Lanterns of Chinatown

I've been meaning to paint larger for such a long time now, and I finally have! I recently bought a huge roll size of watercolor paper to try out some larger compositions. Working at a four-foot scale introduced a brand new set of physical demands to my studio practice. Instead of standard taping, I used water-activated gum tape to stretch the paper drum-tight. The painting process itself became a unique physical challenge. Rather than painting with simple arm movements, it required whole-body motions across the paper.   

Having sketched the lanterns in Chinatown for years, I wanted to capture their rich saturation and the way they seem to bounce across your field of vision. Rather than tying myself strictly to reference photos, I leaned into early thumbnail sketches and took liberties with lantern placement to shape the scene as I wanted to see it. My goal was simple: flood the zone with primary colors and create a visual feast on paper. It was fun! I plan on doing many more larger works.

• Size: 46"x28"

• Paper: Saunders Waterford 140lb rough

• Date Completed: 2026
  

This painting ships unframed in a heavy-duty tube with insurance to ensure maximum safety.

I offer custom framing for clients who can pick up locally in New York City. For more details on framing options, specifications, and methods, please see here.