Featured Columns Archives

Be the Artist: The Beauty of Tattoo Art

July 23, 2023July 22, 2023Lisa Tate

Tattoo art is as varied as the people who wear and design them. Explore your favorite tattoo art styles in this easy art vase project.

Be the Artist: Painting Artist Hilights (or Remarques)

July 10, 2023July 9, 2023Lisa Tate

Does adding highlights, doodles and remarques to prints make it original art? Well, it certainly gives a print a more personal touch.

Be the Artist: Plastic Canvas Goes Abstract

June 25, 2023June 24, 2023Lisa Tate

Plastic canvas became a favorite of ’70s yarn crafters. Here’s a way to give this practical craft an artsy abstract edge.

Be the Artist: the Swanky Black Velvet Painting

June 12, 2023June 11, 2023Lisa Tate

GeekMom Lisa takes us into the world of the kitchy, yet mesmerizing, velvet art that was popular in the 70s and 80s.

Be the Artist 2023 Asks the Question, “But Is It Art?”

May 27, 2023May 26, 2023Lisa Tate

This summer’s Be the Artist series is coming soon with some well-known types of art and answers the question, “Yeah, but.. is it art?”

The Saga Continues: ‘Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars’ by Sam Maggs

April 18, 2023April 17, 2023Sophie Brown

‘Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars’ by Sam Maggs is set in the years between Fallen Order & Survivor & catches us up with the Stinger Mantis crew.

Between the Bookends, Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay

Between the Bookends: 3 Books We Read in Dec 22 – Jan 23

February 1, 2023January 31, 2023Sophie Brown

The first Between the Bookends of 2023 is a month late but I hope you find something to enjoy in this eclectic mix for the new year.

Between the Bookends: 6 Books We Read in November 2022

December 1, 2022November 30, 2022Sophie Brown

Can you believe it’s time for the final Between the Bookends of 2022? We wish you a happy holiday season filled with reading time.

The Saga Continues: ‘Convergence’ by Zoraida Cordova

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022Sophie Brown

‘Convergence’ by Zoraida Cordova kicks off Phase Two of the Star Wars High Republic and is set generations before the events of Phase One.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in October 2022

November 1, 2022October 31, 2022Sophie Brown

In this month’s Between the Bookends, Sophie and Scott read a wide mix of books from fantasy to contemporary, romance to non-fiction.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in Aug/Sept 2022

October 1, 2022September 30, 2022Sophie Brown

This month’s Between the Bookends is a double column and also (unintentionally) entirely filled with middle-grade reads.

Be the Artist: The Amazing Creatures of Ray Harryhausen

September 3, 2022September 2, 2022Lisa Tate

Ray Harryhausen’s wonderful stop-motion fantasy creatures still influence animators today. Here’s an interactive project inspired by his work.

Awaken Your Inner Muse With an Easy ‘Xanadu’-Inspired DIY

August 23, 2022August 22, 2022Lisa Tate

Celebrate the colorful neon style of the early ’80s with this family-friendly and “A-Muse-ing” ‘Xanadu’-inspired project.

Be the Artist: The Groundbreaking World of Jackie Ormes

August 16, 2022August 15, 2022Lisa Tate

Jackie Ormes was the first female African American to be nationally syndicated, and she used her characters to bring her own voice to life.

The Saga Continues: ‘The Princess and the Scoundrel’ by Beth Revis

August 16, 2022August 15, 2022Sophie Brown

In ‘The Princess and the Scoundrel’ by Beth Revis, Han and Leia marry and take their honeymoon aboard the luxury Star Cruiser Halcyon.

Between the Bookends: 4 Books We Read in July 2022

August 1, 2022July 31, 2022Sophie Brown

In this month’s Between the Bookends, Sophie reviews 4 books including a YA dystopian thriller and a memoir from one of her favorite singers.

Be the Artist: Charles Schulz and His Charlie Brown

July 31, 2022July 30, 2022Lisa Tate

Charles Schulz used his alter ego, Charlie Brown, to turn the ups and downs of childhood into a comic strip loved around the world.

The Saga Continues: ‘Shadow of the Sith’ by Adam Christopher

July 29, 2022July 28, 2022Sophie Brown

In ‘Shadow of the Sith’ by Adam Christopher, we follow Luke Skywalker and his old friend Lando Calrissian as they take on a new mission.

Be the Artist: The Infinite Dots of Yayoi Kusama

July 17, 2022July 16, 2022Lisa Tate

Yayoi Kusama took on the art world one dot at a time. Try this family-friendly way of celebrating her famous Infinity Rooms.

Be the Artist: Who Was Ub Iwerks?

July 2, 2022July 2, 2022Lisa Tate

Ub Iwerks was not as famous as Walt Disney, but he helped create the most iconic character in animation. Let’s create a “mouse” of our own.