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.

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 gift, Bernadette!

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 life with mental illness. In real life, the author enlightened us to the deep depression so many people suffer through silently.   

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

Langston Hughes

 

It’s been eye-opening to read a lot about African-American history this past year. I kept learning about folks who escaped the racist regions they were brought up in, and navigated their way north, to more enlightened parts of America . Born in Joplin, Missouri, one legendary poet/activist would participate in this great migration. He would find his voice as a member of the Harlem Renaissance.  

Sighed prints of this piece are available here (in my Etsy shop)!

Jack Kerouac

Born in Lowell Massachusetts, he was destined to go on the road. Jack Kerouac emerged from this New England town to become a poetic voice for the beat generation. 

Prints of this piece are available here!

Samuel Beckett

Here’s a portrait of renowned playwright, poet and writer, Samuel Beckett, born in Dublin, Ireland.   This piece was drawn directly on a 1966 road map which my parents used to navigate this beautiful country. This is piece is inspired by a series called World Tour - in which I used pages from an old atlas as canvases - painting images relating to the place on each map.

Signed prints of this piece are available here!

Please visit my website to view more fun portraits.

Lord Tennyson

On a recent visit to my local recycling center, I came across a mysterious book called Esoteric Astrology, which was well over 100 years old. It was filled with strange diagrams, as well as astrological charts of notable people.  Here’s a portrait of the 19th Century poet laureate of England, Lord Tennyson, drawn on his birth chart.

Please visit my Etsy shop to view more interesting portraits (signed prints are available)!

Or visit my website to see more cool stuff!

W.H. Auden

Here's a portrait of W.H. Auden, who is regarded as one of England's greatest poets. I drew him on a parking map of York, where he was born. Much like the roads depicted on this map, I imagine the lines on his face would lead us on some truly lyrical adventures. Please visit my website to view more interesting portraits.

To purchase signed prints of many of my portraits, please visit my Etsy Shop!

Muhammed Ali

He floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee. Known as ’the Greatest’, this legendary boxer was also an civil rights activist, anti-war protester, devout Muslim, and quick-witted poet.  His legacy will float on forever.

You order a signed print of this portrait here!

Leonard Cohen

Enough with trade wars and tariffs. America needs more great Canadian imports, like Leonard Cohen. This legendary singer/songwriter, poet, and novelist was born and raised just outside Montreal, Quebec. We lost him last year, but this true artistic spirit's legacy lives on.

Prints of this piece are available here.

Bob Dylan

He emerged from the land of ten thousand lakes, with poetry tapped from the deepest of waters. His name is Bob Dylan.

Prints of this drawing are available here.

Here's a detail of this portrait.