…is a rock band. I went to two concerts in Central Park last week. The first was a washout! It rained and we all got soaked. And there was some serious lightning. But we had fun and the band played on. So, I went back on Friday to enjoy the show–sans shower.

Here is one of the drawings I made. It was so dark, and the majority of my view was taken up by the black silhouette of heads. But I did what I could to make a picture. Maybe you can make out what all the lines and shapes mean? ha!

I’ll post the rest soon. -Despina

Last month I was invited to participate in Re:Form School, an art event organized to raise awareness about the need for education reform in America. The piece I’ve posted today is a thumbnail sketch/idea for my piece. If you’re in New York City October 9-11 please stop by and see the finished piece in person. Read more about the event HERE.

Last night I took advantage of some relaxing time at home and decided to watch Tim Burton’s dark and whimsical interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, (it didn’t hurt that Johnny Depp was in it, as I shamefully admit a secret crush I’ve had on him for years now).

It was an interesting go at an old tale and reminded me of a poetry assignment I had in the 2nd grade when I had to memorize and recite JABBERWOCKY by Lewis Carroll in front of the whole class. Maybe in all it’s treasured way that’s what led my desire to be a storyteller?

The drawing above was done in the Magic Kingdom a few years back, (thought it’d be nice to share another place Alice calls home).  - Michele

Something for a moment of calm.

A thumbnail drawing of the old Union Square.

By Eddie Peña

Another drawing from the season 4 premiere in Times Square. Few things can compare to the thrill of seeing the fallling man intro from the bottom of a canyon of lit advertisements…

More fun drawing at Long Island Aikikai. Adding the color this time made it more challenging for me…posted by Veronica.

Carousel painting/drawing.

Margaret Hurst

Playgrounds are so much fun to draw!  -Despina

Joe Ades, known as the “Gentleman Peeler” (because of his fine suits and British accent I presume) was a fixture in Union Square Greenmarket where he would sell $5 carrot/potato peelers. Our meeting was a funny one. I sat in front and drew him as he asked me nicely (then not so nicely) to get out of his way, after all he was working and really I was in the way. I’ve always liked the energy in this drawing as, to me, it really feels like I remember him. I drew Mr. Ades back in 2004 and have never forgotten him. As I prepared this post I looked him up and found out that he passed away last year. I’m sure the Greenmarket is not the same without his unique craft and personality. Here is an article from the New York Times about him.

by Greg Betza

As New Yorkers we often think we’re so much “in control”. Yet this week Mother Nature really let be known who’s in charge! Still stunned by how many trees we lost in my neighborhood from the tornado I spent a few minutes in the yard wondering how the birds reacted to the loss. To my surprise as I looked, there were several I had never seen before.

There was this gorgeous male Northern Cardinal and even a pretty busy Hummingbird! It’s probably safe to assume they’re checking out the real estate for a new place to call home.We can only wish them the best. – watercolor by Michele

An ink drawing from the New York City / Times Square premiere for season 4 of Mad Men. This drawing is of two of the female leads, January Jones and Elizabeth Moss, who were at the screening. In the coming weeks I’ll be posting a few more of the drawings I made that evening.

Here is a thumbnail I did of the arched public space in Gaudi’s Park Guell. The design of it felt like sunflowers reaching up to the sky…gorgeous. See the full drawing and a few more from the day on my blog. Posted by Veronica.

I drew the cpdsa skaters again in Central Park.  This time I drew them with two hands.  I’m thinking that that is a more logical and artistic approach to the roller skaters movements and actions.  It felt more comfortable to me than drawing them with one hand; I could accomplish more with two handed drawing than with one handed drawing! You can capture the essence of the body movement more quickly and succinctly.

Used my new PanPastel colors…delightful!

A great way to spend Labor Day!

Margaret

It took all summer, but James finally found the courage to go down the tallest slide in his playground. It’s a spiral! He laughed and laughed every time. Go Jumbo! To see more drawings from that day, click here. Drawing by Despina

I recently spent an afternoon at Turtle Back Zoo with my family. This NJ zoo has been there since 1963 and my parents actually used to take me there when I was a child. It was quite a trip for me to be taking my son there now!

Here is a drawing I made of a cougar relaxing in the shade.

© Greg Betza 2010

Another piece from time spent color’en with water down at the seaport last week. Happy Sunday! -Michele

the

My baby.

Eddie Peña