I never imagined that one of my watercolor paintings would end up in Times Square. But earlier this month, I traveled to New York City to see exactly that!
As part of my selection for the 2026 ArtPop cohort, my painting Time to Breathe, featuring a humpback whale mother and her calf, was displayed on a massive digital screen in the heart of Times Square.
And I wasn't about to miss the opportunity to see it in person!
A Little Watercolor, A Very Big Stage
For those who aren't familiar with Time to Breathe, the painting depicts an intimate moment between a humpback whale mother and her calf.
It's a piece that has been particularly meaningful in my artistic journey. In 2024, it received the Elizabeth Hosking Watercolor Award at the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's Wildlife Artist of the Year competition in London. And now, thanks to ArtPop, it has reached an entirely different audience.
What makes this especially exciting to me is the opportunity to bring wildlife art into unexpected places.
Times Square is surrounded by advertisements, entertainment, and the constant energy of New York City. In the middle of all that activity, there were two humpback whales reminding passersby of the extraordinary wildlife that shares our planet.
Seeing It for Myself
Having grown up in New York, returning to the city for this experience made it even more special.
I traveled with my son, and together we made our way to Times Square to see the display.
Seeing my artwork on a screen of that scale was incredible. I've exhibited in galleries, museums, and art festivals, but seeing my painting displayed in the heart of New York City was something entirely different.
And being able to share that moment with my son made it that much better.
Why This Matters Beyond the Art
As a wildlife conservation artist, my goal has always been to do more than create beautiful paintings. I want my work to encourage people to appreciate wildlife and think about what we stand to lose if we don't protect it.
Not everyone will visit a wildlife art exhibition. But millions of people pass through Times Square, and public art creates opportunities to reach people who might never otherwise encounter my work.
If even a handful of those people stopped to look at the whales and thought about these remarkable animals, that's meaningful to me.
I'm incredibly grateful to ArtPop Street Gallery for creating opportunities like this for artists and for bringing art into public spaces.
And to everyone who has supported my work, purchased a painting or print, shared my art, or followed along on this journey: thank you. Your support helps make milestones like this possible.
Explore Time to Breathe Fine Art Prints.
For the wild,
Brett
 |
 |
 |
Leave a comment