Love Grows Here

Another one of my children sold recently at the show mentioned below... here is a photograph of that [painting] child.

Through the OPEN window

I shot this on our way into a one night exhibit of art - it is not totally sharp because I had to lean up against a power pole to get still enough with what I had to shoot with (Rebel XT/ 28-80mm 3.5 lens). I had a painting in the show (it SOLD!). I brought my Rebel with me so I could get a PAD, I was kicking myself the whole time wishing I had my 1D MII... and my 24-70 2.8 lens... there were SO many photo ops... but the Rebel came through the best it could...

http://www.imagestocksouth.com/hmp/gallery2/v/PAD/march/8-14/Contreras_031408_2305.jpg.html

Our Deepest Fear

I was recently reminded by two people that I have been playing small... thanks so much for the reminder to you both!

“ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ”

~Nelson Mandela

Round 1

Here they are! My business plans were handed in today for the competition. I put a book with the plan and a little "God Bless AMEOWICA" button. There is still much work to be done, but these should get me to the next level of the competition... I'm so proud!

Snow DUDE

Here he is, my very FIRST Snow Dude ever in my life!

Got Snow?

In one night our country home is covered with about four inches of snow. It is so beautiful and clean... until Lucy my dog did her thing...

Anyway, being a southern California girl (from Seal Beach), I always love the experience of fresh fallin' snow... somehow it's magical...

China Beach

These photos were forwarded to me by my nephew... There's really not much I can add, because this is the true definition of a picture is worth a thousand words; a million people.

I can say that this actually frightens me, because I was raised in a little town in southern California called Seal Beach, I would go to the beach for peace and tranquility. Even today when I visit my family, one of the first things I do is go to the beach, it is the one thing I miss the most about southern CA.

A.S.A.P.

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
and He'll respond to all your needs-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

Primary colors

So today is the day we find out who the candidates for President will be... to tell you the truth, I'm really excited to find out who they are... I am sooooo ready for change. This has been a very challenging seven years of my life... I can't say it has been a rosey experience at all. Especially since I lost a regular paycheck back in 2002.Here are some shots I had to really look for today at the polling place where I live. I have to drive ten miles to the next town to cast my vote, as I live out in the boonies in the Tennessee hills. I was disappointed that there were NO candidate signs ANYWHERE, so that's why you see no photos of them...

A TV Pilot

Here is a look at the commission I did for a TV pilot.

Click on the photograph to see a larger version.

Photo of the Day

I have recently committed to honing my photography skills by shooting at least one picture a day. This has been very challenging because I am mostly locked up in my office these days writing a business plan... but if you know me, you know that being CREATIVE is what truly drives me... it's what I live for...Sooo, the other night I had a "business" meeting at a local cafe... and after mentioning to those in attendance about my picture a day exercise, one of the guys at the meeting said I MUST see the men's room...

He was right, the bathroom was VERY interestingly designed with ornate items... and I thought the advertising was strategically placed very well... comments?

Bill Clinton @ Fisk

Tonight I really wanted to go down and see President Clinton at Fisk University, but I didn't want to walk around that neighborhood by myself with my camera equipment, so I waited for my husband to get off work... When we arrived, there was no place to park, and the line to get into the gymnasium was down the street, around the corner, and across another street... hmmmmm I thought, "I HATE CROWDS..." so we drove around looking for someplace to park that was safe, and we drove around some more... then just as I was about to drive away and just forget it, we found a safe parking structure at the hospital across the street.

Anyway, by the time we walked out of the parking structure, there was no line and we walked right up and right in... what happened next... was my photographers luck...

A girl walked up to me, introduced herself and asked who I was with... I said, "I'm local," she proceeded to escort me to the riser for the press... I followed her, she lifted the line up for me to walk under and there I was with all the "official" photogs. This is not the first time my camera(s) have gotten me a front row seat. I LOVE my 1D Mark II, and of course my 70-200 2.8 L series lens!

So, here are a couple of the shots I created.

Business Plan

So here I am after working on this project for 11 years now, I am finally writing a business plan. Oh my gosh, what a project! The cobwebs of my forty-something year old brain have been lifted... I am truly enjoying the process. I am competing for $25,000 in cash and business services and lots of PR with thirty other businesses! The further I am into writing this puppy, the more I believe that I can win this hands down!

I decided to make a poster for my presentation, so I went into the archives of my computer to see what I could find... I actually have WAY more than I could include... but here is a taste of what has happened over the years of being the author and creator of a character that will be known world wide in the next couple of years - or sooner if everything keeps going the way it has been. The divine order of gifts I have received for this project are limitless. I would just like to say here and now once again how I appreciate EVERYONE who has ever had a hand in helping this project come alive - you know who you are - at the risk of leaving just one important person out, I will not name names - and it's true, you do know who you are!

Click on the poster to see a larger version.

Hollywood Walk-of-Fame

I heard yesterday that Johnny Grant, Hollywood Historical Trust Chairman died... I was really excited to get my picture taken with Johnny Grant during the unveiling of the Screen Actors Guild Hollywood Walk of Fame STAR ceremony. I'll admit, he didn't look as healthy as I had seen him over the years of my life as a California resident. A star on the walk-of-fame was always big news in southern California.

Also, this picture was sent to me by my former commercial agent from Hollywood. She was reading the Daily Call Sheet, and opened up the page with this photo and saw me immediately. She did some searching on the internet and located me through my websites... how cool is that, I have really missed her and lost contact several years ago. So glad you found me Pat, I'm thrilled to reconvene our friendship!

Great care...

My friend Pervis (upper right) is a "Great Grandmother." She cares for four of her great grand sons... (from left to right bottom - Ben, Ethan, Chris, Cameron) she amazes me [Pervis was recently diagnosed with Emphysema]! She raised their mother (her grand daughter); now she's raising them...

Today I spent a couple hours with them in the country shooting photos... we found a quiet little road next to a creek... we played for awhile and one of us ended up very muddy... Ethan...