Angel of the Ghetto, Sam Solasz

Sam-Solasz-and-wife-RoseAngel of the Ghetto is a harrowing Holocaust survivor story. A page-turner that will leave you breathless, this is the story of how Sam made a split second decision to jump from the train bound for a death camp. The story then recounts how Sam survived, evaded capture and aided other inside the ghetto smuggling in much needed food and supplies. His journey through life continues to amaze as after surviving the war and immigrating to the United States he overcomes unbelievable odds to become a very successful industry leading professional.

Read more about this Holocaust survivor story here.

Why it may be time to rethink your old website.

why your site should be httpsThe use of mobile devices to access the Internet is becoming the medium of choice, with more than two-thirds (69 percent) of all Internet users surveyed doing so daily, according to Mobile Web Watch 2012, a study of consumers in Europe, Latin America and South Africa conducted by Accenture (NYSE: ACN). In addition, consumers are using multiple devices to connect to the web, including smartphones (61 percent), netbooks (37 percent), and tablets (22 percent).

With statistics like this it’s time think about your demographic and the design of your site to be responsive (adapts automatically to the size of the screen/device it is being viewed on) if it is not already. Google now officially penalizes sites which are not responsive. Read more

Independent Authors

 

Having worked with a great many of independent authors in the last few years we am struck by the opportunities and difficulties in the arena of book publishing today. With on demand printing it has become possible for anyone to self publish a book with no printing costs up front. You create the artwork, set the inside of the book and save it as a PDF, create an e-pub version, and your book shows up on Amazon and Kindle in a matter of days. Read more

Paul Yandoli Photo

Paul Yandoli is an amazing photographer who got his first ‘real’ 35mm camera after finishing college when he began to pursue photography seriously. After getting an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University he enrolled a few years later in the Art Institute of Boston to study Fine Art Photography. Upon graduation he worked in the Boston advertising community for several years. Now a native of the rural Western Massachusetts valley he shoots and exhibits his stunning fine art photography. You can order masterfully produced prints on his website. Check out paulyandoliphoto.com

Boston-Maine-20051 by Paul Yandoli

Boston-Maine-20051 by Paul Yandoli

Remembering Illustrator Betsy Scheld

counting kangaroos - betsy scheldBetsy was a dear friend who’s artwork should be remembered and shown more on the internet. This excerpt is from inxart.com:

Betsy Scheld was an energetic young illustrator who worked in New York and contributed to INX until January 1996, when at the age of 32 she died from spinal meningitis.

She received a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. In 1990, she was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago, Her work appeared in a variety of popular publications such as The Village Voice and The Sacramento Bee, as well as The New York Times and Newsday, In addition, she illustrated two children’s books, several CD covers, billboards, and numerous book jackets, one of which received the prestigious Tiffany Award. Read more

Pascale Victor

Pascale Victor Social WorkerPascale Victor is a social worker in the boro of Queens in New York City. I had the pleasure of helping her with her book, both in print and kindle form, and her new WordPress website, pascalevictor.com. Her book is an intriguing look into the dedication and heartbreak that go hand in hand with her very difficult, yet rewarding occupation. Please have a look at her site where you can read excerpts from her wonderful new book, Field Work With An Open Heart.

Intoxicating Illustration

intoxicating illustration

A website featuring the cartoon and illustration work of Tony Iatridis. A well published illustrator and cartoonist as well as the founding member of the IDG graphics team, Mr. Iatridis i also the author of the somewhat demented Christmas serial comic, Tales To Drink Egg Nog By.

Smirk – A compilation of humor columns & cartoons by Carol Nelson Falcone

Carol Nelson has self-published a book of her clever humor column, ‘Smirk’. You can read some sample chapters on the site as well. Have a look at her new website:

Smirk – A compilation of humor columns & cartoons by Carol Nelson

smirk-carol-nelson-falcone

 

Illustrator Ben Shahn

Illustartor Ben ShahnShahn was a brilliant artist and illustrator, who to be blunt could draw his ass off. Simple lines captured both the human form and emotion in a way you rarely see.  He was born in Lithuania in 1898 into a family of Jewish craftsmen. His father’s anti-czarist activities forced the family to immigrate to the United States in 1906. Shahn grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn. He became an apprentice in a Manhattan lithographic firm, finishing high school at night and later taking classes at New York University, City College of New York, and the National Academy of Design. Shahn saw his art as a means to combat injustice and raise social awareness. Throughout his career Shahn’s style retained the linear bias of a draughtsman, which proved to be effective in his satirical depictions of social types. He had his first solo exhibition at the Downtown Gallery in 1930, and his series of paintings of the trial and execution of the anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti established his reputation and led to further explorations of trials with political implications. Google him, check out his work, you’ll be glad you did.