Michele Bedigian » Art

Service to our country

Michele — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:18:07 +0000

I thought it worth mentioning this week the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is hosting a series ofexciting events associated with the United States Air Force from August 24th through August 29th.

The mission of the event is to bring together the Air Force and the general public and illustrate the incredible mix of services the people of the Air Force do.

It’s always a treat whenever I go to the Intrepid. The energy and movement available to draw is incredible. The planes are beautiful..the river is beautiful, so simple and complicated at the same time.

Air Force Weeks were established in 2006 by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Hope you too will take advantage of it.

The mosque next door

Michele — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:06:37 +0000

My opinion is just that, an opinion. Whether or not there’s ‘a right’ or some think it ‘wise’ to build a mosque two blocks from where the World Trade Center crumbled – the timing is awful.

There are pivotal moments in history that require time and space for those who experience its chaos to process, accept, and heal from suffering caused by the choice of others. If the 9/11 Memorial was already established and there was confidence restored in the system ‘the right’ might be easier for many to acquiesce. But does that actually make it ‘right’ ?

Ironically this is a drawing I did six years before 9/11.

Who knew then what it would mean to me now? Michele

Music on paper

Michele — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:32:59 +0000

..I once read that Pythagoras is credited with having discovered the physical relationship between mass and sound, (otherwise known as music), and that this relationship (expressible as ratios) is essentially what led to Galileo’s revolutionary discoveries in physics. Reading this intrigued me …could the relationship between mass and sound be the same as the relationship between mass and line? uhhhmmm…(otherwise known as drawing)

Hymn of the Republic

What I mean is the same physical relationship occurs in a drawing when you choose more of this and less of that. It’s simply music on paper.

With this thought and an arsenal of ideas I decided to research a little into Plato’s theory on Music of the Seven Spheres at the American Museum of Natural History .

In the beginning I found that Pythagoras’ theory correlated the music of the spheres with cosmic harmony, and while at the museum that Plato actually related it to 7 planets. So I knew it was important to frame my thoughts with an essence of say, global or “universal familiarity”, and decided angels were the logical symbol to design the idea around.

Angels are a symbol of higher power that cross pretty much all culture,borders and language.

So maybe it could work?

Maybe it really could…

It’s the journey of discovery that’s the most exciting part for me (and admittedly the reason I continue to hunt for more).

Who really knows where a drawing can lead, this mixture of mass and line? Maybe it is only the angels.

Just call me Pinky

Michele — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:00:26 +0000

The day is July 10th. It’s 1977, and I just got these new hot wheels! It’s a bright pink banana bike and I think I’m the coolest thing around … I play the best Pinky Tuscadero!

So it only makes sense I get to be her when we pick our roles in make believe. With the wind in my hair and my new pink satin jacket I’m off to see the world! Well if going around the block twice counts. (Mom said I could.) Enjoy the weekend – Michele

Studio 1482 HAITI FUNDRAISER

Michele — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:51:11 +0000

In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the illustrators of Studio 1482 have each donated art to raise money on behalf of the victims in an effort to support the appeal for funds by CARE, a leading humanitarian relief organization. From January 19th until Feb. 8th please visit onedrawingaday.com to see how you can participate by donating $50 to CARE.

Below is the art I created for the fundraiser: ”Help is a verb”

winter’s gift

Michele — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:05:18 +0000

Sunday morning we made sure to set the alarm for 6am. Anticipating the first snowfall this season, (I mean real snowfall, the kind that makes you think twice before leaving the house) we wanted to be out, and out early, to seize the offer of that precious hour just as day breaks.

It was Winter’s first gift, The quiet of a Sunday morning magically hushed even more by the buffer of fresh white snow. This was the kind of moment that makes it soooo easy to hear your soul speak and appreciate life’s wonders.

And then it happened .. like the sound of a locust on a warm summer’s eve. Before we knew it, our silence broke. Vibrations of the almighty snow blower revved it’s engine as it came closer and closer. If I knew any better I’d say this disturbance was nothing more than testosterone “battling another for the mystical blue ribbon on the slopes of sidewalk way”. Those who had one in hand dominated the snow, feeling ever so proud of their new found power, while those who did not looked on with envy at the efficiency of modern technology…or maybe not.

I was determined not let this interruption disenchant my day. So with an arsenal of hot chocolate, a few pencils and my handy dandy notebook I started to draw…

There he was, my Chris, diligently shoveling to clear my parents walkway. My Dad (seen above) and the neighbors never far behind him tending to the lighter loads of snow. Yes! ! ! this was the image I had in mind .. nothing like a communal effort of kindness to illustrate the wonder of the season!

So if Sunday was any indicator of what’s to come it’s sure to be a memorable one! Here’s to a healthy and happy New Year for all! – best wishes, Michele

Tis the season

Michele — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:28:03 +0000

… in Rockefeller Center

There’s a joy of skating in the middle of Manhattan I’ve never been able to find anywhere else.

As I look up from the ice it’s 8pm. The night’s sky (as expected) is replaced by the vision of lights on this years Christmas tree. There’s cars and people everywhere! They’re moving east, moving west, left, right, up, down. All with an agenda. Although it might appear chaotic there’s a rhythm to the way this crowd moves that’s just so inherent to New York City. It’s as if each person intuitively knows exactly where the other one is going. When done correctly, it’s an urban two step that’s undeniably quite impressive, (and not so easy to learn).

And yet with all the energy stirring about there’s still something so timeless, so constant about Rockefeller Center that I know I can depend on.

There’s always a place to shop, a place to eat, a place to pray, a place to wonder and even a place to sit.

.. and there I am , lovin’ every minute of it … ’tis the season!

“bring her to life”

Michele — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:43:00 +0000

Last Saturday I had the privilege to attend the commissioning ceremony of the USS NEW YORK (LPD 21). Traditionally the commissioning of a naval vessel is a time of celebration, the welcoming of a new shipand its crew to the fleet. It’s a symbol of our national pride and steadfast resolve. Yet on that day, I have to share, it meant even more. It’s been eight years since our country was attacked.

What makes the USS NEW YORK so special is what it’s built from. There’s 7.5 tons of sacred steel recovered from the World Trade Center site that’s been forged into its bow with the intent to Never Forget.

Above is a page from my sketchbook that afternoon. It was done the moment they were setting the orders in place to bring the ship to life.

This drawing of a NYC firefighter was done while listening to one of the Commanders speaking. The Commander was sharing an “official” letter given to him by a an FDNY Captain dated September 15th, 2001 – just three days after the collapse. The letter said that at that time (9/15/01) he was unable to relieve 343 of his men from duty – for they were missing and still considered “active”.

As expected, there were several dignitaries in attendance. Among them stood our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. I think one of the most moving and memorable things she said was “By commissioning this ship today, we’re noting the best and the worst of humanity… and sometimes we are stronger in the broken parts.” I couldn’t agree more.

Being present to see the order to man the ship and bring her to life was a gift me, my Dad and those affected by 9/11 will forever hold in our hearts.

To all the crew and commanders of the USS NEW YORK, I pray your journey be true and may you always return home safely. Welcome and thank you – Michele

home away from home; Newport,RI

Michele — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:22:21 +0000

A long acquainted sister to Mystic’s busy shore . It is early Sunday, here in Newport, Rhode Island. Ah, the crisp morning air feels so good as I’m graced by the essence of fresh coffee and warm fudge being prepared for the day’s sales. The familiar is genuinely comforting. I draw, but am not alone, as the spirited folk who tiptoe by whisper greetings of “mornin’ … mornin’ to ya” (ever so careful not to waken the weary). The crumbled sound of the morning paper rustles about. The bells toll for first service.

So it is most Sunday’s in Newport – generously simple.

Transcending Time on 9/11

Michele — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:49:12 +0000

This September 11th it rained … and rained

… and rained here in New York. One might’ve called it tears of angels.

It was a tender day for the many who were reminded of the destruction we had experienced 8 years back. For me, personally it’s always been a painfully sad day. So each year I try to do something special to ease the heart. This one was no exception. I had the privilege of seeing Andrea Bocelli perform at Carnegie Hall. He was accompanied by the New York Philharmonic and the world renown conductor Asher Fisch. Words are few that can illustrate the beauty of such heavenly sound. All I can say is that it truly did transcend time and for that, I am grateful.

One thing I didn’t know was a small fact about the orchestra that couldn’t be any more appropo … “In February 2008 the Philharmonic made a historic visit to Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It was the first performance there by an American orchestra and an event that was watched around the world for which the Philharmonic received the 2008 Common Ground Award for Cultural Diplomacy.” What a glorious movement! It’s one that so easily can be embraced by Despina’s concept for “End Terrorism Day” . Think about it , music connecting lives from country to country. It’s a language that crosses all borders. So simple – yet so incredibly powerful.

If only…

medium?: a ballpoint pen I stole out of my Mom’s pocketbook ………………….. paper: why the type? it was the evenings PLAYBILL (actually it was the only thing available, no excuses)