This 36x48” oil on canvas is one of several portraits I’ve painted of Anthony Bourdain…it’s probably my favorite of all of them. I created it shortly after he passed away, as a way to honor someone I deeply admired, not just for his travels and sharp wit, but for his gift of connection.

Bourdain had a rare ability to sit down with anyone, anywhere in the world, and connect through something as simple as a shared meal. He used food as a gateway to empathy, listening, and mutual understanding. It wasn’t about the cuisine so much as the culture, the people, the conversation. He was a listener. Someone who knew that the dinner table was never really just about food.

I chose this image because it felt like him—surrounded by plates, dim sum baskets, tea cups, empty dishes, and that steady, thoughtful gaze. It reminds me of how much beauty there is in sitting down, staying curious, and really paying attention. This is my tribute to a storyteller who made the world feel a lot more connected.