Michele Bedigian

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

“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