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.

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.

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.

Palestine Mountain Gazelles

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.

Kiwi Bird

If New Zealand had its own version of Godzilla, I imagine he'd look something like this. All jokes aside, this country is at the very top of my bucket-list to visit. I'd love to explore all the culture, grand landscapes, and exotic nature which this nation has to offer (I'm also a fan of such bands/musicians as The Chills, Lorde, the Verlaines, and the Clean). When contemplating a subject for this map, I felt this unique national bird felt like the proper tribute. My next-door  neighbor (who's from Australia) once mentioned that the nickname for New Zealanders is "kiwis", and that put a cherry on top of this theme.

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

American Bison

I grew up far far away from Wyoming, in Buffalo, NY. The The American Bison is a symbol of my home city, so I've always had a strong affinity for these beautiful animals. It's frightening to think they were nearly brought to extinction in the late 1800's. Thankfully, these majestic creatures are roaming Yellowstone Park and ranches of Wyoming once again. No doubt, it's on my bucket-list to visit this epic western state.

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

Albert Einstein

While drawing this iconic physicist, I felt like I was getting lost in a tiny universe. Albert Einstein’s head may have been in the stars, but his heart was firmly grounded in humanity.

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

James Gandolfini

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!

Hopi Indian Woman

Hopi Indian culture was destined to go viral, in a galaxies far far away.

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!

Grizzly Bear

With all due respect to Kevin Costner, here’s the real star of Yellowstone.

Prints of this portrait are available here, in my Etsy shop!

James Madison

This portrait of James Madison appears in today’s edition of The Wall Street Journal. This story looks at the debate our founders had about how much federal representation individual states should have. Madison argued that representation should be proportionate to the population of each state, which would have been more reflective of a true democracy. Unfortunately, the author of the Constitution lost this debate. Regardless of enormous disparities in population, each state has two senators. Thanks to art director, Alice Cheung, for this fascinating assignment!

(Map: David Rumsey Historical Map Collection. Convention scene: Alamy Stock)

Adrianne Lenker

The borough of Brooklyn is a famous hotspot for groundbreaking indie-rock bands. In that spirit, here’s a portrait of Adrianne Lenker, singer and guitarist for Big Thief. I drew this while listening to their rewarding new Album, Dragon Warm Mountain I Believe in You.

Baby Alligator

Baby alligators are pretty darn cute.

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

Kingfisher

Kingfishers are such badass-looking birds, I just had to draw one.

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

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!

Ben Franklin

This piece was commissioned for a dear friend who recently retired from teaching social studies. As a history buff, she has always admired this founding father of the United States, Ben Franklin. And why not? To name a few accomplishments, he was a statesman, inventor, publisher, printer, abolitionist, as well as the first US Postmaster General (as a frequent user of our exceptional postal service, I really appreciate this last accomplishment) . While I have very mixed feelings about a number of America’s founders, this man embodied the best of the this young county’s spirit, and was a big believer in democracy. Thanks so much for this opportunity, Christa!

John Lewis

Out of humble roots in Alabama, John Lewis rose to become one of the most significant civil rights leaders in America. I was born on Bloody Sunday, the day he made his fateful march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This event would help inspire the most important voting rights legislation in US history. John Lewis is no longer with us, but he provided us with a template in fighting for voting rights going into the future.

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

Aldous Harding

This singer-songwriter from New Zealand makes the most enchanting music. I drew this portrait solely while listening to her new album, Warm Chris. Her lyrics are so cryptically beautiful, you're compelled to keep listening in order to decipher them.

Extraterrestrial

This undocumented visitor was recently spotted in New Mexico. This sketch is based on several eyewitness descriptions. The truth is still out there!

Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy Shop.

Māori Woman

No doubt, the number one priority on my bucket list is to visit New Zealand one day. In tribute to the indigenous people of this beautiful island, here's a portrait of a Māori woman.

Signed prints of this piece are available HERE, in my Etsy shop