Michele Bedigian

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.

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