Ansel Adams (February 20, 1902 April 22, 1984)

 Ansel Adams (February 20, 1902 April 22, 1984) was a legendary American photographer and environmentalist, renowned for his majestic black-and-white images of the American West, especially Yosemite National Park. His masterful use of light, shadow, and composition helped elevate photography to a fine art and inspired generations of photographers and nature lovers. Adams was also a committed conservationist, working closely with the Sierra Club to protect wild lands for future generations.

This pencil drawing by artist Greg Joens pays tribute to Adams spirit of quiet strength and contemplation. The bearded gentleman in a broad-brimmed hat, rendered in graphite, echoes the timeless dignity and reflective character often associated with Ansel Adams iconic presence behind the camera.

M. Emmet Walsh (1935–2024)

 

M. Emmet Walsh (1935–2024) was one of Hollywood’s most beloved character actors, renowned for his distinctive voice, expressive face, and unforgettable presence on screen. Over a career spanning six decades, he appeared in more than 200 films and television shows, often stealing scenes with performances that were at once grounded, human, and slightly offbeat. From his chilling turn in Blood Simple to memorable roles in Blade Runner, Raising Arizona, and countless other productions, Walsh became the very definition of a character actor—never the obvious star, yet impossible to forget.

Walsh had a rare gift for making even the smallest role feel fully lived-in, bringing depth and nuance to cab drivers, cops, neighbors, and drifters alike. Audiences came to recognize him as a familiar, trusted face—someone who added texture and authenticity wherever he appeared. This pencil portrait of M. Emmet Walsh was drawn by artist Greg Joens as a tribute to a singular talent whose work continues to inspire film lovers, artists, and fellow actors around the world.

George Kennedy (February 18, 1925 – February 28, 2016)

February 18th - Birthday Tribute

George Kennedy (February 18, 1925 – February 28, 2016) remains one of cinema’s most memorable character actors, a towering presence with a quiet humanity that shone through every role. From Cool Hand Luke to countless film and television appearances, he brought depth, grit, and unexpected warmth to the screen, earning both accolades and enduring admiration. On his birthday, we remember not just an Oscar-winning performer, but a true professional who elevated every project he touched. This pencil drawing, created by artist Greg Joens, honors George Kennedy’s legacy and keeps his spirit vividly alive for generations to come.

Paul Lynde (June 13, 1926 – January 10, 1982)

 Paul Lynde (June 13, 1926 – January 10, 1982) was a unique comedian whose sharp wit and campy charm lit up television, film, and stage. From his memorable appearances on Bewitched and The Hollywood Squares to his distinctive voice work and character roles, Lynde’s timing and delivery made every line stand out. Behind the sarcasm was a performer who understood how deeply laughter can connect us. His legacy lives on in the joy he brought to millions, and in every sly smile, his work continues to inspire today.

Artwork by pencil artist Greg Joens, whose finely detailed portrait of Paul Lynde was created to honor the comedian’s personality, presence, and lasting legacy.

Robert Duvall (1931–2026)

 

Pencil Art by Greg Joens

Robert Duvall (1931–2026), a titan of American cinema, passed away peacefully at his Virginia home on February 15, 2026, at the age of 95. His legendary career spanned seven decades, beginning with his haunting debut as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Duvall was a master of transformation, celebrated for his role as the loyal consigliere Tom Hagen in The Godfather and the surf-obsessed Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. In 1983, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his soulful portrayal of a faded country singer in Tender Mercies. A true "actor's actor," he leaves behind an unmatched legacy of authenticity and grace. 

Pencil Sketch of the Day (15FEB26): Oliver Hardy Pencil sketch on drawing paper - Greg Joens.

Pencil Sketch of the Day (15FEB26):

Oliver Hardy

Pencil sketch on drawing paper - Greg Joens.

Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) was an American comic actor best known as one half of the legendary duo Laurel and Hardy. With his round figure, expressive face, and mix of bluster and vulnerability, he brought warmth and humanity to slapstick comedy. Hardy’s meticulous timing and distinctive mannerisms turned simple gags into unforgettable moments on screen. Working with Stan Laurel, he appeared in dozens of silent shorts and sound films that helped define early Hollywood comedy. Beyond the laughs, Hardy’s legacy endures in the joy he brought to audiences worldwide and the lasting influence he left on generations of comedians.

Pencil Sketch of the Day: Leslie Nielsen 13FEB26

Pencil Sketch of the Day: Leslie Nielsen

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Leslie Nielsen (born February 11, 1926 – died November 28, 2010) was a master of deadpan comedy whose perfectly straight face made the wildest jokes even funnier. After years as a dramatic actor, he reinvented himself in classics like Airplane! and The Naked Gun series, becoming a legend of parody and slapstick. His timing, charm, and commitment to every absurd moment made him beloved around the world. Though he is gone, his films continue to make us laugh, reminding us of his unique genius and timeless gift for comedy.

 

Burt Reynolds - Born February 11, 1936

 Artist Greg Joens presents a pencil tribute portrait of iconic American actor Burt Reynolds (born Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. on February 11, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan; died September 6, 2018, in Jupiter, Florida), whose rugged charm and magnetic screen presence made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars of the 1970s and 1980s. Celebrated for roles in films like Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, and Boogie Nights, Reynolds balanced action, comedy, and vulnerability in a way few actors could. A little‑known fact about Reynolds is that before his film career took off, he was a standout college football player at Florida State University and dreamed of going pro, but a devastating knee injury and a subsequent car accident ended those hopes—ultimately steering him toward acting and the legendary career this portrait honors.

Sketch of the Day: Buster Keaton (1895–1966)

 Sketch of the Day: 11FEB26

Buster Keaton

Buster Keaton (1895–1966), often called “The Great Stone Face,” was a pioneering American silent film comedian, director, and stunt performer whose deadpan expression and groundbreaking physical comedy reshaped the language of cinema. Raised in a vaudeville family, Keaton honed astonishing acrobatic skills from childhood, later bringing that precision to films like The General, Sherlock Jr. and Steamboat Bill, Jr., where he performed many of his own daring stunts long before safety standards or special effects as we know them existed. His meticulous timing, inventive gags, and willingness to risk real danger made him a favorite among fellow filmmakers and a lasting influence on generations of comedians. A little‑known fact about Keaton is that magician Harry Houdini was his godfather—and may even have been the one who gave young Joseph Keaton the nickname “Buster” after watching him take a spectacular fall as a child.

Pencil Sketch of the Day: 09FEB26 Cole Porter (1891–1964)

 Pencil Sketch of the Day:

Cole Porter...

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Cole Porter (1891–1964) remains the gold standard of American musical theater, uniquely distinguished as one of the few legends who wrote both music and lyrics for his enduring masterpieces. Born into an affluent Indiana family, he defied his grandfather’s legal ambitions to bring a worldly, urbane wit to the Great American Songbook. His career, marked by sophisticated rhythms and clever, occasionally risqué rhymes, produced iconic hits like "Night and Day," "Anything Goes," and "I've Got You Under My Skin". Despite a debilitating horse-riding accident in 1937 that left him in lifelong pain, his creative spirit triumphed with the 1948 smash Kiss Me, Kate—the first-ever recipient of the Tony Award for Best Musical. Porter’s legacy is a timeless "champagne" of glamour and complex emotion that continues to define musical elegance.

Laurel and Hardy - 08FEB26

 Pencil Sketch of the Day... 08FEB26

Long before they were known as the world’s most iconic slapstick duo, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were seasoned individual performers who crossed paths by complete accident at Hal Roach Studios. Though they first appeared in the same film, The Lucky Dog, as early as 1921, they played independent roles—Laurel as the hero and Hardy as a robber—and did not work together again for several years. Their official partnership only began in 1927 due to a literal kitchen mishap: Hardy severely burned his arm while cooking a leg of lamb, forcing the studio to bring in Laurel to fill his role in the comedy Get 'Em Young. Director Leo McCarey soon noticed the undeniable natural chemistry between the "thin one" and the "fat one," and by the release of Putting Pants on Philip later that year, the bumbling, optimistic "The Boys" were officially born.

Sketch of the Day: Conrad Bain (1923–2013)

Sketch of the Day:

Conrad Bain (1923–2013)

Conrad Bain was a Canadian-American actor best known for his warm, dignified portrayal of Phillip Drummond on the beloved sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he built a rich career on stage and screen, often playing thoughtful, principled authority figures. Bain brought gentle humor and humanity to every role, endearing himself to generations of viewers. Beyond his work, he was admired for his professionalism, kindness, and quiet grace. Conrad Bain’s legacy lives on through the timeless characters he created and the enduring comfort his performances continue to bring audiences worldwide.

Matt Monro (1930–1985) pencil Art

 

Matt Monro (1930–1985) was an English singer celebrated for his smooth baritone voice and timeless interpretations of popular standards. Often called “The Man with the Golden Voice,” he rose to fame in the 1960s with classic recordings such as “Portrait of My Love,” “Born Free,” and “Walk Away.” Monro’s effortless phrasing, emotional warmth, and elegant style made him a favorite on stage, on record, and in film soundtracks. Though he left us too soon, his voice continues to inspire singers and touch listeners around the world.