Love isn’t just about the people in our lives, but also the communities that shape us, the meals we share, and the ways we give back. Valentine’s season is a reminder that generosity and gratitude are just as important as romantic gestures. Since I started drawing restaurants in 2017, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the joy this work brings me and for the people who connect with my prints. That’s why giving back has always been part of my journey.
Ever since I picked up my pen, I’ve wanted to create a cycle of generosity — using hand-drawn restaurant prints to celebrate meaningful places while supporting charitable initiatives. Over the years, I’ve worked with organizations like City Harvest, the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, and Brooklyn Community Services, helping support hunger relief, arts education, and community programs.Just as every restaurant holds a story, so does every effort to give back.
“For it is in the giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Drawing is about preserving history, memories, and the emotions tied to a place. It’s something I’ve always felt lucky to do, and I believe in using that gratitude to help others. That’s why, since the start of this project, a portion of my work has been devoted to charitable giving here in New York.
From the beginning, I’ve believed in the words at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Lower Manhattan:
"Well-fed people have many problems, hungry people have only one."That quote guided my early work with City Harvest, where 10% of my hand-drawn restaurant print sales went to their hunger relief efforts. I was honored when my artwork was featured on custom plates, gifted to renowned chefs who supported the cause.
When the pandemic hit, restaurant workers faced unimaginable hardships. I shifted my efforts to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, donating 50% of print sales to help those affected. The industry has given us so much, from meals that become memories to places that shape our lives. I wanted to give something back when they needed it most.
“It’s not how much we give, but how much we put into giving.” – Mother Theresa
When I launched my Napa Valley collection in 2022 with a show at Napa Valley Museum Yountville, this experience solidified my commitment to charitable giving. Since then, 10% of print sales from that collection have gone toward supporting arts education at the museum. Napa is known for its world-class dining and wine, but its creative spirit is just as vibrant. Helping to nurture that creativity through arts education felt like a perfect fit.
Beyond hunger relief and the arts, I’ve also been honored to support organizations that strengthen communities. Last year, I piloted two charity initiatives using “double-signed” prints, special editions signed by me and restaurant owners. Through this, I raised $1,000 for a women’s shelter in Brooklyn and the educational arm of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. These collaborations are especially meaningful, as they highlight the people behind the restaurants: the chefs, owners, and teams who bring these spaces to life.
This spring, I’ll be launching my Philadelphia collection with a show at Gleaner’s Cafe from April 29 to June 2. All profits from that series will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, supporting their work in pediatric care. I’m also planning to bring the “double-signed” concept to Philly, teaming up with some of the city’s renowned, James Beard-winning and nominated chefs. (Stay tuned for more details as the date draws near!)
Just like my past projects, this effort will be about more than just selling prints. It’s about honoring the places that make a city feel like home, celebrating the people behind them, and using art as a way to give back.
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” – Vincent van Gogh
With the arrival of Valentine’s season, I’ve been reflecting on the reality that love isn’t just about romance. It’s about appreciation, connection, and generosity. The restaurants we visit, the meals we share, and the people who make them possible all contribute to the communities we love. Through hand-drawn restaurant prints, I hope to capture not just the beauty of these places, but also the spirit of giving that keeps them thriving for years to come.
These prints are more than just artwork. That’s true whether you’re reminiscing about a favorite dinner in New York, celebrating a honeymoon in Paris, reliving a special meal in London, or honoring a bucket-list experience in Napa Valley, Chicago, or Washington D.C. They’re a way to keep cherished memories close while supporting the communities that make them possible.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Every print sold helps continue this cycle of gratitude, art, and giving.
