PJ's Studio: 2024

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Upper West Side Tulip Festival

Edward saw some publicity for a tulip festival on the Upper West Side, so we decided to check it out.

It is in the West Side Community Garden at 123 West 89^th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam.

It is a delightful collection of tulips

– every bit as beautiful and varied as those at the botanical gardens.

Those places tend to put each variety in clumps by itself. Sometimes, they did that here too.

But, they also did far more mixing of varieties, which was particularly nice to look at.

The garden has several levels with walkways and benches so you can really get in close to enjoy and photograph the flowers.

No bunny sightings though.

Photographers abounded – even Edward got in on the action.

The festival runs as long as the tulips last. I would suggest you head over soon.

Here are some other tulip blogs…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/05/tulips-6.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2015/05/tulips-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/10/tulips-5.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/07/tulips-4.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2016/09/tulips-3.html

Cheers!

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Central Park - 4/9/24

When the temperature hit the 70’s on Tuesday, everyone who could headed to Central Park to play.

I was one of the lucky ones. 😊

The Yoshino Cherry trees on Pilgrim Hill were peaking. And they were truly stunning.

Given their convenient location at 5^th Avenue and 72^nd Street they were also very popular.

A photo including the statue is of course mandatory when visiting.

Picnicking is optional.

At Bethesda Fountain magnolias and forsythia were blooming -

and artists were doing their thing.

This bridal couple really lucked out.

Central Park is the best.

Here are some other blogs featuring spring in Central Park…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2015/04/white-magnolias-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-perfect-spring-day-in-central-park.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2021/04/41121-spring-in-central-park-2021.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/04/central-park-42719.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/04/central-park-4123.html

Enjoy!

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Collaboration with Tim #38: Book Cover

Typically, my collaborations with Tim begin when I post a photo on my Instagram feed or blog that captures his attention. He then reaches out to request a jpeg and does his magic with it.

This time it was different. I was writing a new book about communications entitled: “Speak First. Repeat Often. Don’t worry too much about the truth.”

I thought the chaos of Times Square – where multiple forms of communication are competing for attention would be an appropriate visual for the subject. I asked Tim if he would be game and when he said he was, I sent him this photo.

He did his thing and provided me with a most awesome piece of art. (Did I mention that ink with a watercolor wash is my favorite medium?)

And it was perfect on the book cover too.

Here are some of our previous collaborations…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2020/10/collaborating-with-tim-9-keep-moving.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2021/09/collaborating-with-tim-16-view-from.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/09/collaborating-with-tim-2-times-square.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2021/02/collaborating-with-tim-12-midtown.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/12/collaborating-with-tim-4-kiddie-chain.html

You can also follow us on Instagram at @pjlehrer and @timbaynes.

Cheers!

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Japanese Camellias

These photos of Japanese Camellias are from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

They are early bloomers

– opening from January to March

– so I always check them out when I visit the early blooming cherry trees.

Not surprisingly, given their looks, they are often referred to as winter roses.

Despite their name, Japanese Camellias are native to China, not Japan, and they can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960-1274.)

While they may grow in the wild in China, they are happy in many places.

Most notably Verbania, Italy on Lake Maggiore, where they have bloomed for over 200 years, and attract over a million visitors a year.

The Camellias at Brooklyn Botanic Garden are also lake side.

But these are in a sidewalk garden on 74^th Street. And they are fabulous too. 😊

Here are some spring flower blogs…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/04/cherry-blossoms.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/03/pink-magnolias.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/03/white-magnolias.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/04/dark-pink-magnolias.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2016/11/crabapples.html

Cheers!

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Embroidery: Empire State Building Butterfly

This entry in the butterfly series features a photo of the Empire State Building at sunset.

It was taken from the roof of a tall building on 43^rd street during NYC’s snowiest winter ever – 1995/96. It was freezing on the roof at sundown, but I had my long undies on and was fortified with some oyster stew from the nearby Oyster Bar. 😊