From quick lines to lasting memories,
one pocket-sized sketch at a time.

Each page is a glimpse,
a moment,
a story waiting to be told.

Explore My Work

Click on the image to explore more on Instagram.

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 10: You know you do it too. You walk past a brownstone and can’t help but glance inside. You try not to pause to stare, but let's see how much detail you could absorb in the few seconds as your feet keep moving, for f

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 9: Not every old building is a brownstone. The name comes from the material - the brown sandstone - used on their façades, but true brownstones are usually three or four stories tall, built as row houses with shared

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 8: Imagine buying a brownstone as an affordable home. Brownstones were built for New York's growing middle class in the 19th century. Made to be practical and efficient, it had nothing to do with luxury. Hugh ceilings and l

A dog, a wind, and spring as his guide.
@riversideparknyc

#quicksketch #drawnthere #sketchbookpage #pensketch #drawing #micronart #linesketch #instaart #quickdrawing #asketchaday #sketch #sketchbook #sketches #sketching #upperwestsidenyc #uws #uwsa

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 7: would you have guessed that brownstones were built for practicality, not charm? They were simple row houses meant to be sturdy and efficient, nothing more. But over time, the straight edges softened, the façades a

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 6: Brownstones get their name from the brown sandstone quarried in New Jersey and Connecticut. Once prized for its rich color and easy carving, time has softened everything. The sharp edges have worn down, details have blur

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 5: Ink stains, smudges, and sometimes needs to be rinsed off or watered down before something new can take shape. The Manhattan brownstones go through their own cycles of renewal. Their façades cleaned, patched up, o

Ink doesn’t give me color, only light and shadow. Everything is shades of grey, depth created by pooling ink, fading lines, water washes, and the spaces I leave untouched. There is no blending like with paint or watercolor, no bright hues to le

#BlotchyBrownstones Sketch 3: I can't always make my fountain pen do exactly what I want. The tiny sketchbook, the super flex nib, the way ink moves on the page. They have a mind of their own. Sometimes the lines are crisp, sometimes they wobble, som

#BlotchyBrownstones: When water touches ink, it spreads, whether you want it to or not. Some things can't be controlled, only accepted, and it's better to save your energy for what truly matters.

I've always loved this building. The red brick, the i

Sometimes I just want to let the lines go loose again after a stretch of more precise and careful sketches. Fountain pen sketches leave their mark on paper and fingers, little souvenirs of an artist's hand in motion. With my foot still healing, I can

When in doubt, do doggy doodles.
It's the Boot Break we all deserve.
What size would you like?

#quicksketch #drawnthere #sketchbookpage #pensketch #drawing #uwsartist #nyc #nycartist #drawyourpet #petdrawing #doggydoodle #doodling #brushpen #brush

#SceneAndSketched 10 of 10: "There's ways to killing yourself without killing yourself"

🎥 Which movie is this? (Hint: This 70s movie is about a young working-class Brooklyn man, who uses his exceptional dancing skills on weekend nights at

#SceneAndSketched 9 of 10: Feeling generous today, so you have THREE chances to guess this movie from the following quotes -
1. "You can mess with a lot of things. But you can't mess with kids on Christmas."
2. "Silly little planet. An

#SceneAndSketched #8 "Goddammit! All winter long I got to listen to him gripe about his bowling scores. Now I'm gonna bust your ass for those three bags and I'm gonna nail you for picking your feet in Poughkeepsie."

🎥 Which movie is this

#SceneAndSketched #7 "Thank God for the rain, which has helped wash away the garbage and trash off the sidewalks. I'm working long hours now: six in the afternoon to six in the morning. Sometimes, even eight in the morning, six days a week. Some

#SceneAndSketched #6 "I'll have what she's having."

🎥 Which movie is this? (You HAVE to know this one, please!)
@ Kat'z Delica @katzsdeli, Lower East Side, NYC

🎥 With the Oscar's coming up, let's play a little game. Some of these movie

#SceneAndSketched #5 "This is the business we've chosen."

🎥 Which movie is this? I'd be absolutely disappointed if you didn't know this one! Give it a go in the comments! (Amswer to be revealed in story tomorrow)
@ New York City

P.S Happ

#SceneAndSketched #4 "I tell ya, being in this business is like eating at a buffet where half the food is spoiled, but you keep going back 'cause every once in a while, there's a piece of brisket that's just unbelievable."

🎥 Which movie i

Sometimes I just want to let the lines go loose again after a stretch of more precise and careful sketches. Fountain pen sketches leave their mark on paper and fingers, little souvenirs of an artist's hand in motion. With my foot still healing, I can

What I Offer

Print

High-quality prints capturing everyday moments and city life, drawn quickly on location in the elements.

Each limited edition is hand-signed and numbered—perfect for collectors and urban art lovers.

Commission

Custom hand-drawn sketches of meaningful places, pets, or special memories. Available in multiple sizes to fit your space.

Contact for inquiries.

1:1 Lessons

Personalized lessons in urban sketching, composition, and storytelling through drawing.

Virtual & in-person sessions available for all skill levels.

Event Sketching

Live, on-the-spot sketches that bring moments to life—turning celebrations, gatherings, and special occasions into lasting keepsakes.

Contact for availability.

Sketching is how I experience the world and connect with people.

As an artist, academic, and architect by training, I fill my pages with the rhythm of city streets, quiet landscapes, and the stories that bring places to life.

JJ

Contact Me

Have a project in mind or just want to connect? Reach out and let’s create something together.