PJ's Studio: 2025

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Pink Magnolias 4

Spring has sprung in NYC.

Despite chilly temperatures, and lots of rain,

this was the week that the early blooming spring trees came to life.

First out of the gate are the pink magnolias.

They are a city favorite.

With good reason.

Beautiful, varied, and always a joy to behold.

Here are some previous blogs of pink magnolias.

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2021/10/magnolias-at-brooklyn-botanic-garden-3.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2020/04/pink-magnolias-2.html

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

I see that in the last one I mentioned the prevention of a housing complex that would overshadow the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I spoke too soon I am afraid.

I recently read that the developer is modifying plans. Sigh.

“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Snowy Street memories

It’s the end of March.

While the month is not exactly “going out like a lamb.” I’m fairly certain that we will not be getting any photo worthy snow falls this season.

Bummer.

We had a few inches here and there, but they were immediately followed by rain so there wasn’t much opportunity to shoot.

It makes me sad.

Especially since so many places had lots of snow. It’s even still snowing in Maine.

Meanwhile though it was 81 in NYC yesterday, so the ship has clearly sailed.

I thought I’d console myself by looking at some pics from seasons past.

NYC really is so pretty when it snows.

Oh well, there’s always next year.

Here are some previous pics of snow in the hood…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-2011-nycs-snowiest-january-ever.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/01/snowy-streets-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2022/01/snow-in-hood.html

Cheers!

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Collaboration with Tim #40: Met Life Building

I took this photo during New York City’s phase one reopening following the Covid pandemic. I was eager to get out of my apartment, but since there was no vaccine yet, public transportation was out, so I walked and took photos – many photos.

I was especially eager to capture this scene as I had never been able to photograph this view of The Met Life Building and Grand Central Station without cars in it. But when I did, I found the result strangely depressing – like something out of a futuristic horror movie. (Several come to mind.)

NYC without people and traffic just isn’t NYC.

Tim’s take is very cheery though. 😊

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/2019/10/collaborating-with-tim-3-guggenheim.html

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

Cheers!

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Ireland 5

As Saint Patrick’s Day approaches my thoughts turn to Ireland.

I read recently that Guinness is experiencing a resurgence in sales. In fact, it is the fastest growing imported beer in the U.S. in this its 266^th year of brewing. (Started 1759.)

Demand has been so high that some pubs in the UK have run out!

Others have been limiting consumption. Oh no!

Apparently, Guinness’s newfound popularity is due to a social media challenge, embraced by celebrities and influencers called “splitting the G.”.

Drinkers gulp their Guinness in the hopes that the horizon between the stout and the foam falls in the middle of the “G” on a branded pint glass.

Hmm. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is more to it than that.

A while back I saw a taxi ad that said : Guinness - 90 Calories.

I was skeptical so I did some research and found that a 9 ounce glass had 90 calories, and a 12 ounce one was only 125 calories. And it’s so much better tasting than a light beer. Wow!

I was so excited about the news that the next time I went out drinking with the gang, I mentioned it – and everyone decided to have one. 😊

Here are some previous Ireland and parade blogs…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/03/erin-go-bragh.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2017/03/ireland-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2022/07/kilkea-castle.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2024/03/ireland-4.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/03/st-patricks-day-2018.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/03/nyc-st-patricks-day-parade-2023.html

Erin Go Brah!

Sunday, March 9, 2025

The Met: European Paintings 1300-1800

In 2018, The Met began renovations to their European painting galleries. The skylights had deteriorated and needed to be replaced.

The galleries reopened in late 2023. Clearly, while they replaced the skylights, they decided to make a few more changes.

They rearranged the art to consolidate works by individual artists, and added a few pieces that they hadn’t shown previously.

I’m not sure that they were all “view” worthy. Most particularly this Botticelli. While it’s nice that the Met owns one, the fact that they hung it in a corner suggests that they too knew it wasn’t up to their usual standards.

There was also an entirely new room devoted to Meso-American art – all new to me. Stylistically very different from the other works in the section – undoubtedly due to the influence of indigenous peoples.

I noticed right away that some of the Caravaggios were missing – off to Palazzo Barberini in Rome for the Jubilee celebration.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/arts/design/caravaggio-palazzo-barberini.html

But, not surprisingly, they didn’t loan out their best one – The Denial of Saint Peter.

It attracted viewers as well as copyists.

But my favorite thing about the reimaging was that they brought in some modern pieces that were inspired by the European masters. So, we got to see how Picasso was influenced by El Greco.