PJ's Studio: 2026

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Macy’s Flower Show

The folks at Macy’s really went all out for this year’s flower show.

Even adding a new twist - crocheted flowers and gardeners. 😊

I’ve attended the yearly show for decades.

I even remember going with my parents back in the 80’s.

But since Covid it has been much less impressive…

until this year that is.

I suspect it’s because they realized that while I may not purchase anything when I visit,

I do post photos of the displays on Instagram and this blog.

And social media posts are the key to successful marketing these days.

The show runs until May 10^th so there’s still time to check it out.

Here’s a blog of Macy’s windows from 2013…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/03/macys-flower-show.html

And a couple from Will Ryman’s exhibit on Park Avenue in 2011…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/02/rose-sculptures-spring-2010.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/03/rose-sculptures-2.html

Happy Spring!

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Galway Illuminated

This month’s piece from the Illuminated Ireland series features a photo of Galway.

It’s a college town full of life and fun. And the oysters were to die for. Here’s the original photo…

The letter “G” drawing…

And the collage.

Another photo of the final version.

Here are links to the other pieces from the Illuminated Ireland series…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2026/01/glendalough-illuminated.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2026/02/kilkea-rose-embroidery.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2026/03/craggaunowen-illuminated.html

And, here are some other previously posted embroideries…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/06/embroidery-wisteria.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/03/fighting-fish-orchids.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2025/01/embroidery-world-trade-center-butterfly.html

Cheers!

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Flowering trees on Park Avenue South

Park Avenue South has a variety of different kinds of flowering trees,

which means the avenue is in bloom for a few weeks each spring.

On this visit I caught a little bit of everything.

But, it’s always a bit tricky photographing there because of the constant stream of traffic.

Still, it is worth it for the money shot. 😉

To provide a bit more incentive to visit,

they have yearly outdoor art shows

This year it’s “Fragile Giants” by Michel Bassompierre.

They’ll be on display until May 11th, so there’s still time to see them.

The flowering trees won’t last that long though.

Here are some previous blogs from spring in Manhattan…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2021/04/spring-flowers-on-ues.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2022/05/park-avenue.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-in-hood.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-in-hood-part-2.html

Cheers!

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Yoshinos at Central Park: 4/4/26

We've had so much warm weather this spring, that the Yoshino cherry trees in Central Park bloomed early.

Needless to say, a trip to the park to check them out was in order.

I went by Park Avenue on the way over, but saw only one blooming tree – so far.

Meanwhile the view of the park from 72^nd and Madison was almost as pretty as it was during the white out in December.

That’s because Olmsted and Vaux had the foresight to plant a bunch of Yoshino cherry trees at the entrance to the park on 5^th Avenue.

I love those guys.

Also blooming were the white magnolias.

At 8 am on a beautiful Saturday morning.

Central Park was definitely the place to be.

Before the park got even more crowded, and the skies clouded up. 😊

Here are some more pics of spring in Central Park…

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

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/03/almost-spring-in-central-park.html

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

Cheers!

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Central Park Okame trees – 3/31/26

When I saw that the forsythia in Central Park was blooming,

I knew it was time to head over to start enjoying spring.

I decided to start the season by going to the Upper West Side to check out the Okame cherry trees.

They bloom from 86^th Street to 96^th Street, across the reservoir from the Guggenheim Museum.

The view of them with the El Dorado in the background is a NYC classic.

Despite groundhog predictions, we’re actually having an early spring.

Some years I have to wear long undies when I photograph spring trees in the park.

This year – t-shirt weather!

But it’s a double-edged sword. Heat means that the flowering trees and spring flowers won’t last long.

Don’t dawdle or you might miss the show!

Here are some previous blogs from spring in Central Park…

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

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/04/central-park-41019.html

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

Cheers!

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Craggaunowen Illuminated

This month’s piece from the Illuminated Ireland series features a photo of a crannog.

People first began building crannogs – dwellings on artificial islands - during the Neolithic period. Crannog ruins in Ireland have been dated 1200 – 600 B.C.

Much to my surprise, I was recently watching a tv show about Scotland and some popped up. As it turns out, they can be found in Wales as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crannog

This reconstruction can be found in Craggaunowen…

https://www.craggaunowen.ie/

Which also has a cute little castle, so it’s well worth a visit.

Here’s the drawing of the illuminated letter C. ( I thought a sea creature would be appropriate.)

And, the photoshop combination ready for printing on linen.

Here’s another photo of the final version.

Here are links to the other pieces from the Illuminated Ireland series…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2026/01/glendalough-illuminated.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2026/02/kilkea-rose-embroidery.html

And, here are some other previously posted embroideries…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/11/embroidery-coral-bouquet.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2024/02/embroidery-chinatown-butterfly.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/06/embroidery-orange-tulips.html

Cheers!