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

With such picture perfect weather,                                                                     undeniably yesterday was the most incredible day to be out and about in New York.                          It would have been sinful not to taking advantage of the day’s offering.

I am lucky enough to live across the street from a park with a small lake,                   (or maybe one would call it a big pond), filled with lots of turtles, coy and large goldfish, deliciously tempting for even the novice fisherman.

Below are two girls I really enjoyed watching. My guess is they were talking, dreaming, and planning the rest of their summer days under the willow tree since school just let out this week! Remember that time?

This guy was incredible. He circled the lake twice to catch the fish, instead of waiting for the fish to bite. I think he had a system, hehe, (didn’t look like he had much luck though). Let’s hope Mother Nature graces us with more magnificent days like the one we had!

Teachers, friends and books … three simple words, but they mean so much. This past Monday Dominick and I were having a conversation about art and asking what does it take for an artist to truly reach their potential?

So I shared with him something my Kabbalah teacher Sarah told me last week, (it was a real ah-ha moment and one worth a million treasures). She said that in order for a person to reach their fullest potential in life it’s critical they look at their environment and only surround themselves with what will nurture their path. (What doesn’t MUST GO!) She said there’s 3 elements in life key to fulfillment. Those 3 were … teachers, friends and books.

And so I took a look … I and my friends at the studio have been fortunate to have had the greatest of teachers, for whom without we’d never have set our heights as high as they are and yes, still learning from him.

Friends are what we are to each other, (for that I am forever grateful), and books? Well, if you know one of us, (or all) you know; our books are our lifeline. We can’t ‘be’ without them.

Take a look today at your environment today and settle for nothing less. It’s worth it, Michele

A study for a painting currently on the board. The letters are from the Aramaic alphabet and the sequence is called unconditional love.

… 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)

happy   happy   happy

go the animals

as they parade through the African village in Animal Kingdom

happy   happy   happy   am I  to be drawing them

Drawing this parade was really an adventure. There was no room to stall, no room to judge. I had to be quick and trust my instinct! When I looked a little harder and studied what was coming down the street, the experience was amazing. It was global, it was evolutionary, even historical. I guess the message was clear … that we all need to look a little closer at the world and appreciate it’s gifts -  Michele

Here are a few thumbnails done 10 minutes before my colorful friends arrived.

Ah, the days of summer are in full swing here in the city and it couldn’t be sweeter. Last Saturday I met a few friends in Bryant Park for a breakfast picnic. The weather was ideal to sit and people watch for a bit so I drew some, ate some, talked some and loved every minute of it. Here’s a few drawings of our neighbors on the lawn. 

Can’t wait to get back and enjoy more bagels … and drawing.

Michele

“It is here, it is here where the martyrs are, it is here that the Sacred Heart must reign so that it can beckon all to come”.  -   Joseph-Hippolyte Guibert

                Perched high above the city, along cobbled stoned streets and winding alleyways sits the glorious Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.

Upon approach it was clear this place was special, so grand, immaculate in all it’s white, and such presence. Yet another magical element to this magnificent city, (the glory of its churches). I understand why so many pilgrims would hike these crazy hills to reach such a beautiful place of worship.

The church stands tall in the heart of Montmartre (the butte Montmartre) , once a principal artistic center of Paris. It was there in the mid-1800s artists such as Johan Jongkind and Camille Pissarro called home and by the end of the century, (with its counterpart on the Left Bank, Montparnasse) artist associations such as Les Nabis and the Incoherentswere formed, (not to mention being a stones throw from the Moulin Rouge, where  Toulouse-Lautrec designed those incredible posters).  Yes, a religious experience all around, and one I will treasure forever.

So, how does the Basilica stay so stay white? … Sacré-Cœur is built of Travertine stone quarried in Chateau-Landon (Seine-et-Marne), France. This stone constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains white even with weathering and pollution.

And why is it called a Basilica? … The name Basilica is given to certain churches granted special privileges by the Pope. 

Just a little trivia this somewhat sunny Sunday morning, see you next week! - Michele

So as I start my weekly contributions to Onedrawingaday, I thought it would be fun to share some drawings made while in France a few years back with  my associates at 1482.  A trip to Paris is never short of wonder. There’s no other place like it, the shops, the history, the food, THE ART! Here’s a drawing I made in the Musee National Picasso . Spending the day with Picasso’s lifework (in awe, I might add) was truly divine. What an awesome experience …. looking forward to sharing some more drawings from abroad next week, enjoy! - Michele

* On a side note, I’d like to plea to the dear thief who stole the sketchbook, PLEASE RETURN IT, the world needs it. ]]> http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/06/13/picasso-museum-paris/feed/ 0 http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/06/10/a-new-studio-project-on-the-horizon/ http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/06/10/a-new-studio-project-on-the-horizon/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:03:56 +0000 Michele http://www.michelebedigian.com/?p=183

                    Studio 1482 was built on the premise of drawing, the base for all that we eight do professionally. So, (as Dom put it so eloquently), “in the spirit of drawing” I’m thrilled to share the news, 1482 has launched a new website. No crazy turns, just a division of the studio’s ventures.

                     The website is called One Drawing A Day , where each day you’ll find a new drawing featured by a different member of the studio.

                                 Go ahead, take a look … and while you’re there, check out the archive of past drawings. (You might want to even bookmark the site and enjoy the visit daily – talk to you later,  Michele ]]> http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/06/10/a-new-studio-project-on-the-horizon/feed/ 0