DCS: judith barsi

Judith Barsi began her career when she was discovered at a Los Angeles skating rink. She was cast in her first of over seventy commercials. Soon, she was doing guest spots on television series, appearing in over a dozen. Television led to films, including providing the voice for little Anne-Marie in the animated All Dogs Go To Heaven and Ducky in …

Continue reading ‘DCS: judith barsi’ »

from my sketchbook: dock ellis

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis had, if anything, a colorful career with a lifetime win-loss record of 138-119 and a career earned-run average at a respectable 3.46. His career was highlighted by events including famously beaning Reggie Jackson in retaliation for a home run in the 1971 All Star Game. In 1972, Dock was sprayed …

Continue reading ‘from my sketchbook: dock ellis’ »

DCS: boris sagal

Boris Sagal, father of Married with Children star Katey Sagal, was a busy director from the middle 1950s until his death in 1981. He directed mostly episodic televison, including Mike Hammer, Peter Gunn, and several installments of anthology series like Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Boris had a few forays into theatrical features, directing Elvis …

Continue reading ‘DCS: boris sagal’ »

from my sketchbook: roy kinnear

Roy Kinnear began his career in repertory theatre before making his film debut in the early 1960s. He worked mostly in his native Great Britain appearing in popular sitcoms and variety shows. He was most successful in films directed by his good friend Richard Lester, including Help! with The Beatles, A Funny Thing Happened on …

Continue reading ‘from my sketchbook: roy kinnear’ »

from my sketchbook: martha mansfield

Martha Mansfield was an active and popular actress in silent movies. On November 30, 1923, while working on location in San Antonio, on the film The Warrens of Virginia a Civil War costume epic. Martha was playing the role of Agatha Warren and had just finished her scenes and retired to a car when a …

Continue reading ‘from my sketchbook: martha mansfield’ »

from my sketchbook: j.g. parry-thomas

J. G. Parry-Thomas was a race car driver who at one time held the Land Speed Record. On April 27, 1926 at Pendine Sands Beach in Wales, Parry-Thomas took his car to over 170 miles per hour, despite poor conditions and soft, wet sand. The record would stand for almost a year until it was …

Continue reading ‘from my sketchbook: j.g. parry-thomas’ »

from my sketchbook: teresa graves

The neighbors in Hyde Park knew her as “Tootie”, the devoted daughter who came to take care of her ailing mother. She had the back porch enclosed and turned into a bedroom so she could stay with her mother full time. She was a devout Jevhovah’s Witness and was active in raising awareness of the persecution …

Continue reading ‘from my sketchbook: teresa graves’ »

IF: pioneer part 2

This week’s challenge word on Illustration Friday is “pioneer”. This is my second illustration for this topic. HERE is the first. John Lautner was an architect and student of Frank Lloyd Wright. He was a pioneer and the originator of “Googie” architecture. “Googie” architecture was a somewhat derogatory term for the futuristic building design popularized …

Continue reading ‘IF: pioneer part 2’ »

from my sketchbook: d. boon

D. Boon was the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the California punk group The Minutemen. The band was known for their intelligent, yet radical, songs and minimalist approach to music. A typical Minutemen live performance would cram 50 songs into less than 40 minutes. The Minutemen released a series of albums and EPs between …

Continue reading ‘from my sketchbook: d. boon’ »