by Amy | Mar 10, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
In January I was contacted by a very sweet “senior mom.” You know, a mom of a high school senior. She had a request that was unique for me–unique for January in Practically Canada. Her son, Jordan needed senior portraits. He will be graduating in 2015. He’d like his photos outdoors. He’d like them in the snow. And so I started on a quest to create the perfect winter senior portrait session, just for him.
In other parts of the country, this request might not have been such a tall order. But here, where the wind howls with temps that could make a penguin shiver {okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit}, where the wind blows hard and strong, where snow can blow away over night, and snow might not even be in the forecast despite the cold air–it was a tricky request. But you know me. I like a challenge.
So I agreed. I explained that we may need to schedule and reschedule. And they were okay with that. And that’s just what we did. Take #1–unseasonably warm {40˚ F} weather melted our snow leaving brown, muddy terrain. Take #2–winds of 30 mph, and a windchill advisory kept us inside. Take #3–the high was -8˚, again, we cancelled. Take #4–27˚, snow on the ground, snow in the forecast, no wind–jackpot.
We were still pretty chilly–but it really was a magical afternoon and I love the effect. I’m simply smitten with the images in this first group–especially the one on the left where you can see the snow falling!
I’d say the scheduling and rescheduling was worth it. Eeek!! I just love these!
Jordan loves reading, so at the end of our chilly session we headed to one of my very favorite places in town–the library. The staff at the Minot Public Library are amazing. They’ve let me shoot inside several times now, and I am so grateful. I think these images stuffed with books are just the coolest. This was my favorite part of the session because I learned that Jordan and I have similar taste in books–and similar pet peeves when book and movie don’t line up like we think they should.
Congratulations on your senior year! I had an amazing time working with you–and meeting your amazing mom. I’m so grateful that you let me share this special snowy afternoon with you.
Amy
by Amy | Mar 6, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Living
I don’t know if I can remember a winter that has ever been as busy and fun as the one I’m living right now. I’ve had what feels like a blue million sessions for the Artists in the Schools program. I’ve had a few seniors request snowy portraits. A few babies have made their debut at the end of my lens. I became an aunt for the first time ever when my sis gave birth to the prettiest ginger baby you’ve ever seen. I’m in the midst of saying “good bye for now…” to one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had as she prepares to move to England. I’ve road tripped. I’ve been cat sitting. I’ve been ice skating and practicing my Tara Lipinski impression.
I’ve been busy with a thousand things. Which is why you haven’t seen too much writing here on the blog. I simply just haven’t been able to make time to sit and catch up.
But perhaps the best thing of all is my latest {maybe greatest} quirky skill. After years of searching, I’m finally learning to play the accordion. Yes. You heard me right.
Admittedly pretty much every ounce of free time I’ve had since bringing this bad boy home a week and a half ago has been tied up in practicing. It’s all pretty basic right now, scales, simple tunes, easy rhythms. I owe my friend Mary big time, because it was she that hooked me up with this beauty. She was kind enough to loan this accordion to me. To let me learn and decide if I want to buy my own.
As you can see, it’s gorgeous. Which is only part of its appeal. Inside the case there was a stack of accordion lessons that are copyrighted 1950. Adorably, they are called the “Modern Piano Accordion Course.” The colors are lovely and the graphics are so vintagey-cool I could squeal. Really, I think they are cute enough to frame. The lessons inside are sufficient for me–who had never touched an accordion before. I’m now working on lesson 7. I’m shifting between chords and working on treble clef fingering that “crosses under.”
I’m really thrilled. I really love it. {Can you tell?} As a collector of odd talents this will look quite nice on my proverbial shelf.
I’m eager to play for anyone who’ll listen. My neighbor kids just dropped by to see if we could play a board game. Before I let them bust out the Farkle I forced them to listen to a few songs. I’m still trying to make a Skype date work with my parents so they can hear the wonder that is me getting my polka on. {Do you think the fact that it hasn’t worked out yet is their way of telling me something? Nah.}
Anyway…on the blog next week, I’ll be telling you tales of cat sitting, tales of classroom art projects, and showing off a few photo sessions. I hope you’ll forgive the absence. I hope you’ll come and hang out and do life with me. It sure is fun.
by Amy | Feb 27, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Art
Over the next week I’ll be teaching six Artists in the Schools session at elementary schools across town. Today, I kicked off the marathon with a Water and Wax session with a group of first grade students.
The idea behind this session is to teach students a little science in with the art project–and to make something cool. We discussed the absorption property of water–how it sometimes soaks in to things, and other times rolls off a surface. Then I covered the fact that crayons, made of wax, repel water and led in to the project.
As you may imagine–if you’ve ever worked with elementary school kids–that getting the instructions out to a group of first graders was much more challenging in person than typing the words here on the blog. There was a lot of restlessness while the teacher and I tag-teamed to get papers taped to desks. Once they were down there was peeling of tape…and retaping…and a few threats of revoked participation rights.
Once the paper was out I heard this:
“Once we have a paper can we start?”
I hadn’t even shown them the example.
I explained our first step–find a light colored crayon. Not white–because we need to see our lines. Any other light color: yellow, light green, peach, light pink. Little did I know this would be such a hard step to follow. There were about four students sharing a table and caddy of crayons, so they needed to share their table’s supply amongst themselves. Once I told them to find their crayon, this is what I heard.
“Um, we don’t have a white crayon.”
“Okay. You don’t need one right now.”
“My favorite color is purple, so I’m using that.”
“Is purple a light color–something closer to white than black?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Okay. Pick another color…yellow, light green, peach, or light pink.”
“What about dark blue?”
“What about it?”
“Aaaammmmyyy! Our table doesn’t have light green!”
“Okay. Do you have one of the other colors?”
“Yeah.”
“So….the problem is….?”
“We don’t have any of the colors you told us to use. Can I use green instead?”
I look in the caddy. All the colors are there. I pass one to each child.
Once the color situation was mostly resolved we moved on. I told them to draw the first letter of their first name on their paper. Then I explained how they could add the “dragon scales” to one side of the letter to make it look a little more fancy. “If you understand what to do, you may begin.” Then things took an awkward turn.
“Uh, Amy…I did mine this way.” Dark purple crayon is on the paper. The teacher swoops in, asking why she used that crayon when only moments before, we’d given her a peach color to use. Paper is flipped, crisis averted.
While half the students are still working, the other half has finished and are now leaving their seats one by one and coming to my side {as I’m trying to help someone with a legit question} to tell me they’ve finished. Meanwhile, one little guy comes up and says,
“Well…I did an A.”
“Okay. That’s good. We’ll move on in just a second.”
“My name doesn’t start with an A. I did it because that’s what you said you were doing.”
A whole table–who was pretty chatty during instruction time–all drew the letter A, as in Amy, instead of their own letters. Untape, flip, retape.
Next direction. Trace your letter using that same color, or a white crayon. Go over it at least eight times. Make your marks nice and heavy, we want lots of wax on the paper.
This part went pretty smoothly…with the exception of a few who finished in about 60 seconds and immediately came to tell me that they were done. I just told them to keep tracing. When everyone seemed to have their letter traced enough times–one kid told me he traced his 38 times–we moved on to the paint portion of the class.
Paint is always scary to me, but these guys did great. Even the one who used so much that it was as much on the table as on the paper {see top middle photo above…} My very favorite part was hearing them gasp and get excited when their letter appeared after repelling the water color. “Its. Working!” I love when they think they’ve made something really cool. I love it when they are proud of their work.
All in all a good class, all in all, great work. I really love doing these sessions in the schools. Despite the weird questions and the faulty listening and the short attention spans, I really do think they try their best. And…Boy, oh, boy do they make me laugh.
by Amy | Feb 25, 2015 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
It’s been a bit since I wrote something new…and I cannot think of anything better to share with you after being away than this precious newborn session. You may remember the Burnsides from their winter maternity session taken before Christmas. This is their daughter, Isabella. She is beautiful and perfect. I had a great time taking her very first portraits last week. There are lots of things I love about shooting newborns, but in this case my absolute favorite part was listening to her parents pin point whose eyes, nose, fingers and spine {yes, spine} she has. I think she’s a fabulous blend of both mommy and daddy and I am just so very happy for this new family.
I hope you enjoy this little peek of her session. All the photos are sweet, but I especially adore the series of lace newborn photos above! What’s your favorite?
The Burnsides have some very craft friends…who created some adorable pieces for her to wear during her session. I especially love this crocheted crown. I’m a fan of headbands, bows and flowers…but this headpiece takes the cake in my opinion. So cute!
The same crafty friend also created this fabulous Minnie Mouse set for her. Eek!! I think I let out an audible squeal of delight when they showed it to me. Her head is still too small for her custom Minnie Mouse ears, but I don’t think that makes this any less amazing. I like that she is a Disney fan right from the start!
Burnside, family–I had an awesome time with you. Thank you so much for choosing me to capture these precious first portraits of your precious little girl! Your photos are almost done and your flash drive will be in the mail on Friday.
For the rest of you–I’ll be starting a new project tomorrow…so be sure to come back. It sure has been a while since I did a furniture redo {hint hint}.
by Amy | Feb 16, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Living
In addition to writing to you about Katie’s Singing Telegrams last week {post here}…I also had the big-time fun of joining her on a couple of Valentine’s deliveries. Like I said, she’s my friend. As my friend, I want her to have good photos. And…if I’m being totally honest, I also really enjoyed watching her sing to strangers in a gorilla mask.
One delivery I tagged along for was at a local elementary school. The recipient works in the after school care program.
Upon entering the school in full Valentine-Gorilla garb, Katie immediately attracted attention. Kids were so curious about who she was and why she was in their school. One little girl turned to a friend and said, “Look, it’s a monster!”
Classic.
We found the target lucky guy in the cafeteria. He too, didn’t know what to make of this crazy gorilla. When she started strumming the ukelele and told him it was a “special delivery” just for him, he was pretty stunned. {See photo above.} He even stepped out and into the hallway…where he was followed by a singing gorilla, a co-worker, photographer, and hoard of kids. After the initial shock wore off, he was a great sport. The kids, while still a little confused really enjoyed it too. And I had a good laugh for quite some time, even after we left.
Seeing Katie in action was super fun. Now I’m really racking my brain to come up with someone to send a telegram to. So, if we are friends in real life–you and me–you’ve been warned. Someone in my circle will be getting a song in the coming months. It’s just so much fun!
by Amy | Feb 13, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Art
Today I did Art in the Schools with a second grade class. I have had lots of requests for Classroom Canvases…which I love doing, but it’s fun to do other things too. This color wheel session is one of my favorites because it teaches basic color theory–which totally makes me geek out.
Inspiration for this session originally came from this post on a blog that I really love. She has lots of great art inspiration for classes of all ages.
I started by explaining the color wheel. I was so impressed by this class. They were so well behaved and such good listeners. I made a diagram to illustrate the lesson. It’s just on poster board, and colored with crayons. We discussed the diagram, working from the inside out. At the center are the three primary colors. Next, along their edges, are the secondary colors–what you get if you mix those two primary colors together. The outer edge includes, primary, secondary and tertiary colors {those between primary and secondary colors.}
Most importantly, I explained the concept of analogous colors–those that are similar and sit next to one another on the color wheel. The black lines on the diagram link up the analogous colors of a secondary color wheel.
For our project I had kids trace circles {which they claimed was cheating–gasp!} on a sheet of water color paper, overlapping at the edges. Then, using water color paint, they filled their circles in using analogous colors. Here’s the gist. You can start with any color you like. Paint the entire circle. Then move on to a circle it overlaps. This circle must be painted with an analogous color–blending the paint where the two overlap, to reveal a tertiary color. Keep going until they are all filled in. It takes a little planning so that you don’t get stuck with a circle that cannot be matched–but this class had no problems with it. The diagram really helped those who got stuck. I just referred them back to the wheel when they were unsure of what color to use next–just follow the black line to see the two choices.
I emphasized that analogous colors are those that blend well together. They are colors we naturally want to mix. That colors from one primary to the next will blend together well…but if you go further the colors become complimentary and begin to cancel each other out if they are blended. I don’t think that concept stuck with everyone at first, but once they started painting I pointed out that their water reflected what happens when competing colors are mixed–you end up with brown or gray. I overheard one girl tell her desk mate that it looked like sewer water. {I’ve never seen sewer water, but I think it’s a pretty good visual.}
After doing this project I realized that it could also be done just using primary colors–creating a secondary color in the overlap. Maybe I’ll try that next time. At any rate, this was one of the best classes I’ve taught, and I really feel like they learned something. What a fine way to wrap up the week.
Amy
by Amy | Feb 12, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Living
I got this beautiful new stove. They brought it to me today. I snapped this photo so soon after they dropped it off that the glass on the door is still foggy from coming in from the cold. What’s the occasion? Why the fancy new appliance? Well….
Let’s go back to January 1st. Derek and I are preparing our final meal at home before leaving on our giant road trip. It was going to be fabulous: Biscuits and gravy. I had the gravy going on the stove and the biscuits were mixed, rolled out and waiting to be baked. The oven gave out a beep-beep-beep, signaling it had preheated. I opened the door to put the biscuits in to bake.
The oven door was only open for a half-second before I let out a squeaky shriek and let the door slam close again with a stress filled.
Inside the oven sparks were flying. Like a tiny welder had set up camp on the floor of the oven and was creating a masterpiece. Sparks like the kind that come off sparklers in the summer. At the base of the sparks, a tiny, orange-white flame. The oven was on fire.
I tried to explain what had happened when Derek looked at me, confused as to why I’d made that weird sound and why the pan of biscuits was sitting on top of the stove instead of in the oven…but all that came out was incoherent shock-talk. You know, “It’s…fire.” “I don’t know wha–” “It–just–I–there a fire in there.” Enough of the babbling wife, he opened the door again and we both took another look. The second look didn’t last much longer than the first. It was smoky and the light was so bright.
We turned the oven off and switched the burners off too. Then it hit me. If it looked like a tiny welder, then couldn’t that light blind us?! Immediately I started seeing spots in my vision. Derek, always calm, said it was because I’d just looked at a bright light. Yes, I said…but what if it was too bright? What if it’s like looking at an eclipse? Like the little girl my fifth grade teacher told me about, who looked at the eclipse and was blind by the time her mother called her downstairs for dinner. What if we are both going blind? Derek–your eyes are your life!
After that rant, I realized we probably weren’t going blind. I was just upset that there was a fire in the oven. For the record, my vision is fine now.
With the stove off {luckily the gravy had just finished as well} we decided it would be best if Derek ran to the store to pick up biscuits–since we wouldn’t be cooking any of our own.
While he was gone I stirred up the gravy and got it off of the stove. I did a few dishes, put a few things away. But then I turned around and saw a curl of black smoke sneaking out of the oven door. Curious, and determined not to look directly at the flame again {just in case} I opened the door. It didn’t take long to realize the flame had grown and there was a full on fire in the oven now. I call Derek. All of a sudden, I feel like I’m standing in the kitchen with a bomb. Like the oven will explode at any second. He tells me to keep an eye on it, to get the fire extinguisher out from under the sink–just in case.
Okay. I can do that. I get under the sink and release the fire extinguisher from is perch. Should it look this vintage? I think. Once I pulled it out and stood up I took a better look. Yes, it did look old–but maybe that’s just how it looks…after safety doesn’t need to be cutting-edge-cool. Then, on the front of the cylinder I spot the warning: Inspect monthly. Recharge if pressure is below range…Then, I see the date of issue: 1981. This fire extinguisher was made before I was born and who knows the last time it was charged, the indicator is deep in the “Recharge” section of the pie chart.
Just as I’m about to panic again–because I’ve got an explosive oven and a fire extinguisher that probably won’t be of any use to me–my phone rings. It’s Derek. “Unplug the whole thing, ” he says. I’m not sure why two highly educated adults didn’t think of that in the first place. Maybe because the plug is in the floor behind the oven and you have to roll it away from the wall to see it–out of sight, out of mind and all that bit. Or maybe it was because I was so freaked out. Either way, we hadn’t thought about it. I hung up the phone and went back to the kitchen. The top of the oven was hot as I pulled it away from the wall. Once I could see the plug, I dreaded having to go back and unplug it. It meant having to get down on my hands and knees on the floor in the space between oven and wall. A very vulnerable place to be when you are somewhat convinced the machine could blow up. {Irrational, I know.}
But, I’m one to face fears. So I did it. And the flames died down. And I didn’t have to use the fire extinguisher. And we learned a valuable lesson–you really should check your fire extinguisher and keep it up to date.
One good thing that came out of all of this is that I got a brand new stove. It’s beautiful and they brought it to me today. {I really procrastinated on buying another one after the road trip.} It’s got a giant oven, a flat stove top and I got it at major discount because it was a floor model at Menard’s. And now that I’ve got a working oven again…my only question is, “What should I make for dinner?”
Amy
PS–Seriously, check your extinguisher!
by Amy | Feb 11, 2015 | Blog, The Art of Living
you might not know too much about singing telegrams. Maybe you are picturing something late and outdated. So let me clear the air here. Kaite’s Singing Telegrams is different than what you might imagine. It’s fresh, funky and fun.
We talk about a lot of awesome things here. Am I right? Projects, books, faith, awesome photo sessions, cool designs…lots and lots of awesome things make their way across these pages. But today I’m going to tell you about one of my most favorite awesome things I’ve come across lately: Katie’s Singing Telegrams.
Total disclosure: Katie is my real life friend. She is awesome. But even if she wasn’t…I’d still probably be telling you about KST, because it’s really that great.
Now, you might be thinking that you should stop reading–because you aren’t into the whole singing telegram thing. But please, read on. Maybe, just maybe I can make a believer out of you yet. First, let’s meet Katie. I could tell you all about her…but the bio on her site pretty much says it all.
Katie has loved singing, making music and making people smile most of her life. She has spent the last ten years writing songs and making music with some of her favorite people. Katie and her husband moved up to the lovely land of Minot, ND the summer of 2013 and have absolutely loved getting to know the fantastic people up here. It wasn’t until May 0f 2014 that Katie began thinking of a Singing Telegram Business.
After searching relentlessly for a company to send a singing telegram to a family member for his birthday, Katie was discouraged at the high priced telegrams-reluctantly opting to send him a cookie bouquet instead. It was at this time that Katie and her husband began wondering if there was any sort of affordable Singing Telegram Business in Minot. Failing to find anything, they knew the moment had come for them to offer something to this Magic City- something that had brought both of them a ridiculous amount of joy and laughter.
Both Katie and her husband have full time jobs working with youth and their families. Seeing day to day how discouraging and challenging life can be, Katie cannot wait to spread a little joy combined with ridiculous-ness and music to those around her! YOU are invited to experience some of this joy in the form of a character of your choice, a ukulele or mandolin, a mug with treats and your own personalized song- what better way to spread some laughter and joy than having one of your favorite people be serenaded with songs and smiles!
Over coffee yesterday she told me that most affordable telegram she could find while trying to send one to her brother in law was over $100. At the end of the search she decided a fun memory wasn’t worth that much money…that he’d probably rather just have the $100 than a stranger in costume singing him a song. When she told me she was going to open her own singing telegram operation I declared her to be Minot’s Premiere Singing Telegram provider.
If you are like me…you might not know too much about singing telegrams. Maybe you are picturing something late and outdated. So let me clear the air here. Kaite’s Singing Telegrams is different than what you might imagine. It’s fresh, funky and fun. Even her website, designed by yours truly…looks fresh. It’s chock full of fun graphics and fresh-feeling pages that will make you love ordering from her boutique site.
Buying a telegram from Katie gets you a lot of bang for your buck. Katie will deliver a custom song to the recipient of your choice, at the location of your choice {work is usually a good place, but she can surprise them in any public space}, the recipient will get a framed copy of their song’s lyrics, and an adorable coffee mug filled with chocolates. Valentine’s Day deliveries also include a single rose, thanks to a blooming {pun intended} partnership with The Flower Box. All for $35! That’s less than a bouquet of flowers!!
My favorite part of KST is the songs. Katie has told me that she enjoys writing songs that are not “overly serious.” You’ll hear that in every line of her songs. Most are laid back originals that combine fun lyrics and a coffee house sound that I find to be charming and them some. Oh, and did I mention she accompanies herself with a ukelele. Yep! I think it’s one of her biggest selling points. Listen to all her songs here.
Now, if you are sitting at home starting to become a telegram believer…but are feeling a little bummed because you don’t live in Minot–don’t fret. {That’s another music pun. I’m two for two.} In addition to traditional deliveries…
Katie also offers videograms. She’ll customize a song, record it and send it to the person of your choice. It’s only $15! That’s a steal.
If you need a few more reasons to book your singing telegram…try one of these on for size.
**It’s super convenient. Just order online at her super-cute website and she’ll do all the leg work.
**It’s affordable. A gift they’ll never forget for less than a flower delivery. Katie warns that it can be awkward…but awkward or not–it’s always memorable.
**Your song can be delivered by Katie wearing a gorilla costume. I’m serious.
**A customized song is a unique gift, created just for them.
**It’s laid back, easy to do and completely fun.
In her own words, “I really do like to see people smile.” She is sincere. She writes songs and delivers them because she likes to spread a little fun and joy. Her very first delivery was to a teenager being treated at the local cancer center. Since then she’s sent videograms to multiple states and even one to a music teacher in a local school.
She loves learning the stories behind the songs she writes–especially at Valentine’s Day. Each one is special and unique. So whether you are looking for a special Valentine to send to someone you love in a romantic-mushy way–or just someone you love: a parent, child, bestie, or sibling–look no further than Katie’s Singing Telegrams: Minot’s premeire singing telegram provider.
Check out her website for more details. Like her Facebook page. Order Valentine-grams through Saturday morning!! {For all the procrastinators out there.} I pinky promise they’ll never forget it.
xo
Amy
