My piece for Winter is titled: “winter’s gift”. For more about why and how I got there  click here.

Puppetry is an ancient form of performance. Some historians claim that they pre-date actors in theatre. There is evidence that they were used in Egypt as early as 2000 BC when string-operated figures of wood were manipulated to perform the action of kneading bread, and other string controlled objects.

Above is a marionette I stumbled across one day in the French pavilion in Epcot. Her character was undeniably so fun and flavorful I simply had to draw her.

Here is a reportage of where she resides in the pavilion.

and a thumbnail for a stamp design I thought could be an interesting way to feature the flavor of Paris.

p.s. If you’re into it, check out this blog I came across, diary of a genuine marionette maker. Tony is an artist working the craft today. It’s very cool and totally worth the read.

… exploring the gardens as they make their appearance for the annual Halloween Hoorah!

Calling all goblins and ghouls …. here’s to spooky (safe) adventures!

Study at the NY Botanical Gardens © 2010

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.

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

..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.

All images are property of Michele Bedigian©2010 Please inquire for permission to use, or to learn more on this series, by emailing michele@studio1482.com

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

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”

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…

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