A painting celebrating New York Knicks basketball and New York City culture has connected a Fullerton artist and filmmaker with one of his creative heroes: filmmaker and longtime Knicks fan Spike Lee.

Ethan Javonillo, a Filipino American artist and filmmaker who works as an administrative assistant in Chapman University’s Art Department, recently traveled from California to Brooklyn, New York, to personally deliver his mixed-media painting, “The Garden,” to Lee, who purchased the artwork after discovering it online.

The story began in May, when Javonillo posted a photograph of the original painting on Instagram and tagged Lee and the Knicks. The piece had been commissioned by a family member who grew up in Queens, New York.

Javonillo did not expect a response. The next morning, however, he received a direct message from Lee asking, “How Much?”

Initially skeptical that the message was genuine, Javonillo confirmed that it came from Lee. The filmmaker’s interest was particularly meaningful because Javonillo considers Lee one of his favorite filmmakers and a major creative inspiration.

After the Knicks’ championship victory, Javonillo updated the painting to include the words “2026 NBA Champs.”

Rather than ship the painting, Javonillo decided to fly to New York to deliver it in person at 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, Lee’s production company office in Brooklyn. Although Lee had acknowledged his plans, Javonillo was unsure whether the filmmaker would be available to meet him.

As Javonillo took photographs outside the office, Lee arrived. Javonillo was invited inside to unpack and present the painting to him. The two posed for a photograph, and Javonillo had the opportunity to tell Lee how much his work and support meant to him.

Lee encouraged Javonillo to continue his creative work, signed a book and gave him merchandise from his restaurant, Spike’s Joint.

For Javonillo, the encounter was a memorable milestone in his artistic career and a reminder of the unexpected opportunities that can come from sharing creative work.

“I couldn’t have predicted the way this unfolded, not in my wildest dreams,” Javonillo said.

A lifelong Fullerton resident, Javonillo continues to develop his work as an artist and filmmaker. The experience, he said, reinforced the value of taking creative risks and sharing work without knowing where it might lead.