Antoni Gaudi: Part 1

This is the first of a three-part series on the great Modernist architect Antoni Gaudi, published in the October 2019 ISSUE arts magazine. Part 1 focuses on his houses. Click here for a link to the story. To see a digital version of the pages, click on the image below.

‘Las Meninas’ Series Gives Insight to Picasso’s Creative Mind

BARCELONA — For the past 20 years, I have found that my painting seems to go in series. I do a series of paintings or drawings around a theme and suddenly I will get a wild hair to try something else. Then it is off on another series. To the casual observer, it may not …

Museu Picasso Highlights Master’s Career

BARCELONA — Tucked away down a narrow street in Barcelona’s Born neighborhood is an artistic jewel — The Museu Picasso. While Pablo Picasso exhibitions are plentiful, there were six in 2018 in Europe alone, the permanent collection here has a personal touch. The artist was actively involved in the museum’s development and donated much of his …

Museu de Xocolata is a Sweet Treat

BARCELONA — One never knows what one will run into when one needs to pee. In the hot Barcelona summer, I fight the heat by drinking water — copious amounts. On a nice walk to the old Gothic quarter, I found I really needed to go. As if by magic, the Museo de la Xocolata …

Stonewall Monument Marks Landmark Protest

NEW YORK — I have visited the Stonewall Inn before. Like any self-respecting ally, it is a pilgrimage that one should make when in New York. This past summer I found myself within a block of the bar where the Gay Rights movement started and thought I would walk by again, especially as it was within …

The Barbican’s ‘Brutal’ Beauty

LONDON — Brutalism gets a bit of a bad rap. The architectural movement which began in the 1950s and ’60s, follows early 20th century modernist principles. Buildings have been described as ugly and boxy. Prince Charles, in a 1984 interview, described one building proposal as a “monstrous carbuncle”, adding that Brutalist buildings look like “piles of …

Globe Owes Resurrection to Wanamaker

LONDON — When Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy launched his infamous “Red Scare” in the 1940s, a lot of American’s were swept up in a wave of anti-communist paranoia posing as patriotism. It was one of the darkest times in recent U.S. history and resulted in blacklisting many in the arts, as well as hundreds of …

LU Brighton 2019: What the Teacher Learned

Note: I am leading Lamar University’s study abroad group to my home town, Brighton, to study travel writing and photojournalism. As well as writing features about Brighton and beyond, I’m keeping a diary, of sorts, about the class experience. Here is the final part. BRIGHTON, England — The students’ last morning in Brighton was hectic. We …

LU Brighton 2019: The Devil’s Dyke

Note: I am leading Lamar University’s study abroad group to my home town, Brighton, to study travel writing and photojournalism. As well as writing features about Brighton and beyond, I’m keeping a diary, of sorts, about the class experience. Here is part 14. BRIGHTON, England — The final day of the study abroad trip was …

LU Brighton 2019: Blowing in the Wind

Note: I am leading Lamar University’s study abroad group to my home town, Brighton, to study travel writing and photojournalism. As well as writing features about Brighton and beyond, I’m keeping a diary, of sorts, about the class experience. Here is part 13. BRIGHTON, England — While the Brighton part of my trip involved shepherding …