Through The Mountains.

“Through The Mountains” 18”x22” Pen and Ink on Premium Artist Paper.

I started this project because I wanted something that represented what Colorado meant to me. The mountains, the lakes, the sunsets and sunrises, the smell of the pines as you make your way through a mountain trail. The feeling of accomplishment and wonder, when you reach the summit of a peak. Obviously, some things can not be captured in a picture or illustration, but this piece came close.

When Obi was born, my wife and I decided that Brooklyn was not the ideal place to raise a child. While I love New York and miss the city tremendously, Joanna and I wanted to raise Obi in a place where he would be exposed to nature, so he could understand the importance our relationship with the Earth really is. After a visit a few years back, we decided that Colorado was an ideal place to live with our growing family.

After a 3 month trip around Europe, we landed in Denver and began our new life in our new home. My wife and I were able to find jobs fairly quickly, and we established a routine pretty quickly. The first year in Denver I found a great little hiking group with other fathers and between them and the hikes with my wife, Obi and I went on 36 hikes that year. 

It was great!

Then 2020 hit, and between the pandemic and a record setting fire season, the family and I were not able to hit the trails all that much (or go anywhere for that matter). And while I saw the most beautiful sunrises I have ever witnessed, that beauty was created through devastating fires. This is what “Through The Mountains” is about and what I wanted to capture. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.