Tag Archives: Photography

My Photography Is Showing With Polygon Art Space Group

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I am delighted to share that I am participating in the Polygon Art Space Group Art Show.

Wednesday Night 5-8 pm

Established and emerging local artists showing drawings, paintings, photography and ceramics.

Award winning water color artist, John Madison will also have an open studio next door that showcases his work and works in progress. Refreshments provided.

201 1/2 North Street Suite A downtown Normal (located in between The Rock restaurant and C tees shirt store)

The show can be viewed again on Sat night from 6-9 pm.

The current call for artists is a gesture of sharing wall and creative space for local established, emerging and non formally trained artists. Wall space is affordably leased to artists either weekly, monthly and for special events.

Artists in this group show include:

Jared Wittenmyer (mixed media)
Lauren Crossett (oil painting)
Karissa Kotovsky (photography)
Connie Richards Aigner (mixed media)
The Lumiere Brothers (photography and drawing)
Karen Hanrahan (photography)
Doug Johnson (oil painting)
Ted Diamond (photography)
Tim Kowalczyk (ceramic)
Evelyne Tardy (acrylic painting)
Chris Martin (oil painting)
Jay Miller (performance photography)
Amy Phillis Wolfe (ceramic)
Brad Kalavitinos (mixed media)

 

 

 

 

Students Teach Me The Power Of Blogging

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Last night I completed teaching the second session of my class Blogging: Be The Expert Only YOU Can Be.  

It’s taken me two years to get back into the classroom.

It felt tremendous to be teaching again!

Thank you to the Community Education division of Heartland Community College for the opportunity

I started consulting folks on how to begin blogging this past December. People kept asking me. Why do I blog? Why WordPress? How has that helped your business?  I not only had strong passionate opinions about it.  I found myself giving away a lot of tips and tricks!!  Seemed like an opportunity to service a need with the people around me.  I don’t think of myself as an expert on blogging more like an advocate on how powerful the medium of blogging is to someone’s personal voice and an expert in ideas to get someone going!  I had such great mentorship along the way, I really feel I want to pass that same mentorship onto others.

My students were seriously awesome.

Some things my students taught me:

  • Plan for time to become related.
  • Students really do do their homework!
  • Being savvy in the technology of the classroom is a plus
  • Various levels of interest and experience bring a richness to the class
  • a student said “i have no idea what the “f” you are all talking about” SERIOUSLY funny
  • Revelations about one’s expertise, personal brand and the potential of published voice is positively inspirational!

one student realized that her topic, as shared by others was very toxic, she wanted her voice to be different, and found her passion around that

another had two blogs and realized by merging them together it would enrich her brand.

some just beginning began to play with blog names, post titles, language and how to illustrate

another realized that perhaps blogging daily might be too ambitious.

The reality of the class may unveil some new and very exciting bloggers!

 

The Warm And Fuzzy Of It :: Pet Ownership.

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This month devoted dog owner Lisa Nelsen-Woods of Condo Blues is hosting Green Mom’s Carnival.

The topic is Green Pets in honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month.

While many might be touting  really cool and very green minded stuff like natural flea recipes or how to make your own pet food,

I felt I had to get down to the most organic reason of all for owning a pet.

They are simply adorable!

The cuteness factor for having a pet to me is why we get them, why we walk them, why we put up with their hair, their excrement, and their quirks.

I experience pet people as happier confident people. Don’t you?

It intrigues me the length a pet owner will go re: their affection, pampering and inclusion of their animals in their lives. Myself included.

With cats and dogs as folks very best friend …why wouldn’t one include a dog in things like doga or tinker with barkery treats for foodie expression?

Remarkable non-profits strive to provide sanctuaries for animals that in addition to providing haven for unwanted cats and dogs, this house also provide astounding benefits for the facilities founder and volunteers alike.

What about the abundance of the over the top businesses that cater to those with pets?

Oh my gosh check out OH My Dog Photography!  When was the last time your pet stayed at a Pet B & B?  What about the devotion and enterprise of  Cesar MIlan? He’s about teaching the dog owner new tricks. Ever hear of Dog Barking 101? I mean dogs need to be heard too!

People get paid very VERY well to be of all things Cat Chow Correspondants.

When I was young we didn’t have such things as Dog Walkers.  Now, they and Dog Poop Removal are part of every communities phone and web directory!

I think it’s important to pause and realize that owning a pet and the catering to pets is a HUGE Industry.

Conscientious consumer choices are important to the well being of your pet and the planet!

I hope you find this month’s Green Mom’s Carnival resourceful!

For me, I have taken seriously WAY too many pet images – one simply can’t help it. Here is a bit of “miss kitty” animal cuteness from my past:

Filming The Burger

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In 2010 a crew flew in from Washington to film the story of the 1996 McDonalds Hamburger. They were from SPIEGEL TV an online German magazine. Karin Assman was the freelance journalist. I never saw the footage that was shot that day.  I was mentioned and quoted in this article.

I did get some great shots that day of while they were filming though!

 

 

 

Do You Make Taboule?

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I get the hankering for Taboule a few times a year, perhaps it’s the “seasonal” ingredients I adore, or perhaps it’s the fact that it’s a refreshing and filling salad!!

Taboule is made with Quinoa – say KEEN _WA – a versatile high protein nutrient rich whole grain from the Andes, and one that is often tolerated by those with allergies to grain.

Cook one cup dried Quinoa in 2 cups water. Takes 12 minutes.

Mix with 1 C chopped parsley, 1/2 C chopped scallions, 2 T chopped fresh mint ( I always use more)  1 T chopped fresh basil, 1/2 C juice of a lemon, 1/4 C olive oil, 1-2 cloves Garlic chopped, 1/4 teas salt – i use sea salt and find a pinch is enough, loads of fresh ground white pepper.  I often need to add chopped tomato and crumbled feta cheese to my taboule. My version also smacks with garlic and mint, just my personal preference.

Ingredients for this salad were sourced from the certified organic Ackerman Farm - Angie promises me she will someday make this recipe, always asking me why I buy mint.   I love how Angie ties her bunches of herbs with yarn – a loving gesture somehow.  It makes me happy. She and her husband Tom are an integral part of my Saturday mornings at our Farmers Market.