Sabrina

Named Sabrina, I walked through the lobby doors and smiled at a doorman. Surrounded by marble, crown moulding, and elaborate lighting fixtures, the building was a 1923 pre-war high rise situated at the corner of 98th Street and Broadway.

The Sabrina was everything I could have wanted for 20-something new to the city- it was steps away from cafes, groceries, shopping, but more importantly- new experiences.

I named my first painting after this beloved building, not just for the aesthetic, but for the feeling- there was something about the old building that felt shiny and new. Those early days in New York were filled with wonder and possibility- with each morning, I never knew who I would run into on the street or what opportunities and magic would come my way.

I returned to visit Sabrina in September 2020, shortly after creating my first abstract design tote bag. As I got onto the elevator, the sounds and smells were exactly as they were eight years before- the faint smell of summertime heat reminded me of that very first summer.

Even though memories fade, we hold onto them through sounds, smells, colors, and feelings- and as I painted each new design in my collection, I remembered special moments that I wanted to share with you, too.