I had the opportunity to go out drawing in one of my favorite places last week, Bryant Park. In the summertime it overflows with life and is one of the best places for people watching. Here is a panoramic drawing I made while doing just that, and another drawing of a couple sitting near the park’s carousel…and oh yeah, a close-up of the carousel as well.
I spent Friday night at the South Street Seaport watching, listening to and drawing one of my favorite bands, the Wedding Present. It was a free show, and the final act of the 2010 Seaport Music Festival. They began with a few old songs, a few new ones, and then played their 1989 album “Bizarro” in it’s entirety to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary. I actually saw them do the album a few months ago, but I never get sick of hearing it…especially live. Hard to believe I first saw this band in 1994 and this was the first time I’ve ever drawn them. There is so much energy in the music that it just got into me as I drew. I would look down and my leg would be moving without me even knowing it. It was strange, it was great actually.
Anyway, I had a great time and I can’t wait to do it again.
With the completion of the (still to be named) new stadium at the Meadowlands, it is time for the old one to come down. A few days ago, my wife Despina and I took a ride over to reportage the demolition. The remnants of old Giants Stadium lie everywhere as the stadium, now literally cut in half, peers down. I know I’ll never see anything quite like this again. Here are 2 drawings from Thursday. And here is a link to some drawings I made during the construction of the new stadium.
As a footnote, Bon Jovi was also playing that night, and I realized quickly that their greatest hits, sung by New Jersey tailgaters is not exactly the “mood” music I was looking for. But hey, when in NJ…
check back soon for more.
The Communication Arts Illustration Annual is out. I received my copy yesterday and as I reported a few months ago, my reportage series on Times Square has been recognized. I’ve always felt that CA is one of the best publications for illustrators as well as the entire creative industry and it is an honor to be included. Here is a scan of the spread, pick up your copy today, there is some great work in there!
Hello readers. I’m really happy to launch a new, updated version of my blog. It features a new design, more interactivity and ways for us to keep in touch. I hope you’ll stop by often and “like” my work. Here is the drawing I used in my new header.
Ok maybe you haven’t heard of them, but Leatherface is a British punk band that’s been around since 1988. I’ve been a fan since the early nineties and just had the chance to see them last month at the knitting factory in Brooklyn. Though they are quite obscure, the place was sold out and the crowd was alive. It was as if everyone had waited as long as I had to see them. What I find so interesting about Leatherface is that although the music is so hard and so noisy, the lyrics are very delicate. They’re special because of that. I’ve been to hundreds of shows over the years, and this was one of the very best.
I was able to show Frankie (the singer) my drawings after the show. He was a little taken aback. I guess he wasn’t expecting to see drawings of himself, but I do think he liked them!
I had the privilege of attending the Milton Glaser lecture last night at the Society of Illustrators in NY. What struck me most was that I and the members of Studio 1482 approach our work and careers with a very similar philosophy to Mr. Glaser. He spoke about how an artist moves toward failure as a means of achieving success. A series of successive failures leads you on a path to understanding and ultimately success…but then it is time to start that process all over again. Keep moving forward, don’t master something and stop. Hearing those words inside the walls of an institution that promotes 1-style illustrators was quite an interesting juxtaposition of ideologies.
He also spoke of drawing and creating art as the only times when we are truly attentive. Paying attention to something rather than letting it, like life, pass us by. I’ve often thought about how many drawings I’ve made and what that experience is like and how millions of people have never made 1 drawing and never felt that sensation.
Lastly, he spoke of the computer and what it has meant to art and the world in general. What sticks with me is that he said he will always be better on the computer than anyone working now as his “sense of form came about from sources other than the computer.”
It was a great experience listening to someone with his experience and success and his words reminded me very much of words I’ve heard from other very wise people I have known.
drawing of M. Glaser by Greg Betza
