By Eddie Peña

I loved this room in the Victorian main building for its old school James-Bond-ski-lodge appeal.”Romantic guitar” the first evening didnt have a ton of takers, but “game night” and “bingo” ensured excitement by offering really fancy goodies to winners. In the winter with a crackling fire this must be pure nostalgia, a plaid woolen heaven…

I thought today I would like to post a drawing I made of the carousel at DisneyWorld. I have spent many happy hours drawing there. Posted by Veronica.

This is a drawing/watercolor I made when I took a trip out to Joshua Tree National Park in California, one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen.  What a challenge to draw…huge slabs of rock, and in this particular scene, a few sparse pieces of vegetation.  It is so monumental that I said to myself, “How do I create anything more beautiful and sublime than what I am already looking at?”  Of course I tried anyway!

I spent some time watching tennis yesterday and I did a few drawings from the screen. It’s a great way to practice when you don’t have a model. Here is one I was particularly happy with.

drawing by Greg Betza

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 … My friends and I 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.

Enjoy your Thursday, Michele

Above is a study for a painting currently on the board. The letters are from the Aramaic alphabet and the sequence is called unconditional love.

Except at 1:20 this afternoon. Woody and Buzz are waiting.

Time Square by Eddie Peña

Summer is here and you know what that means in the Village – handball!  Posted by  Veronica

It’s National Pigeon Day 2010!  Actually, it’s not National Pigeon Day, officially.  National Pigeon Day is usually celebrated on June 13th, in Central Park, but this year the Puerto Rican Day Parade was held on Saturday June 13th, so NPD will be celebrated today, June 19th!

COO!

COO!

COO!

Time to head back to Central Park to draw. Missing it! -Despina

here is a painting from a few years ago. I haven’t seen this one in a while, but I’ve always liked it.

by Greg Betza

The image of the pelicans this past week covered from head to toe in oil left such an indelibly painful impression on my heart. It’s so sad to see the how much devastation is happening to the ecosystem in the gulf. In response I thought I’d share one of my favorite poems, (which ironically seemed quite appropriate for the emotion).              Something to think about …   Let’s hope this tide moves swiftly – Michele

To see a World in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower.                                Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.

Auguries of Innocence, I-William Blake

The weekend before last my friend and I went to a lovely place in the rolling hills of Massachussetts to recover from the strains of New York City living. The visit really did restore me, and though I hadn’t brought any drawing supplies I did end up scribbling little visual notes onto pads with ballpoint pens.

This is a combo of two drawings, one of the grounds and one of the main building’s Victorian past.

To know her is to love her. – Veronica

Pink Mr. Mocko Jumbie makin’ his move!

Margaret Hurst