Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘I think having a purpose for the art, that it’s helping the environment, is what helps me overcome that anxiety.’

Amityville

“I suffer with social anxiety, but I think art helps that. I have three murals on the Long Beach boardwalk. The whale mural had to be done in one day; the permit was only for 24 hours. I got up super early and the pressure was on. I was so stressed about the time limit. This is a 40-foot mural and I had to make it happen. My dad put together a paint gun for me to mimic my technique. I finished right before sundown. I was so anxious because everyone was watching, and everyone knew the clock was ticking.

At least half of the animals I feature are endangered. I focus on the ones that need a voice, and I try and depict them in a larger-than-life way.

“The hardest thing for me has been putting my art out there. Before I did the mural, it was almost like I couldn’t do it. The thought of people watching me while I painted it was almost debilitating. I think having a purpose for the art, that it’s helping the environment, is what helps me overcome that anxiety.

“It had such a positive response, and so many people messaged us saying it made them more aware of the environment. People would send photos of them collecting garbage on the beach. I didn’t expect it to have that kind of impact. After COVID, I was asked to do two more murals, so I did a green sea turtle and a sea lion.

“I come from an extremely creative and supportive family. My mom’s a professional photographer, and she was a black-and-white photographer, so I attribute the look and feel I use in my art to that. All our family pictures were in black and white, and I started to love that look. My grandfather was a professional illustrator. He taught me everything at the start of my career and was so influential in my life and art. I grew up in a very artsy family.

“I started to think about ways my art can have a positive impact. At least half of the animals I feature are endangered. I focus on the ones that need a voice, and I try and depict them in a larger-than-life way. Almost all the animals I draw I like to get my own reference. When I’m not drawing, I take birding trips and wildlife trips and photograph these animals. Of course, the giant squid I didn’t get a photograph of, so I’ll piece it together by looking through NatGeo and sketch from there.”

Interviewed by Tracey Cheek

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