Archive for July 2023
Artzray Interview with Musician and Songwriter Sam Friend
Game of Thrones video takes the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys to the next level. It’s been a helluva a year for the New Orleans Swamp Donkeys, a jazz group that “recalls the New Orleans music of roughly a century ago, with youthful, high-spirited aplomb” (Nate Chinen, The New York Times). The traditional New Orleans jazz group…
Read MorePATRICK TOBIN – ITS A PIECE OF CAKE
It all started with a 6th grade writing contest back in Montana. Patrick Tobin entered his short story and it took second place. He says of the experience: “I loved it. I discovered this writing thing is FUN.” Today Patrick is an award-winning fiction writer and is the screenwriter of Cake, which he adapted from…
Read MoreTrue Confessions of an Opera Lover
By Emily Mahon Got Grit? Years before I even knew what opera was, my 4th grade teacher, Miss Smith gave me the “True Grit Award.” I’m not sure if it was because I was caught punching a girl in the locker room for insulting my less than popular friend, or whether it was because I…
Read More3 Things to Know About Music Management
by Christine Witmer Music manager, Dave Creel seems to have his career in music management all figured out. As the founder of Chieftain Artists, a boutique music management company, he makes the business of managing artists seem suspiciously easy. Creel has been involved in some type of artist management from the time he was in…
Read MoreTop 12 Music Venues for ArtNight Pasadena!
The Artzray staff pick 12 of our favorite musical performances for the upcoming ArtNight Pasadena. ArtNight Pasadena is a great example of how one city can get behind it’s cultural and artistic roots to make a special evening for the whole community. While many of the cultural organizations involved will host art exhibits (and they really…
Read More6 Reasons to Take an Improv Class
Do you have an extra two units in your class schedule? How about a few extra hours after school or work, or even on the weekends? If you’re looking for a way to fill some time while acquiring new skills and having a great time, look no further. Take an improv class! Improv comedy is…
Read MoreAlong the Way – Artist & Art Teacher Robert Moya
“Art can be anything you want it to be.” Robert Moya What was your first job? My first job was at a restaurant called Mrs. Robinson’s on the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland. A bunch of us teenagers basically ran the place while the owner/manager checked in on us once in a while (that was fun!) I saved…
Read MoreEmmy and Annie Award Nominee Craig Kellman, Character Designer
by Christine Griswold “Draw all the time. Draw constantly.” Craig Kellman If you’ve been watching animated movies, TV shows or music videos over the past 25 years, chances are pretty high that you’ve seen some of Craig Kellman’s work. He doesn’t have a blog or a website (although his work can be found on others’); much of his work never makes…
Read MoreWant to Get a Life in the Arts? 7 Things You Need Now
The Armory Relaunches Get a Life in the Arts by Janine Christiano Every artist has particular tools they use to create their art and express themselves…pencils, brushes, a laptop, pedals, bows, etc. There are also personal, behavioral tools that every young artist should start to acquire if they want a successful career in the arts. Here…
Read MoreHave you ever thought about being a short form filmmaker?
by Christine Griswold A few moments with R&D’s Raquel Elfassi As the morning fog gives way to another golden day in Southern California, Raquel Elfassi enters the room with casual hipness and charm. After having worked with numerous production companies and ad agencies; representing filmmakers such as David Fincher, Mike Romanek and Michael Bay at…
Read More