100 New Yorkers Drawing Competition

'Born in Queens and currently in Long Island, when I think of “New York City” I automatically think of Manhattan. It is a place I always travel to but can still call home- where I used to work, where I began to dance, where I made memories with friends. The person I went to the city the most often with is my mother (we are shown on the LIRR). She was born in Korea so it is interesting to see the city from her perspective. If I could make more drawings about what New York City I would, but this is one glimpse for today - all the good and the bad.' –Kelly Lee

'This is what my family looks like including our newest members . . . two kittens.' –Anastacia Kurylo, age 13

'My drawing contains a mixture of Queens and Manhattan and the beauty of it. All of my drawings are made in different "slices" of pizza surrounding the whole image.' –joselyn quispe, age 13

'I drew my mom, who is a self-taught artist, because she represents the essence of New York to me. Like New York, she's creative, gritty, and always on the go.' –Gazal Mathur, age 17

'I wanted to show my artist community comprised of visual artists, dancers, musicians, performing artists. I drew most of them from our Zoom drawing sessions from March-September 2020, but a few I included from previous live-drawing, in-person sessions, which I miss so much!' –Christine Liu

'I chose to paint myself with a mask to show awareness of the pandemic. I also painted Forest Hills on my short to show my slice of New York.' –Chloe C, age 14

'Hi Theo, Welcome to the world, It's been three months since the crazy time you were born. I drew this picture for you, love you.' –Ellen (Jing) Xu

"DJ Lamù (Francesca Perillo)"–Linda Weiss

'My name is Carlos and this is my best buddy Ravioli. I'm an artist and he is an underbite champion.' –Carlos Encarnacion-Vazquez

'"Eyes Bound with Intention" reflects the resilience and collective hope of New York City and our Country during the pandemic. The work acts as a reminder that we are always connected, bound by love. This work started as an outreach to my community to break feelings of isolation and sadness. I asked 108 people for an intention, prayer, and/or mantra to endure through these times. Individually painted and sewn together, all 108 watercolor painting reflect the individual with their prayer hand-written on the back. All intentions are represented in a circle traced from a can of soup (a common item found in most households during the start of the pandemic).' –Cydney Williams

'This is my joyful urban family: my partner, Angel, our pup, Kuro, and myself. I chose to celebrate our small unit because I'm proud of the family we built together -- one that loves and supports unconditionally and isn't afraid to have fun. Thank you, Mona, for this special challenge!' –Ana Maria Reyes

'My self-portrait has the Brooklyn Bridge in the background to represent where I live. "Me" in this picture is important because NYC has very many races and nationalities and I'm also mixed.' –Zachariah Whitby, age 12

'In the 1970s, I had the honor of attending Susan Wagner High School on Staten Island, New York. At the time, it was newly opened and had a concept that incorporated a strong alternative arts program in theatre, modern dance, fine art sculpture, etc. It was the first school to incorporate "Sing!", a student led theatre production created, acted and produced completely by the students. Susan Wagner HS, allowed me the space to explore and be authentically creative and self accepting. This is a portrait of me from that time period. The paper swirls on the portrait represent one of my many art projects there. This amazing NYC institution shaped my life and was such a blessing for me during my teenage years.' –Carol Whelihan

'Loren Nadres is the Director of Economic Development in the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs. She works to support small businesses, entrepreneurship and economic development in NYC, striving to make the city’s economic recovery as inclusive as possible. Loren is an immigrant, a mama, and all-round inspiring New Yorker I am proud to call a friend.' –Yen Mooi

'Simple line drawing that has been filled in with color digitally. I wanted to depict how many thoughts are in our head at a given time.' –Melody Serra

'It’s the earth.' –Kayo Toyota

'Artwork of my boyfriend playing guitar' –Naomi Basu

'Noah, my nephew, is the first and only child of my immediate family. Watching him grow up during the pandemic has urged me to cherish and chronicle his younger years in the uncertainty of the world around us; drawing him allows me to slow down and make the moments precious, instead of just snapping a photo.' –Steven Johnson

'I love sketching people I see on the subway - I find the honesty and resilience I see in New Yorker's faces inspiring and reassuring and fascinating all at once. This man had an incredible, colorful patterned outfit on and was consumed with a book - I found him sitting on the subway with it a beautiful scene in itself. (I have many other sketches I'm happy to send along as options as well, and can also send other photos of the drawing if that would be helpful too. Thank you for your consideration!)' –Willa Jones

'My drawing is about my grandson Xavier. Xavier has autism and is a very happy loving little boy. He is very bright boy that can read in many languages but cannot write. He is my greatest inspiration.' –Elsie Deliz

'This drawing is a tribute to my long distance best friend. I moved away from the US when Covid-19 hit and I always reminisce about how our time in New York City defined me, her, and our friendship. This drawing is my conception of what her brain looks like - a constant reminder that we are all strong inspite of, and because, we are complicated' –Aashti Miller

'I am proud to be a NYCDOE art teacher who also makes art. My husband calls me Super Teacher. I believe all teachers are unsung heroes. I tried to capture the magic of being a teacher in my drawing.' –Madeleine Hope Arthurs

"'NYC faces' - Collage and black marker on paper. New Yorkers are shaped by the city and New York is shaped by it's people. It is a bond that through difficult times is becoming stronger and stronger.' –Tijana Bjelajac

'This painting depicts a brave and cautious New Yorker. We know that the only thing to fear is fear itself!' –Claudia Marulanda

'Mirta & Kitty. This is a drawing of my cousin & her much-adored cat Kitty. Mirta just turned 80 & is struggling with cancer. She is the most loving person in my family & has always loved & protected animals her whole life.' –Elba Colon

'This work represents the love and acceptance I have for my non-binary offspring, featuring them in their drag makeup on their last birthday.' –Joan Crisson

'The drawing depicts a boy who, unlike the majority of boys his age, is rather special. He was born with a third eye which provides him with an extraordinary way of looking at things.' –G.Jesse Sadia

'This is a silhouette of a man holding a boom because there is a lot of film making in NYC. Also, he is rainbow to show diversity and he has a Time Out New York t-shirt to show that he embraces the city.' –Enza Grimm, age 11

'This is a picture of my art teacher, who is quite an inspiration for me, since I am a very artistic person. This is done with watercolor, my new favorite art medium!' –Nina Woods, age 12

'I chose to depict a memory of Manhattan.' –Hillary Yang, age 16

'This is a typical Sunday afternoon in the apartment I share with Harold (a person) and Laszlo (a cat), both of whom enjoy napping during NFL games. I think we're all grateful to see our loved ones safe and comfortable, especially during turbulent times, which was what I tried to convey here.' –Helen Pfeffer

'NYC is nothing, in my opinion, without its diverse group of children. The kids here, different to anywhere else in the world, grow up and around a special kind of vitality that only a place like New York City can offer. It is infectious, it is powerful, and it is worth celebrating and exploring, always.' –David Perrin

'Regular people came together on June 12 in Coney Island to march in support of Justice and Black Lives Matter. A protest march that was an honor to attend. More neighbors less strangers.' –Marie Roberts

'“My home is in New York City, which has a Brooklyn Bridge. When I miss my home, I miss my bed and big dog (stuffed animal).”' –Mary Louise Danilovich, age 4

'This is an Asian American teenager who is addressing coronavirus-related racism that has surged across country. #HateIsAVirus' –Kyra Yip, age 14

'My favorite place to people watch in New York is at Washington Square Park where there are so many interesting people. In my painting I have two New Yorkers sketching in the park, similar to what I do with my friends on the weekends.' –Meghan Monahan

'This is a drawing of my daughter's friend, Britney. Along with my daughter, she represents a young New Yorker who is exploring the world and finding her voice.' –June Gaddy

'This is me, my brother Freddy, and my nanny Didi.' –Billie Pool, age 4

'When I think of NYC I automatically think about Manhattan. Manhattan is loaded with a range of buildings. I chose to include tall structures and at the base I chose to include individuals from various cultures. My primary objective was to show diversity. I didn't include faces because I didn't want people to focus on the person but there culture. I enjoyed having this opportunity to show how I view NYC.' –Ivonne Tellez, age 13

'This is a man who chose to help out others despite the risk to his own life. New York is tough but New Yorkers care.' –Shevon Gant

'My drawing includes my family and my BFF with her family. They live in Manhattan and we always have the best time when we visit them and explore the city!' –Jaya Ramkarran-Perkari, Age 5

'The faces I see on my way to work look like the faces I see at work, as well as the faces I see on my way home from work. We are always working.' –Arturo Ascurra

'My drawing represents the different types of people I see when I’m in New York City. From the tourist to the Knicks fan and of course, the cool kids.' –Nayan Ramkarran-Perkari, Age 8

'New York City's MTA subway services helped me go sightseeing and visit my friends and family during school. In appreciation of the MTA assistance, I drew my friends, family, and myself in an underground Metro station with all the subway trains displayed on top of the drawing.' –Geneva Royer

'Depicted here is one of those magic New York moments, whether you're the subject or the onlooker. The simple pleasure of rifling through books at a bookshop in the city or watching a New Yorker in their habitat, these moments make up the magic that is this city and it is everywhere if you look closely.' –Veronica Zavel

'I drew myself because I'm a proud New Yorker :)' –Zayda Pettica, age 13

'A watercolor of my neighborhood hero and zumba instructor Lamija, who has Down's Syndrome and inspires me daily.' –Bonnie Astor

"ICU Nurse", during the most terrifying two weeks in March of 2020, I ever experienced in New York City.In memory for those who passed, and gratitude for those who are still here. acrylic on paper' –Carmen Einfinger"

'I drew an image of me standing in NYC smiling with all of NY things.' –misa namazu, age 8

'My younger son on our Brooklyn rooftop.' –Madia Risi

'I sat across and drew my sleeping sister, half-asleep baby nephew and brother-in-law on the 4 train headed back home after a long day. I incorporated the advertisement that hovered over them and the train floor pattern into the image to give a better sense of the space that they occupied.' –Nilufa Yeasmin

'This is an oil painting I did of my grandson. My daughter photographed him enjoying life as he always does! But this painting g was done thinking about the little child in all of us. Enjoy life!' –Gary Dunn

'I live by the river and it is always busy busy busy with boats come and going. Tanker boats, Tug boats, Flat boats, Ferry boats. Lots of people don't think about the river in NY. They think about big buildings and offices and traffic, but there are lots of people working on the river as well.' –Milo Russotti, age 5

'abstract on wood with acrylic' –amy hanna

'This is a drawing of various New Yorkers (pre-COVID) that I drew during my daily commute on the subway. I find that the subway carries the essence of New York and I love that the full range of human emotions can be experienced on a brief trip through the veins of the city.' –kristina hagman

"This is a letter & drawing is of my young brother. This was a letter to him in jail, I wanted share a good memory of him when he was a baby two years old now 32." –Dennis Darkeem

'New York is where I first started drawing comics, so I wanted to commemorate that with a little self portrait' –Rebecca Vicente

'Hey! I'm an Interior designer and artist from Kazakhstan based in Brooklyn NY. My drawing reflects my identity. It's a visual and conceptual representation of a creative person who has an idea to show and to imply it. Thank you so much for this opportunity!' –Lilya Dzis