Step into a world of color and nostalgia this September at my exhibition “Ineffable”, where 50 original watercolors from the book Soul of New York bring the city’s magic to life.
Join me on 1st Friday, September 6th, @Citiot in Catskill, NY, from 5pm - 8pm & be among the first to experience these extraordinary pieces.
““Pizza,” Tarajia texted me, “How do you eat a slice?”
A hotly debated question among New Yorkers.
“Pinch or fold??”
excerpt from SOUL OF NEW YORK
This simple question marked the beginning of a collaboration that soon became much more than just a project. At the time, we were essentially strangers, brought together by a tight deadline after a brief interview. Little did we know, we were on the brink of a global shift—COVID wasn’t even on the horizon; we didn’t yet know it existed.
Looking back, there's a bittersweet innocence in those memories. We were deeply immersed in our work, unaware that the world was on the brink of change. The art I created during that time now feels like a time capsule, preserving the final moments of a life we didn’t realize was about to change forever.
Soul of New York
is a love letter to the city and its vibrant tapestry of unique places.
While I was fervently painting in my upstate studio, Tarajia Morrell, the mastermind behind this project, took pen to paper to guide us on what we MUST eat, where to go, and what to do. At the same time, photographer Liz Barclay captured the magic of NYC, preserving its essence in real-time.
In hindsight, Soul of New York is not just a book—it’s a testament to a moment in time, to the connection we forged, and to the city that continues to inspire, even in the face of adversity.
This project is a a tribute to the city’s resilience, and, in many ways, to our own. While I was madly painting, Tarajia took pen to paper to tell us what we MUST eat, where to go, and what to do, simultaneously photographer Liz Barclay captured the magic of NYC, preserving its essence in real-time. As we worked, we shared stories, debated the finer points of pizza, and unknowingly documented a city on the brink of an unprecedented challenge.
First Fridays Catskill illustration by: Chelsey Hill @illustratingdiva
