2025 P.B.S. Studios Digital Painting Calendar Is Available

P.B.S. Studios is proud to announce the P.B.S. Studios 2025 Digital Painting Calendar is available. The calendar contains 13 reproductions of my digital photo paintings. The 2025 Digital Painting Calendar includes digital images from landscapes, silhouettes, and other illustrations.

The cover is a digital photo painting called “Pink Flamingos Bird, “one of my newest digital paintings. My church, BRUU, has updated its teen common room, which they call the “Flamingo Lounge.” Susan Sinclair, a fellow BRUU member, suggested that I contribute a painting for the lounge. This cover is what I painted.

You can purchase the P.B.S. Studios 2025 Digital Painting Calendar from my Etsy shopor through the “Contact Me” form on the pbsstudios.com website or email: psmolens@pbsstudios.com. I accept credit card payments on my Square account, PayPal, check, or Money Order.

 

Art in Centerfuse Coworking Space

Speaking of my digital painting, “Cabin in the Woods,” is one of the paintings on display as part of the Manassas Art Group (MAG) art show at the Centerfuse Coworking Space in downtown Manassas, VA.

Centerfuse – Work your way

 

Brentsville Art Show Preview

Mark your Calendars. My art group, MAG, will be one of the vendors showing our art at Brentsville Day on Saturday, October 28, 2024, at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre in Brentsville, VA, from 10 AM – 5 PM.

 

P.B.S. Studios

P.B.S. Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that has written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings, and banners.

Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and some photographic prints and digital artworks are available on my Etsy shop.

If you have questions or comments, use the Contact Me form or email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com. I accept credit card payments on my Square account, PayPal, check, or Money Order.

 

August 4, 2024, Another Day, Another Year

Well, it is August 4, 2024, another day; another year has passed. A lot has happened in the past year. Birthdays are a time to review, so here is my review of the past year.

Since I retired, my number one job has been caring for Linda and her long-term illness. That part of my life has not changed much. Once again, having Diane Mossimann as Linda’s caregiver has been an invaluable assistance. Knowing she is with Linda while I’m out of the house is comforting. I’m honored to have her as part of my family and how they have accepted Linda and myself into her family.

 

Golf

The best diversion from taking care of Linda is playing golf. Again, this year, I’m playing golf with my best friend, Mike Freeland, as part of my golf league on Wednesday. Overall, my golf game is going well. The lack of practice time has made some inconsistent play, but I feel great hitting the golf ball. Once in a while, everything comes together, and I shoot a low score. That happened a few weeks ago.

Writing

While Linda rests, I’ve been busy writing (or trying to write) articles for newspapers and magazines this year. Earlier this year, I published my second book, “Creating Digital Paintings,” on Amazon. Sales are slow but steady, and I’ve gotten some excellent reviews from magazines and customers.

P.B.S. Studio is still working through online courses presented by the American Writers & Artists Institute (AWAI). I’m in the middle of their SEO Content Writing course and have read many of the Barefoot Writer special reports. The goal is to expand my writing skills to include copywriting, SEO, Website Audit, and case studies writing projects for myself and other companies.

P.B.S. Studios built a website for John Smolens (johnsmolens.com). Maintained and expanded my website (pbsstudios.com) using WordPress. I hope to expand my print sales vehicle through my Etsy store (Etsy.pbsstudios.com)

 

Look Up in Manassas

Remember, if you’re in the City of Manassas, look up. This year, they turned three of my digital photo paintings into banners flying high over Manassas’s streets. You’ll find “Andy Portrait” on Center Street, “Flower & Butterfly” on Church Street, and a digital painting of my brother’s Johns dog called “Waiting for His Master” on Prince William) have been the highlight of my year in painting. My digital painting of a couple of Flamingos called “Necking” is hanging in BRUU, my church. Go to the Gallery Section of my website (pbsstudios.com) to see these and other original paintings.

Family and Friends

Linda and I are thankful for family and friends who have helped us cope with the many challenges.

I have had (and look forward to) weekly Zoom video calls with my family this past year. Since we are spread across the country, we use video to visit and see each other.

For another year, I want to thank our neighbors, Dan and Kathy, along with Susan, Elvan, John, and Madison, who have all been wonderful and assisted in different ways.

Although there have been many challenges, this past year has been ok overall. I have not found my name in the obit column (yet). I can still care for Linda, but having Diane and Nelque Hernandez’s cleaning group assist has made my life easier.

Thanks to the PWC Rescue Squad (18 & 26). Every time we’ve called, they have been professional and accommodating. I can’t thank them enough. Since Diane has come into the picture, we’ve not had to call them often, but it’s nice to know they’re available when we need them. The same could be said of Sentara Hospital. They cared for Linda earlier this year when she was hospitalized with an illness. The follow-up from Sentara Home Health Group provided valuable tips.

Since the pandemic, I have (and look forward to) weekly Zoom video calls with my family. Being spread all across the country, we use video we have been able to see each other.

In closing, this past year has been okay overall. I have not found my name in the obit column (yet). I’m able to take care of Linda. We’ve grown closer because of the challenges we’ve faced these past few years. I get to play a bit of golf and still try to write articles that editors and companies find interesting.

 

2024 Bee Festival Preview

PBS Studios is participating in the 4th annual Bee Festival tomorrow, Saturday, June 22. My art group, MAG, is one of the sponsors. I’ll have framed and unframed prints available for sale, along with cards and my book, “Creating Digital Paintings.”

Click here for more information about the Bee Festival Manassas Bee Festival Saturday, 6/22/24 Liberia House & Grounds 8601 Portner Ave. – Family fun event bringing awareness to plant native and save our pollinators.

PBS Studios

PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that’s written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and banners.

Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital images are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, please email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.

Memorial Day Weekend, 2024 Edition

Memorial Day weekend 2024 is often associated with the start of the summer season here in America. With the TV full of stores advertising Memorial Day sales, many people have forgotten the true meaning of this holiday. A few years ago, over Memorial Day weekend, I created this mixed-media digital photo painting. The goal was to remind people of all the lost people fighting to keep our wonderful country free.

I want to wish all veterans a Happy Memorial Day weekend. Although I’m not a veteran (I still remember my draft number, 304), many of my friends served in the armed forces. Unfortunately, too many of them are printed on the wall. I want to wish all veterans a Happy Memorial Day weekend. Although I’m not a veteran (I still remember my draft number, 304), many of my friends served in the armed forces. For the many printed on the wall, I want to wish all veterans a Happy Memorial Day weekend. When I graduated high school in 1972, service was not a popular option—it was the middle of the Vietnam War.

Still, I’m very proud of my time working for DoD. For almost a decade, I was a civilian contract technical writer. I worked for the group that ran the mainframe computers at the Pentagon. Working with military personnel, I learned that this day still means something special to my former co-workers. I especially learned the meaning of Memorial Day while watching co-workers who had to deal with the life of having spouses deployed on the battlefield.

Be safe and have a great Memorial Day weekend. Just remember to take a moment and think about the real reason why we celebrate this holiday weekend.

Creating Digital Painting Update

Thank you to Prince William County Library for adding my book to their collection. Residents can borrow “Creating Digital Painting” from their local PWC Library. Here is the print screen for the “Creating Digital Painting” listing on the PWC Library website.

PBS Studios

PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photography/digital painting company that’s written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and banners.

Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital paintings are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings online through my Etsy Store.

My new book, “Creating Digital Paintings,” is also for sale. It’s a revised, updated, and expanded version of the 2019 publication of “Photo Painting using Adobe Photoshop.” It’s a hands-on, practical guide that shows you how to create a digital painting from a photograph or freehand.

For more information, Please send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.

2024 Version “Can You Find Me?” Banner Contest

It’s time for the 2024 version of the “Can You Find Me?” banner contest. The idea behind the game is that I ask you to drive/walk around the City of Manassas and find my banners. Since 2015, Historic Manassas and the City of Manassas have held a contest for local artists to submit art. The winners have their art on banners attached to the light poles around the city streets. Since the beginning, I have been lucky enough to have at least one of my entries become a banner. As a result, each year, I have a contest to see who can find the banner.

In 2024, the City of Manassas selected three of my digital painting entries for this year’s banner contest. The illustrations show that the city finally completed the job of putting up ALL the banners this past week. I want to give a special thank you to Kristen Kiefer, the Executive Director of Historic Manassas Inc. She pushed the DPW to put the remaining banners. Driving and walking around the city yesterday, I found them and took pictures.

This Year’s Manassas Banner Contest

The three digital paintings accepted include “Waiting for His Master,” “Flower and Butterfly,” and “Portrait of Andy”

Of course, each has a story behind the digital painting:

“Waiting for his Master”

The original photograph was taken of Papi, my brother John’s Labrador Retriever, as he lay outside the front door in the sun, waiting for John to return home.

“Flower and Butterfly”

The butterfly is from a series of photographs I took behind our rented condo during vacation at Wintergreen Resort. It’s part of my series inspired by Laura Lavarnway for the Bee Festival.

“Portrait of Andy,”

Andy, my cat, is an Adobe Photoshop digital painting experiment—a variation of my pastel painting technique I describe in my “Creating Digital Paintings” book, now available from me and Amazon.com.

Your assignment is to find the banners and email me at psmolens@pbsstudios.com. The first one to email me with the correct location gets a matted print of the banner suitable for framing. Good Luck!

When the contest is over, I will announce the winners. I’ll publish wide-angle images along with the location of the banners on the streets of the city of Manassas.

 Helpful Hint

The Historic Manassas website (Banner Art Project – Historic Manassas, Inc.) is where you can download a booklet showing all of this year’s banners in the city.

Thanks to the Occoquan Garden Club

Thank you for allowing me to present my demo/workshop for my new book, “Creating Digital Paintings.” Special thanks to Cindy Reagan for hosting the event.

 PBS Studios

PBS Studios is a feature and content writer/photographer/digital painting company that has written and published over a hundred articles for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. I’ve also had many other photographs published as illustrations in commercial and textbook publications. As a digital photo painter, I’ve displayed my work in shops, libraries, galleries, restaurants, commercial buildings (including Manassas City Hall), and banners.

My new book, “Creating Digital Paintings,” is also for sale at Amazon.com. It’s a revised, updated, and expanded version of the 2019 publication of “Photo Painting using Adobe Photoshop.” It’s a hands-on, practical guide that shows you how to create a digital painting from a photograph or freehand.

Check out the gallery section on my website, www.pbsstudios.com, to see digital photo paintings and other examples of my work. Please Note: All photographs and digital paintings are for sale, and you can purchase my digital paintings online through my Etsy Store. For more information, Please send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.