"Portrait for a free $0"

Remember when my best friend, Meghan, and her husband, Matt, came to visit us in December? Well, one evening while were were walking along 5th Avenue, enjoying the Christmas windows, we have a very funny experience. We all walked by an young Asian man squatting behind a small card table that had a very poorly written sign that said "Portrait for a free $0."

As typical New Yorkers, we just walked by because of the constant bombardment of beggars and solicitors encountered on a daily basis, but there seemed to be something different with this guy. We had to go back and see what it was all about.

I approached the man, who was squatting on the sidewalk, and told him I would be interested in a free portrait. He was a very jolly and happy fellow, but didn't speak much English. Although, he didn't speak our language, I quickly found out he was extremely fluent in body language! As he started my portrait he crouched down, squinted his eyes, swayed side to side in a jolted rhythm, and moved his arms with extreme motion. We all couldn't help but laugh, especially as a crowd started to form as passerby's saw the artistic performance.

Now, I can't say that this is the best depiction of Patrick and I, but I think it definitely resembles us and you gotta give credit where credit is due because he did do each under a minute and with such emotion!

Matt

(Mr. Ma-to, how your flesh outlines your body is beautiful, Let's meet again. love your neck! 2011.12.21, Taisuke Yatabe)

Meghan

( "Meigen, Thank you, I could boldly draw you, your smile is too wonderful, please let me draw you again, 2011.12.21, Taisuke Yatabe." )

Lindsay

Translation by my Japanese friend, Sayuri Katayama Lege: The message he wrote on yours says "Linzu-(his way of saying your name) 2011.12.21, Taisuke Yatabe(his name), First time to draw an Ultra beautiful girl, See you! Please let me draw you again." 

Pat

Translation by my Japanese friend, Sayuri Katayama Lege: On Pat, he wrote "Patto(his way of saying the name), your lips are my Ultra favorite, Please let me draw you again! 2011.12.21, Taisuke Yatabe(his name)" New York looks so fun!!

Next time you see a Japanese man squatting on the ground with a sign that reads "Portraits for a free" you gotta stop. Trust me, you will not regret it!