In 1901, Vermont’s most wanted export was not timber or syrup, but a mortuary cosmetologist named Hiram Hootshaw. Though his true name was Samuel Nottingham, an escaped convict who fled to Vermont and assumed a new identity. Nottingham had been convicted as a grave robber, ironically foreshadowing his future talents. Hootshaw had a gift –…
Category: Aesthetic
Creating Object Portraits with Midjourney
Object portraits are an artistic genre where portraits are composed of objects rather than literal likenesses. The objects are carefully chosen for their symbolism and connection to the portrait subject. This allows the artist to convey the essence and personality of the subject through meaningful items. It makes sense that AI can do this well. …
Grigori Rasputin’s secret life as a music fanatic. LOL
He was a controversial figure in Czarist Russia, but few know of Grigori Rasputin’s secret life as a music fanatic. Rasputin wasn’t just whispering into the ears of royalty – he was rocking out with the common folk! Recently unearthed photos reveal Rasputin getting down with the crowd at 1950’s Bandstand. Witnesses claim to have…
The Rise and Fall of Atlantic City’s Casinos
I used to work as the Marketing Manager for the Sands Casino in Atlantic City. At the time, Atlantic City was booming,the Las Vegas of the East Coast, with flashy new casinos popping up . The Sands was one of the early big players, attracting huge crowds eager to try their luck at the slot…
Estate Sale Find: Chief of Naval Operations Vintage Photo Album
Years ago, my dad bought a photo album at an estate sale for $45. Little did he know, this unassuming book contained a window into the life and career of Louis E. Denfeld, a major figure in 20th century naval history. (Louis pictured above) Since no one else is really interested in Denfeld I’ll add…
A College Campus Finds New Life as a Distillery
Yesterday I attended a wedding at the historic former Green Mountain College campus in Poultney, Vermont. The reception was held in Withey Hall, one of the original buildings on campus. As a guest, I had the chance to explore this beautiful riverside campus along the Poultney River. Though I never attended Green Mountain College myself,…
A Quick Trip to Leesburg and DC Museums
We took a quick weeklong trip to Leesburg, Virginia to visit family. During the trip, we explored several museums in Washington DC, including the International Spy Museum which covers the history of espionage with interactive exhibits. We also visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History which houses amazing exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, and human origins. While in Leesburg, we enjoyed walking around the charming downtown area and along the Potomac River. we stopped at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Air and Space Museum near Dulles, to see space shuttles, planes, and rockets on display. Despite the short trip, we packed in some of DC’s best museums and enjoyed the small town charm of Leesburg, Virginia.
My Dad’s Epic 1961 Road Trip Across America
I’m continuing my blog series on my dad’s childhood photos. Back in 1961 when he was a teenager, my dad took a road trip with his parents across the United States from New Jersey to California. It was an epic journey that hit many of the iconic destinations of midcentury America. The Trip: My dad…
Bringing the Surreal World of David Lynch to Life with AI with Video
David Lynch is known for his surreal, dreamlike films that take viewers into strange and mysterious worlds. As an avid Lynch fan, I wanted to try capturing his in this MidJourney test. With the help of AI art generation and some creative editing, I was able to make a Lynchian animated video using just still…
Take Off Everything – Kendrick X Radiohead
If you are on TikTok or Reels y’all have probably heard that fire mashup between Kendrick Lamar’s “N95” and Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place” that’s been making waves online made some guy named Dwells. As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to try editing a TikTok video using the slick blend of Kendrick’s lyrics and Radiohead’s hypnotic electronic sound.