Portrait of a Prince, on Elizabeth Street

Photo by myself around Prince and Crosby Streets, in Soho.

Artist Brian Ermanski posed with one of his paintings in progress, Sunday afternoon. He goes by the nickname 'The Prince of Elizabeth Street'.

I started talking to Brian after noticing one of his self-promotional images, tacked up on a lamp post. The striking photo was published by New York Magazine a few years ago.

Brian told me that he started his art career after graduating from NYU. His art used to be much 'darker' and was populated with naked women. He confessed to modifying his style toward Pop Art, which was more suitable for peoples' living rooms. Ha.

I enjoyed talking with Brian but I was in a terrible rush to get home. Later, I found his interviews for New York Magazine and The Black Book. Brian was even recently the subject of a short movie called The Prince of Elizabeth Street. Brian used to paint outdoors on Prince and Elizabeth Streets, in SoHo. His public appearances made him into something of a public figure.

The movie 'The Prince of Elizabeth Street' is beautifully shot was presented at the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival last year. To watch it online, click here.


The image of Brian in New York Magazine, above. Beyond, Brian works with people looking on.

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

Related posts: Portrait of Five New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side, Portrait of a Musician, in Midtown and Portrait of a New Yorker, in Fashion.