Illustrator Gerry Ranson moved from London to New York as a young man to follow his passion as an illustrator. His move would prove fortuitous for his career and also his lifelong love affair with the city he calls home.

Gerry began sketching the sidewalks and businesses of New York City as a way to chronicle his affection for his adopted home.

"These creative and unique business locations symbolized that New York may be a difficult place to make a living, but enterprising people find a way make it work. Scouted around the city, found 50 locations and did 50 drawings. I am sure that I did not find them all. Every one was owned by an immigrant, some not able to speak much English but squeezing out a living in New York." --Gerry Ranson