Native & Non Native Vignettes (2015-present)

This series zooms in on plants and animals I’ve encountered in and around my studio in Brooklyn. I photographed the subjects as I happened upon them and painted their portraits back in the studio. A quick google revealed which species were native to the northeast and which originated from other continents. It's inspiring to imagine those native species having existed here in the landscape for centuries and equally inspiring to learn how, like most of us Americans, the non-natives have adapted and survive in this landscape. By calling attention to the many species that inhabit our streets and parks I hope to advocate for the nurturing of our green spaces, even those as small as a tree pit, can foster plants and wildlife in the city.