Regular readers of this Journal may know that I have very little drawing ability.

In fact, my drawings of people are much closer to raw stick figures than to anything resembling real people.

But, many years ago, I was completely humbled and in awe when one of my two goddaughters showed that she was well on her way to becoming a great artist — at the ripe old age of two years.

And by the time she was ten years old, she could [more...]

I worked as a photographer a couple of times, a few decades ago.

And, later, as a television producer/director for 3-4 years.

So I have a really good eye for quality photography and videography.

I’ve used both cheap and expensive cameras.

But I understand a fact that all artists know from experience: [more...]

What is a strandbeest?

Well, imagine that you’re an artist.

And an engineer.

And you have lots and lots of plastic pipes.

And lots of cloth. [more...]

The woman who cuts my hair is very experienced.

In fact, when she cuts someone’s hair, she can tell by looking at the way it has grown out, whether she was the one who cut it last time or not.

I have no idea what it is that she recognizes, but, every once in awhile, she will be walking behind someone and she’ll stop them to talk, because she recognizes her handiwork [more...]

Michael Israel is a man who understands pain.

And loss.

And fear.

But he also understands hope.

Michael Israel is a passionate man who [more...]

I’ve said it before: I’m fascinated by people who can create lifelike images, using only a pencil.

I understand that such a task requires not only gifted drawing ability, but an incredible gift of being able to really see the things that you’re drawing in ways that I can’t begin to understand.

So, as an adult, my drawings of people [more...]

Here’s a video that holds a few surprises.

I’m sure that you’ll recognize its melody right away.

But you’ll probably be surprised to see it being played on such an unusual instrument.

A hand-made wooden instrument. [more...]

For some, the title of this Journal post conjures up memories of 1950s hot rod cars, often with bodies that were shaped like large bathtubs.

But, for many of us, we’re instantly reminded of tiny toy Hot Wheels cars, running faster than scale 200 mph, jumping over obstacles, and doing loop-the-loops, wherever we had room to set up their bright orange plastic tracks.

Every once in awhile, I [more...]