Vinyl of the Month – Angel – On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Just Chuck

Ever heard of Angel? Most people haven’t. They were part of the Casablanca Records artist pool along with KISS. Like KISS they had a stage show and gimmick. They released 7 studio albums (one as recent as 2019) and one live album. I have all their albums on CD but my introduction to Angel came through CREEM magazine.

If you are my age and was into rock music like I was you know what CREEM magazine is. Remember Boy Howdy beer? It’s the precursor to Hit Parader and Circus magazine, both excellent rock magazines that came later. I believe I’ve mentioned this before but CREEM introduced me to KISS through this article.

CREEM August 1975

So, back to Angel, I was wanting to not miss an issue of CREEM, so I talked my parents into a subscription. Well that subscription came with a free album – Angel’s On Earth as it is in Heaven. I figured what the hell, they have costumes like KISS. My only concern was that they had keyboards. There was a time in my young life where I didn’t consider keyboards belonging in a rock band. I know silly.

The album was released in 1977 and I was happily surprised. I liked it, and played in constantly that first couple of months when it arrived in the mail. This is before YouTube and Spotify and the internet so you never knew what you were getting until you stuck it on your record player. I still have this album in my vinyl collection.

So for the month of March Angel’s On Earth as it is in Heaven is my Vinyl of the Month.

Posted in Album of the month | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hey, where’d he go?

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Just Chuck

I guess you’re probably wondering, “Hey, what happened to Paw Paw and that great toy photography adventure he started on?”

The weather was the main catalyst. Down here is Texas is got frigid cold. Not like last year where the whole state shut down for a week, but still it snowed about an inch, sleeted for a bit and we were stuck at home on Thursday and Friday. Didn’t mean I didn’t have to work. I’m able to work remotely so I still put in my 8+ hours each day. Don’t get me started on that meeting that started at 4:15 on a Friday and lasted 3 hours into the evening.

Anyway, I had some ideas for some photos but the weather kinda put it behind schedule and I just gave up. I gotta tell you, I don’t like the cold anymore. I used to be a cold weather guy, loved to go skiing every year, but those days are passed. I like a nice Spring and Fall, and then the summer in a swimming pool.

So here are some old toy photos I did about 6 or 7 years ago to placate that adventure. I think I’m going to go back to drawing and learn how to use my drawing tablet. And work on my comic book script.

Lost in Space Robot

Toy guitars and amps

Chevron Car

Sting on a OCC Spider-bike

OCC Spider-Bike

G.I. Joe Winter Soldier

Posted in Toy Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toy Photography – Day 1

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Just Chuck

Wasn’t sure I was going to pull this off tonight. Setting things up late at night, trying to be quiet in the house while others are sleeping. This was definitely a challenge.

I used a figure I received in the mail today. A Joy Toy figure that is highly detailed. Using some old tin I had laying around and my LED lights, I tried to mock up the inside of a ship or some kind of structure. Anyway, its OK for a spur of the moment idea. Also sharing a behind the scenes look of the set up.

Kenji Tanaka – suited Assassin

This figure is part of my comic book story I’m working on. Meet Kenji Tanaka from the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. He is part of my Threat Neutralization Team (T.N.T.)

behind the scenes
Posted in Toy Photography | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Vinyl of the Month – Foghat LIVE

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Just Chuck
Foghat LIVE

Foghat was one of those bands in the ’70s that had a groove, a boogie. Catchy tunes you could sing along to made them the cassette to have playing while I cruised around town in my Chevy Monza.

I’ve seen Foghat in concert (1978ish) and their energy and set list made for a raucous time.

Sadly original guitarists Lonesome Dave Peverett and Rod Price have passed on, along with Bass player Craig MacGregor. Foghat is still touring, but only the original drummer Roger Earl remains.

So for the month of February the album Foghat LIVE is my choice for Vinyl of the Month. Not to mention the album went double Platinum.

Posted in Album of the month | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Well, what next?

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Just Chuck

So, now that my 30 days of drawing adventure has come to an end, I’ve been racking my brain wondering what to try next. What could I do during the month of February? What could I do for 28 days? I had a list started for consideration:

  • learn the harmonica (I have a set and a book)
  • work on my weight issue/fitness (this one is coming)
  • write, record and release 3-4 songs (me recording all the instruments, singing etc.)
  • Learn how to use my XP-Pen drawing tablet with Krita more efficiently
  • Create a 22 page comic book (I am a comic geek and collector)

In the end I decided on none of those for February, but that list will eventually get tried. I decided to challenge myself to create 28 different photographs (one for each day) using the many toys I own. I’m not talking about just throwing a toy up on a counter and snapping a pic with my cell phone. I’m talking setting up a photo that hopefully shows some semblance of reality.

If you’ve seen some of my photos I’ve posted here or on my Instagram, you’ll understand what I mean. These are all toys I own in the photos below. Tomorrow we begin.

McFarlane Toys Frankenstein Set
McFarlane Toys Jimi Hendrix figure
T.N.T vs Demogorgon (Funko Pop)
Posted in Toy Photography | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 30!

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day/Lesson 30 – Your Hand of Creativity. Last day, last lesson. The final drawing exercise for this adventure was to draw a hand. I did my best. Like eyes, its not as easy as it looks. At least not for someone who doesn’t draw on such a detailed level.

So this is it, completed the book You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler. If you are looking for an activity to enrich your day, I suggest getting the book and going through the lessons. You will start looking at the world a little differently. I notice shadows and shading everywhere I look now. Or I’ll break things down into basic shapes, spheres, cubes and cylinders.

Day/Lesson 30 – Your Hand of Creativity

Anyway, I tried a couple of hands, the bottom one is my hand.

Posted in drawing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 29

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day/Lesson 29 – The Human Eye of Inspiration. Drawing the eye. One eye. I drew a couple of more. I think I may try some more reptile type eyes. I started to play around with that idea then realized it was very late.

Tomorrow is the last day of drawing, well I’m not going to stop drawing but its the last day for this drawing adventure. I’ll have to think of another 30 day adventure to start on Monday so I can keep this attention going. Maybe something along the lines of music?

Day/Lesson 29 – The Human Eye of Inspiration
Posted in drawing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 28

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day/Lesson 28 – The Human Face. I can’t draw. This lesson sucked. I almost didn’t post this crap. but I know there are folks following this progression so here it is.

Nothing like trying to draw a human face with eyes and stuff and realize you’re just a pretender. Ugh. Terrible. Just bad. I think I’ll stick with cartoon faces. Can’t draw an eye for shizzle. Makes me want to give up but I never intended to draw life-like faces and stuff. Ah well. If I want to get more life-like I guess practice practice practice.

Day/Lesson 28 – The Human Face
Posted in drawing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 27

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day 27/Lesson 27 – Lettering in Two-Point Perspective. Final lesson on perspective, this time doing some lettering. I can remember doing this freehand on my school books back in the day when we had cardboard book covers on our books.

If I did this good enough to read, you should be able to decipher my actual first name. After all, Paw Paw is what my grandson calls me, not my real name.

LetteriDay 27/Lesson 27 – Lettering in Two-Point Perspectiveng in Two-Point Perspective
Posted in drawing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Can Draw in 30 Days – Day 26

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Just Chuck

Day/Lesson 26 – A City in Two-Point Perspective.

A City in Two-Point Perspective

Lots of drawn guide lines and then erasing of them, lots of shading. I think I could effectively draw a city block at this point and slip in details. Only 4 drawing days left. What’s next?

Posted in drawing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment