The Disney film Encanto is pretty big in our house and, for some reason, Chronicle Books has decided to release the big art book, The Art of Encanto for free online. So I thought I’d share it.
Art of Encanto
Category: Art
Who are your favorite artists?
“What is art?”
“I can’t explain it, but I know it when I see it.”
It’s an old joke, to be sure, but it’s kinda true, especially for me. I know very little about art, especially intrinsically. What I mean is that everything I do know, I’ve had to seek out and learn on my own. I have no built-in sense of the technicalities of art beyond the most basics. I think this is partially true because I have no artistic abilities, pretty much at all. When I was directing my short film some 25 years ago, I tried my hand at doing storyboards and they ended up looking like anemic stick figures. Even longer ago than that, I tried to teach myself special effects make-up* (thanks to Tom Savini’s seminal books) and was so excited when the sculpture that took me days to finish looked vaguely like a cat person (which, to be clear, was actually my goal). Continue reading “Who are your favorite artists?”
What is one of the best photographs you’ve ever taken?
Photography has changed quite a bit since I was a kid, so the exploration of today’s question, about the best photograph I’ve ever taken, feels like it’s going to be a bit roundabout and circumspect. I mean, first off, we have to talk about the word “best” don’t we? What does that even mean? “Best” according to whom? Continue reading “What is one of the best photographs you’ve ever taken?”
Bowie on Art and the Internet
On Maps and Knowing Where Things Are
I really love maps. They’re great for showing all sorts of really cool data about any number of things. And doing it in a way which makes it easy to read and understand. Like this one here, next to what you’re reading, it’s a map of New York City, showing the homes/working areas of a number of top superheroes.
Starlog!
Growing up, my passion for film, filmmaking, and science fiction was spurred, pretty much, by one magazine – Starlog. I used to get it all the time, especially if the cover was about a film/TV show I was either desperate to see or one I had seen and was obsessing over.
Today, I discovered the Starlog Archive online. Can’t wait for a break in my daily work so I can dive in and read some of the original thoughts on films long since sequalized, lionized, disregarded, and remade.
Alpha-Numeric
This just might be my next tattoo.
A David Bowie Graphic Songbook
Try Some, Buy Some?
For some reason, maybe it’s because I miss being visually creative or because I wanted to see some of these things in the world, who knows? But what’s happened is that I’ve come up with some products, thanks to some amazing designers, and made a little shop to sell them.
Now, this isn’t some plan to get rich or anything like that (yes, I do make a little bit, but really that’s just for Monki’s college fund) but more just for me to have some design fun and share things. So if you see something you like, pick it up. If there’s something you want, let me know.
Enjoy!
The Archaeologist, A Unique Gin Bottled and Infused With Vintage Harley Davidson Motorcycle Parts
In Poppe Culture, my mystery novel about Skids Poppe, ex-motorcycle gang member turned journalist who solves crimes, I created a drink named after the erstwhile main character: Continue reading “The Archaeologist, A Unique Gin Bottled and Infused With Vintage Harley Davidson Motorcycle Parts”
…Assemble!
Sara Berman’s Closet
This month, in David Magazine, I take a look at Sara Berman’s Closet.
It’s an interesting piece, showing the specialness of the average person, which calls to mind the great quote from Doctor Who – “In 900 years of time and space, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important.”
The Great Tomsoni – 1934-2019
On March 9, 2019, the art of magic lost a legend. Sure, more people may have seen Penn & Teller or David Copperfield or Criss Angel or Lance Burton, but all of them acknowledged Johnny Thompson as a true master of the field.
I had the pleasure of knowing and spending some time with him when I was living in Las Vegas, and I certainly have my stories to share, but the following words, by people who knew him far better than I, are a perfect tribute.
Rest easy, Great. You did good work. Continue reading “The Great Tomsoni – 1934-2019”
Coffee and Rain, Postcards and Plays
March 12 &13, 2019
Tuesday was my last full day and I had only made one plan for the afternoon to meet a friend and Lin had tickets for me to see a show that night, so I figured this was a day on my own. I was up and out of the house before Lin knew I was gone.
I had arranged to meet my friend Ian near the South Kensington station so I headed that way. I found a place just outside the station called Muriel’s and treated myself to a “Little English” breakfast while I wrote out a few postcards and watched the rain fall outside. This is what my vacation was all about. I wasn’t rushing around to see stuff and take in all the sights and wonders of a new place, instead I was just relaxing, watching the world go by. It was wonderful. Continue reading “Coffee and Rain, Postcards and Plays”
Spirits and Giant Squids,Geeks and Shipwrecks
March 11, 2019
Monday morning started off too early for Lin. Naturally, the hazards of living with a small child and having to get up early on a daily basis means no matter what time I go to bed, I get up at what, for some people, is an unreasonable hour. But being the trooper (trouper?) she is, she was up before 9am and ran out to the local bakery to get some fresh bread then fixed us both some eggs (Gordon Ramsey recipe and it was skanu!) and toast for breakfast. Continue reading “Spirits and Giant Squids,Geeks and Shipwrecks”
Getting the Hang of Thursdays 