On the New York City subway. —Dominick

Drawing I made of a man as he spoke.

Eddie Peña

These two lovely New York ladies maintained their stoically upright posture for over 100 blocks. It’s amazing what years of unwanted attention can do…

While my students are working at the Museum of Natural History, I entertain myself by drawing faces of people in the cafeteria. I swear that guy’s hair was out that far in front of his head.

Posted by Veronica Lawlor.

A watercolor of some flowers and lilies and water…

Margaret Hurst

So, I have had this tube of lip gloss for about 7 years now. I don’t know why I never throw it out. It’s always had an overpowering perfume smell that I could never stomach to place on my lips. It’s soft felt tip reminded me of a marker, so I decided to ‘waste not want not’ and made a few drawings. It was difficult to manipulate the gunky, glittery stuff but I tried to coax some drawings out. On the bright side my drawings have never smelled so good. -Despina

This colored pencil drawing was made inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden. Have a visit this weekend, it’s wonderful.

drawing by Greg Betza

Old beliefs have long been associated with this spice. Did you know in Germany it is said that if a bride sews mustard seeds into her wedding gown, she can be sure of “wearing the pants” in her family? … hmmm, worth a look…

Two places as different as Denmark and India illustrate even another tradition; They say that evil spirits can be kept out of a house if mustard seeds are strewn around it. … who knew?

The mighty mustard seed_watercolor and cut paper by Michele

One day we will think back, having forgotten all of the little noises you made, and remember the little pffff. —Dominick

The entire time these two were seated across from me I was worried they would realize I was drawing them and  would want to see the sketch (mostly because it looked EXACTLY like them, and I was not sure how enthusiastic they would be about that). Thankfully their interest remained focussed on each other.

I made this drawing under water, while snorkeling with Neil in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Happy times!

Posted by Veronica

So, this is another of the articles on the Journal of Empire Studies. This one is entitled, “James Joyce and the Consumption of Empire” by Lynn Bongiovanni.  What a great piece of writing on the Irish author, James Joyce! Another fun and challenging illustration!

Margaret Hurst

from the garden. -Despina

This watercolor study was painted at the New York Botanical Garden. The gardens are one of my favorite places to work, a place where you can sit peacefully, surrounded by beauty. Have a great weekend.

by Greg Betza

Above is a study I had done on location in the Morocco pavilion in Epcot a year or two back. While digging in the archive I read a few of the architectural details describing the building process and discovered something really cool! King Hassan II actually sent Moroccan artisans to Disney to design and create the many mosaics. (Also did you know, due to Islamic religious beliefs on the content of art, the mosaics contain no representations of people?) 

It really is a gorgeous pavilion. If you can’t get to Morocco firsthand, it very well could be the next best thing.

Drawing in pen and ink by Michele

—Dominick

As a child I loved drawing comic book characters.  I have begun to evolve all my old characters and create a universe of my own based on them.

The drawing above is a character I created in 1987, obviously influenced by Marvel comics. The middle version was created in 1992 and the right figure was recently finished.  I’ll keep you posted.

Eddie Peña

This is a drawing of the extremely enthusiastic  audience at the  Reggie Watts show at Summerstage in Central Park. This fan made sure to wave TWO lighters for “lighter song”, a hilarious ballad about how lit up cellphones are a poor substitute for lighters at concerts.

Only ten years ago – a lifetime, really – two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City and  changed the lives of everyone who lived there. The events of September 11, 2001 have had a profound effect upon the United States and by extension, world events. But I will always remember the effect that day had on my fellow New Yorkers. Some of us had great personal sacrifices to endure, others were affected in less heartbreaking ways. But we were all changed by the day.

When the Dutch built a fort in New Amsterdam, they chose the southern tip of what is now Manhattan for it’s strategic location, easily defended. We who live in Manhattan have always felt that same feeling of safety and protection on our little island. Even now, some criticize Mayor Bloomberg for having been overly cautious with safety measures during Hurricane Irene. We have faith that our tall buildings and iron fortresses can’t be breached.

But on that beautiful sunny morning in September, our confidence in our city was shattered. The twin towers – those landmarks by which every lost New Yorker could orient themselves – had fallen, and with them, our spirit. But I am proud of my city and how she has fought her way back. I can’t wait to see the completion of the new tower at the trade center site that will reach up to the sky with hope and confidence. And I also look forward to visit the memorial to the fallen and take a moment to remember all those beautiful people we lost that day.

The drawing above was made the morning of September 11th, 2001, on lower Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. My fellow New Yorkers trying to believe what their eyes and ears were telling them.

Posted by Veronica Lawlor.

Visit September 11th Words and Pictures to purchase the memorial book of drawings from 9/11. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation in honor of Carl Bedigian.

This is another in the series of illustrations created for the Journal of Empire Studies.  This article is about women writers and literature.

Margaret Hurst