Category Archives: Stuff Joe Likes

Great Movie, Terrible Soundtrack — In Space No One Can Hear This Record

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Joe

This is a switcheroo from my usual post where I highlight terrible movies that have great soundtracks or musical scores. Today, I am looking at a great movie that has a less than memorable soundtrack album. Alien (1979) directed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Curious Clutter, Musical Cruelty, Stuff Joe Likes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Terrible Movie, Great Soundtrack: The Unlikely Brilliance of Casino Royale’s Music

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Joe

Back in the day, I stumbled across a song that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. It was on WPEN, a Philadelphia “easy listening” station that’s long gone, catering to the Geritol set with its smooth, unhip vibes. I’d heard … Continue reading →

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The Frugal Review • The Pen+Gear Sketch Diary

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Joe_Williams

When my wife and co-host of this fabulous site, Tina, calls about a cheap sketchbook she’s found at a big box store, I’ve learned not to question her. I just say, “Buy it!” She’s got a knack for spotting art … Continue reading →

Posted in Doodle Tuesday, Illustration, It Came From the Sketchbook, News, Pixels Versus Pigment, Sketch, Stuff Joe Likes, Technique | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Cheapskate Strikes Back!

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Joe_Williams

I was in an art supply store recently to pick up some gift items for a friend, and I thought I would pick up a smallish, mixed media, sketchbook for myself. I was thinking a 7-inch by 10-inch sketchbook would … Continue reading →

Posted in Curious Clutter, Illustration, It Came From the Sketchbook, Sketch, Stuff Joe Likes, Technique | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Terrible Movie – Great Soundtrack

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Joe_Williams

Back in the late 1970s, John Williams must have been the hardest working man in show business. I doubt if he took a day off since crafting the iconic soundtrack for Jaws in 1975. If there was a major movie, … Continue reading →

Posted in Blast from the Past, Curious Clutter, Stuff Joe Likes | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Keeping Good Habits

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Joe_Williams

This is the thin 3-ring binder I bought from a dollar store near work and filled it with 97¢ worth of looseleaf paper in order to work out the story of The Teenage Beast. I am writing an outline for … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Design, Illustration, It Came From the Sketchbook, Sketch, Stuff Joe Likes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Well, I never felt more like singin’ the blues…

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Joe_Williams

A couple years ago I wrote about the stash of non-photo blue pencils I have all over my house and why I use them: Non-Photo Blue pencils are a particular shade of blue that could not be detected by a  … Continue reading →

Posted in Curious Clutter, Illustration, Stuff Joe Likes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments