Portrait of an Artist, in Washington Square Park

Photo by myself, in Washington Square Park.

While walking through Washington Square Park, Sunday, I met a chess player named Dawes. He was sitting with all his chess pieces out near the southeast entrance to the park.

Only Dawes isn't just a chess player. He also salvages pieces of wood from Washington Square Park and carves them into sculptures, giving the wood a new life.

Dawes gave me a history lesson of Washington Square Park, then showed me his work. He scrolled through hundreds of photos, on his phone. Then, after telling me about a book he plans to publish of his carvings, Dawes reached into his bag and generously gave me a carving of my very own. :-)
  The artist named Dawes proudly showed me one of his hand-carved sculptures. 

The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.


Related posts: Portrait of a Guy on Sixth Avenue, Portrait of a Skateboard Artist, on Prince Street, and Portrait of a New Yorker in Fashion.