My brother was on vacation in Williamsburg Virginia recently, and brought back with him a music album of an American artist. Dean Shostak, a different sort of musician, has a focus of skill in glass musical instruments. Honestly, glass instruments took me some getting used to as a child when my Dad played selections for me and my siblings. Now, I am rather fond of their unique reverb and hollow quality.
So I listened to Dean’s music, and I was impressed. One of the striking features of his World Glass album is there are songs played by glass musical instruments that have hardly ever been heard by man. The most intriguing sound is from Dean’s glass violin — one of two glass violins like it in the world, and the only one in use by a musician. The glass violin is a cross between a violin and musical wine flutes (what the correct name for those instruments, anyone?). Surprisingly, a very pleasing sound to the ear.
Dean Shostak playing the crystal baschet
Shostak has more sophisticated instruments in his repertoire. Benjamin Franklin’s glass harmonica, the crystal baschet, and the glass bowed psaltery are just a few others that are heard in the World Glass album. I assure you that if you enjoy classical, orchestra, or simply have a flair for novelty, you will enjoy the Dean Shostak’s musical masterpieces.
Unfortunately, there is not much information about the musician or his music on the web. I trust others that hear his work will appreciate his skills and attention to quality, and give a positive report for others.
I don’t have to tell you what’s clogging up the young adult fiction section at Barnes & Nobles these days. Everywhere you turn, there is another display with overloaded stacks of books of teen vampire and werewolf stories. Apparently, they’re selling, and all the publishing houses want in on the profits. Culturally centered media outlets are saying all sorts of things about how this reflects on American youth. It’s assumed the vampire craze is a trend that is repeated every time monsters stories — especially vampire related ones — rise to the forefront of pop culture (as they have in the past with the introduction of classic monster stories like Dracula). read more…
I haven’t seriously considered e-readers for personal use until now. In this growing market, something that has been lacking is significant competition with the all-too-well-known Amazon Kindle. Now that B&N has joined the market with their new Nook, I think that the power play for market share will seriously increase — and thus improve the over-all quality of the devices to grab the investment of potential e-reader customers. read more…
I haven’t had the pleasure of working with Dr. Gary North in person till now. This very astute teacher and economics genius is giving American Vision the opportunity to condense some of his genius into a 16-part lecture series titled The History of the Conservative Movement.
- My mockup for the graphic style of the series
I think this will be one of the finest videos we (me and my modest video team) have produced to date. Dr. North is one of the most articulate men I know. He doesn’t waste anytime to get to the interesting content in his lectures, and the way he connects political and economic history together is incredibly insightful.
So check back soon for more info and links to pre-order the video series soon. I might also have some video clips (previews) of the series in advance here as well.
Update November 12, 2009: The series is undergoing a new production value, and we’re reshooting the series in the near future. I’ll keep you posted.
I was doodling in Photoshop to see what it would look like if Apple (the computer company, obviously) made their logo organic.
It’s totally inconsequential, but interesting.
The Harry Potter series of books is completed. When the series was hot discussion in years past, little did people know where the series was headed. I’ve heard very opposite opinions about the stories amongst Christians; whether it be for good or evil for readers. Obviously, a story relating a system of magic is not one to be taken lightly for Believers. Magic in the real world is supernatural. Real world magic is either spiritually good or evil. Real world magic is usually engrossed in some form of religious worship — and not worship to the Lord Jesus Christ. read more…
Does all art have a purpose?
You can’t make art up for the sake of being art that doesn’t have a meaning to the art you create. Many intelligent and prolific artisans think you can, but if you examine the examples around you you’ll find man is a lier if he believes he can create anything without a purpose. Whether you are a student of the arts, a hobbyist, or a professional designer of some sort, you make your piece of art for a specific audience with the express purpose of some message — even if the message is as sad and contradictory as “this piece of art has no message.” Even if you don’t take your art seriously, you’re at least creating it to humor one’s self (this is a purpose also). read more…
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