A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman: Peach Tao at Ray's Candy Store

Ray’s Candy Store storefront painted by artist Peach Tao. New York, 2019

In August 2019, I photographed New York artist Peach Tao for a profile in collaboration with Runstreet. In the ensuing years, Peach has become one of NYC’s most prolific street artists, with artwork adorning the walls of Chinatown buildings and popular eateries across the five boroughs, as well as in NYC Public Schools and at the Bushwick Collective. At the time of this writing, Peach was gaining notoriety for the whimsical work she’d done at the legendary Ray’s Candy Store in Manhattan.

Runstreet profiled Brooklyn-based artist Peach Tao for her revamp of the signage at Ray’s Candy Store. An East Village icon attracting celebrities and a cult-like clientele, Ray’s is a quirky eatery that has been featured in several films and TV series.

Marnie Kunz interviews Peach Tao New York, 2019

We met Peach roughly a month after she’d finished the artwork at Ray’s. A native of Beijing, she’s a talented and well-traveled artist with a warm and engaging personality. Her bold eye makeup, whimsical accessories, and mixed-patterned clothing were as distinctive as her work.

Peach reimagined the restaurant’s somewhat dull exterior by using bold colors and her signature iconography, making the storefront standout along the busy avenue.

Peach Tao enters Ray’s Candy Store. New York, 2019

Going inside Ray’s Candy Store is like stepping back in time. Faded posters, featuring stars of Hollywood’s past, delicious treats, and handwritten signs, covered every inch of the walls. The shop’s pastel exterior and tube-lit interior joined the gritty New York of yesteryear with the more Instagram-friendly version we’ve come to know over the last decade.

Interior of Rays Candy Store, 2019

Traces of modernity amidst a sea of classic posters.

The classic Columbo Frozen Yogurt sign stirred some of my favorite childhood memories. New York, 2019

Catching up. New York, 2019

We spent about 20 minutes in Ray’s chatting, appreciating the atmosphere, and enjoying complimentary egg creams, which were delicious. These one-of-a-kind gems are fading away in the East Village as gentrification strips the remaining character from the neighborhood and replaces these types of eateries with fast-casual chain restaurants. Hopefully Ray’s will continue to power through.

Fixing up three egg creams. New York, 2019

All smiles at Ray’s. New York, 2019

Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz and Peach Tao. New York 2019

Artist Peach Tao holds and egg cream outside Ray’s Candy Store in the East Village. New York, 2019

My favorite photo is the shot of Peach looking refreshed, relaxed, and prideful as she stands outside the storefront.

From New York's Street Art Mecca to Italy

Marnie Kunz at the Bushwick Collective. New York, 2019

After several years of exponential growth, Runstreet street art tours were garnering a global audience after a series of high profile features in European media outlets. The photos in this feature appeared in DOVE Italia’s 2019 New York Travel Guidebook.

July 2019 was a great time for Runstreet. The crew was coming off a series of successful events across the U.S. and several team members were heading to London and Paris to scout street art in preparation for a possible retreat in 2020.

I photographed Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, on a gorgeous mid-summer day in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where we shot vibrant photos at the Bushwick Collective and JMZ Walls. The shoot commenced at the Bushwick Collective, an art lover’s paradise filled with dozens of murals by the world’s leading street artists. Known for their arresting displays and festive annual block party, the Bushwick Collective is also a favorite haunt of European tourists.

Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz in Bushwick. New York, 2019

The colorful shots of Marnie were a hit on social media. They also found their way to a magazine editor in Italy. DOVE, Italy’s premier travel and lifestyle publication, featured a full-page version of the photo above in their 2020 New York Travel Guide.

Leaping lens flare. New York, 2019

Our next stop was the JMZ Walls. Though not as popular as the Bushwick Collective, the JMZ Walls offer some of the most compelling street art in New York. The group derives its name from the J/M/Z subway lines that rumble above Broadway. Their eye-catching murals line Broadway, featuring the works of artists based in Bushwick.

Marnie Kunz jumps on Broadway. New York, 2019

My favorite photographs from this series are the shots of Marnie jumping between the Pink Panther and Roger Rabbit, and the photo of her running past the Nipsey Hussle tribute mural by BKFoxx. The photos capture the grit and beauty of a neighborhood that is quintessentially New York.

Marnie Kunz and BK Foxx’s tribute to Nipsey Hussle.

Life is unpredictably rewarding at times. Our seemingly routine photoshoot on a sun-kissed day in Bushwick made its way around the globe.

A Sense of Normalcy in Venice

Runners pose in front of the famous VENICE sign. Venice, CA 2020

As the Runstreet photographer, I had the pleasure of photographing a series of art-run tours around the U.S. The photos in this collection feature Runstreet’s first West Coast street art run, which took place around Los Angeles’s picturesque Venice neighborhood.

The Runstreet team traveled to Los Angeles in late-February 2020 for the Runstreet X Athleta Venice Art Run, sponsored by Athleta and Hotel Erwin. We flew to LA during the beginning stages of the Covid-19 outbreak in the U.S. Our team felt a sense of dread about boarding a five-hour flight, but we had a job to do, so we sucked it up and headed west.

Upon arrival in LA, the warm sunshine and blue skies put us at ease. We picked up a rental car, turned up Spotify and drove to Venice. The privacy of the car and personal space made us feel more secure in comparison to the wall-to-wall crush of people and public transportation centered lifestyle we’re accustomed to in New York. We also noted how carefree Angelenos seemed about coronavirus, which allowed us to relax a bit and enjoy ourselves.

Suite living room at the Hotel Erwin. Venice, CA 2020

Hotel Erwin

Accommodations were provided by Hotel Erwin, a four-star boutique property steps away from Venice Beach. The hip, retro-modern hotel is popular with fashionable beach-loving travelers.

I was booked into an extended-stay suite that was larger than most New York apartments. The suite featured mid-century style furnishings, beautiful art work, and colorful decor.

Guest bedroom at the Hotel Erwin. Venice, CA, 2020

The oversized living area housed a large sleeper sofa, wet bar, dining table, LG flat screen TV equipped with streaming and cable channels, and a balcony with ocean views. The separate bedroom featured a queen bed, ample storage, flat screen TV, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The bedroom walls were adorned with a striking black and white handprint wallpaper that perfectly contrasted with the orange pendant lamps.

View of Venice Beach and the Pacific Ocean from my balcony. Venice, CA, 2020

Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, holds a post card at the Hotel Erwin. Venice, CA 2020

Hotel amenities and facilities included a busy rooftop bar and lounge with panoramic ocean views, in-room dining and two on-site restaurants. The hotel is steps away from the Venice Boardwalk, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the iconic VENICE sign, coffee shops, bars, and delicious eateries such as Teddy’s Red Tacos, Great White, and Egg Slut.

Group Shot at Venice Beach. Venice, CA 2020

Running and Art

The Venice Art Run was hosted and sponsored by Athleta. We connected with them through their Community Marketing Manager, Brianna Docimo, a former New Yorker we worked with for several years before she relocated to Los Angeles.

The run began and ended at The Waterfront Venice Beach, a popular boardwalk eatery with a colorful atmosphere. Event highlights included stops at the Venice Art Walls, the famous Venice Canals, murals along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and the iconic VENICE sign.

The group poses at the Venice Canals. Venice, CA 2020

Runners at the Runstreet X Athleta Venice Art Run. Venice, CA 2020

The Art Run attracted an eclectic crew of runners of various ages. The Angelenos welcomed Runstreet with open arms and invited us back to run with them again.

The Couple that Runs Together. Venice, CA 2020

Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, and runners outside The Waterfront Venice. Venice, CA 2020

A runner strikes a pose at the Venice Canals. Venice, CA 2020

Runners pose at the Venice Art Walls. Venice, CA 2020

Hotel Erwin Director of Sales and Marketing, Amy Ramskill (far right) and friends. Venice, CA 2020

Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz and Athleta Community Marketing Manager, Brianna Docimo. Venice, CA 2020

All heart. Venice, CA 2020

Runners gaze upon the Venice mural. Venice CA 2020

Skaters and the Crowd at Venice Skate Park. Venice, CA 2020

Around Venice Beach

During our free time, we took in the sites and sounds on the Venice Boardwalk. From the skate park, biking/running paths, and muscle beach, to buskers, acrobats, and bevy of restaurants, Venice Beach’s frenetic scene was teeming with energy.

Let it Flip. Venice, CA 2020

Basketball Courts, Venice Beach. Venice, CA 2020

The Venice Basketball Courts, which gained international fame in the film White Can’t Jump, are great for action photos. The scene around the Venice Skate Park is equally incredible. It reminded me of the chaotic atmosphere at the Cage in Greenwich Village, where the participants and onlookers are captivating.

Skaters and the Crowd. Venice Beach, CA 2020

Back to an Alternate Reality

We spent four glorious days enjoying the fun and sun in Los Angeles. On those warm, late-winter days, we lamented traveling back east to face the cold and gray, as well as the worsening news about the spread of COVID-19.

The time we spent in Venice feels like a dream. I can still smell the ocean air during our early morning scouting runs and vividly recall the late night stops at Whole Foods Market for munchies and snacks. Enjoying hugs and laughs with friends and strangers are what I miss most. But looking back at these photos, the smiling, mask-free faces are a good reminder that our alternate reality is temporary. We will travel, live freely, and enjoy group running, hugging strangers, and indoor dining once again.

Blue Skies On A Stroll Through NYC

People watching in Herald Square.

Walking around pre-Covid New York was one of my favorite activities. The city seemed to go on forever and there was something interesting to look at, everywhere. As my old building superintendent’s once said, “Who needs TV when you can come outside and watch this?”

Captured in May 2018, this photo series begins in Herald Square where I met Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, for a promotional shoot. At the time, Marnie was sponsored by the fast casual restaurant chain, Honeygrow, and needed a few photos at their Minigrow by Honeygrow location in Midtown.

Runstreet’s Marnie Kunz at Minigrow in Midtown

After finishing up at Minigrow, we walked over to the Flatiron District to run a few errands. During our walk and chat, I snapped taxi cab and intersection shots along Midtown’s bustling avenues.

Yellow taxis along Sixth Avenue with the Freedom Tower peeking out.

Crossing shot looking south on Broadway near the Flatiron Building.

A taxi heads south on Broadway near the Flatiron Building.

Who needs a bike lane?! Yellow taxis and cyclists jockey for road space on Broadway.

After parting ways with Marnie in the Flatiron, I continued down Sixth Avenue to Greenwich Village’s West 4th Street Courts aka “The Cage.”

The West 4th Street Courts are a basketball mecca and one of the best street photography spots in the city, especially during spring and summer. As streetballers battle it out, the crowd looks on with an intensity that’s generally reserved for NBA games. The adjacent West 4th Street Subway-Washington Square Station pours out hundreds of commuters every few minutes, which adds more energy to an already frenetic block.

The highlight of these testosterone-driven photos is a dynamic young woman who holds her own with the men. With a sweet jumper, good rebounding, tough defense and fierce determination, that strong young female streetballer put the guys on notice.

“Who needs TV when you can come outside and watch this?”

Onlookers watch streetball while others make their way along 6th Avenue.

After watching streetball for an hour, I headed over to Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge. My favorite East River crossing, the Williamsburg Bridge teems with commuters, joggers, bikers, skaters, subway trains and ever-changing graffiti, while offering panoramic views of the city’s mammoth skyline.

An M Train crosses the Williamsburg Bridge.

Statement on the Williamsburg Bridge.

Looking toward Manhattan from the Williamsburg Bridge. The Freedom Tower makes another appearance.

After crossing into Brooklyn, I stopped along Broadway to snap a few more photos. South Williamsburg’s mosaic of street art, classic NYC architecture and bridge views are a visual feast.

Bridge views and street art in South Williamsburg.

These photos are a great reminder of a world where we freely ventured around the city, eagerly huddling together at basketball courts, on bridges and in busy shopping districts. Oh, how lucky we were. We’ll get back there.

Marnie and Pat: Early Morning Fitness in Domino Park

Marnie Kunz and Pat Stacks Domino Park, Brooklyn

Booking a 7:00 AM outdoor shoot on a hot and humid mid-July morning is generally not my preference. But on the rare occasion, these sticky, swamp-like conditions can serve as the perfect inspiration to get things done.

On this sweaty morning, I had the pleasure of working with my good friend, business partner, and Runstreet founder, Marnie Kunz, and one of the fittest men in New York, 24-Hour Fitness trainer and Yolked sponsored athlete, Pat Stacks. Our location for the day was Domino Park, a picturesque urban green space with stunning backdrops, including the Manhattan skyline, Williamsburg Bridge, East River and the old Domino Sugar Refinery.

The early start time was chosen to ensure that we had the park and its facilities to largely ourselves. For a little over an hour, Marnie and Pat went through a series of exercise demonstrations against a backdrop of beautiful blue skies and dynamic architecture. The park’s rich colors complemented their photogenic faces, beautiful smiles and humbling physiques.

From sprints and pull-ups to lunges and push-ups with a full-extension dap, Marnie and Pat posed perfectly with every move. After spending an hour watching them easily go through exercises for multiple takes, I began rethinking my entire fitness regimen.

Pat scales the Tacocina sign in Domino Park

Marnie Kunz jump’s for joy in Domino Park.

My favorite photo from the session is Marnie’s jumping shot. Captured in one take, the photo screams “FREE,” while the park’s pastel-colored architecture exquisitely accents Marnie’s fire-red hair and vibrant attire.

These photos are a good reminder of the lives we led before COVID-19 altered the world. Moreover, they inspire me to keep pushing and to remember that someday, we’ll feel as free and strong as we did on an oppressively hot and humid July morning in 2019.