Jack Kirby

Art Appreciation

When you hear about comic book artist Jack Kirby, the natural response would be to associate him with the great Stan Lee. I mean, both co-created notable comic book characters such as the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Thor, Iron Man, and the Hulk.

However, Jack Kirby contributed to comics prior to collaborating with Stan Lee and during their on-and-off professional relationship.

Born Jacob Kurtzberg on August 28, 1917, Kirby first collaborated with Joe Simon to create Captain America for Timely Comics--predecessor of Marvel Comics. Both Simon and Kirby joined National Comics Publications--later known as DC Comics. There Kirby teamed up with Dave Wood to create Challengers of the Unknown.

Then in 1961, Kirby joined Marvel Comics. There he collaborated with Lee to co-create The Fantastic Four, a team of superheroes similar to the Challengers of the Unknown.

You can learn more about Jack Kirby at his website, kirbymuseum.org.

via en.wikipedia.org

via twomorrows

via en.wikipedia.org

Sources:

http://kirbymuseum.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kirby
http://comicvine.gamespot.com/jack-kirby/4040-5614/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Characters_created_by_Jack_Kirby
http://www.newsfromme.com/writings/the-jack-faq/
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/27/movies/one-vision-1940-s-still-rocks-jack-kirby-heroes-thrive-comic-books-film.html
http://www.avclub.com/article/a-beginners-guide-to-the-king-of-comics-jack-kirby-102227

Henry Flores

Photography Appreciation

Honduras-born photojournalist and fashion photographer Henry Flores is best known for introducing the concept of paparazzi as an art form. Founder of Out of Sight Media and co-founder of Buzz Foto, Flores has photographed celebrities including Erika Jayne, Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan, and Angelina Jolie.

His photos have been published in People, Us Weekly, National Enquirer and OK! and have been exhibited in numerous galleries in Los Angeles.

You can see more of his work HERE.

Caroline D'Amore and Elmo via henryaflores.wordpress.com

Erika Jayne via henryaflores.wordpress.com

Tami Erin via imdb.com

Sources:

http://www.henryflores.com/
http://mediagrid.buzzfoto.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/henryfloresmedia
http://www.outofsightmedia.com/
https://twitter.com/HenryFlores
http://henryalbertoflores.blogspot.com/
https://henryaflores.wordpress.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Flores

Dance: Meghan Trainor - Me Too

Choreographer: JoJo Gomez



via JoJo Gomez

Alfie (1966)

Film Appreciation

Starring Michael Caine, Alfie is a British romantic comedy film. Adapted from Bill Naughton's novel Alfie, the story is about a womanizing man who shows little respect towards women.

The film, which was directed by Lewis Gilbert, won the Special Jury Prize at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival. Michael Caine, was nominated for the Academy Awards' Best Actor in a Leading Role category.




Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_(1966_film)

Cosplay... Is An Art: INDY POP CON 2016

via RealTDragon

Don Zimmerman advice to Hispanic Students

Last week, Austin City Councilman Don Zimmerman made a statement during a city council meeting to a group of Hispanic students. What he said to those students caused an "uproar" from Hispanic leadership and the Hispanic community.

First of all, Don Zimmerman is not new to controversies. The Austin American Statesman highlighted a few of those controversies last year, such as his comments regarding gay marriage, and suing the city of Austin over its campaign finance rules.

During the city council meeting, Zimmerman provided some advice to Hispanic students:

“I’d ask for everyone here, including the children, when you grow up, I want to ask you to pledge to finish school, learn a trade, a skilled trade, get a college education, start a business, do something useful and produce something in your society so you don’t have to live off others,”

This caused Texas House Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa to tweet:

The same advice Zimmerman provided is the same advice I received from my uncle, a lifelong Democrat and a Vietnam Vet, when I was in high school. My uncle, who is a Mexican-American with multiple graduate degrees from UT-Austin, suggested I learn a trade (e.g. refrigeration, radiologic technician, or electrical technician)--a skilled trade pays between $50,000 to $108,000. Additionally, unlike myself and probably many of my cousins, my uncles, aunts, and parents did whatever they could not to rely or live off others.

So, why does his comments raise controversy? Is it because he is White addressing Hispanics? Is it because he is a Republican?

Personally, I find no offense to his comments. If we were to dissect his comments and not read it holistically, it would read as follows with my interpretation in red and italics:

“I’d ask for everyone here [the audience]
including the children [the Hispanic students], 
when you grow up [learn from life],
I want to ask you to pledge to finish school [high school], 
learn a trade, a skilled trade [a tradesman specializing in a particular trade or craft], 
get a college education [higher education],
start a business [become a business owner and manager], 
do something useful and produce something in your society [give back to the community]
so you don’t have to live off others...[don't depend on others]"




Sources:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/council-member-don-zimmerman-courts-controversy-wi/nnK26/
http://www.kvue.com/news/local/zimmerman-under-fire-for-comments-towards-hispanic-students-1/302749248

@GinaForAustin @ndhapple @DonZimmermanATX

Jacob Collins

Art Appreciation

Born on August 11, 1964, New York City native Jacob Collins is an American realist painter known for his contemporary classical style in techniques and aesthetics.

You can see more of his work HERE.

Banjo via grandcentralatelier

Thinking Man via conchigliadivenere

Carolina via suggesteddonationpodcast

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Collins
http://www.jacobcollinspaintings.com/
https://conchigliadivenere.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/jacob-collins-1964-american/
http://www.suggesteddonationpodcast.com/blog/2014/4/14/episode
http://grandcentralatelier.blogspot.com/2012/11/jacob-collins-new-works-exhibition-at.html