The A-Team: A Camp Classic Transformed into a Summer Cinema Thrill Ride

June 21, 2015 | Posted in ACTION/ADVENTURE, CULT TV | By

The A-Team movie

After over a decade of rumors, failed scripts and other production woes, an A-Team movie finally hit the big screen on June 11, 2010, just in time for the summer movie season to kick into high gear…

Read More →

The Rudest Thing that I Have Ever Experienced as an Artist

June 19, 2015 | Posted in ART BUSINESS, CONVENTIONS | By

Portrait of Jack and Daniel from Stargate SG-1.

Artists quickly learn that they need to develop a thick skin in order to make it in their chosen field. Teachers and mentors—at least the good ones—will give their students honest, if sometimes brutal, feedback on their artwork. Critics can be merciless…and the general public even more so…

Read More →

Don’t Call Me a Groupie

June 19, 2015 | Posted in CULTURE & HISTORY, MUSIC | By

Fans at a rock concert

The other day, I was en route to New York City with a friend to catch a concert. We were wearing coordinated rock band t-shirts as a bit of an in-joke, and to celebrate the fandom which had first brought us together…

Read More →

The Churches of Rome, Italy: San Pietro in Vincoli

June 19, 2015 | Posted in HISTORIC PLACES, TRADITIONAL ART AND PAINTING | By

Michelangelo's Moses

Rome is one of Italy’s greatest cities, and the wealth of history and art contained within its churches is one of many reasons to visit. San Pietro in Vincoli, known in English as “Saint Peter-in-Chains,” is one such church that should most certainly be seen while in Rome…

Read More →

MasterChef US Season 6 Episode 6 Recap and Review: June 17 2015

June 18, 2015 | Posted in EPISODE RECAPS, REALITY TV | By

Screencapture from the season 6 episode of MasterChef.

So the Top 18 contestants (or are they all there?) have arrived in Las Vegas for their next team challenge. They walk out onto a rooftop and everyone is dressed up for the occasion.

Read More →

The Judge Is A Movie Not To Miss

June 18, 2015 | Posted in CLASSICS, MOVIES | By

The Judge is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. I know it’s been out for awhile – 2014. I think I remember the trailer. And I might have been interested to see it back then.

Read More →

“Chinese Cooking for Diamond Thieves” is a Sparkling Debut Novel

June 17, 2015 | Posted in MYSTERY/THRILLER | By

Chinese Cooking for Diamond Thieves by Dave Lowry.

Generally I am not a huge fan of the mystery genre of fiction. The only mystery novels I tend to really get into are those which are less “whodunnit” and more about exploring a different culture, field of knowledge, or occupation I’d know very little about otherwise…

Read More →

The Band Never Dances by J. D. Landis – Book Review

June 17, 2015 | Posted in YOUNG ADULT | By

"The Band Never Dances" by J. D. Landis.

Judy Valentine has always loved music, and long felt a connection to rhythm, the beat, and the drums. Growing up she is closest to her older brother Jeffrey, whom no one in her family realizes is deeply troubled until he shockingly commits suicide…

Read More →

Why Reproducing Art is an Important Learning Tool for Artists

June 16, 2015 | Posted in TRADITIONAL ART AND PAINTING | By

My reproduction of Lord Frederick Leighton's "Gulnihal".

Many beginning artists scoff at the idea of reproducing other artists’ work, especially when first presented with the idea in an art class or workshop. Of course, most artists become interested in painting because they have their own visions and ideas to share.

Read More →

Who will win MasterChef Season 6?

June 13, 2015 | Posted in REALITY TV | By

MasterChef screen cap

Last season, I thought I would be clever and try to predict who would win MasterChef after only the first episode had aired. Clearly, I was wrong in thinking that Elise Mayfield was being set up to be the plucky, come-from-behind winner as she ended up going down rather quickly…

Read More →