Arts in the Family: A Family of Artists Just Trying to Make a Living in the Wilds of Texas
pages
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday Morning Matinee- Mario the Magician
This is a short film about a very inspiring fellow...a magician from New York City who reminds me of why I love to entertain, to perform- especially for children. It's all about the magic. I hope you enjoy it.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Saturday Night Doodles
"The Deadly Years" was the Star Trek episode of the evening where a landing party, after having beamed down to Gamma Hydra IV, begin to rapidly age. It's determined that a comet that passed by the planet may be responsible for hyper-aging effect on the landing party.
It's been a while since I've posted one of these. In fact, it may have been in August when I last did so. Tonight's entertainment consisted of the usual, fun lineup of sci fi, fantasy and horror as presented by MeTv.
Batman is one of my favorite shows and since it starts off our evening it generally takes up a good part of the sketch. The episode was a third season two part cliff hanger of sorts starring Cliff Robertson as Shane. The dynamic duo is aided by Batgirl played by Yvonne Craig. All in all a very fun hour spent in Gotham. Lost in Space had the Robinson's on trail for violating the laws of the galaxy and brought to another planet to face their accusers. It was a clip episode that used footage from season 1 (memories from the Jupiter 2's crew) as evidence in the trial. Jonathan Harris was fun as always as Dr. Smith.
The evening's drawing session ended with Svengoolie and "Abbot and Costello Meet the Invisible Man". After the movie ended the kids stayed up to watch an episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea titled "The Monster from Space". The title says it all. Just a fun filled sci fi hour Irwin Allen style!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
My Puppet Family is Growing!
These are two very neat marionettes I bought from a very good friend who is a wonderful puppeteer and ventriloquist who goes by the name of Mr. Puppet. He used to live in Texas but now calls Ohio home. I still keep in touch and every now and then he'll tempt me with one his marionettes which I inevitably buy and use in my variety show. Thanks for these wonderful puppets Mr. Puppet!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday Morning Matinee Evening Edition- The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
The Star Wars Holiday Special by FilmGeek-TV
(Boy! Things are kinda topsy-turvy here at Rancho Ramirez so we've decided to do a switch-aroo with our Sunday lineup as you can see.)
Another year has flown by, kids! We know that because it is Happy Life Day. We here at Rancho Ramirez would like to celebrate it with our annual sharing of this classic holiday special from way back when in the 1970's! So sit back, kids and enjoy a little sojourn into the distant t.v. past!
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/The_Star_Wars_Holiday_Special
Friday, November 15, 2013
Next Week For Doc Ed
Next week I'll be edu-taining the kiddoes at Woodridge Elementary School and Hernandez Elementary School. The year isn't over! Call 222-2204 for a free Doc Ed show courtesy of the Edwards Aquifer Authority!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Snow Queen Tidbit
The San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet is producing "The Snow Queen" again and it opens tomorrow evening. Pammy will play a part in the show and I did a little bit of emergency surgery on the sled. Nothing major. The repairs were brief and the patient is doing fine!
The Snow Queen runs from Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10 at the Jo Long Theatre.
Doc Edwards at Collins Garden Elementary School
A very nice email comment about a Doc Edwards show I did earlier this week:
"Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooo much for coming today! The presentation was AWESOME!! the kids really enjoyed it! They wanted to know if we could take a field trip to the aquifer!! I didn't get a chance to say goodbye because I got called for a meeting but I wanted to thank you and let you know that we really appreciated you coming!! THANK YOU!"- Collins Garden Elementary School Teacher
Thank you. It makes me feel good.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
1993 RBBBC Clown College Graduation Show Memories
Jan and I having the best time in "The Fish Gutting Gag". |
I was in several gags for the graduation show presented to Mr. Kenneth Feld and family way back in 1993. When I think back to this, the infamous "Fish Gutting Gag" conceived by the gag director Jay Stewart, I remember that the gag mayhem, which included an octopus attaching itself to my face, ended with my head being dunked into the fish.
Inside the fish, we'd placed a bucket full of green, sloshy, frothy soap made to look even more disgusting by the addition of mop hair strands to simulate fish guts. At the end of the dunking and flailing, all of my clown makeup (which at the time took me 15 minutes to apply) was gone: wiped clean from my kisser at the end of the three minutes that the gag ran.
Afterward, I hurried backstage to my dressing area to quickly re-apply my makeup. It was a race to get it finished and then get into my next gag costume before I had to go out again. I think I had six minutes from the time I left the floor to the cue for my entrance.
One evening, as I was about to reapply my makeup, the lights went out! And for what seemed like an eternity, the lights remained off as I as quickly panicked. Then just a quickly as they went off, the lights magically came on again. The "Fish Gutting Gag". It was crazy AND fun.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Staff Car
For the last month, my wife has been in the middle of rehearsals directing "Staff Car", a reader's theatre presentation of a collection of short stories by Karl Am Rhein, a Green Berets Captain during the Viet Nam War. The stories relate his family's experiences in the military from World War I to present day.
This is the third time in the last ten years we've produced the show. The first time was at Our Lady of the Lake here in San Antonio, then at the Salado Silver Spur Theater in Salado, Texas and now in Seguin.
It's a one man show performed by Griffen Darklighter of Seguin and will be presented at the Aumont Hotel in Seguin,Texas. It opens this Friday and we hope you can join us.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Arriba Arte Facebook Page
We've got a Facebook page set up for all the fun work we do as Arriba Arte Studios. The link for it is below. We're also in the process of setting up the webpage as well. Stay tuned for more updates on our webpage!
https://www.facebook.com/ArribaArteStudios?ref=hl
Strolling Entertainment
My little "backstage" corner away from the public eye at yesterday's gig at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. 8 hours of strolling entertainment consisting of marionette puppetry, magic, clowning and balloons for a special event there that had a huge crowd in attendance.
Doc Ed Wants to Visit Your School!
Doc Edwards (Alberto Ramirez Jr.) at Carvajal Early Childhood Education Center last month. |
The year is slowly wrapping up but there's still plenty of time to book your next "free" Doc Ed show. Shows are available for pre-k to 5th grade students for your school, public library or educational event! Along with the with every show, free educational materials are provided for the students.
Just call the Edwards Aquifer Authority at 222-2204 to schedule a fun, entertaining, educational Doc Ed show. See you soon!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Dia de los Muertos
Tomorrow is el Dia de los Muertos when we remember those loved ones who have passed on. I'll be setting up the alter soon and putting out the treats my beloved family members enjoyed in life.
I thought this student film (below) from the Ringling School of Art and Design was wonderful in showing what Dia de los Muertos is all about and thought I'd post it here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
I thought this student film (below) from the Ringling School of Art and Design was wonderful in showing what Dia de los Muertos is all about and thought I'd post it here. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Poltergiest Trivia
Below is a link to the i09 website with an article about my favorite scary film: Poltergeist!
http://io9.com/13-things-you-didnt-know-about-poltergeist-1454934341?utm_campaign=socialflow_io9_facebook&utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Zombie Makeover
Pammy and I made up a friend for a Zombie Walk they had this weekend in downtown San Antonio. Are zombie walks pretty popular? Probably! It was a fun afternoon for us and our friend as well. More pics later. Bedtime now. Night, night.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Esther Perez Carvajal Early Childhood Education Center
I spent the better part of last Friday morning as Doc Ed, edu-taining the pre-k and kindergarteners at Esther Perez Carvajal Early Childhood Education Center on the westside of San Antonio.
It's a wonderful school right in the heart of a westside neighborhood catering to the needs of the youngest of students. The children that I had the pleasure of meeting that day were very enthusiastic, full of smiles and laughter and very well informed on water conservation thanks to the staff and faculty.
I had one group of entirely Spanish-speaking children who were a joy to educate and entertain. I'm not a master of Spanish language so I was a little nervous. But thanks to a lot of rehearsing and a great audience, it went very well and the kids had fun. That group seemed to be the youngest of the three I had that day.
I had such a fun time and I hope I can return there someday.
Below is a link to some interesting facts about the school's namesake.
http://drtlibrary.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/san-antonio-high-school-class-of-1898/
Esther Perez Carvajal. 1898.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday Morning Matinee- The Making of Mad Monster Party (19 )
Halloween is right around the corner! I love this time of year so much so starting today I'll be posting a variety of Halloween related material. Rankin Bass has always produced some of the best and most memorable holiday classics for most every holiday.
I love Mad Monster Party because it combines monsters, stop motion animation and comedy in one package. In his documentary we get a glimpse of the creation of this wonderful film.
Below is a link with more info on this gem.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Monster_Party%3F
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Face Painting Fun
It's always a good idea to have a Ninja Turtle on hand! |
I did a some face painting last weekend and it was a lot of fun. I've done face apintnig countless times in the past. In the last few years I been neglecting it but no more! I'm back in the face painting saddle!
I did a several dragons, ninja turtles, unicorns (always popular), balloons, rainbows, lions, cats, Pac Mans, and a couple of full face, face paintings.
I particularly enjoy doing the paintings on their hands because they watch as the painting develops and it's neat to see the look on their face as it all comes together. Fun stuff!
The ever popular and fashionable unicorn! |
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Zapata Rides Again
The prints are ready ! They up for sale. If your interested please drop me a line. I'll be setting up a "store" of sorts soon as well.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Doc Edwards on the Go!
This month so far, I've done Doc Ed shows for elementary school students from kindergarten to fifth grade at Knowlton Elementary, Hardberger Park, Bowden Elementary and St. Matthews Catholic School.
In the following weeks you can find me at Coronado Village Elementary, Inez Foster Elementary, The Northside Environmental Fair at the Texas Research Park (for two days!) and Carvajal Elementary.
If you'd like me to come to your school, call the Edwards Aquifer Authority at 222-2204 to arrange a Doc Ed show for your school, library or educational event. It's fun, educational AND it's free!!
Monday, October 7, 2013
Workin' It
Things at Rancho Ramirez are looking good! The Zapata Chronicles prints are done. The next step is to sell them. Pammy is directing Staff Car which is a one person show based on the short stories written by her father Karl Amrhein about several generations of his family in the military. She'll also be appearing in the Snow Queen next month for the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet! This Sunday I'll be attending the next SALTA meeting to discuss the proposed theatre festival. More on that soon!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
La Carpa Garcia Photos
Here's a before and after shot of the set for the play "La Carpa Garcia". Pictured below is the stage full of music, memories and magic.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Curtain Closes on La Carpa Garcia
La Carpa Garcia finished it's run this weekend at SaySi this weekend to another great house! What a wonderful experience. The ALAS Youth Theatre Company cast members did so well throughout the run. And I was more than a little pleased about a the love and care that went into making this a great show. The research about the Carpa and the Garcia family was detailed and that attention to detail carried over into the script beautifully. The set was impressive too as were the costumes. It was a fine theatrical presentation overall !
Yours truly as the elderly Don Fito. |
I was also a great deal of fun playing the role of the elderly Rodolfo "Don Fito" Garcia. Even old age and illness could dampen his clown spirit. It was a real honor playing him. It's not often one gets a role that brings a bit of Mexican American history that is little known to life.
Rodlfo Garcia as "Don Fito: El Vato Suave! |
For more on the Carpa Garcia and Mexican Circuses go to the links below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpa_Garcia
http://users.marshall.edu/~brooks/La-Carpa-Garcia.htm
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/pqmsq
Doc Ed is Busy!
One of the best times I've had in the last six years playing Doc Edwards: Aquifer Explorer, was at Nichols Elementary School. I'd go back there in the blink of an eye!
September was a pretty busy month for me as my alter-ego Doc Ed. In fact, it was the busiest September I've had in the 6 years I've been good ol' Doc Ed: Aquifer Explorer with a total of 17 shows for the month. Not bad considering September is generally a slow month as schools around town are just getting into the groove. October appears to be just as busy with at least 16 shows slated for the month and we've just started the month! Wow!!
Below is my schedule for the month thus far:
10-4 Knowlton Elementary School
10-5 Hardberger Park
10-9 Bowden Elementary School
10-18 Coronado Village Elementary School
10-22 Inez Foster Elementary School
10-25 Carvajal Elementary School
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
A Question for Writers or English Majors
So is it 'dived"or "dove"? I think both are used but which is the correct one? "Dove" feels right but does that make it right? Oy!
Under the Carpa
SAY SÃ's ALAS Youth Theatre Company will be staging an original work about the Carpa Garcia, a Mexican American traveling circus that was based in San Antonio and presented traditional circus acts, music, comedy and dancing. The Garcia family toured from 1914 to 1947.
I'm one of two guest artists who are part of the cast. Never been referred to as guest artist before. I'll be playing the part of the elderly Rodolfo Garcia who was the comic character of Don Fito for the show. It's a challenging part for me because I'll be playing an 87 year-old wheel chair bound man. But it's also a part I can relate to very much. His art, clowning was his life as it is for me. It's what gives me the most satisfaction as an artist. Pammy has been helping me run lines all week. The show opens this weekend. I hope you can make it.
For more info on the Carpa Garcia go to the Wiki link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpa_Garcia
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Friday Roundup
The week is over. We needed the break! I've been rehearsing the new Doc Ed show for the Edwards Aquifer Authority featuring Karston the Texas Blind Salamander. I did the show for the first time this morning for a group of 200 kindergarteners and 1st graders and it went very well. It still needs some tweeking but that's to be expected with a new show.
Pammy is directing "Staff Car" a readers theatre performance based on a collection short stories written by her father about several generations of his family's experience in the military going as far back as World War I. The show will open in early November.
My "Zapata Chronicles" print will be ready late next week and shortly thereafter be available for purchase. I'll be checking out the proofs early next week.
It was a good week but now we're looking forward to a good weekend. Goodnight!
Pammy is directing "Staff Car" a readers theatre performance based on a collection short stories written by her father about several generations of his family's experience in the military going as far back as World War I. The show will open in early November.
My "Zapata Chronicles" print will be ready late next week and shortly thereafter be available for purchase. I'll be checking out the proofs early next week.
It was a good week but now we're looking forward to a good weekend. Goodnight!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Chuck E. Cheese
When Pammy and I lived in Dallas we did a lot of clowning and sometimes it got us the most interesting jobs. One of those unique experiences was doing a video shoot for Chuck E. Cheese back in 1997 or was 1998? The shoot consisted of us doing a couple of clown gags, juggling and playing with the technology as it existed back then. Lots of fun
The video was played at their restaurants on the monitors they have set up providing extra entertainment for the kids as they waited for a party to start or for Chuck E. Cheese to make his entrance. Last we heard it was still being played in the mid 2000's in Houston. If you happen to see a couple of clowns at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant, they might be us!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Urban Ecology Center
Hi everyone. Your favorite aquifer explorer and my alter ego, Doc Ed, will be at the grand opening of the Urban Ecology Center located at the Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy. For more info on the event go to the link below.
http://www.philhardbergerpark.org/events/item/345-urban-ecology-center-opening
I'll be set up at the Edwards Aquifer Authority booth so stop by and say hi. I hope to see you there!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Manhattan Marionettes
This is an interesting documentary in the works called "Manhattan Marionettes" being produced and directed by Michael J. Meindl. It'll explore the history of puppetry in New York City and will include a multitude of puppeteers and puppet theatre companies both past and present. Sounds like a worthwhile project. For more info go to the link below.
http://www.rockethub.com/31698
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Silver Leaves
I've got another illustration which will be included in issue #5 of the Silver Leaves Journal. It's them is "The Hobbit" and my illustration depicts the moment Bilbo meets Gollum in the heart of the Misty Mountains. More on that later.
Friday, August 30, 2013
A Very Special Place
This is a wonderful documentary film about the performance hall of Mountainview College in Dallas, Texas, where Pammy spent a good deal of her time as she attended their Performing Arts, Musical Theatre Conservatory (PAMTC).
It's a very special place. Some of our most cherished memories came from our time spent on that stage. My other favorite place was just outside by the dressing rooms, where the some of the actors went to smoke and shoot the breeze during rehearsal breaks or at intermission during a play's run.
Pammy (on the right) as Calpurnia in Julius Caesar. |
Pammy appeared in many of their plays playing a variety of roles. I had the pleasure of being in some of their children's plays. Most, if not all
There's footage of "Cereal Box Submarine" (about midway through the film 6:41-6:50) where Pammy and I were pirates. If you see pirates in black and white striped shirts, it was probably Pam and I. In a long shot, you can see me doing a 108 (pratfall) during the climactic fight sequence of the play. Pammy and I did a lot of slapstick for that play which we both loved to do.
But we also worked behind the scenes helping with props and set construction or running sound and lights. We loved doing it all because we loved the people and the place so much.
Pammy and I as pirates, with our dear friend and neighbor Louise Stovall . |
I think of all the theaters we've worked in over the years, that was the best in terms of...well, everything. They never did less than 100%. From the actors to the crew, they were all outstanding. Plus you always felt the sense of fun and love for what they did and it was infectious. Whatever circumstances or magic that created such a wonderful setting we found over time was very unique. The few years we spent there were so much fun.
We both miss the people and that place very much.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Before and After
Here's a sketch of Karston on the left and how it looks like as the finished product. In the conceptual stage we simply called him Sammy (because he's a salamander. Cute.) but we wanted a better name so I suggested a contest over at their Facebook page asking the public to create his name. I'd say it worked out really well!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Doc is Back in the Saddle!
I can't believe summer is almost over! But the good thing is we're that much closer to Halloween! Plus, pretty soon, I'll be going to schools all over the San Antonio area and the surrounding counties to entertain and educate the kids as Doc Ed: Aquifer Explorer! I'm ready to go. Should be a very good year for Doc Ed as he'll be joined by Karston the Texas Blind Salamander more often.
I'm also two months shy of six years since I started performing as Doc Ed. In that time my wife and I have written several show for the Edwards Aquifer Authority's favorite aquifer explorer. By the time September rolls around we'll have written our fourth show for them which will feature Karston the Texas Blind Salamander.
In those six years I've learned quite a bit about educational styled entertainment. But the most valuable thing I discovered is that the skills I've developed as a clown over the last twenty four years, work quite well in the world of educational entertainment, specifically as Doc Ed. I use a variety of physical comedy bits at times, magic, puppetry and verbal humor to make an educational experience enjoyable and perhaps if they have fun watching me inject a little silliness into science education, they might be more inclined to want to learn more about that subject long after I've gone. That's the ultimate goal. And laughter, of course.
I'm also two months shy of six years since I started performing as Doc Ed. In that time my wife and I have written several show for the Edwards Aquifer Authority's favorite aquifer explorer. By the time September rolls around we'll have written our fourth show for them which will feature Karston the Texas Blind Salamander.
In those six years I've learned quite a bit about educational styled entertainment. But the most valuable thing I discovered is that the skills I've developed as a clown over the last twenty four years, work quite well in the world of educational entertainment, specifically as Doc Ed. I use a variety of physical comedy bits at times, magic, puppetry and verbal humor to make an educational experience enjoyable and perhaps if they have fun watching me inject a little silliness into science education, they might be more inclined to want to learn more about that subject long after I've gone. That's the ultimate goal. And laughter, of course.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Twenty Years Ago
Twenty years ago this summer the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus Clown College pulled up stakes in Sarasota, Florida and headed to Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Recognition
In 2008, the Doc Edwards Education Program was awarded the Environmental Recognition Award by the Texas Association for Environmental Education. Pammy and I are very proud to be are major part of such a wonderful program and to be recognized for our contributions in bringing the Doc Ed show to life for elementary school age children and future stewards of our precious resource: The Edwards Aquifer.
Not bad for a couple of clowns. Pammy and I can't wait to see what surprises await Doc Ed in the near future.
Below is a link to the Texas Association for Environmental Education.
http://www.taee.org/
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Making Prints
This above art piece is now in the very capable hands of Hare and Hound Press to be made into a print. It's something that I'd been wanting to do for a very long time and the time has finally arrived! Cool! As soon as the prints are made I'll be making them available for sale so stay tuned for further updates.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Doc Ed on the Go
My alter ego. Doc Ed, was at Coronado Elementary School to edu-tain the kids on the basics of the Edwards Aquifer. I had an audience of kinder to second graders, which is not unusual for summer camps but thanks to my heightened aquifer senses (and over two decades of performing for kids) I was able to keep them all engaged while educating them through my special blend of science, comedy and magic. Now in the midst of my fifth year as Doc Edwards:Aquifer Explorer, I think I've got it down!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
This Past Week
Monday, July 15, 2013
It's Monday and We Don't Mind
We've been so busy and I mean that in a great way. It all started back in January with our Arriba Arte studio space at Tres Rebecas (which we no longer have but that's okay) and it's continued into the summer months. we anticipate a very productive fall as well. Gotta look ahead! Plan for the future today we say! Anyway, this past week alone has been very satisfying.
Last Saturday the kids of our Clown Camp at the Connally's Dance Workshop performed for family and friends. The kids did beautifully! We hope to do some more classes in the fall and keep the momentum going.
Over the weekend I did some paint slinging at Artslam which went well for me. It's been a few months since I've been a part of that event and I was glad to be back! I'm looking forward to the next one.
At the moment, we're in the process of writing another educational show for the Edwards Aquifer Authority which will feature Doc Ed with Karston the Texas Blind Salamander in a much larger role. In the current show Karston doesn't appear until near the end. With the new show he'll have most of the show to be out in front of the kids educating and entertaining on all things Edwards Aquifer.
Pammy is also working alongside local children's entertainer The Astonishing Mr. Pitts teaching clown classes to elementary school age kids. That will go on for a couple of weeks. It's a good month for clowning.
Plenty of other things on the front and back burner. I don't mean to brag. It just feels good to be involved in so many creative endeavors! We haven't had this much fun in a long time. I have to confess that making a living as a freelance artist in this town isn't the easiest thing to do...but, I think we've got it figured out. Better late than never.
Last Saturday the kids of our Clown Camp at the Connally's Dance Workshop performed for family and friends. The kids did beautifully! We hope to do some more classes in the fall and keep the momentum going.
Over the weekend I did some paint slinging at Artslam which went well for me. It's been a few months since I've been a part of that event and I was glad to be back! I'm looking forward to the next one.
At the moment, we're in the process of writing another educational show for the Edwards Aquifer Authority which will feature Doc Ed with Karston the Texas Blind Salamander in a much larger role. In the current show Karston doesn't appear until near the end. With the new show he'll have most of the show to be out in front of the kids educating and entertaining on all things Edwards Aquifer.
Pammy is also working alongside local children's entertainer The Astonishing Mr. Pitts teaching clown classes to elementary school age kids. That will go on for a couple of weeks. It's a good month for clowning.
Plenty of other things on the front and back burner. I don't mean to brag. It just feels good to be involved in so many creative endeavors! We haven't had this much fun in a long time. I have to confess that making a living as a freelance artist in this town isn't the easiest thing to do...but, I think we've got it figured out. Better late than never.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Clown Camp
Monday, July 8, 2013
Busy July
This we've got a couple of good things in the works starting with our Clown Camp to be held at the Connally's Dance Studio starting July 8th( today). It'll be taught by Pammy and will consist of, among other things, clown skits, juggling and makeup. We did these clown camps every summer while we lived in Dallas for years going from children's theater to children's theater throughout the summer months.
We've got a good class of enthusiastic kids who, perhaps because of their background in dance, are learning pretty quick. It's very exciting to see the kids learn circus skills and seem them become excited when they realized they were starting to master something entirely new to them. Today's class covered juggling and object manipulation basics, pantomime, slapstick and clown gags and bits. Tomorrow will see us adding a few more skills to the class.
As of last night Pammy got a few more clown classes scheduled for this month too. It's been a challenge finding a place to work around here. It seemed so much easier in Dallas. I don't know but I think our luck is changing! We trying hard to keep the momentum going. Please keep you fingers crossed for us.
This weekend I'll be slinging paint at the ArtSlam which will take place at the White Rabbit.
For more on what's up in our neck of the woods go to the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/ArribaArteStudios?ref=hl
We've got a good class of enthusiastic kids who, perhaps because of their background in dance, are learning pretty quick. It's very exciting to see the kids learn circus skills and seem them become excited when they realized they were starting to master something entirely new to them. Today's class covered juggling and object manipulation basics, pantomime, slapstick and clown gags and bits. Tomorrow will see us adding a few more skills to the class.
As of last night Pammy got a few more clown classes scheduled for this month too. It's been a challenge finding a place to work around here. It seemed so much easier in Dallas. I don't know but I think our luck is changing! We trying hard to keep the momentum going. Please keep you fingers crossed for us.
This weekend I'll be slinging paint at the ArtSlam which will take place at the White Rabbit.
For more on what's up in our neck of the woods go to the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/ArribaArteStudios?ref=hl
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Froud Film
Here's a wonderful project by Toby Froud, son of Brian and Wendy Froud world famous fantasy artists who's work has been seen in both print and film, most notably the book Fairies and the fantasy films of Jim Henson (Labrynth and The Dark Crystal). The film is to be a combination of live puppetry and stop motion animation. Help bring this magical story to life.
Happy Fourth of July!
Have a safe and happy holiday. Below is a link to quite a bit of info on the 4th of July. Enjoy!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_%28United_States%29
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Saturday Night Doodles
Great Saturday night. Great Saturday in general. After our trip to the library we hunkered down in our air conditioned oasis to watch the first two Tarzan movies released by MGM and starring the one and only Johnny Weismuller as the King of the Apes. We found a six disc set at the library and immediately checked it out. Thank you library!
By the time the second film was over half of the hour of Batman was over so I didn't do any drawing from that show. Once I set up I sketched from Lost in Space and Star Trek. Star Trek episode was the Galileo Seven, which I think could mean the shuttle craft or the party on board that were conducting the up close scientific study of the quasar like formation known as Murasaki 312. Great episode and cast. And no red shirt was harmed in the making of this episode. Really. Yellow shirts bit the dust this time.
That's all for now. Night, night.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Friday Roundup- Change is in the Air
I don't what it is about the last few months but a lot of different kinds of work has come to Rancho Ramirez. Right now we're keeping our fingers crossed because of a possibility of making a variety of masks and puppets for a ballet production. As with any creative endeavor it all hinges on funding but if it happens that would be a wonderfully creative project. We'll see.
Right now we're prepping for the Clown Camp at Connally's Dance Workshop starting July 8th and taught by my wife. Clown skits, juggling, makeup and more are a part of the course.
For more info call Connally's Dance Workshop at 210-656-1334. And feel free to go to their website too. If you have a child that's interested in dance it a great place to learn ballet, jazz, modern, tap from very qualified and experienced instructors. Our kids have been taking classes their for a quite a few years now. The link to their site is below.
http://www.connallydance.com/
Coming up in mid-July is the next ArtSlam event: Comics on Canvas! Our Arriba Arte Studios will be on hand to create a painting to be auctioned off that evening to the highest bidder. We'll also have a few completed illustrations for sale too. Should be fun evening of art,music and a costume contest too. Check out their link below for more info.
https://www.facebook.com/events/469423063141057
And by all means go to our Arriba Arte Facebook page to keep up to date on all our events and activities. The link is below. Oh, and when you're there, don't forget to "like" us please. Thanks!
https://www.facebook.com/ArribaArteStudios?ref=hl
Right now we're prepping for the Clown Camp at Connally's Dance Workshop starting July 8th and taught by my wife. Clown skits, juggling, makeup and more are a part of the course.
For more info call Connally's Dance Workshop at 210-656-1334. And feel free to go to their website too. If you have a child that's interested in dance it a great place to learn ballet, jazz, modern, tap from very qualified and experienced instructors. Our kids have been taking classes their for a quite a few years now. The link to their site is below.
http://www.connallydance.com/
Coming up in mid-July is the next ArtSlam event: Comics on Canvas! Our Arriba Arte Studios will be on hand to create a painting to be auctioned off that evening to the highest bidder. We'll also have a few completed illustrations for sale too. Should be fun evening of art,music and a costume contest too. Check out their link below for more info.
https://www.facebook.com/events/469423063141057
And by all means go to our Arriba Arte Facebook page to keep up to date on all our events and activities. The link is below. Oh, and when you're there, don't forget to "like" us please. Thanks!
https://www.facebook.com/ArribaArteStudios?ref=hl
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)