Brad Roberts: Profiles from the Illustrations

Brad Roberts, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     It all started in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada when a rich baritone voice was featured in the night club band, Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Brad Roberts eventually changed the name to Crash Test Dummies and set forth with well received shows. Brad got more into songwriting, even attending a workshop with Lyle Lovett, after which he wrote his first defining song, called "Superman's Song." It caught the attention of record labels and Crash Test Dummies recorded and released The Ghosts that Haunt Me in 1991. 

Crash Test Dummies- Superman's Song

Brad Roberts, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     With the success of their first album, the band hit mainstream success with it's sophomore release, God Shuffled His Feet in 1993. Full of offbeat, artistic songs and Roberts' unmistakable voice, the album was a major hit, scoring with an astoundingly simple, but memorable song, "Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm." All the other tracks showed the work of a fine songwriter truly hitting his stride.

Crash Test Dummies- Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm

Crash Test Dummies- God Shuffled His Feet

     Their next album, A Worm's Life explored a harder edged sound, and further experimentation on subsequent albums failed to repeat the commercial success of the first two, but who cares? The respect for Brad Roberts as an artist and songwriter continues to grow. An amazingly creative writer, he knows the value of the unknown... and always puts it into words sharply, and beautifully; directly indirect.

Crash Test Dummies- My Own Sunrise

Crash Test Dummies- Swimming In Your Ocean

Crash Test Dummies- The Ghosts That Haunt Me

Interview with Brad Roberts

Brad Roberts, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.crashtestdummies.com/#/home

Dan Burke: Art and Music (Songs that Inspired the Illustrations)

Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

The Orange Ocean

Let's Go Together

"Someone Who Loves You" w/ ballet dancers

It's Wicked Cold Outside w/ Niki Luparelli

Those Were the Days

Dan Burke, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

New Portrait Illustration: Tommy Ramone (Ramones, Uncle Monk)

Tommy Ramone, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     When I met Tommy Ramone in 2007, he had long since left behind Punk music in favor of a Bluegrass sound. His band, called Uncle Monk, had just released their self-titled debut album consisting of old-timey tunes written by Tommy and his musical partner, Claudia Tienan. He was a nice, cool guy, just doing what made him happy. It was a brave move considering the fact that a lot of people who went to their shows just saw the name "Ramone", which comes with a natural presumption for Punk Rock. Despite just having an acoustic guitar and mandolin, Tommy still possesses a lot of the Punk attitude that made the Ramones famous back in the seventies. With Tommy being the last surviving member of the original Ramones line-up, he usually finds time to pay tribute to his former bandmates with acoustic renditions of their classic songs.

Tommy Ramone- "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend/Blitzkrieg Bop"

Ramones- "Britzkrieg Bop" circa 1976

The Ramones- 1970s w/ Tommy Ramone center right

Uncle Monk- "Round the Bend"

Uncle Monk- "I Fought the Law"

Tommy Ramone and others- "I Wanna Be Sedated"

For more info, visit: http://www.unclemonk.com/home.html

Titanic (1997): A Look at the Film on the 100th Anniversary of the Maritime Tragedy

     One hundred years ago today, on it's maiden voyage, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank... taking the lives of over 1,500 people. As a topic of interest, the overanalyzing and sensationalism surrounding those events have become morbid cliches, often overshadowing the human aspects of those lost in one of the worst disasters in maritime history. Nevertheless, the public's fascination with April 15, 1912 always creates pause and remembrance. That said, I thought it would suit to take a look at one of the better efforts to depict the tragedy (which will be re-released soon in 3D), James Cameron's 1997 film, Titanic.

     Yet another voyage into the depths of the sea to excavate the wreckage of Titanic is underway, this time to recover a priceless diamond believed to be on board. 

     Among those objects retrieved is a drawing of a nude, reclining woman. Rose, an elderly woman, sees the news coverage and alerts the crew that she is the woman depicted in the sketch. 

     So, the story begins as Rose recalls her experience on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. 

     A love story develops as she recalls meeting Jack Dawson, a transient artist... 

     She describes their mutual attraction and the obstacles and objections their romance faced, both social status-wise and personal. And she describes the execution of the drawing she had posed for... 

     The background story becomes less important as the Captain ignores iceberg warnings... 

     and the Titanic strikes an iceberg and begins to sink... 

     An already inadequate supply of lifeboats are launched without full capacity, leaving thousands to fight for their lives as the ship continues to founder... 

     Jack and Rose, left behind in the sinking ship, must find a route to safety... 

     before the ship makes it's slow descent to the sea floor and is lost...

Titanic- movie trailer

A Night To Remember (1958): The Unsinkable Titanic (100 Years Later)

     April 14, 1912, one hundred years ago, was the last time the Titanic saw daylight. On this important anniversary, there is sure to be many events, television programs, book readings and documentary screenings... all testifying to the lasting interest in the ill-fated ship. If any lesson can be learned from that tragedy a century ago, it is that nothing is certain, anything is possible. No ship is unsinkable. At least that is what the characters in A Night To Remember (1958) take away from it. This film is unique on the list of Titanic films in that it doesn't have a tedious subplot running through it. If it has a main character, it is the 2nd captain, whose experiences on the ship sandwich the bulk of the story. Historical inaccuracies are unavoidable here, particularly when the ship sinks in one piece. The wreckage was not discovered until 30 years after the film was made, so some aspects had to be imagined. As the events are well known, a summary isn't necessary, so here are some stills which relay the events better than words....

A Night To Remember- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: David Massengill

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

David Massengill- My Name Joe

David Massengill and Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.davidmassengill.com/

Ron Hansen: Profiles from the Illustrations

Ron Hansen, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Ron Hansen was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947. He attended Creighton University and Stanford University, and currently is an Arts and Humanities Professor at Santa Clara University. He has published nine novels, a collection of short stories and a book of essays.

     Talented in multiple fields of writing, he has mastered fiction (Atticus, Isn't It Romantic) and religious themed works (Mariette in Ecstasy, Exiles), but his true love in writing seems to be in the field in which he remains unrivaled... historical fiction. Particularly interested in the Old West, Hansen's first two novels featured outlaw stories with historical characters and imagined dialogue, which added a human aspect that truly brought the fatal events to life. The first, Desperadoes (1979) told the tale of the Dalton Gang. 

     His second, and most acclaimed novel, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford  (1983) told the tale of the who's, whys and hows of the outlaw's murder. It has since been turned into a feature film starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford- movie trailer

     Hitler's Niece (1999) speaks of the love affair the dictator had with his own niece, and her mysterious death. 

     His most recent novel, A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion (2011) details the true crime, trial and execution of Ruth Snyder and her lover, Judd Gray in 1920s New York, in which the couple murdered Snyder's husband for insurance money.

Ron, talking about his new novel, A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion

Ron Hansen Reading at Cornell University

Purchase books by Ron Hansen on amazon.com here

CLOSE UP: Bigg Nez

Bigg Nez, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Bigg Nez performing stand-up at The Comedy Studio

For more info, visit: http://therealbiggnez.webs.com/

Currently Accepting Portrait Commissions...

 If you are interested in commissioning me to do a portrait, send me a message with a general idea of what you'd like to have done (with a reference photo attached*) at email: travisliam@aol.com

    I will be able to estimate a price based on the info and photo provided

(simple, single subjects are very affordable, starting as low as $50, prices increase relative to quantity and complexity).

* it is integral that the photos be clear, with decent lighting (no bright flash)

Hank Williams III, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #8, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

John McCauley, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Tom Rush, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Golden Bloom, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

New Portrait Illustration: Elizabeth Ziman (Elizabeth & the Catapult)

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     I met Elizabeth Ziman about five or six years ago. As the front woman and creative force of Elizabeth & the Catapult, she is impressive to say the least. With a beautiful, soaring voice and huge ambition that belie her small stature, her songs convey a full plethora of emotions that give an honest look into who she truly is. Elizabeth & the Catapult is easily one of the best live acts I've ever seen. Her musicianship is amazing and her songwriting is impeccable. Quite simply, she is a fun, cute, cool gal with loads of talent.

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Race You"

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Mama's Boy"

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Taller Children"

Interview with Elizabeth & the Catapult

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.elizabethandthecatapult.com/

Harold and Maude (1971): Classic Cult Films

      Although it received lackluster reception upon it's release, Harold and Maude (1971) has since come to be cited as one of the greatest love films ever made... all the more surprising considering the unorthodox pairing of an 18 year old male and an 80 year old female. The film invites the viewer to to enjoy life, and the company we choose, despite outward appearances. It also has, in my opinion, one of the greatest soundtracks ever recorded, composed by Cat Stevens.

     Harold is a morose loner... 

     With no friends, no girlfriend and a mother who dictates his existence, he feels impelled to lash out in the form of theatrical fake suicides, designed to horrify his mother... 

     One of Harold's sole enjoyments is in attending the funerals of people he doesn't know. At one such service, he meets Maude, an 80 year old woman who shares that particular interest... 

     Harold and Maude become instant friends... 

     She teaches him interesting new tricks and vices, and shows him the value of enjoying life before it's too late... 

     Meanwhile, Harold's mother does not approve of his new relationship, and is determined to find Harold a mate more his own age. Harold's reaction is priceless... 

     Harold and Maude have become soul mates, but how long can it possibly last?

Harold and Maude- with Cat Stevens' "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out"