I started this series in 2011 after stumbling upon a flock of pigeons in an old industrial neighborhood where I was living in Jersey City, NJ. The cobblestone street was closed to traffic and very quiet. I felt that I had discovered the secret world of pigeons.

I spent ample time observing these pigeons, and getting to know them. Each bird was distinctive, radiating its own colors and personality. Together, they formed a lively community, and after observing their social interactions over several days, the flock welcomed me into their fold.

Their trust enabled me to get close, affording me the opportunity to experience them from their perspective. To become one of them, I began crouching down on the ground to meet them at their level. The occasional human passing by found the scene quite amusing. But the pigeons had captured my heart and that was all that mattered.

Even today, my endeavor to photograph these urban birds garners perplexed looks from onlookers. I imagine it is because many people look at them with disdain, as they have often be stigmatized as "rats with wings". Through painting them, and honoring them through portraiture, I hope to inspire people to take a fresh look at these fascinating, intelligent birds with whom we share our urban space.