Radio Interview on 105.9

So this morning I had a radio interview on 105.9, out of Valdosta. It's owned by Black Crow Media a group of very friendly folks. I have to say that I was kind of nervous, but the interviewer, Frank, kept asking me questions and it went pretty good. Unfortunately, because I was literally frozen to my chair, I can't really remember what all he asked. I remember he asked if I was one of those people who stopped on the side of the road to take pictures and I said yes, I was one of those. Because I am. If I see something I want a shot of, I just stop and shoot away until I'm done. I've gotten plenty of excellent shots that way. I told him a lot of the pictures from the art show at Smith at Northview Hospital were from my mom's garden, so he asked me could I identify them, and I said no. Because I can't. There are a few flowers I can name, but not very many.

Then it was the other girl's turn, and she was talking about a fashion show that will be held in Valdosta. It's called Breakfast at Tiffany's and will be held at Bas Bleu in downtown Valdosta on March 21st, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Prizes will be given out and a silent auction will be held. The fashion show will be the debut of the spring lines from high end shops such as 10 Central, Ally B's Boutique, Ellis' Boutique, ENVY, Fads and Fashions, Mom's to Bee, Renee's Fashions, and Serendipity Boutique. All proceeds from the fashion show and silent auction will benefit the Partnership Health Center, a free primary care clinic for the working, uninsured citizens of Lowndes County. For more information, call 229-245-0020, extension 3, or visit the Partnership Health Center.

Another great thing about the fashion show is that I will be the photographer. This will serve two purposes: it will provide the benefit with free photography, and it will enhance my portfolio, hopefully giving me more access to clients. I am very excited about the whole thing and look forward to attending the event.

Published on Now Public.com

A couple of my pics were used today on Now Public. Several months ago, my mom and I took a trip down to Palatka, Florida, because it boasts quite a few murals througout the town. I took pictures of all them (I think I missed one), and a fellow emailed me asking me if he could use a couple of them that depicted Billy Graham. They can be seen here if you click on the view all footage link.

Several months ago, a local gas station closed down, assumably to the rising fuel costs. I happened to take a picture of the sign - mainly because I had never gas prices so close to $4.00 a gallon - and a different fellow emailed me asking if he could use my picture in conjunction with his article. I agreed, and it can be found here. Again, click on the link for see all footage to view my photo.

Paws for Charity Book Project

Sara Harley, a fellow Etsy photographer and founding member of Paws For Charity, is inviting POE Members who photograph dogs and cats to participate in a new Paws for Charity Book project. Proceeds from the Blurb style book will go directly to a breast cancer charity. They are seeking 40 artists to contribute a piece of artwork to be featured in the book. I have submitted the photo below as my contribution, and I encourage others to submit their photographs or artwork as well.

Breast cancer is a prevalent disease in the United States today, accounting for more than 1 in 4 diagnoses, and is preceded as cause of death only by lung cancer. There are currently more than 2.4 million women in the United States that have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Contributing to this cause will be worthy for everyone, as there are few people who can say that their lives have not been touched in some way by breast cancer.

Won't you please join in the fight against breast cancer with your contribution today? The deadline for photographs and artwork submissions is February 28, 2009.

Reception for Art Exhibit Tonight!

I've mentioned a few times about my art show at Smith at Northview Hospital in Valdosta, Georgia, which started on February 9 and ends on March 24. Tonight is the reception for the show, from 5 to 7 p.m., for any of those that are interested. Today I have been featured in the Valdosta Daily Times as the local artist on display. Please take a look at the article and I hope to see everyone at the reception.

For those of you that would like a copy of the article, it is also in today's paper on page 3A. (Next to the obits, so my son says no one will read it - let's prove him wrong!)

Prompts for Creativity

I found these questions on Something she Wrote, a blogger that I follow, who actually carried them over from over from one of the blogs she follows: The Serenity Gate. Anyway, I thought they were interesting and thought provoking, so here they are with my answers….

Outside my window: It is dark because we have just gotten home from celebrating my husband’s birthday. We usually leave the porch light on, so my sister can see to come inside when she gets off work.

I am thinking: About all of the things that I have to do. I have many projects on my plate and need to clear out some time here soon to organize.

I am thankful for: My family, the fact that I have the ability to work, and the freedom to do the things that I want to do. There are tons of other things but there simply isn’t enough space to list them all here.

From the kitchen: Came a lovely yellow cake with chocolate icing that my youngest son made for my husband’s birthday. There was a secret though – he accidentally made a hole in the cake, so to fix it, he filled it with icing!

I am wearing: A blue shirt, grey pants, black and silver striped socks, flowered shoes and self confidence.

I am creating: Various items. Some jewelry featuring my photography, some other novelty items, more photographs, and working on a book of the history of ten houses in Jasper.

I am going: To try to get some laundry done tonight.

I am hoping: That my husband’s new job will work out because I am tired of being stressed out by money (or lack thereof, I should say.)

I am hearing: A Nasa kid’s show on tv, my Yorkie/Chihuahua mix, Summerlin, barking at the big dogs outside, and my youngest son biting his toenails (no lie).

Around the house: It should be bedtime but everyone seems to be ignoring me :)

One of my favorite things: This thing is one that I don’t physically have anymore but it was mine for years and if it were still around today, it would still be mine. My Old Granny made a blanket. I don’t recall exactly if she made each of us kids one or if they were just made and over time we each ended up with one. Anyway, mine had a different design on each side, because my Granny worked at the sewing factory and would bring home scraps of fabric for Old Granny to use. On the “warm” side, there was a border of about six inches in width around the whole blanket. In the middle of that border, there was a myriad of patches – all different kinds of material (from the sewing factory). On cold nights, the “warm” side was placed downward next to our bodies, to help keep us warm. The other side was covered in pink – yes, pink – fabric that was silky, smooth, and cool feeling. The material had a bunch of little animals on it, but I can’t remember what kinds of animals. That was the “cool” side. On warm or hot nights, we put the cool side of the blanket down towards us. The material held the coolness of the air and kept us cool at night. When the house burned, the blanket was in there. My uncle promised me another blanket, since he got all of them when Old Granny died, but I never got it. Whenever I asked for it, he always had some excuse. Anyway, that was my favorite thing.

Plans for the weekend: See husband off to his new job on Saturday. Hang out with Mom and my sister. We’re supposed to go to the car show in Valdosta. Work really hard on my proposal for “Turn of the Century.” Complete some more art projects. Take plenty of photographs!

New Creations

As I mentioned a few days ago, over at Creative Construction they are hosting a February finish a thon, and I joined up. One of my goals was to expand my line of items utilizing my photography. As a result, I have made a clipboard and a paperweight, each exhibiting one of my photographs. I have them posted on my Esty shop if you'd like to purchase one. Let me know what you think about them. Any questions, comments?

February Challenge

Over at Creative Construction they are issuing a challenge to finish a project during the month of February. I think it's a pretty good idea - I have trouble keeping focused sometimes, and a deadline would certainly help me out at times - that's where my mom still comes in :)

My goals for the month are to finish up my proposal for Turn of the Century: Houses of Hamilton County and submit it to at least two agents. Since it is a nonfiction work, I can submit it without it being completed. I only lack about 10 pages or so, if I am guessing correctly.

My second goal is to make some new items for my etsy shop. I have a clipboard and a paperweight completed and I took some pics of them tonight. I will try to upload them tomorrow. I have some jewelry ideas in the works, but little problems with the pieces keep coming up and I haven't gotten the kinks ironed out yet.

Until next time....