Here is a drawing I made of my son playing in our backyard with his favorite toys, rocks.

drawing by Greg Betza

As I shlepped across town with my golden ticket in hand to the Met I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a Tuesday night and the preview of the opening of Senior Pablo Picasso’s new exhibit was about to begin. (You know, one of those nights all sorts of people come out, some to see and some to be seen.) That’s always part of the fun of going to the members preview. This time around was no disappointment. So in the midst of indulging gently in the wine and the food I took the op to draw a quick study of one of the spanish guitar players serenading the event … so Picasso, hehe.

This show really is A MUST SEE! And by the way, for the few extra dollars it’s truly worth it to rent the audio guide. It shared stuff about him you never would’ve guessed! Enjoy your Thursday -Michele

…do not go as planned…

Character designs for animation project ” The Fox and the Hunter”.

Eddie Peña

Well, technically Earth Day was a few days ago (see Greg’s post HERE) but really, every day should be Earth Day, no? Like I wrote in the illustration, give to the Earth and She’ll give back. Let’s hope our governments start heeding that message. – Veronica

This is a drawing I made of a model.  I liked her attitude!  I also liked that her hair felt like Asian calligraphy.

Margaret

Two people sitting back to back on a bench at the museum. If they only knew what I was thinking! -Despina

Happy EARTH DAY everyone. I was doing a bit of reading on the subject and I came across the EPA’s “It’s My Environment” promotion. And while I didn’t make a sign and a video, the promotion did get me thinking about my environment and what I can do to care for it. Recently I’ve been considering some “upgrades” to my back yard, and it only took me and google a few minutes to find countless ways to enhance my yard responsibly. Using eco-friendly driveway materials, harvesting rain water, and using compost rather than chemicals are just a few (easy and cheap) alternatives to conventional methods. At this point there is simply no excuse for you not to do your part.

Here is a cardinal that lives in my yard (and an actual piece of my yard too). It’s one of the many reasons I’m trying to do my part.

art by Greg Betza

This boat is beginning to make me feel like a real world traveler … three days in D.C. last week, now two in Mystic. This weekend I had the incredible privilege of spending the weekend with Ronnie, Marg and the Dalvero Academy on a treasured reportage excursion to Mystic Seaport.

What an experience! From the gifted access to the ship yard and the lucky Morgan itself! … to the time spent with some fabulous artists. Above was one of the drawings I did while trying to stay warm on the dock where the boats were tied – loved every ounce of it, (well, maybe all but the cold.) Happy Wednesday, Michele

If we had just one day, one day to plot the course, what would that one day look like? And would it take an entire day to figure it all out? Even if it takes 12,775 days to find that day?

I’ve always wanted to be a soldier.  It’s been a desire of mine since I was a boy.  I can’t say I can pin point why, but I know I would have made a great soldier.  I think it takes a special heart to become a soldier.  I thank every military man and woman that has served and died while I live my life.  I’m privileged and proud to be an American.

-Eddie Peña

Spotted this man partying down with his Guinness in a pub in Dublin. Looks happy, right? In general, I’ve found the Irish to be a very happy people, but you’d almost never know it from looking at them! Happy Saturday, all you lovely Irishmen (and women). And everyone else, for that matter – Veronica

Another commuter immersed in his own world of music, enjoying the view of cars, trees and buildings as the bus moves on to the next stop.

Margaret

I started working on my vegetable garden. This year, it’s much bigger at a whopping 12′x12′! I really hope it works out. Cross your fingers with me!!

I bought an owl decoy to keep watch over the garden at night and named him Marty. I think he’s really cute, but hopefully, the skunk and the raccoon that love to visit the backyard every night think he’s terrifying.

Here’s a drawing of Marty sitting amongst the newly tilled soil. -Despina

Ok maybe you haven’t heard of them, but Leatherface is a British punk band that’s been around since 1988. I’ve been a fan since the early nineties and just had the chance to see them last month at the knitting factory in Brooklyn. Though they are quite obscure, the place was sold out and the crowd was alive. It was as if everyone had waited as long as I had to see them. What I find so interesting about Leatherface is that, although the music is so hard and so noisy, the lyrics are very delicate. They’re special because of that. I’ve been to hundreds of shows over the years, and this was one of the very best.

I was able to show Frankie (the singer) my drawings after the show. He was a little taken aback. I guess he wasn’t expecting to see drawings of himself, but I do think he liked them!

check out another drawing  from the show at www.gregbetza.com

Bucket List #18 : riding a fire truck in a parade down Constitution Avenue, (behind a giant Garfield balloon nonetheless!)

The drawing above is of the cadets preparing to line up for the start. More to come… enjoy your Tuesday, Michele

Where was I 33 years ago? What caught my attention and what was I reaching for next? And will I ask the same questions in twice the time from now?

Here is my beautiful wife just before she gave birth to our beautiful girl.

-Eddie Pena

this is another drawing from my book “The barber of New York” . It shows George Washington being sworn into office as president of the new United States of America. I love American history (especially New York City history — did you know NYC was the original capital of the new nation?

Spring means lazy afternoons spent at the Bronx Botanical Gardens. Sit in the sun, paint a little, lie in the grass and sleep a little, wake up and paint some more. All the while the cherry blossom petals swirl around you. Oh yeah, I love spring. – Veronica