Riding into town earlier this week I got a chance to do a quick study on the subway. This woman’s energy was a little unusual and inviting to draw. With her chin up high and such an interesting portrait I couldn’t resist.

p.s. Happy Birthday Chris!

Drawing by  Michele

Woke this morning to a blanket of snow. The kids were out early taking advantage of it’s fresh start. Me myself? …preferred nothing more than admiring it from inside with a yummy hot chocolate. – Have a warm one, Michele

Simple line drawing (St.Francis of Assisi) shared by Michele

Prayer to live by … the great Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475 – 1564), commonly known as Michelangelo.

Tomorrow is Three Kings Day, or The Epiphany, a Christian holiday that commemorates the biblical story of the three kings—Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. It’s when the three kings (also known as the Wise Men or Magi) followed the bright star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child.

Did you know in Latin America children dress up in king costumes and go door to door in their neighborhoods singing carols in the days leading up to Three Kings Day, and in Argentina sweet wine, fruit, and milk are left outside for the three kings and their camels to enjoy, … Even in France, people eat galette des Rois, or “king cake,” that has a trinket or bean hidden inside of it. The person who receives the piece of cake with the trinket becomes the “king” for the day!

Who wouldn’t want to be king for a day!   Michele .

By the way …. if you have the time, take a quick peak (or browse a little longer) at the new look on our website! It’s pret-ty, pret-ty hot! www.studio1482.com

With all the heightened energy this week and busy-ness the season brings, it’s feels good to take a minute, just hang back and people watch, (with line that is). You might be surprised what you find.

 Happy New Year!

May new opportunity and creative adventures flourish for you in 2012! – Michele

Happy Chanukah! – and the warmest regards for a blessed holiday season, Michele

With December in full swing this brisk sunny Sunday, Ronnie’s post this week inspired thoughts of warm, tempting days gone by for me too. Above is a reportage study for a larger painting project I started in Animal Kingdom. Happy Sunday! – Michele

Above is a small lino-cut I had done at the South Street Seaport titled Point of Entry…into the melting pot.  Thought it was kind of appropriate given the occasion this holiday weekend, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
May the best of life’s offering in this great land we call home fill yours with peace and abundance.

…and for those who might live elsewhere on this big, big planet…may your world be truly kind and generously giving.- Michele

Last night in life drawing class (in Brooklyn at the Dalvero Academy)  Veronica gave a brief lecture on how important it is to take the time to observe when you draw…to observe the figure closely, the body language presented and the energy surrounding it.  She shared that each movement is a moment in time and a unique opportunity to see things as you’ve never seen them before.

Well said, it was so much fun! And thank you to the awesome model who pretty uniquely occupied Grand St.

Drawing in oil pastel by Michele 

Nine years ago this week, standing tall right there in front of me…the Sydney Opera House  with it‘s bold and commanding design was undeniably awe inspiring from the outside and just as magnificent from within (considering the untouchable talent that’s passed through it’s gate). If you haven’t been there, I insist! A MUST SEE on your bucket list. What an experience!

Above is a page from my sketchbook with a few ‘on the spot’ poster designs - Michele

 Thought it’d be fun to share one of my favorite “on the spots”…this was a quick study of a resident ostrich I tried to capture on paper a few years back while staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  

Graphite pencil on paper by Michele Bedigian

You know I once had a teacher who said for each day you don’t study your craft you lose the ability to call yourself “an artist” and fall into the category of “I once was”. 

The Dalvero Academy is hosting a fall series of life drawing sessions. So it feels really good to say, “Here I am today … an artist completely embracing every ounce of study it brings”. Below is a drawing from last weeks class. 

Charcoal on paper by Michele Bedigian

The Metropolitan Museum of Art … is a tree of life to the worlds greatest art. It’s my church, my schoolyard, my home away from home. Just 20 minutes from the house there’s no better place to be – Michele

 Another portrait from a golden day at Mystic Seaport this past spring. While that good ol’ salt of the earth kinda guy I shared with you last week tended his dogwatch singing those beautiful shanty tales he was accompanied by a seamstress who (like I) couldn’t get enough of the treasured moment, Michele

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

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

A long acquainted sister to Mystic’s busy shore .    It is early Sunday,     here        in Newport, Rhode Island.              Ah, the crisp morning air feels so good as I’m graced by the essence of fresh coffee and warm fudge being prepared for the day’s sales.           The familiar is genuinely comforting.                       I draw, but am not alone, as the spirited folk who tiptoe by whisper greetings of “mornin’ … mornin’ to ya”    (ever socareful not to waken the weary).                   The crumbled sound of the morning paper rustles about. The bells toll for first service.                    So it is most Sunday’s in Newport – generously simple.

(To see more drawings from my recent visit to Newport, click HERE )

Two days after the rains have passed the sun is shining, the birds singing, all thanking God. For it really could have been worse here in the city. This is a thumbnail I had done a few years back illustrating Noah’s Ark the day after the flood…figured it might be worth pulling out again. Hope all is well. – Michele

Sorry about the delay in posting this morning. It was one of those mornings where I knew there was something I misplaced in my head. It wasn’t too long before I realized it was Time!!

Above is a thumbnail I recently did in preparation for a fiber art piece I’m working on. It’s for an upcoming group show at Mystic Seaport this coming spring.Will keep you posted on the progress. Enjoy the week! – Michele