Tag Archives: cityscape

ARMCHAIR TRAVELS – CHICAGO

Welcome to Armchair Travels, an invitation to travel around the world through the reportage illustration of Studio 1482.We have gathered art from our travels to share with you in the hopes that, while you can’t get out and see these places (yet), our experiences may bring some happiness and light to your day. Please check back often as we will be posting new adventures weekly.

Enjoy Chicago by Greg Betza…

The first drawing I remember making looking down the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

I first visited Chicago back in 2010 or 11, I can’t remember exactly, but what I do remember is that I fell in love with what I saw. Now Chicago is a sprawling area and I only had time to see the “downtown” area, but it was beautiful. Being from New Jersey New York City is my major U.S. city of record, and it is second to none, but Chicago is similar to New York just less crowded, congested, and to my eye, much cleaner (probably due to the almost 6 million! less people than NYC…). The major differentiator though for me is the Chicago River that cuts right through the city.

Chicago River

That was my first visit. What I missed, and a major reason why I came back, was that I did not have the opportunity to spend time drawing the city. In 2013 the opportunity arose when the Workbook announced their Creative Carnivalwould be held there. Fellow Studio 1482 member Dominick Santise and I decided to hit the road and head out to the windy city to attend…and spend a few days drawing!

Cloud gate, better knows as the Chicago Bean

Willis Tower

And draw is what we did. All day. For two guys in their late 30s (at the time) we really got around. Looking back at the drawings I’d think we had bikes, but I assure you we did not.

Trump tower Chicago

Chicago Theater sign

Chicago Theater

The city had a great energy, and for October it was quite comfortable. It was the perfect time to just be out drawing. And what I enjoyed so much about my time there was that the time was just spent drawing, for the love of doing it and nothing more. I picked up whatever materials felt right at the time, played around, made a mess, found something new here and there.

Chicago Theater and passers by

Picasso public sculpture

Rides at Navy Pier

Navy Pier ferris wheel

Chicago is a city full of incredible architecture, attractions, food/drink, and friendly welcoming people. I’ll always remember fondly the time I spent drawing there and the late night meals Dominick and I had to end our long days. A cider for him and a few local craft beers for me, not to be missed!

To see more Armchair Travels from the reportage artists of Studio 1482, please click HERE.

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns | Greg Betza

Downtowns for NJ Monthly

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns | Greg Betza

I was commissioned this summer to work on a reportage assignment for NJ Monthly magazine. Being born and raised in New Jersey it was just that much better to be asked to drive around the state to visit and draw different “landmarks” throughout to help make the case for the best downtowns in New Jersey. I had a great time. Here are the drawings which appeared in the magazine (out now!) and the additional ‘rejected’ pieces that I made as well.

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns Cape May | Greg Betza

Cape May, NJ

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns Montclair | Greg Betza

Church Street, Montclair, NJ

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns Princeton | Greg Betza

Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns Summit Diner | Greg Betza

Summit Diner, Summit, NJ

New Jersey Monthly Downtowns Red Bank | Greg Betza

Waterfront, Red Bank, NJ


These below were unpublished:

Downtown Red Bank, New Jersey | Greg Betza

Downtown Red Bank, NJ

Cape May, New Jersey | Greg Betza

Cape May, NJ

Raymond’s, Montclair, New Jersey | Greg Betza

Raymond’s, Montclair, NJ

Summit Train Station New Jersey | Greg Betza

Summit Train Station, Summit, NJ

Palmer Square Princeton New Jersey | Greg Betza

Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ

Porta Jersey City New Jersey | Greg Betza

Porta, Jersey City, NJ