Leon Botstein

Bard College is a vital part of my small town, Red Hook, NY. This institution adds so much culture and diversity to 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.

The Grand Dutchess

It was a thrill to draw this commissioned piece for my friends at the Grand Dutchess Bed & Breakfast. This exquisite Victorian inn sits in the heart of my Hudson Valley town, Red Hook, NY.

More Living Local art

Here are more pieces from my Living Local Exhibit, which is up at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook, NY  (until January 31st). You can read about and view more work from this show here. They're all pieces depicting my amazing community. If you're in town, please check em' out!

Equis Gallery, Red Hook, NY

Samuels Sweet Shop, Rhinebeck, NY

Holy Cow, Red Hook, NY

Sipperley's Grog Shoppe, Red Hook, NY

                                     You can check out more cool stuff at my new site!

More Living Local Art

Here are more pieces from my Living Local Exhibit, which is up at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook, NY. You can read about and view more work from this show here. They're all pieces depicting my amazing community. If you're in town, please check em' out!

Hotel Tivoli, Tivoli NY

Del's Dairy Creme, Rhinebeck, NY

Living Local Exhibit

With eyes cast towards my Hudson Valley community, I painted some little pieces dedicated to it’s many charms. They’re up at Taste Budd’s Cafe in Red Hook through January. As an introvert, I live a little too much in my own head - contemplating big thoughts, ideas, and dreams. Given this, it’s very easy to take my environment for granted. I consistently come back to the theme of community in art - because it reminds me of all the wonderful things right before my eyes. Drawing local landmarks is a way of contemplating why they are so special. For the viewer, I hope these pictures bring out some nice memories, and frames these places in a fresh light. If you live in the area, I hope you'll check out the exhibit!

Migliorelli Farm Stand, Red Hook, NY

Upstate Films, Rhinebeck, NY

St. Christopher's Church, Red Hook, NY

Traghaven Whiskey Pub, Tivoli, NY

The Chocolate Factory, Red Hook, NY

Ward Manor at Bard College, Annandale, NY

Holy Cow, Red Hook, NY

Tivoli Mercantile, Red Hook, NY

Thanks for visiting. You can check out more cool stuff at my new website!

Red Hook Farmers Market Logo

I was walking my dog Lily last night, and came across this display in the center of town. I illustrated this Farmers Market logo two years ago, and am glad the Red Hook Village is putting it to good use. A special thanks to Mayor Ed Blundell for this fun project, and to Heather Oslander Gibbons for the fabulous design work. Much like a song, this poster's got a nice hook to it!

Below are some ideas for the logo:

Here's to a very fruitful season for the Red Hook Farmers Market.

You cn check out my new website here!

Bubby's Kitchen

This piece for About Town Magazine accompanies a story about a new restaurant in my village, Bubby's Take Away Kitchen. I've been contributing to this publication for over fifteen years - and these assignments have really helped me stay connected to my local community (and the issues that affect it).  It's very sad that About Town will be closing it's doors with this issue. Thanks to the owners/editors, Gail Jaffe-Bennek and Paul DeAngelis for a great run in putting out a fine publication - and best wishes in your next adventures!

Holy Cow

Here's my interpretation of Holy Cow, an iconic ice cream parlor located in my town. On summer evenings, there are usually long lines of people outside the door, waiting to get their fix of this addictive treat. I drew this piece with ink and charcoal, directly onto an 18.5" by 16" map of Red Hook, NY. It's part of a series called Local Life, which is on display at Taste Budd's Cafe until October 31st. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop in and take a peek!

Quality prints of this piece are available here.

Intersection

Here's a drawing of the main intersection of my town, Red Hook, NY. The original piece measures 36" by 12",  and it was drawn with ink and charcoal. Quality prints are available here. It's part of a series called Local Life, which is on display at Taste Budd's Cafe  until October 31st. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop in and take a peek!

Gregg Rolie Band

These sketches are either chicken scratch, or my attempts to capture the Gregg Rolie Band playing live. Gregg is a founding member of Santana, and with three percussionists, he brought the rhythm on Saurday night! The banded headlined at Hardscrabble Day, an annual all-day festival in my town.  I drew these while standing in the dark, on the side of the stage. The results are extremely sloppy, but somehow the intense energy of the band's performance translates into the lines.

Bard College

Here's a drawing of the International Studies building on the campus of Bard College. The school is located on the shoreline of the Hudson River. I drew this piece directly on a map of the area. It's included in an exhibit of locally themed drawings on display at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook. If you live locally, please stop in and take a peek!

Bubby's Burritos

Here's a new drawing of a fantastic burrito stand in my town, Bubby's. I drew this picture on an old map of my town,  Red Hook, NY. It's included in an exhibit of local drawings which are on display at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook. I'm proud to be offering prints of this piece here.

Cornfield

As harvest season is in full swing, here's a new drawing of a cornfield which is a mile from my home. This piece was drawn on a map of my town, Red Hook. It will be included in an upcoming exhibit of local drawings which will be on display at Taste Budd's Cafe in Red Hook. I'll be posting more about this soon.

Red Hook Public Library

 

I drew these sketches outside of my local library on Tuesday evening. They're part of an exhibition I'm putting together of local landmarks. I'll be posting more about this soon...

Summertime Swimming

Summer seems to be taking shape in my sketchbook. 

I hope yours is going swimmingly!

Red Hook Recycles

Yesterday, I spotted this sign in front of the Red Hook Village Hall - promoting Electronic Waste Recycling Day. This piece was originally part of a series of drawings I donated to help promote a local energy-saving progam, the Red Hook 10% Challenge. Last month, Mayor Ed Blundell asked me if the town could reuse this art to advertize their recycling drive, and I was happy to oblige. 

Environmentalists say, "Think globally, act locally".  

I'm glad to see my drawings being put to good use.

Big Show: Little Work

I'm thrilled to have artwork included in the "Big Show: Little Work" exhibit at the RHCAN Gallery (running August 30th - October 6th). These are pieces from my Going Postal series; postcard size drawings inspired by postage stamps from around the world.

The RHCAN Gallery is located at 7516 N Broadway, Red Hook, NY. 

If you're in the area, please stop by and take a peek.

You can see this complete series, 

and more of my unpublished work here.

Chillin' at the Pool

As they say in Boston, it's been a 'wicked hot' summer here in the Hudson Valley. So I decided to pool together some sketches (drawn at the Red Hook Pool) to help cool things off.

Families who go to the pool together, have fun together.

Born (to swim) on the 4th of July

Red, White and Pool!

A great place to read...

Thanks for viewing. 

You can glimpse more fun slices of life from my sketchbook here.

“Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.” 

~ Kellie Elmore