 

 I attempted some magical realism while depicting one of my daughter’s favorite authors. No doubt, this beloved Colombian belongs in the pantheon of Latin American writers. 

Colorado Big Horned 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 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.

Emmett Till

 

 Embedded within the lines, colors and shape of every map lies a story. Within every state in our union lies a history. Behind every face is a life. While drawing this portrait of Emmett Till, I was struck by the hopeful spark in his eyes. After his shocking murder in Mississippi, Emmett’s mother had the courage to show him to the world in a drastically different light. In exposing what racial violence really looks like, she helped propel the US civil rights movement light years forward.

Animals Around Italy

 

 

Recently, I've been focused on reading books about nature and climate change. With the realization of how fragile our planet's ecosystems are, I've become obsessed with animals, and their wellbeing. This antique map of Italy seemed like the perfect canvas to celebrate a few of the wonderful creatures who're native to this iconically shaped country. Let's save our freakin' planet, so they can keep on truckin'. 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.

 

Iowa Haystacks

 

I drew this piece in tribute to the Agricultural heart of America, Iowa. While creating this drawing, I kept thinking about the legendary painter of Iowa landscapes, Grant Wood. 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.

Margot Robbie

 

While preparing for our Australia Day celebration (January 26), I thought it would be fun to grill shrimp on the barbie. This reminded me of a brilliant actress, Margot Robbie, who hails from Dalby, Australia. As evident in all her roles, Margot is a master of accents, but my favorite is when she speaks the one from down under.

Prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop.

Flaco the Owl

 

I was touched by the story of Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped his long-time enclosure at Central Park Zoo in February,2023 . People were concerned that he wouldn't survive out in the concrete jungle, but Flaco proved to be a deft big-city hunter. With his knack for freedom and survival, this plucky underdog gained a lot of fans. He gained the status of a folk hero, being spotted all over the city. Sadly, after he was found dead in February 2024, rat poison and severe pigeon virus were detected in his system. This owl will be missed, but his legend will live on. As my daughters stroll through Central Park, I imagine the wisdom of an owl perched upon their shoulders, guiding them on their path. Their freedom is fueled by this high-flying spirit, who soars above crosstown traffic. Long live Flaco.

Prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop.

10% of profits from each print will be donated to World Wildlife Fund.

Palestine Sunbirds

 I was messing around with a drawing of Palestine sunbirds. Our prayers are with the people living in Gaza - who desperately need shelter, food, medical aid, and peace. We need a ceasefire now.

African Cat Power

 

Africa. It runs on cat power.  

Prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop.

10% of profits from each print will be donated to World Wildlife Fund.

  

Animals of South America

 

Animals make the world go round. Let’s save our f*cking planet, so they can keep on truckin’.

Prints of this piece are available here, in my Etsy shop.

10% of profits from each print will be donated to World Wildlife Fund.

Palestine Mountain Gazelle

 

Here’s a drawing of mountain gazelles, the national animal of Palestine, which is listed as an endangered species. Our prayers are with the civilians of Gaza - who desperately need food, shelter, medical aid, and peace. We need a ceasefire now.