Those who know me and my work will recognize the theme of the garden as a metaphor for paradise (home). I remember eating strawberries, gooseberries, currants, plums, peaches, apples and hazelnuts directly from the bush as a kid playing at our garden at #28. This page is part of an ongoing project on the history of feminism (notice the woman busy working the earth). It also makes me want to start a victory garden and eat freshly-harvested collard greens.
I made this thumbnail of an 18th century French fashionista in the European furniture galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I love those galleries, especially the gigantic crystal chandeliers. I think I need one of those chandeliers in my studio to inspire me…posted by Veronica.
No one, absolutely NO ONE, has seen this drawing, or this series of drawings before today. My very talented friend and associate, Veronica Lawlor, is out in Portland, Oregon, today teaching at an Urban Sketchers drawathon. She had a conversation with Frank, a fellow urban sketcher who loves drawing, and so I wanted to send a nod to Frank and tell him that this drawing is for him.
“Frog Sex” thanks you!
Thank you, Frank!
Whenever I go to a Barnes and Noble for a while, I like to break from browsing the books and sit at the cafe. I have something to drink and do some people watching/drawing. These two were quite involved in the books they were reading, and didn’t notice me drawing their portraits at all. -Despina
The Tour De France concluded on Sunday in Paris, and as I watched the coverage and the amazing shots of the city, I fell in love with Paris…again. A few of my good friends were there drawing the race and I couldn’t help but think of the time I spent drawing in Paris in 2006. Here is a small drawing I made of Notre Dame.
you can see more of my drawings from the trip here
©2010 Greg Betza
Putting it mildly, (if you weren’t here) Saturday night in New York City was unbearably hot and steamy. It was the perfect night for a movie after a long week at work (hint,hint: air-conditioning!).
We went to see Inception (a very popular movie that sold-out soon after we got there) which left the “late comers” having a pretty difficult time finding a seat. There was all this hubbub of where to sit, where to sit??? It was great entertainment :0 (especially since we had seats). The perfect opportunity to draw a little before the real action started. Enjoy your week – Michele
4 Stars for Inception
The mornings are much different.
Here is another drawing I made on that stroll through Washington Heights. I have a whole stack of drawings toward a Hokusai-style series of “1000 views of the GWB”, since that landmark dominates my neighborhood with its industrial elegance.
The maenads were the female followers of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. From my Carnival series. – posted by Veronica.
Tea Cups at Disney. This is a ride you don’t want to take on a full stomach! I thought I could handle it, but I was zig zaging around the park after that fateful ride. I don’t know what makes me think I can keep getting on these rides that turn me upside down and throw me around like a dishcloth and I think I’m going to be just fine. I am never just fine. I’m a wreck! And I come off the ride vowing never to do that again…until the next crazy ride!
There really are few things more relaxing than laying in the grass at Central Park. -Despina
I spent an hour or so yesterday drawing some boats at a dock in Hoboken, NJ. Here is one that I particularly liked.
Try to enjoy your Monday!
drawing by Greg Betza
In 2009 when the United Nations declared today, July 18th 2010 as the first recognized Nelson Mandela Day, it called for a day when people around the world would celebrate a legacy of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, all in honor of Tata Madiba’s 92nd Birthday. So who is Tata Madiba? Tata Madiba is Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected president, a treasured hero to so many.
The Mandela Day campaign message is simple and one I hope we might all consider participating in today in some shape or form. And it shares.. Nelson Mandela has given 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. All it is asking is that everyone gives 67 minutes of their time, whether it’s supporting their chosen charity or serving their local community. It’s not a holiday, but a day for all people to recalibrate their value systems; to take a look around them and to do good.
Sounds simple enough, 67 minutes = making a difference.
Drawing by Michele Bedigian© 2010
Drawing of a sculpture created by Antoine-Louis Barye (Paris, 1795-1875).
Drawing by: Eddie Peña
A quick, messy ink drawing of the New York city-side on-ramp to the George Washington bridge.
In honor of Bastille Day, I thought I’d post a drawing I did in Paris. Ah…Paris.
- posted by Veronica.
Lady Kika strikes again…this time she’s a Cretan seductress!
Totally different feeling in this outfit…sensuous and all curves.
Delightful!
Harvesting my garden is really alot of fun. The whole family gets involved and then we sit down for dinner. Lovely.
Here is study for a painting of a bowl of freshly picked veggies. String beans, tomatoes of all shapes and sizes, cucumbers, squash, and purple pepper on top. 
I spent some time at Ground Zero Friday. It’s an incredibly powerful place, I imagine unlike any other. The site has been transformed into a city of cranes and construction. I can’t help but think that this is exactly how it must have looked in the 1970s during the building of the Twin Towers.
While I still terribly miss what once was, I’m happy to see a new beginning for lower Manhattan.
see more from the day at my blog www.gregbetza.com
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