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

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.

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

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!

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

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