JohnSmolens.com is Live

That’s right, JohnSmolens.com is live. I’ve been busy creating a new website for my brother, John Smolens, this summer. Today, I have the pleasure of announcing the new website is now live. Although the website is still a work in progress, please look at JohnSmolens.com and let us know your thoughts.

His old website was simple, basic, and functional. It used old website design technology. The person who built the original website was no longer in the picture. When he went to update the old website to announce his new book “A Cold, Dark Prayer” which will be published next month at Michigan State University Press, it was suggested he replace instead of trying to update his website.

That’s right, JohnSmolens.com is live. I’ve been busy creating a new website for my brother, John Smolens, this summer. Today, I have the pleasure of announcing the new website is now live. Although the website is still a work in progress, please look at JohnSmolens.com and let us know your thoughts.

John took a chance on using his younger brother – me! I had built my website. He asked me to create a new website. Since I’m the “computer person” of the family – boy, do I have them fooled J

It took a while to get started, but during this hot summer, I stayed inside. Around caring for Linda, I worked on two projects – in the mornings, I was working on updating and expanding my book “Digital Painting using Adobe Photoshop,” which I hope to have published before the holidays. In the afternoons, I built John Smolens a new website using WordPress – JohnSmolens.com.

Building John’s website works well in many ways. I signed up for an online AWAI class, Writing SEO Content, earlier this year. I’ve been working on the lessons of the course. I’m able to incorporate many of the lessons from the class into the content on JohnSmolens.com.

New Digital Painting

“Waiting for Daddy – Cat’s in the Window” is a digital painting I created for Linda as a Mother’s Day card back in the spring. Coming home from golf, I saw Sunshine sitting on the small front table, looking out the window by the front door. Artist preference: I added Andy and changed the perspective from outside looking in to inside looking out. I was looking for an image to accompany this post and found one I had not shared. You can find this and other images in the gallery section of my website, PBSStudios.com

Act of Kindness

It’s the 4^th of July holiday weekend when we celebrate our nation’s birthday. Maybe it’s time to stop and reflect for a moment on what “America” really means.

It’s a land of goodwill and opportunity. With all that is going on – the polarization of our country, we’ve been so inundated we become jaded – you’d think everything is terrible. However, good things happen all the time. People do something daily that makes this the greatest country in the world. Only you rarely hear about them. You only hear about the bad things that happen to people. In honor of this special day, here are a few good stories that happened to me or someone told me during a social conversation.

Maybe something like this has happened to you, or perhaps you’ve done something like the following:

Pass it Along

I know this story is true since it happens to my wife and me at the Manassas Ruby Tuesday. It was Christmas time, and we went to have soup and the salad bar – a favorite meal for both of us. When it came to paying, the waitress said that her previous customer had paid our bill.

When questioned, she said that her first customer of the day – at 1 PM (a regular) paid his bill with a gift certificate for way more than the cost of his meal. So he said, in the Christmas spirit, he said to use the remaining money to pay the bill for the next customer she was serving. When she explained the situation to the next customer, the next customer told the waitress that he would like to continue the tradition and pay for her next customer. The process had been going on all afternoon when we arrived for our dinner meal at 7 PM. So, of course, we continued the trend and added an extra-large tip for the waitress who had kept the trend going all afternoon. When she explained what had happened to a young couple with a baby at the nearby table, they quickly figured out who had paid their bill. They turned and thanked us, and we had a pleasant conversation. I found out the couple had been recently transferred to the area courtesy of the military. It was their first meal out since moving. We welcomed them to the DC area.

Unfortunately, we never got to thank the people who paid for our meal, but maybe that is the point. Millions of kind acts are done each day, and no one ever hears about them.

A similar thing happened again a few years ago on the 4^th of July weekend. We were on the road, going to some friends for the holiday weekend, when we stopped to get lunch at Taco Bell. When we came to the window, we were told that the car in front of us had paid our bill. So, of course, we paid for the car behind us.

Anonymous Downer

An ex-military co-worker I worked with at the Pentagon told me about a time he went to a local dinner on Veterans Day. Somebody had already paid for his breakfast at the end of his meal. It seems an anonymous man entered the restaurant just as it opened and handed the owner five 100 hundred dollar bills. He said, }use the money to pay for any veteran’s meal for the day. If you run out, don’t take their money. Keep a tab. I’ll come back at closing time and make up the difference.” Northern Virginia has a lot of veterans, so they went through the money pretty quickly. The owner kept a tab, and the man returned and settled the difference. He also gave the owner another 500 dollars to be shared among the staff as a bonus for working on the holiday.

Helping Out with Groceries

How often have you seen someone at the checkout line having difficulty finding the money to pay their bill? It happened in front of me at the local Wal-Mart. A young mom with a baby was going through this scenario. Apparently, she only had so much money to purchase the items. When she came up short, she tried to decide which items to remove to deduct the cost. As the person next in line, I heard the conversation. Looking at the groceries, I made a decision.

“What is the difference?” I asked the cashier.

“About $25.”

“Use my credit card,” I said, handing the cashier my credit card. “I’ll pay the difference.”

The cashier shrugged and proceeded to process the card. The young mom turned and thanked me. She asked why I was being so kind. I explained that no one should have to choose between baby formula and Pampers.

Enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday. You may disagree with the person next to you, but remember to show patience and kindness to those around you because we all have to live in this country together, the United States of America.

Let me know if you’ve had any of these kinds of stories happen to you, then I can “pass them on” to others.

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2023 Bee Festival Preview

P.B.S. Studios is participating in the 3^rd annual 2023 Bee Festival next Saturday, June 24^th. 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 “Digital Photo Painting using Adobe Photoshop.”

Here is one of the digital paintings I’ll have available for sale at the Bee Festival.

Happy Father’s Day

I have mixed feelings about Father’s Day this year. In the ’70s, I used to play golf on Father’s Day with my father at whatever golf course I worked. In 1979, while I was Assistant Golf Pro at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord, MA, I played my last round of golf with my father before he passed away in 1981. He was dealing with Hodgkin’s lymphoma disease, so he didn’t feel up to playing all the holes. Still, as I recount in “Golf Dad,” my column called, “The circle was complete,” Dad said as we were in the golf cart. “Seeing how you hit the golf ball, I know that golf will always be in our family.”

Because of my current situation, this year, I’m regulated to just watching the U.S. Open on TV. Although I think about my father every time I step onto the first tee at a golf course, I miss playing golf with my dad. Oh well.

2023 OSA Art Show

It’s the last weekend to see my two digital paintings as part of the Open Space Art Gallery (OSA) art show titled “April Showers Brings May Flowers.” The Open Space Arts Gallery is at the Potomac Town Center (Wegmans) Shopping Center, 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA. The gallery is open WED-SAT 12:00-7:00 pm SUN 12:00-5:00 pm. The “April Showers Brings May Flowers.” art show runs till June 18, 2023.

P.B.S. Studios

P.B.S. 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 send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.

Between the 25th anniversary and Mother’s Day, it’s been another busy week here at P.B.S. Studios.

25th Anniversary to Linda

This past Tuesday, I celebrated the 25th anniversary to Linda, the love of my life. It’s not always been smooth sailing, but we have weathered the storms of marriage. We can still laugh and enjoy ourselves with everything that has gone on.

The week began by attending the opening reception at the Open Space Gallery at Potomac Center (Wegmans), where I have a digital painting and a photograph for sale.

Sunday, we spent a few nights at one of our favorite destinations – Cacapon Lodge near Berkley Springs, WV – for a couple of nights. Thankfully, the weather cooperated, and I got to play the Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course on Monday. Tuesday, May 9, is our actual anniversary date. Since we were too tired after coming back from the mountains on Tuesday and Wednesday after I played in a VSGA golf tournament at Potomac Shores, I took my wife the Carmelo’s for our anniversary dinner. Dummy me had planned this dinner the week before, thinking Wednesday was May 9. The food was terrific, and the atmosphere was “interesting,” to say the least. It was an entertaining way to end our 25^th-anniversary celebration.

Happy Mother’s Day

Sorry for being a day late, but like many children who have lost their parents, Linda and I think of our mothers often.

When I think of my mother, many stories come flooding back. One of my favorite stories is about how my mother, when she was living on Cape Cod, created another life for herself. A few years after my dad died, my mom began playing golf again with a ladies’ group on Cape Cod. She played at the Harwich Golf Course – a nine-hole course. The course was a flat piece of land that the town created a golf course. There are a few scrub pine trees and maybe a pond to define the golf holes. The golf course is ideally suited for Mom and her friends.

While I was visiting one summer, Mom asked if I wanted to join her little group. Since I always had my clubs in my truck, I said sure. We were paired up with two other ladies who, like Mom, were struggling beginners. As I recall, the first hole was a short, straightforward par-4. Back then, as a former assistant golf pro, I could hit the golf ball pretty well, and after the ladies hit, I launched a drive and the ball that ended up rolling onto the front of the green – while the group was still putting! Mom was beaming. She was so proud of me. Even though you and Dad are now enjoying yourselves in heaven, Happy Mother’s Day.

2023 OSA Art Show

Remember to look for my two digital paintings as part of the Open Space Art Gallery (OSA) art show titled “April Showers Brings May Flowers.” The Open Space Arts Gallery is at the Potomac Town Center (Wegmans) Shopping Center, 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA. The gallery is open WED-SAT 12:00-7:00 pm SUN 12:00-5:00 pm. The “April Showers Brings May Flowers.” art show runs till June 18, 2023.

Articles Published in Barefoot Writer Magazine and Digital Copywriter

A reminder in the May 2023 issue of Barefoot Writer Magazine contains my article “What Happens Once the Client Says, ‘Yes,’” which describes what professional copywriters do to complete a copywriting project on time. Click the link to see the article The Barefoot Writer Club (awai.com)

On April 13, Digital Copywriter, an online publication of AWAI, published my article “Using Online Tools to Improve Your Writing and Your Rankings.” The article discusses writing tools that I use when I’m writing. These tools include Grammarly, Hemingway, and Yoast, and I explain using these writing tools helps make you a better writer. Click the following link to read the published article.

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 send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.

2023 OSA Art Show Reception Next Saturday

I’m proud to announce two of my digital paintings were selected for the Open Space Art Gallery (OSA) art show titled “April Showers Brings May Flowers.” The Open Space Arts Gallery is at the Potomac Town Center (Wegman’s) Shopping Center, 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA. The gallery is open WED-SAT 12:00-7:00 pm SUN 12:00-5:00 pm. The May art show runs from May 3 – June 18, 2023.

There is a planned opening reception on Saturday, May 6. I look forward to seeing you at the reception

Thank You for Stopping by Last Sunday

I want to thank everyone who attended the 2023 Artist Inventory Sale last Sunday at the Harris Pavilion in downtown Manassas, VA. The last-minute change of date was necessary because of the weather. Even though Sunday felt like fall instead of spring, As a Manassas Art Group (MAG) member, it’s always great to spend time with my fellow artists showing our art.

“Where Am I” Banner Update

We have a winner in the 2023 version “Can You Find Me?” banner contest. Tom Mosimann said he was walking home from seeing me at the art show (full disclosure Tom’s wife, Diane, is Linda’s caregiver) and saw my banner on Main Street in front of Ashby’s Jewelers. He turned around and came back and told me the correct locations. Tom received the matted print of the banner suitable for framing.

Hey, I’m Still Out There!

There’s another banner out there waiting to be found. It’s within a few blocks of Ashby’s Jewelers as you enter downtown Manassas, VA.

Artist of the Month Ending

This is my last week as my art group, Manassas Art Guild (MAG), Artist of the Month (AToM) for April. Being AToM means I’m displaying my digital art in five stores around the city of Manassas. I’m showing my digital art in the following stores:

• Ground Central Station Coffee Shop
• The Things I love
• Weinegar’s Sweets & Treats
• Calico Jack’s
• The Art Factory (inside the Art Center)

PBS Note: Thank you, Angie, for the kind text message upon seeing my digital painting, “The Mary B,” at Ground Central Station Coffee Shop.

Anyone visiting the city of Manassas, stop by these stores and coffee shops and enjoy the treats while looking at my digital paintings. All paintings are for sale, and contact me for more information.

Article Sale to Digital Copywriter

On April 13, Digital Copywriter, an online publication of AWAI, published my article “Using Online Tools to Improve Your Writing and Your Rankings.” The article discusses writing tools that I use when I’m writing. These tools include Grammarly, Hemingway, and Yoast, and I explain using these writing tools helps make you a better writer. Click the following link to read the published article.

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 pictures directly from me or online through my Etsy Store. For more information, Please send me an email at psmolens@pbsstudios.com.