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

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.

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!

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

]]> http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/09/22/home-away-from-home-newportri/feed/ 0 http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/09/16/transcending-time-on-911/ http://www.michelebedigian.com/2009/09/16/transcending-time-on-911/#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:49:12 +0000 Michele http://www.michelebedigian.com/?p=302 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)

In my world, today is no ordinary Monday. It’s August 31st. In the past this day was filled with Birthday cake, memories of laughter, and of course plenty of gifts. Back then, with every effort to make this day “extra special” for him – it became extra special for me. Yet now it’s different, and I find myself every 31st of August sadly filled with silence and a drive to Greenwood, (the place he once said was the most beautiful cemetery he’d ever seen). Today’s visit though was a little different. It took years after his death for me to draw again, (really draw again). So in honor of his Birthday (and to give him one more gift) I decided to do just that, draw him a picture.

Happy Birthday my Carl! - with each day, xo Michele

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