The Art Of Anastasia

A tribute to Fox Animation Studio's first feature-length animated film celebrates the story, artwork, computer animation, and 3-D technology that made "Anastasia" possible

In 1963 a woman by the name of "Evgenia Smetisko," an immigrant who purportedly entered the United States from Roumania according to her 1928 naturalization papers, published "Anastasia: The Autobiography of HIH The Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaevna of Russia." When asked if she were indeed the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra, she denied it and failed a lie detector test. Upon acknowledging the fact, she passed. Although her immigration and naturalization papers state that "Evgenia" was born on January 25, 1899, her grave cross in the cemetery of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Monastery in Jordanville, New York lists the birthdate as June 18, 1901. On that date Grand Duchess Anastasia was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. Both Anastasia and "Evgenia" were artistically inclined. Paintings and embroidery from "Evgenia's" collection, which were NOT deemed suitable for inclusion in the monastery's Russian history museum and now reside in a private collection, are offered here for the enjoyment of the reader.

When gallery owner Nellie, a giving yet neurotic New Yorker, brings together the mismatched cast of characters in the opening of Ryan Whittaker's debut, a phallic show, little does she know that she is setting the scene for odd and unpredictable relationships, much like Shakespeare in Midsummer Night's Dream. The frenzied, magical mix-up is an outrageous farce with a deep moral message: there is a RIGHT place for everyone in this world and love and friendship cement us in it. The Art of Change is a funny, smooth reading romance, which deals with bridging differences in gender, education, social milieu, in an insane but pragmatic, modern fairytale, set in New York City. The twists of the plot are written without an ounce of cynicism but simply acknowledging that life is neither here nor there, neither black or white and all can be dealt with in real friendship and love.

1926. A mother and her young daughter come to Los Angeles. The mother is chasing her dream: she wants to conquer Hollywood, no matter the cost. Her little girl, Anastasia, is the perfect candidate to be cinema's next big star. But can she stand the pressure? The clash of dreams and the dirty reality of show business is a heavy burden to bear, as Anastasia comes face to face with the crime, abuse, and murky secrets of an all-powerful industry. A story that calls into question the so-called golden era of Hollywood, when the "dream factory" resembled a Byzantine empire, above the law and fed by vanity and greed.

A visual guide to approximately 20 Florida art colonies and districts. The book will discusses in detail a variety of towns in Florida renowned as “Art Colonies,” together with several “Arts Districts” in both small towns and larger cities that have been designated by the local government and/or by developers as neighborhoods set aside to foster the arts. Many of the communities sponsor annual art festivals or shows that have been held for more than 40 years. The book features color photographs that capture the variety of art forms that are uniquely Florida and covers special aspects of art in Florida such as the great number of Florida artists, the influence of arts projects and social realism of the New Deal, mural painting in Florida, the “Highwaymen,” and the extremely rich 19th and 20th century history of Florida artists. Colonies and districts include: Bradenton Village of the Arts, Eau Gallie Arts District, St Petersburg Warehouse Arts District and Central Arts District, Tampa and Tallahassee.

Anastasia was just a little girl when she first came to Los Angeles with her mother in 1926, to pursue her mother's dream of conquering Hollywood. But it wasn't her mother under the spotlights—it was her. She became the star her mother wanted, but at a terrible price. The fame that endears her to millions also puts her in shackles, at the mercy of those who control her. How long will it take before she cracks? And what will she do then? This is a story that calls into question the so-called golden era of Hollywood, when the "dream factory" resembled a Byzantine empire, above the law and fed by vanity and greed.

It’s Anastasia Pickering’s birthday and that means a dog is in the forecast!—as well as a lesson on patience and trust. Anastasia’s Rain, a book of magical proportions, not only teaches children the value of a positive attitude and the virtue of patience, it also teaches the importance of listening to the guidance of one’s fairy/inner wisdom. Children ages four to nine will marvel at the magical raindrops that appear each time Anastasia finds herself in a pickle, and they’ll cheer her on as she resolves the problem by listening to the sage advice of Patience, her ponytail-riding fairy. This book, along with its beautiful artwork, is a teaching tool in values and life lessons that every parent will appreciate!