New York's Central Park in the fall is perhaps one of the loveliest places on Earth. A few years ago I was awarded a commission by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to create illustrations in pen and ink of this most famous landmark of the city. I'm a native-born New Yorker, but I never lose the enjoyment of spending time here.
What a joy it is to paint landscapes and florals. Ephemeral beauty captured in watercolor and pastel.
From St. Thomas. Pastel on Canson paper, 12" x 9".
12" x 9", pastel on paper.
9" x 12", pastel on paper
9" x 12", pastel on paper
Pastel on Canson paper, 12" x 9".
12" x 9", pastel on paper
9" x 6", watercolor on paper
Pastel on Canson paper, 12" x 9".
Havana, Cuba, a city of music and color and wonderful people.
Two musicians meeting up on the streets of old Havana. Mixed media on paper.
Reportage painting of the old section of Havana in 2015. 17" x 14", mixed media on paper.
As a native New Yorker, I thought I had seen the busiest streets and the most bustling crowds in the world. Then I visited Bangkok!
The dream assignment: traveling across the United States for Chase Private Client, drawing the most beautiful and iconic landmarks and cultural sites of our cities. Yes, please. What a joy to do this commission.
There is truly no place like my home town, New York City. These are some images of a city I love and it's people. Traveling is wonderful but really, there's no place like home.
There is only one Paris. So elegant and urbane. The history, the romance, the cheese! What's not to love?
Pastel and ink on Canson paper, 9" x 12"
Bali is that most indescribable place. Lush rice fields, tropical jungle, beautiful beaches, amazing people. The word gratitude is welcome here.
Tokyo and Kyoto are places of rich culture and beauty. A must visit for any artistic soul.
Beijing and Guilin: I was constantly surprised and elated by China. The people were so emotional and the places were vast.
Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world. Amazing architecture, intelligent artistic people, tapas and cerveza, and all of this so close to the beach. How good can life get?
Time moves at a slower pace in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. The park becomes a place for families to gather, old men to discuss politics, and children to run and play. And artists to draw!
DisneyWorld in Orlando, Florida, is the place where I learned to illustrate on location. And where I teach my own students now. Working here with them almost feels like coming home.
Pen and ink on paper, 17" x 14"
Drawn and painted on location in Liberty Square, Walt Disney World.
Mixed media on paper, framed, approximate size: 36" x 18"
Drawn and painted on location in Walt Disney World. Mixed media on paper, approximate size: 72" x 24"
Two great cities of the American North East. I had the privilege to complete commission for Boston Weddings magazine and the Ellis Coffee company of Philadelphia. In each city, I had one day to soak it all in and draw as much of what I saw as was possible. Adrenaline rush, and a delicious sleep on the train ride home!
Visiting the largest of the Cook Islands and documenting the work of Nan Hauser, humpback whale researcher, was a once in a lifetime experience.
My two great loves are traveling and reportage illustration. This is a gallery of images of people and places I've loved, both close to home and far away.