Morning Light on 125th Street

At sunrise, the Metro-North station on East 125th Street can seem calm and still. Morning light casts long shadows and softens the nearby buildings. For most, it’s just another stop—overlooked and routine. But just beyond the tracks, Harlem’s energy quietly unfolds.

125th Street is more than a transit point; it is Harlem’s main artery, its most diverse and dynamic stretch. Here, history and culture pulse through the streets—street vendors setting up shop, music spilling from open doors, conversations in multiple languages weaving into the city’s rhythm. It’s raw, unfiltered, alive.

I wanted to capture this essence before it fades, before big-name brands smooth over its edges and replace its spirit with something sterile. This painting is a snapshot of Harlem as it is now—real, vibrant, and full of soul.