He ruled this turf with killer acting chops.
Rest in peace, James Gandolfini.
This is part of an ongoing project, where I'm
attempting to draw a picture on every
map in an old Rand McNally atlas.
Stay tuned for more!
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 atla, Bernadette! It’s given me so much inspiration!
The Emperor of Antarctica
While drawing these Emperor Penguins, I read that temperatures in Antarctica are 70 degrees above normal (no typo). What does this portend for life on that continent?
Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy shop.
10% of profit from each print will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund
Taylor Swift
" But I, I was high in the sky, with Pennsylvania under me. "
These are lyrics from the song Seven, from Taylor Swifts classic album, folklore. This iconic singer-songwriter's persona seems to transcend all borders, but we all start out in a hometown. In her case, it was a farm in Reading, Pennsylvania. From there, she would go on to conquer the world with spectacular songwriting skills, and an enchanting voice.
The Philippine Tarsier
The Philippine Tarsier is yet another endangered species on our fragile planet. These tiny primates (no taller than six inches) are under threat due to deforestation. Paradoxically, they are also protected by indigenous tribes of these islands. They believe tarsiers are the pets of forest spirits, and harming them would bring bad luck.
Please check out my Etsy shop to purchase signed prints of my work!
Ernesto Che Guevara
Before declaring any manifesto, a passport fluttered open, revealing Ernesto.
Vagabond forging a motorbike-route, he’d peel out hard, on united fruit.
Asthmatic slumping on his chopper, humanity drained, traded for copper.
Before tee-shirts exploited this face, banana republics, branded in disgrace.
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.
Mother Earth
This drawing is based on an 8000 year old neolithic fertility figurine, which was unearthed two years ago in Çatalhöyük, Turkey, one of the oldest cities in the world
Asian Tiger
Bengal hearts beat within a Tiger economy, as moms with balms practice Tiger astrology.
These beautiful creatures play a significant role in many Asian cultures, as a physical, metaphorical and spiritual presence. Signed prints 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.
Egyptian Mau
Here's a portrait of an Egyptian Mau. These rare and beautiful cats are as mysterious as the country which is their namesake. Prints of this piece are available here!
Pussy Riot
Here's a portrait of the feminist punk rock collective, Pussy Riot. This Russian band uses their music and performance to support the rights of women, immigrants, and the LGBT community. They also stand in opposition to the draconian policies of Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Signed prints of this portrait are available here!
The original pen and ink drawings was composed on a 1941 map of the Soviet Union.
Polar Bear
In recognition of the frigid weather which is affecting the northeastern United States, I was compelled to draw a polar bear. It's a nice companion piece to another drawing I did in December (below). Prints of this piece are available here!
Visitor, New Mexico
This is part of a series called World Tour - in which all the pieces are drawn on vintage maps. No doubt, New Mexico has had many visitors. Some come from over the border, some come from overseas, and some come from outer space! Signed prints of this piece are available here!
Bernie Sanders
Here's a portrait of a powerful voice for Vermont, Senator Bernie Sanders. Prints of this piece are available here!
Howard Zinn
Here's a portrait of Howard WW 2 veteran, Howard Zinn, who went on to become a professor, historian, and activist. His pivotal book, A People's History of the United States, told the story of America from the perspective of the powerless, as opposed to those in power. Prints of this piece are available here!