"Magic Realism of Rob Gonsalvez"

Rob Gonsalvez is a Canadian artist whose artwork features his trademark seamless, surrealistic transformation of objects aptly dubbed "Magic Realism". Rob’s creative influences include Salvador Dali, René Magritte, and M.C. Escher.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:51 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
- John 15:13 (The Bible)

Today is Memorial Day, the day in which we as a sovereign and independant nation honor those who have given their lives for freedom, those who have fought in opposition of tyranny, and those who -- even today -- fight to defend the morals and ideals we hold so dear. Today we honor our heroes. Today we remember the American Soldier.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 1:29 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Hoodwinked"

This evening I watched the 2005 animated film, "Hoodwinked". And I'll be honest, I now have a new all-time favorite animated character -- a yodeling goat.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:21 PM  I   I  0 comments

"90 by the Lake"

Today's high temperature in Milwaukee: 90 degrees (F).

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:53 PM  I   I  0 comments

"No Movie for Jon"

I turned down a movie role today. It was for a local independant film -- a non-paying gig. And, while I rarely turn down personal offers like this, a police officer in a dark cult-based thriller (with cold-blooded executions left and right) didn't seem like something I'd want on my resume -- at least not right now. I'm honored, and I wish the director well, but I think I'll stick to lighter fare.

In other news, I'm working on a list of stage projects I plan to pursue this summer/fall. For anyone interested, I'll post it here on my blog in the next few days. These could be some really exciting auditions, so we'll see what happens!

For the timebeing, though, I'm off to other things. Have a blessed Sunday all. Until next time,

Your happily blogging actor friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:20 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Red as a Lobster"

Being blond-haired certainly has it's disadvantages -- at least as far as working outdoors in the sun is concerned. Today I helped my landlord scrape old white paint off of sixteen garage door frames. When the day's work began, it was cloudy and overcast, but an hour later, the sun came out and it brightened up quite nicely. I, however, neglected to put on sunblock, and as I burn quite easily, my forearms (exposed when I rolled up my sleeves) are now an unlovely shade of bright vermillion. And, to top that off, the tell-tale itchiness of a bad sunburn is setting in....

Thankfully, the rest of me was sufficiently shielded from the sun's rays. But my reddened arms are an unpleasant reminder that once spring and summer roll around, it's time to make sure the 'ole SPF 30+ and I become best buddies again.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:19 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Music for One Apartment and Six Drummers"

This is awesome! It’s like Stomp, but with housewares! A short clip directed by Ola Simonsson and Johannes Stjärne Nilsson:

A gang in a Volvo have staked out a flat; when its occupants leave to walk their dog, the six break into the place. One keeps his eyes on a stopwatch: they have only ten minutes before the couple returns. Instead of stealing things, the gang goes from room to room making fascinating percussive music with found objects: first in the kitchen, then the bedroom, the bathroom, and the salon. Cabinet doors, pot lids, light switches, a pill dispenser, a lamp, books, and a vacuum cleaner hose all add to the suite in four movements. The drummers keep the first three rooms tidy, but what will the flat’s occupants make of the hurricane that hits the living room? (IMDB)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:31 PM  I   I  0 comments

"A Shopkeeper Interview"

For those that are interested, I was interviewed yesterday in regards to the online store that I host and maintain. You can read the interview on Nancy's blog.

(Please note, at present, her URL link to my store is incorrect.)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:03 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Wednesday"

I've got great news!... The sun is out, and the lilacs are in full bloom! Other than a little rain here and there, today looks like it could be an excellent day!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:41 PM  I   I  0 comments

"The World's Greatest Magician"

Forget about David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, or David Blaine. I have found the world's greatest magician! His name is Daniel Chesterfield. Take a look, and be amazed!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:42 PM  I   I  0 comments

"To My Mother on Mother's Day:"

Happy Mother's Day to all the hard working mothers out there, especially my own!....

Mom, I wouldn't be where I am today without you. Thank you for setting me on the right path, and letting me run with my crazy ideas. The house may be almost empty now -- with all of us kids off on our own -- but just because we're spread out across the country, doesn't mean our hearts aren't at home with you today. Have a blessed Mother's Day, and from my little corner of Milwaukee to yours up there in Minnesota, "I love you mom!" [hug]

Happy Mother's Day!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:10 PM  I   I  0 comments

"JonBaas.com Turns Four!"

As of today, JonBaas.com is now officially four years old! This site went live on May 13, 2002, and has been successfully entertaining fans and visitors alike ever since. To all of you who have helped make it what it is now, thank you... and welcome to year number five!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:43 PM  I   I  0 comments

"April May Showers"

Yep. Still raining. Today's Forecast: "Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Cold. High 47F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%." And, as predicted earlier in the week, this wet gloomy weather will continue... until about this time next week. Six more days. Yippee. :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:49 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Serial No. 3817131"

The life of an eighteen-year-old girl in Israel is interrupted when she is plucked out of her environment at an age when sexual, educational, and family values are at their highest exploration point. She is then placed in a rigorous institution, where individuality becomes a secondary matter, making room for nationalism. She enters the two-year period in which she will change from a girl to a woman, a teenager to an adult, all under a militaristic, masculine environment, and in the confines of an army that is engaged in daily war and conflict.

Rachel Papo was born in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio but was raised in Israel. She began photographing as a teenager and attended a renowned fine-arts high-school in Haifa, Israel. At age eighteen she served in the Israeli Air Force as a photographer. In the summer of 2004, she began photographing Israeli female soldiers as part of her masters thesis project.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 3:54 PM  I   I  0 comments

"The Many Jobs of Jon"

Today I was inspired to take a retrospective glance into the past. As I busily work to make my current occupational endeavors a success, it never hurts to look back, and appreciate the jobs and "careers" that have gone before. So, for your reading pleasure, here are just a few of the different jobs that I've had in my life so far:

• Stage Actor
  
• Hollywood Film Actor
  
• Historical / Civil War Reenactor
  
• Professional Fine Artist
  
• Freelance Designer
  
• Entrepreneur / Businessman
  
• Copy Editor -- (national calendar company)
  
• Department Store Stockroom -- (Target)
  
• Sales Associate / Cashier -- (Barnes and Noble)
  
• Copy and Print Associate -- (Office Max)
  
• Newspaper Editor -- (college)
  
• College Ambassador / Representative
  
• Residence Council Representative -- (college)
  
• Admissions Office Telecounselor -- (college)
  
• Public Relations Assistant -- (college)
  
• Library Assistant -- (college)
  
• Fine Arts Assistant -- (college)
  
• Recreation Complex Assistant -- (college)
  
• Summer Daycare Worker
  
• Concert Percussionist
  
• Marching Band Percussionist
  
• Big Brother -- (aka, the oldest of six siblings)
  
• Lawn and Landscaping
  
• Maintenance Assistant
  
• Office Worker -- (many capacities)

And, ironically, all of the above have been added to my resume within the last twelve years! I've been a tad bit busy haven't I? So, let me see... I guess this means I can qualify as a "jack of all trades" now too, right? :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:38 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Showers Continue..."

Blech. Still raining.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:57 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Showers"

It's raining. According to the local weather forecast, it looks like it's supposed to continue for the rest of the week. I guess that means I'll be indoors for a while, eh? :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:34 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Jon Baas Designs"

For those of you that have taken a liking to my portfolio of artwork, I have great news...

I've just finished remodeling my online store. I've given it a fresh new look, a new coat of paint, and the technical means to start adding brand new t-shirts, art prints, and other Jon Baas designs over the next few weeks. In other words, I'm taking the store to a whole new commercial level! Feel free to take a gander, and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Thanks much, and have a blessed Tuesday!

Your happily blogging, busy artist friend,
-Jon Baas
posted by Jon at 11:48 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Quote of the Day"

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
- Martin Luther

-Jon
posted by Jon at 8:45 PM  I   I  0 comments

"How linkable is your blog post?"

Philipp of Google Blogoscoped made a test to see how linkable a given blog post is. Although linkability shouldn't be your main goal when blogging, it can be a good indicator of how approachable and interesting your writing is.

Generally, the linkability of my blog posts is at 62% -- which is above average.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:51 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Online Episodes"

Now here's an interesting website for the television connoisseur:

Watch over 700 TV episodes online.

Features 54 television series, including: "24", "Earth 2", "MacGyver", "Star Trek", "NCIS", "The Sopranos", "Family Guy", "Grey's Anatomy" and more!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:06 PM  I   I  0 comments

"All tied up."

I discovered a new pet peeve today. When it comes to outdoors work, I don't mind mowing the lawn, but when it means using a lawnmower that has to be plugged into the house... I think I'll pass. See, there's a reason grasscutting machines are usually gas powered -- it makes them independant and mobile. But when you remove that mobility, and add a long extension cord that gets dragged around the yard, falls into the path of the mower, tangles itself in bushes and trees, and inconveniently trips you with every other step -- not a good idea.

Some inventions make certain tasks easier. In this case... umm, not so much. :)

-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:47 PM  I   I  0 comments