Thursday, February 2, 2012

Bend, Oregon Photography || Worth its weight in gold...

I'll admit it. I'm exhausted. It's been a long week, and I came down with a cold the night after this event. I am certain because my body was just tired from getting this show together (in addition to the normal wear and tear of my life).

So, here I am in the final stretch of this PTA Reflections Art Show marathon - eeking out just enough energy to wrap up the bits and pieces of what happens next (paper work, distributing artwork back to the students - sorting out the bag of "stuff" I grabbed in case we needed it during the hanging and judging - almost worse than my junk drawer at home).

{sigh}

I'm tired.

And then... I take a peek at the photos I took both getting ready for, and during the show (hang in there - they're down there...).

Color returns to my face, and I am motivated to dive into my bag of "stuff!"

Volunteering is like that, no? I'll admit it. Going into my kids' classrooms every week can sometimes be the last thing I'm interested in doing. Oh, the editing I could do. The dishes can be done. Calls I could make. Heck... I could relax!

And then... in the first 5 minutes in the classroom - color returns to my face - and I'm so, so thankful to be able to spend that time helping out. Blessed my schedule allows it.

I'm happy to share my motivation here... images from the first annual PTA Reflections Regional Art Show during the Last Saturday Art Walk at Studio 3. Truly worth their weight in gold - please take a moment  and peek through them... it was a joy to see the pride in the student's faces as they showed family and friends their artwork, and I know they'd be tickled to know you dropped by here as well! Leave a comment below for your artist!

MANY, many thanks to our local (Jewell Elementary) judges: Jeff Kennedy, Naomi Monchari, Jacquie Prestidge, Norma Holmes, and regional judges and local artists (go check out their stuff - amazing!), Norma Holmes, Stuart Breidenstein, and Chad Fox.

Oh, by the way - in case you don't know...

For over 40 years, students from area PTA schools submit artwork illustrating a common theme, in one of 6 mediums. Artwork is celebrated and judged at local and regional levels, with the opportunity to move on to state and national levels.

PTA Regional Director, Collin Robinson helps hang along the gallery wall.

Yay! Volunteers! Thanks, Miss Julie for your help & support!

Ready to hang...

It's coming together!

Shameful Mama-plug. Sam's mask.

Stuart, taking his job seriously. As he should!

Our fantastic Regional Judges - THANKS you three!

Yay! Students and their artwork!



Creating more masterpieces during the show....


Admiring the work...









Life imitates art!



Our Comment wall - Folks were invited to leave comments for the artists!

... and that's a wrap!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Bend, Oregon Photographer, || Just a little morning at home.

Not all family portraits need to be in a studio - or out in some grassy field. 

Sometimes - what you want  to capture can be done during a simple morning at home. I was given that opportunity by this family - and I was thrilled to create these images for them. Truly - my idea of the perfect session!

What would a morning at YOUR home look like in images? You might be surprised!

























Monday, January 30, 2012

Bend Oregon Photographer || Oh yes, we did!

Seriously. 

I wish I'd gotten through editing all of these photographs today... because if I had, I'd be showing off at least 50 images of adorable cuteness. 

As it were... you get this one.

Oh, don't worry... you'll see more of this little princess soon! 


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Bend, Oregon Photographer || The Mama Gene. It's real.

I just got done putting our 2011 family album together - and I noticed that there's been a shift in our family photographs. Several years ago - there were so many great candid photos. I used to take my camera (my good, pro camera) everywhere. I'd grab shots of nearly everything we do. In the last year or so - not as much. There were way fewer images of us just hanging out, or things around the house.

Don't get me wrong - there were tons of great images of our family... but not the ones I really love. The ones that tug on the Mama Gene every time I see them. These are the images (truth be told) that typically make my Black and White gallery wall in my home. Little moments. Goofy faces. 

{sigh} I love my family. My boys are knuckle heads. 

So. I've decided {not resolved - too easy to ignore}, to keep the good camera handy again. Grab the little shots I love. Like this morning. Not THIS morning... but the morning you see here. Thank goodness I've trained my boys well. I was so gratified and thankful when I sneak up on these two having serious Lego Negotiations over dividing a long-lost box of Legos - click the shutter... and without any pause in their action, without turning a head, nor batting an eye (that I could tell), I hear a "oh, hi Mom!" 

And the negotiations continue... 

And my Mama Gene flutters...