22 JAN 2023 · On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Show, artist Victoria Chick talks about the symbolism behind the famous “Arnolfini Wedding Portrait” of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami. This painting was completed in 1434 by Jan van Eyck, a noted Flemish painter. See her article about the painting here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-arnolfini-wedding-portrait/ Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. She appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. See her work: https://victoriachick.com/

16 JAN 2023 · Emma Rosales is the heiress of the largest ranch in Texas: The Thorn. All the responsibilities of managing a million acres now fall into her fifth-generation hands, a task Emma could handle with her eyes closed … if The Thorn were any ordinary ranch. After stumbling upon people living on her property, will Emma survive her attempts to return home or will she accept her fate and remain hidden away from her family forever? This episode of Big Blend Radio features author Julia Brewer Daily who discusses her latest novel, "The Daughter of Thorn Ranch," out now through Admission Press. More: https://www.juliadaily.com/

12 JAN 2023 · This episode of Big Blend Radio's 2nd Wednesday "Writers & Authors" Show with Books Forward features thriller and crime writer Mark Ellis who discusses his latest novel in his WWII series, DEAD IN THE WATER. The story follows DCI Frank Merlin who continues his battle against rampant wartime crime when a mangled body is found in the Thames just as some items of priceless art go mysteriously missing. More: https://markellisauthor.com/ More about Books Forward at https://booksforward.com/

24 DEC 2022 · This episode of Big Blend Radio features acclaimed UK singer-songwriter Claire Hamill who discusses her extensive music career and new solo album, “A Pocket Full of Love Songs." Out now through Cherry Red, the album was written during lockdown and features songs from the heart on all aspects of love and life. Claire Hamill is celebrating over 50 years in the music industry. She is known as being one of England’s first female singer-songwriters who has toured, recorded, and performed with Ray Davies of the Kinks, King Crimson, Wishbone Ash, Procol Harum, and Jethro Tull. She's also known for her hit “Baseball Blues," and for writing Eva Cassidy’s hit “You Take My Breath Away." More: https://clairehamill.co.uk/home

20 DEC 2022 · This episode of Big Blend Radio features award-winning Brazilian author Heloisa Prieto who discusses her new novel, "The Musician." With over 2 million books sold in Brazil, Prieto is already a household name. But her long-standing success hasn’t stopped her from dazzling her readers with lyrical prose and spell-binding stories. With "The Musician," she debuts her first English-written story within the US, uniting Brazilian mythology and the Guarani culture in a magical setting. "The Musician" is out now through Koehler Books. More: https://www.themusician.info/

18 DEC 2022 · Regionalist painter, lithographer, and muralist Thomas Hart Benton (1889 -1975 ) was a son of Missouri, and, although he studied modern art trends in Europe, spent years in New York, and was the first artist to have his picture on the cover of Time Magazine, he moved back to Missouri and made his mark on it with murals across the State and by influencing young artists through his teaching. On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Show, artist Victoria Chick talks about the life and work of artist Thomas Hart Benton, and the places you can visit in Missouri that preserve and interpret his art and legacy. Read her article here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/exploring-thomas-hart-benton-country/ Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. She appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. See her work: https://victoriachick.com/

17 DEC 2022 · Featuring guest cohost https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/steve-schneickert-hollywood-history/, actor and Big Blend Radio's Hollywood History podcaster, this episode of Big Blend Radio welcomes legendary "Dark Shadows" actress and author Kathryn Leigh Scott. “Dark Shadows” was an American gothic soap opera that aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from 1966, to 1971. The show depicted the lives, loves, trials, and tribulations of the wealthy Collins family of Collinsport, Maine, where a number of supernatural occurrences take place. The series generated two full-length motion pictures “House Of Dark Shadows” (1970) and “Night Of Dark Shadows” (1971). More: https://www.kathrynleighscott.com/ Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans/Josette DuPres) and David Selby (Quentin Collins) will reunite for a live reading of O. Henry’s classic Christmas short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” first published in 1905. Todd Feldstein’s Smartphone Theatre will present the live production, directed by Patrick McCray, and featuring original music composed for piano and played by seventeen-year-old music prodigy, Christian Mirochnikoff. Watch “The Gift of the Magi” on Sunday, Dec. 18th 5PM PT/8PM ET or later on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8tLu8oNEEM Featured music is "My Christmas Wish" by https://nickikris.com/. Thanks to The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina. https://www.lion-rose.com/

13 DEC 2022 · This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Music Monday" Show features David Libert who talks about his memoir "Rock and Roll Warrior." It’s a rockin’ roller coaster ride with the original Alice Cooper Band, Alice Cooper, George Clinton, Parliament Funkadelic, The Runaways, Cherie Currie, “Supermensch” Shep Gordon, Prince, Sheila E, Guns N’ Roses, The Happenings, Living Colour, Vanilla Fudge, Bootsy Collins, The Tokens, Brian Auger, and more! As a road manager, artist manager, musician, songwriter, record producer, and booking agent, Libert shares vivid tales from the inner circle of the music industry: on the road, backstage, on private jets, and inside the notorious after-parties with music legends in the era of free-spirit, hard-driving rock ‘n roll and R&B. More: https://www.availableentertainment.com/ Special thanks to The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina. https://www.lion-rose.com/

3 DEC 2022 · This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show features Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who talks about the organization's unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, and Dry Tortugas and Hawai'i Volcano National Parks. NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

1 DEC 2022 · On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts" Show, Lance Laber, Executive Director of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun talks about the life and art career of famed Southwest artist Ted DeGrazia, as well as the winter exhibits showcasing his work. Exhibits on display until Jan. 25, 2023, include “DeGrazia’s Processions," "DeGrazia’s Ballet," and “Rock Talk: The Prehistoric Art of Ted DeGrazia.” Hear about the annual La Fiesta De Guadalupe, and Little Gallery visiting artists. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is a 10-acre historic landmark nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. Opened in 1965, it is home to over 15,000 originals of Ted DeGrazia art pieces including oil paintings, watercolors, ceramics and sculptures. There are six permanent collections on display and several rotating exhibitions each year. More: http://www.degrazia.org/ Music on this episode is "Please Remember Me" the title track of the DeGrazia album "Please Remember Me."