Hello World! Welcome to mine.

I love to write. It’s one of the things I discovered about myself when I returned to college many years ago after working twenty years in accounting. So, then I ask myself, why do I do so little of it on my blog?

I began today by reading some of my earlier posts on The DM Zone and to my horror discover that it’s been nearly three years since I have posted a new blog. Well, of course the “thingy” got in the way with my travels to be able to report about in the blog, but hey, I wasn’t trapped in my home. We traveled a lot and just kept our distance and basically avoided any contamination. So thank goodness, I never got the “thingy”.

So today i will not try to catch you all up on the past two years, just the year of 2023. I am inserting my annual Christmas letter with some edits for privacy’s sake. Enjoy! And, thanks for visiting The DM Zone.

We had a busy year, nothing new, but started January at home enjoying the reopening of our little community and nearby Atlanta’s entertainment offerings. Having rented our Panama Condo for December and January we then left for Panama the first of February for the entire month.

Back home in the U.S. some exciting news in March on Doug Collins’ movie project, CYBERKILL as the screenplay based on author Frank Fiore’s book was the Semi-Finalist in the Screencraft Competition. One step closer to becoming a real movie. But as always, there is something for everyone in NW Georgia. With membership to Savoy Automobile Museum, we got to enjoy an incredible show of Porsches. This facility is as good as Reno’s National Automobile Museum. Lots of different displays year-round.

Mostly, we enjoyed the local talented musicians at various locations, especially Newby’s Farm and Vineyard tasting room, which is really a great entertainment venue on Broad Street in Rome, Georgia.

June set us traveling to Atlanta for a tour of Tyler Perry’s incredible studio. This massive campus provides a economic and cultural boost for Georgia. We didn’t meet Tyler, but we did get to “visit the White House” and sit behind the “President’s desk.” Amazingly realistic. And back north in Cartersville we attended the Nashville Songwriter’s concert at the Booth Western Art Museum. The Booth is the largest Western Art collection in the world and a Smithsonian museum … amazing since it’s in Georgia.

July set us on the road to Dalton, Georgia for a ‘celebrity book signing’ with Johnny Joey Jones’s book “Unbroken Bonds of Battle.” Jones is a familiar analyst on Fox News/Business and a true hero having suffered a life-changing injury in the loss of both legs in Afghanistan while serving in the Marines. It was something to remember while watching the 4^th of July fireworks commemorating our glorious country! Here I am with Johnny Joey Jones laughing at his joke!

Soon on the road again to Nashville, TN for a reunion with good buddy Ray Herndon as he and longtime bandmate Terry McBride launched their new album at Ole Red’s.

Terry McBride, DM and Ray Herndon at Ole Red, Nashville, TN

Finishing our Tennessee portion at Monteagle in Franklin, TN with more local entertainment. After a stop in Rome, we drove to Florida for a work/fun week-long trip. Doug’s project Alzheimer’s Treatment Centers of America is gaining momentum with presentations at The Villages, and Lake Nona Performance Club. While in Orlando we caught up with author & book reviewer Gary Roen for lunch. I was surprised with an early birthday celebration at Maxine’s on Shine with a serenade by the owner. Also, while at the Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort, I along with my husband Doug was prompted to perform during a happy hour for the guests. It was a blast.

September in Rome we took Pickleball lessons for four weeks to learn the ins and outs of the growing popular game. We determined that it’s a lot harder than some folks proclaim, but a lot of fun! Hitting the road again for Doug’s Alzheimer’s project, he and partner Greg Buckley attended the “3686 Conference” along with Dr. Michael Montijo. The conference’s name is about the GPS location of Nashville but what they discovered is that it is It is true that “everyone has an Alzheimer’s story.” This project is so important, and Doug is pleased to be a part of it.

October with Doug continued working daily on the Alzheimer’s Treatment Centers of America. His book “Truth, Lies and Alzheimer’s, It’s Secret Faces” offers helpful information to caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s available on Amazon – hardback, soft and Kindle also in Spanish. It was the catalyst that prompted his involvement with the ATCA project.

As always if in Rome first week in November, it is the Rome International Film Festival week. This year – its 20^th – hosted actor-director Ethan Hawke and Tim Blake Nelson. We also reconnected with Bahama dignitary/actor/director, Rowena Poiter Sutherland, casting director Shay Griffin while hobnobbing with community supporters and other attendees at a fun Roaring 20s theme gala.

Actor & Director Ethan Hawke with DM

Actor Tim Blake Nelson with DM

Next, promoting Alzheimer’s Treatment Centers of America with branded shirts we attended the annual Fox News Patriot Awards fundraiser in Nashville and again discovered that “Everyone has an Alzheimer’s story”. It is going to be the next major health issue in the world. 

Harris Faulkner with DM

Raymond Arroyo with DM

Jimmy Failla wtih DM

Sadly, December began with the passing of Ireland’s legend Shane McGowan (The Pogues). Although Shane couldn’t attend the 2019 Rome Film Festival, his wife Victoria Mary Clarke, did and we all became close friends. Victoria was generous with her time while we were traveling in Dublin, Ireland cementing our bond. Shane’s music will live on and in fact a new recording of his hits has been released in the States since his passing.

Please subscribe to The DM Zone to see all of DM’s video interviews!  You can get a copy of Doug Collins’ book on Amazon and learn more about his new project to treat Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss and brain fog from Long COVID at https://AlzheimersTreatmentCentersOfAmerica.com

Happy New Year’s to you all and a very successful 2024. I’ll be in touch before the next decade.

Just kidding!

The DM Zone at Fort Myers Film Festival

A chance to walk the red carpet and have some fun!

You know if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life! Lucky me! The DM Zone was invited as part of the media for the 11th Fort Myers Film Festival. This festival is a major event and 2021 was “in-person” rather than virtual. Yay!!!

FMFF Producer Eric Raddatz and his team created a fantastic five day film-filled and celebrity attended event. Having created with my partner-producer Douglas Collins several film festivals in the long-ago past including The Reno Film Festival and the Bonanza Western Film Festival, I understand that to successfully plan and execute a film festival takes a lot of work. Raddatz, indeed, was very successful with his Fort Myers Film Festival.

The real secret to a good film festival is easy … Film, Parties and Celebrities … oh, and more parties! As the saying goes, first is the pre-party, then the party, followed by the after-party and then the after-after-party and again after that, the after-after-after party. At one Sundance Film Festival that The DM Zone participated, the last party BEGAN at 3:30 a.m. You get the picture.

At the FMFF one film was dear to my heart because it was produced and directed by good friend Ashley Wren Collins. The short film I Only Miss You When I’m Breathing was included in the block titled “Thinkers Shorts 2” and was shown Friday, May 14. Inspired by a true story of a loss of a child it starred Country music legend Phil Vassar and Lori Fischer. Attending the festival was Ms. Wren Collins and Phil Vassar.

A brief synopsis from the FMFF program: A devasted wife and husband, stuck in the aftermath of a school shooting that killed their only son, are bombarded by friends and neighbors who want them to re-join the human race. Inspired by the real life story of Nashville country singer/songwriter Freddy Weller, and his wife Pippy.

As a side note, I must tell you, I am a major fan of Phil Vassar and was thrilled to not only meet him, but interview him about his participation in the film. With many top-charting hits in his career (at least seven number one hits) this was Vassar’s first foray into acting. You would not know it by his performance. Moving and believable is how I would describe it.

Pictured left, from the left:

Diane Gray, Ashley Wren Collins, Phil Vassar and me … Dianemarie Collins of The DM Zone!

Yes, the topic of I Only Miss You When I’m Breathing is indeed sad. But grief is also something we all must deal with. How we deal is individual to our backgrounds, personality and even family traditions. In some countries folks are used to more public displays of grief, or others allow more time to hold that grief in to yourself and wallow. If nothing else, this film opens up a dialogue that could be helpful to those suffering from a loss.

Another short film worth mentioning Prometheus Bound directed by Maddalena Kinglesy shown in “Local Block 1” because those involved were from Fort Myers, Florida. There is a larger than I had imagined film community in and near Fort Myers. I met and interviewed Cassidy Reyes, one of the rising actors featured in Prometheus Bound. Reyes was a lively interview. She has several more films in the “hopper” as the film editing process can take sometimes up to a year to complete. But, keep an eye out for this talented individual. I predict a long and successful career.

That’s Reyes and me below on the red carpet of the Fort Myers Film Festival opening night.

Phil Vassar and Dianemarie Collins on the red carpet of the Fort Myers Film Festival.

Discussion, in-depth thought, fun, parties, celebrities. See now you’ve got what a film festival is all about! So, the next time you hear of one, or are asked to attend, or to support with a membership, sponsorship or whatever give it a thought. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Check out The DM Zone website later for the interviews.

There’s Only One Month Left to Nominate Your Favorite Author for The Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame

Denver, CO January 18, 2020 –The Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame^® is officially calling for nominations from the public for outstanding authors with ties to our beautiful state. If the nominee is inducted by the board, the author will receive an award and be celebrated in the upcoming ceremony on September 18, 2021 at the Renaissance Central Park in Denver, Colorado, and be forever placed in the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame.^®

Last year’s 22 inductees included authors such as former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Miss America By Day’s Marilyn Van Derbur, Jerry Jenkins, who created the Left Behind series, American Western writer, Louis L’Amour, fortune hunter, W. C. Jameson, and even Stephen King. After living in Colorado for a year to create The Shining, bringing the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park to prominence, King returned to Maine, to finish The Stand which is set in Boulder.

Nominations will be open until February 28, 2021. Only 12 authors will be nominated this year for induction.

The nomination criteria for the Hall of Fame are simple:

• The author was born in Colorado, currently lives in Colorado, or created one of their published works in Colorado.
• They write about Colorado or include a location or event in Colorado as part of their published work.
• Made significant and enduring contributions to their fields of work.
• Helped open new frontiers for writing styles, ideas and concepts.
• Inspired others by the breadth of their writing and work.
• Advanced the status of authors.

Anyone who wants to make a nomination must go to www.ColoradoAuthorsHallOfFame.org and click on the Nominate form.

About Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame^®

Authors’ Hall of Fame^® strives to educate the people of Colorado and the country about the stories of the authors who shaped their works using their personal presence and the environment of our State with courage, leadership, intelligence, compassion, and creativity. Inductees are authors who’ve made a major impact on others with their words. The Authors’ Hall of Fame^® recognition endeavors to ensure their legacies never die.

The next Induction of the Hall of Fame^® will be held September 18, 2021 at the Renaissance Central Park in Denver, Colorado. Nominations for authors to be inducted are now open to the public on the Hall’s website, www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org. Additional information about the upcoming Induction event, donations, events, board members and future inductees is also available on the website.

The public is invited to visit the website, read the criteria for nominations, and encouraged to nominate authors who they believe would be ideal to include in the 2021 celebration.

Press inquiries: Judith Briles, Judith@Briles.com or 303-885-2207.

Forgotten Resolutions … Look to 2021

“Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.” Oscar Wilde

I looked up my last blog. It was a resolution to write more blogs for the new year. The date? January 2019! Whoops! I read somewhere that the reason most ‘resolutions’ fail is that there isn’t a plan to accomplish them attached to them. Makes sense, but not so easy to follow through.

This blog is a shortened version of my 2020 recap letter that each year is sent to friends, family and business associates for the holidays. But, I have a plan to accomplish my New Year’s Resolution of 2019 which is to write more blogs. My plan is to share the journey each month rather than wait till the end of the year. I may even become inspired and send out more blogs, but I am committing to at least once a month to post in The DM Zone something new! Wish me luck!

My recap of 2020 … How to cope … hit the road!

My husband and I are home alone celebrating the holidays. Okay, so celebrating might be a bit over-enthusiastic for 2020, but hey both of us are in good health and so are those we love and care about. Yes, 2020 is a year we may all want to forget. Gratefully, this year will soon be in the history books. And, with the vaccine on its way to Americans, we are indeed grateful!  Husband Doug is working on a new project to manufacture human, Type ‘O-Negative’ red blood cells from stem cells which has the potential of solving the global blood shortage.  Visit http://heamgen.com to learn more.

Our year consisted of lots traveling around this great country. Late January, pre-virus days, we packed up for a quick flight to Las Vegas and a planned visit to the Sundance Film Festival for The DM Zone interviews.  A major snowstorm changed our minds and instead we drove to Phoenix for visit with family and friends. While there we filmed two “The DM Zone” interviews in Globe, Arizona featuring the High Desert Humane Society Cat Rescue and the boutique resort Dream Manor Inn, a combination Bed & Breakfast and special events resort.

Mid March as the lock-downs began, The DM Zone met with Sharón Lynn Wyeth and her fascinating take on the Corona virus through her science Neimology – What’s In A Name.

We had planned on a trip to Vail with friend and author Frank Fiore and his wife in June. With the Corona virus pandemic, we changed it to a ‘road trip’ and added a few stops. Visited family in Hot Springs, AK, saw clients next in Wichita, KS and then on to Colorado Springs where we enjoyed socially distanced dinners and brunches with more friends in Broomfield, Colorado. Finally, reaching Vail, Colorado for our four days in the mountains. A quick travel-blog on The DM Zone in the historic town of Leadville, CO was a blast. After fourteen days we headed back to Rome, GA via Greenwood, Indiana for another visit with family.

Next roadtrip wasn’t until the end of September. Once again heading for Arizona we traveled the Northern route via Albuquerque, NM. First stop visiting family was in Pinetop, AZ at a three-hour delicious Mexican lunch then on to Globe, AZ via the Salt River Canyon where I got to test my road-racing skills. We stayed in our favorite place, the Dream Manor Inn. The next day we also did an update video with coping in the world of Corina Virus on both the Dream Manor Inn and the High Desert Humane Society Cat Rescue. You can watch all of the videos on https://TheDMZone.com . We left Globe for Scottsdale where we stayed for a week at the Marriott’s Canyon Villas visiting with many folks in the Valley. We brunched with Frank Fiore and learned more about plans to take his hit novel “Cyberkill” into a film. Producer husband Doug caught up with his friend and filmmaker Abdu Dandridge. When we returned to Rome, GA we’d traveled over 3500 miles!

We liked our Arizona timeshare stay so much we booked mid-November for a week at the Marriott Cypress Harbour in Orlando, FL. After enjoying the resort for a couple of days, we drove to Palm Beach visiting more folks we have not seen and shooting a couple of The DM Zone travel blogs. After a week we headed back to Georgia.

Our final road trip for the year took us to the Sheraton Broadway Plantation in Myrtle Beach, SC. On December 12 during our drive from Rome we decided to veer to Charleston, SC first for a delightful rooftop early dinner at the Charleston Crabhouse and of course a travel blog on The DM Zone. One day we drove to Georgetown, SC to walk the Harborwalk part of the 3rd oldest port in America where we conducted The DM Zone travel blog next to the Intercoastal Waterway.

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Another day we veered north to Calabash, NC for lunch with Will Head, a dear friend and founder of Nooz.tv. Our final day in Myrtle Beach found us at “The Commons” a small shopping/living area very much like a quaint village. We pretty much had the place to ourselves, another sign of the virus but still worth the effort.

At last we hit the road again for Greenwood, IN for an early Christmas with family. We broke our 12-hour drive from South Carolina to Indiana in Knoxville, TN. As we made our final approach we stopped in Midway, KY – a darling historical railroad town founded in 1833 when the first cross country rail made it halfway between Lexington and Louisville. The train tracks ran between the two sides of Main Street – and we got to watch a train pass through town while we ate a lunch of beer cheese dip with homemade pretzels and spinach salad at the Goose and Gander restaurant. No video to record the visit, but plans to return for The DM Zone is definitely on the list.

I hope this blog of my travels and The DM Zone travel blogs encourge each of you to get out and see our beautiful country. And, my plan for my New Year’s Resolution begins in January for the first of my 12 blogs for 2021!

New Year’s Resolution: Write More Blogs!

Everyone makes New Year’s Resolutions … or least they try. How often do we keep them? My guess is about ten percent of us do. Whoops! Last Fall I attended my high school reunion. My #50thHighSchool reunion! #CamelbackHigh #Reunion

I took The DM Zone to the reunion and a few brave attendees took the challenge that I posed. #TheDMZone

I asked two questions of each that I interviewed. The questions were simple but really hard if you think about it.

What one word or phrase would you say described you during high school?

What one word or phrase would you say describes the past 50 years since high school?

High School Reunion Questions  – Watch the video by clicking the link here!

The video of my former classmates was meant to be fun, and I like to think it was. Please watch and let me know your thoughts.  Twitter: @DMCollins Facebook: Dianemarie Collins or respond directly to this blog! Thanks!

The reunion also made me think about resolutions, the theme of today’s blog. I love my life and the many twists that my road has taken. Some of the time it was a result of a resolution I made to myself. Lucky me that it turned out that way.

Today I am making a resolution with my self to blog more in 2019. It feels good to reflect or plan on what you want. And if that plan or resolution comes to be because of your hard work or luck, who’s to say that isn’t good too!

Happy New Year and may all of your resolutions come true for 2019!

 

 

 

 

A Fish Story … Filmmaker and Author Roger Seiler’s “Master of Alaska”

Blog Tour Stop Number Five:   THE DM ZONE

Interview on The DM Zone shares the tale of his family and growing up in Alaska,             the beautiful 49^th State 

My website, not linked to this blog, is where I post videos of  The DM Zone.  On the Internet TV show, I get to interview creative and talented folks from all different genres and walks-of-life. I have interviewed politicians, musicians, artists, actors and yes … authors. Today as part of Roger’s Seiler Blog Tour for MASTER OF ALASKA, I visited with him at his home in Nyack, New York for the story of how he came to grow up in Alaska.

Watch the video interview. It is an informative, interesting and funny tale of Roger’s youth, his family, flying float planes, and fishing.  (Roger Seiler, Above)

Now the author has written a historical novel about Alexander Baranov, the first governor of Alaska who was sent from the Catherine the Great, Czarina of Russia at the time of George Washington. Rather than being a dry history lesson, Seiler has formed an exciting and page-turning tale of the early days of what is now the state of Alaska.

This is the true saga of Alaska’s first and greatest governor, sent to be chief manager for 5 years, but stuck there for 28.  He built a northwest Russian empire that stretched to California and Hawaii.  And were it not for Baranov, today Alaska would be Canadian instead of America’s 49^th state.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE SIGNED COPY OF MASTER OF ALASKA

Critics rave about Historical Novel by Author Roger Seiler based on historical documents

“In this gripping tale of historical fiction, a man faces a brutal landscape and forms alliances with the native tribes… An informative, exciting read that stays true to its real-life inspiration.”

– Kirkus Reviews

Author Roger Seiler is giving a signed printed copy of MASTER OF ALASKA. Also during the blog tour, the eBook is only 99 cents. The direct links are below.

CLICK HERE TO GET ‘MASTER OF ALASKA’ eBOOK FOR ONLY 99 CENTS

About Roger Seiler, Author & Filmmaker

Award-winning filmmaker and author Roger Seiler grew up in Alaska from age three.  His love of adventure comes from both his parents. His father Edwin was a civil engineer eventually becoming an Alaskan bush pilot. His mother Josefina was born in Puerto Rico and was a writer and Alaskan sport-fishing lodge manager with the hobby of Flamenco dancing.  In his late teens, Roger was a king salmon sport fishing guide on Alaska’s Naknek River, and a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay.

He attended Deep Springs College and graduated With Honors from UCLA with a BA in Theater Arts – Film. His first film work was for UCLA’s Automotive Collision Research project, including a film for TV, “Safety on the Road,” which he wrote, produced and directed. While attending UCLA, Roger also worked with actor Karl Malden and famed director Francis Ford Coppola.

Roger currently lives in South Nyack, NY with his wife Sally. Roger is a devoted reader and supporter of libraries. In 1977 he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Nyack Library (Carnegie funded in 1879) and has continued to serve for 40 years, 16 as Board President. Master of Alaska, a Historical Novel, is his second book and whose publisher North Face Publishing is subsidiary of Motivational Press Publishing.

Blog Tours For Book Promotions … Still a Great Tool for PR

Blog Tours are not new for book promotions. I firmly believe that they are a very useful tool for authors to kick-start any book launch. How do they work? Grab a group of bloggers willing to exchange blog posts with you, the author promoting your book, and away you go.

… Well, it’s more work than that, but that’s the basic premise. I feature a “Double Blog, Blog Tour” where the author featured interviews the blogger of the day for a double hit each day. It is a lot of work for the bloggers and the author, but it is very effective promotion with a potential for a good deal of web-talk about the book you are launching. It also creates reviews for your Amazon and that is crucial for increasing your book sales.

I am including the press release for the book blog tour currently in action for Roger Seiler’s latest book: MASTER OF ALASKA. The book is a historical novel based on the first governor of Alaska … sent by Russia. Very timely of a topic considering what is in the political news of today.

Feel free to visit any of the ‘blog stops’ along the tour to see how it works. Thanks!

Master of Alaska … Blog Tour Timed with SesquiCentennial of Alaska Statehood

Critics rave about Historical Novel by Author Roger Seiler based on historical documents –

“In this gripping tale of historical fiction, a man faces a brutal landscape and forms alliances with the native tribes… An informative, exciting read that stays true to its real-life inspiration.”

– Kirkus Reviews

(June 11, 2017 – New York, NY) -Nationally known bloggers, authors and reviewers join author Roger Seiler on the rip roaring adventure and love story.  Told as a historical novel, the Tsar’s first Governor of Alaska, Aleksandr Baranov, makes up his mind: he will not be defeated by the Alaskan wilderness. Kirkus gives the book a four-star review.

This is the true saga of Alaska’s first and greatest governor, sent to be chief manager for 5 years, but stuck there for 28.  He built a northwest Russian empire that stretched to California and Hawaii.  And were it not for Baranov, today Alaska would be Canadian instead of America’s 49^th state.

About Roger Seiler, Author & Filmmaker

Award-winning filmmaker and author Roger Seiler grew up in Alaska from age three.  His love of adventure comes from both his parents. His father Edwin was a civil engineer eventually becoming an Alaskan bush pilot. His mother Josefina was born in Puerto Rico and was a writer and Alaskan sport-fishing lodge manager with the hobby of Flamenco dancing.  In his late teens, Roger was a king salmon sport fishing guide on Alaska’s Naknek River, and a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay.

He attended Deep Springs College and graduated With Honors from UCLA with a BA in Theater Arts – Film. His first film work was for UCLA’s Automotive Collision Research project, including a film for TV, “Safety on the Road,” which he wrote, produced and directed. While attending UCLA, Roger also worked with actor Karl Malden and famed director Francis Ford Coppola.

Roger currently lives in South Nyack, NY with his wife Sally. Roger is a devoted reader and supporter of libraries. In 1977 he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Nyack Library (Carnegie funded in 1879) and has continued to serve for 40 years, 16 as Board President. Master of Alaska, a Historical Novel, is his second book and whose publisher North Face Publishing is subsidiary of Motivational Press Publishing.

 

Participating Blogs in order of the blog schedule:

 

Monday, June 12                              Celtic Lady’s Book Reviews

Tuesday, June 13                              Lisa Queen of Random

Wednesday, June 14                       Hogwash

Thursday, June 15                            The Book Adventures of Emily   

Friday, June 16                                  The DM Zone

Monday, June 19                              Lily Iona MacKenzie’s Writer’s Blog

Tuesday, June 20                              The Author’s Show

Wednesday, June 21                       Reading to Distraction

Thursday, June 22                            Mythical Books

Friday, June 23                                  Mara Purl

Saturday, June 24                             What Cathy Read Next

Sunday, June 25                                Reecaspieces

Monday, June 26                              Kerry Adrienne

Tuesday, June 27                              Rosepoint Publishing

Wednesday, June 28                       Buddy Hollywood

Thursday, June 29                            Tired of Talking About Myself

Friday, June30                                   Hope C Tarr

 

Digital Diva Kim Komana Gives Great Tips on Facebook Live Stream

I am all for shortcuts and simplified directions when it comes to new apps and other new technology for videos that keeps coming our direction. On The DM Zone, I get to interview celebrities, business leaders and other interesting folks like authors, artists and musicians.

But I have an entire crew that produce my videos … from the camera work to the editing. And they do an amazing job! Fortunately for me, I don’t have to handle any of the technical side of The DM Zone.

Those of you that don’t have a production crew to follow you and your life now have a way to create videos “Live.” Facebook has come up with an app, that using your smart phone allows you to video and stream “Live” on to your Facebook page. How cool is that? VERY!

Not being the techie that I would like to be, I was really impressed with Kim Komando’s recent post on this topic. Her article, “Facebook Live: How to broadcast like a pro” is perfect … from how to get started to how to avoid problems. She even has added a video (of course she has!) that makes the process even easier to learn.

So hat’s off to Kim and don’t forget to follow and tweet her that you like what your saw!

Watch The DM Zone Interviews

I have been conducting interviews with “Fun, Interesting and Talented Folks” for more than 15 years. For the past five years, the interviews have been available online on my Internet T.V. program “The DM Zone.”  Now more and more of these video interviews are being watched. This development is due to the new method of delivering the videos to audiences.

• First my team has linked my videos with a ‘blog’ about the video.
• Next these are uploaded to my new website The DM Zone
• Finally, they are shared on Social Media – my Twitter and Facebook

With the help of my video team and I have been able to record my interviews with musicians, actors, artists, and authors. But through the years, I have also met influential business and political leaders.

Dianemarie Collins & Randy Jackson NAB 2014

I am fortunate that I love what I do. I am especially pleased that my program has been syndicated and pick-up by more than one internet site and network.  Makes me proud!

So, here is one of my most favorite interviews. This one is about how Master Artist Ed Copley, whose great-great-great grandfather is John Singleton Copley created the portrait of yours truly. Just click on the link! Enjoy.

A Masterpiece with Master Artist Ed Copley

Dianemarie (DM) Collins, the host of The DM Zone, shares her experience with commissioning a custom portrait from Ed Copley, the direct descendant of American master portrait artist John Singleton Copley.

Ed Copley, considered a Master artist whose work is collected around the globe, is now recognized as a Living Master, a very elite award from The Art Renewal Center. But the genes of artistic genius that make Ed Copley one of world’s finest painters are more than just heredity.

Known as a modern-day old master, Copley paints with an ‘old master’ technique – mixing his own paints, adding glazes, stretching his own canvas and even carving a frame for that special masterpiece. As for Ed Copley’s artistic genes, John Singleton Copley  was the greatest American painter of the 18th century. His great, great, great grandson Ed Copley exquisitely follows in those footsteps in the 21st century.

Ed Copley Gallery at the Art Renewal Center is due to his extensive body of work. Kara Lysandra Ross, Director of Operations for the Art Renewal Center.said about accepting Ed Copley int the Art Renewal Center,

“I am very pleased that our esteemed judges saw fit to give Ed the title of ARC Associate Living Master™ and welcome him to the elite group of living artists shown in the ARC Museum. The process for acceptance into the ARC Living Artist and Master’s Gallery ™ is a rigorous one, where an artist’s work must be reviewed by a panel of at least four Judges who consist of well published art scholars and master instructors whose presage is undeniable.”

Ross continues, “His work now appears on our website as does the work of his Grandfather, John Singleton Copley. Although their work is clearly from two different time periods, it is always a pleasure to see that the artistic quality in the family remained fully intact. Ed is a wonderful addition to the ARC family and we are looking forward to his newest works and exhibitions.”

With a classical attention to composition, meticulous attention to his use of light and devotion to the Old World application and mixing of his own pigments, Copley paintings are masterpieces. He also uses a glazing technique which develops richness in detail and color without the use of heavy applications of paint. But because it is such a slow process, few artists choose to use it at the present time.

 

 

 

I’VE BEEN THINKING

Good thoughts form Keith Garrett. I normally do not Reblog, but this post has merit. Thanks.

keithgarrettpoetry

I thought i’d call to you and talk awhile,

I’m sitting here alone, I’ve been thinking.

What can i do to make this world a better place,

Let go of anger and sometimes terrible thoughts.

Do not waste this time that I’ve been given,

Smile and say hello to a passerby.

Lend a hand to a less fortunate soul,

Put a little trust in man, this I’ve been told.

Do not take a life, be there for a friend,

Teach a child right from wrong.

Love as much as you can, hate is not a gift in hand,

Do not steal or act in violence,

I’ve been thinking god, I just needed you to listen.

Keith Garrett

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