Merry Christmas!!

I'm off to WI tomorrow for the holidays...to everyone reading, have a wonderful Christmas and a wonderous New Year!

Will return with lots of skiing photographs!

Interesting Shots

I Love Fishes...

I thought these were interesting...the fish tank of the Smiths. Thanks to G & W for allowing me to photograph their "kids." :)

Self Portraits

Simply because I didn't like the photo of myself posted on the blog, I took several shots of myself tonight just for the heck of it.

Furniture - Before & After

So I promised I would share the "before & after" photos of my furniture piece from my 3-dimensional design class....so here they are.

It was a difficult task--to destruct what took many hours to construct. Specifically because it has sentimental value in the memory of the piece I was duplicating. I painted the inside a red-orange color, which was significant because the original chest of drawers was that color. Also, I always enjoyed opening the drawers and looking inside, so I wanted to draw attention to the inside for the deconstruction portion.

All that to say, it was an interesting project!

Christmas Photos

Tonight I was just playing around with some photos of my lit Christmas tree. I thought some of them were fun (yes, they are supposed to be blurry).

FINISHED!

It feels GREAT to be done for the semester--today was the last day of classes! WOOT!

The bank photo shoot went well. I may eventually post some of the photos but want to be sure I have their permission first. The new lighting is FAB. I was able to use the "model" setting because I am still trying to learn how the flash bulb setting works. I attempted to play with it the other night and ended up with a HUGE shadow on the bottom half of the photo. Obviously I haven't had a lighting class yet and I have much to learn!

Now I can relax from the school stress and play around with my new equipment.

Williams Christmas Photos

Here are some Christmas photos of the Williams Family.

I've got a job with a bank taking their employee headshots on Tuesday. I just bought a set of studio lights that sync with my camera, so I've got to play with that before then. Hopefully all will continue to go well--I haven't had to work Uhri Photography at all...everything has been word-of-mouth. Just think what I could do if I didn't rely solely on word-of-mouth???

Furniture

In my 3-dimensional design class, we had to build a piece of furniture from our childhood that we no longer have or live with. So I decided to choose the red chest of drawers in my childhood home that my mom lovingly referred to as "the conversation piece." It didn't really match any of the other furniture in our formal living room, but it had a style and class of its own. My mom always said that everyone should have at least one piece of furniture that doesn't really fit simply to start a conversation.

The chest of drawers still remains in the house. I think of my mom every time I look at it. So here is my version of it, sans the red finish. The hard part is going to be deconstructing it, which is also part of the assignment. The plan is to saw it in two halves diagonally, turn it "inside out" so-to-speak and paint the inside red, just like the real chest. We'll see if I can even cut it apart after the 15 hours of work I put into it constructing the darn thing...

Quote of the Day

"To shine the light into the depths of the human heart is the profession of the artist."
~Robert Schumman

Personality

Today I took the Jung Typology personality test. I remember taking it back in college and actually enjoyed seeing the results. Here's what I found about myself:

I am an ENFJ - Extroverted (22%), Intuitive (25%), Feeling (75%), Judging (56%)

I am also:

• slightly expressed extrovert
• moderately expressed intuitive personality
• distinctively expressed feeling personality
• moderately expressed judging personality
  

You can take the test yourself: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Kandinsky

For my 20th Century Art History class, we have to write a paper on an artist and/or a topic. I have chosen Wassily Kandinsky, an Expressionist artist and his writings on spirituality in art. He was a very interesting man, doing extensive writings beyond just artwork. I was really blessed to have worked for a company that took me to Murnau in Germany (outside of Munich) to see where he lived and worked for 8 years. I had never heard of him at the time but now looking back on the trip, I am amazed that I was able to see the environment that inspired him so much not only to paint but to write.

It brings me to an interesting insight...how interesting artists are in that many are very well-rounded and have many interests beyond just creating amazing work. As I am taking classes and learning more about many different types of artist (photographers, painters, sculpters) and different artists themselves, I feel like I fit in more and more with the artistic world. I have always felt like a "jack of all trades, master of none." Now I am learning that being a musician, a writer, a philosopher and a thinker are all great attributes to possess as an artist.

Onward with the writings....

Sunsets

My heart and eyes are naturally drawn to sunsets. I have always thought they were so amazing, like a painting in the sky. Once while admiring a sunset with my mom, she said "there will never be a sunset exactly like that one ever." Just like snowflakes, sunsets are each unique with no two alike. I like to think of them as a gift from God--like He painted it specifically for me to enjoy.

Here is one I took from my brother's house in Wisconsin. Remember, you are looking at something unique--never to be seen or experienced again, ever.

Moms Say the Darndest Things

During my travels this weekend, I was on a plane awaiting for the door to open so the massive herd of people could get off. I overheard a conversation between daugther and mother that made me crack up:

Daughter: You're the NuttyQqueen! You're the Queen of the Nuts!

Mother: Do you know what that makes you?

Daughter: No.

Mother: That makes you the Princess of the Nuts....and I still rule!

New Pics!!

Okay, so I snapped a few shots on Saturday and a few today...so here they are--the first photos with my new digital camera!!

No Time...

Since purchasing my new digital camera, I have encountered many obstacles to sitting down and actually learning how to use it (with the exception of the basics). They include the following:

• 20th Century Art History Test
• Decorating for Christmas
• Rehearsals
• Meetings
• Class
• Errands
• Sleep

Well, I'm off to bed. Thank goodness for Thanksgiving weekend when my brother and I can sit down and play with it...

I DID IT!!

After a week of shopping, I finally did it!! I invested in a new digital camera!!

I ended up with the Nikon D80 SLR. The interesting thing is that as I was going through last Sunday's newspaper, I found a flyer for Wolf Camera that had the camera plus an additional lens for less than the price of the camera with one lens at all the other places I looked.

God hooked up for sure...I get to Wolf earlier today and find that with the purchase of the camera, I got $50 gift card, which I used toward the purchase of a new camera bag (which only costed $4 after the use of the card.) Then, on top of all that, I got two free printers with the purchase after rebates. One of them is the little handy printer that I can even take in my car!!

So the grand total in savings...drum roll please....$500!!!

I'm off to play with my new toy.....

Richard Avedon

Today in my History of Photography class, we watched a video on photographer Richard Avedon (www.richardavedon.com) who was well-known for his fashion photography, his portraits as well as commercial photography for Vogue, Harpar's Bazaar, The New Yorker and ads for companies like Kenneth Cole, Barely There, Levi's and Dior.

Here are some quotes from Richard that I really like.

My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.

Sometimes I think all my pictures are just pictures of me. My concern is... the human predicament; only what I consider the human predicament may simply be my own.

If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though I've neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up.

It's just so strange to me that anyone would ever think that a work of art shouldn't be disturbing, or shouldn't be invasive. I mean, that's the property of a work of art, that's the arena of a work of art - it's to disturb, it's to make you think, it's to make you feel. If my work didn't disturb people from time to time, it would be a failure in my eyes - it's meant to disturb, in a positive way.

I think he's now one of my favorite photographers.

JUST DO IT!

I decided the other day that I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a really great digital camera. My business account has the money and I really feel that I need it in order to become a better photographer professionally. Artistically, I can leave that to the film.

So I found two cameras that I really like--both the Nikon D80 and the Nikon D200. Here are the specs:
D80 - http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/digitalcamera/slr/d80/index.htm

D200 - http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/digitalcamera/slr/d200/index.htm

They are both 10.2 megapixal cameras. The latter is more expensive but has more buttons and whistles. Now that I have finally decided to buy one, I can't decide on which one. I think I'll sleep on this one...

Desperation?

So I somehow gave some people the idea that I am desperate to get married...and I'm not. I am highly looking forward to it, but I know in my life that I am content wherever I am. I look at it this way...God has blessed me with a home, a budding new career in photography and tons of opportunities to do new and exciting things. Do I even have time for a relationship? Most likely not (although you know I would make time for one if I had one...lol).

It won't be right until it's the right guy. Until then, I'm holding out.

The Williams

Here are a few shots of the William's kids, another recent photography job. Good things--always a learning experience!

Too Far

After a conversation with some friends tonight over coffee, I started thinking about when far is too far. When do you, as a friend, step in to help a friend if they are not seeing things from an objective point of view. Are we always afraid of judging others or stepping on toes when we should be speaking the truth in love?

For example, I have 3 really good friends that I was hanging out after I graduated from college (the first time...lol). Anyway, we all had dated guys that weren't right for us, so we all made a pact to speak our minds about our significant others if we felt that it wasn't a good situation (e.g. he wasn't a good guy for her). So with one of the friends, I did tell her, and I immediately felt a shift in our relationship. Needless to say, all three are now married to great guys, but I felt that I sacrificed a part of my relationship with that one friend because I spoke what I thought was the truth and keep my part of the pact--making sure that she was doing the right thing. Or was I?

So do we just keep our mouths shut and watch our friends get hurt? Or do we attempt to step in and potentially sacrifice the friendship?

How far is too far when you love your friends?

Accomplishment

"The reward of a thing well done is to have done it."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ya gotta love ol' Ralphy....

Today I woke up uninspired to do anything but sit and watch television. Yet I have started a new plan for myself, a sort-of reward system. For example, the other night when I got home from church around 9pm, I decided that my reward for folding the laundry that had piled up on my bed was to eat dinner and watch tv. That way, the task would be done and I could eat and relax in peace.

So as I lay in my bed this morning contemplating what I would accomplish today, I decided to just start right away so procrastination would not allow me to put it off until I really didn't feel like it. So by noon today I had started my laundry, cleaned my bathroom, swept the kitchen floor and made a cake.

Now I can relax and enjoy the rest of the day...ah, accomplishment...so my reward is having done it. Good things...

The Biermans

I love taking photos of people, particularly kids and families. With their permission, I'm posting some photos of the Biermans - Denver, Amy and Boston.

Fire! Fire!

A few weekends ago the young adults group from my church had a bonfire...it was a blast. Here are some photos I took. I thought they turned out really well!

Oh Christmas Tree

Today I saw the funniest thing that would totally crack my friend Melinda up ('cause she shares my wacky sense of humor). I was walking through Sears and leisurely walked past a big group of adults and kids, which appeared to be a family. The mother walked by, then the grandmother and several kids...and as I glance down, I notice two feet extending out from one of those cone Christmas trees used as decoration (they kinda look like an oversized dunce cap). The kid had taken the thing and put it over his head and only the bottom portion of his legs could be seen. He was attempting to follow his family without them noticing. I busted out laughing at the sight--how creative those little guys can be.

Ah kids....

Iconoclasts

I found a new favorite tv show--"Iconoclasts" on the Sundance Channel. The show basically pairs up innovators with creative visionaries to discuss their passions and shows what motivates and inspires them. Last night's episode paired dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov with chef Alice Waters, who created the Edible Schoolyard Project in Berkeley, California and owns a restaurant called Chez Panisse. If you are a "Sex and the City" fan, Mikhail played Carrie's "Russian" artist boyfriend, but he best known as a dancer.

What I really enjoyed about the show was listening to their inspiration. Mikhail started the New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center but only sees himself as a dancer--he doesn't see himself as a world-changer. Alice notes that he has inspired so many people around the world without even realizing it. I loved watching them talk about what motivates them also. Alice began the Edible Schoolyard in order to teach children about the beauty around them--that they can cultivate it, grow it, cook it and eat it...without relying on fast food.

This show inspired me to find ways that I can live out my passions and dreams...and who knows, I may even inspire others without even realizing it.

The Lion King

Last night some friends and I went to see Disney's "The Lion King" the musical. It was incredible. I have waited for almost 5 years for it to come to Nashville! Actually, I was so excited, my eyes started to well up in the first song. The costumes were amazing and the singers and musicians incredible. It is really worth it to spend the money to go!

Come on....hakuna matata!

Life without Digital

Yesterday I gave back the digital camera I was borrowing from a friend. I have to say that I really enjoy both film and digital equally-both having their advantages and disadvantages. I almost have a sense of loss without the digital--I was getting used to its ease and convenience, although this particular camera was without some features (i.e. only sepia and not black & white).

Goodbye for now, digital....until we meet again....

#17

So I finished another book today...which brings my grand total for the year to 17. I have already surpassed my goal (which was 15) so now I can relax. This is the first time in years since I set book reading goals that I haven't been scrambling to reach my goal. Good thing...

The book I finished today was a little light reading from Christian fiction author Karen Kingsbury. I have read a lot of tough books lately and needed a little easy reading. I totally got sucked into the book on my plane ride last weekend and since then couldn't put it down. If you ever want some "fluff" her books will do the trick!

You can visit her web site: www.karenkingsbury.com

ick...

After several days of nonstop nausea, I am finally feeling better. At least I wasn't like my sister-in-law and nephew, who couldn't keep their lunches because of this bug that's going around. You really don't realize until you are sick for more than a few days how much you take for granted when it comes to your health. For example, I drink all day long (water, juice, tea, coffee) but when I felt sick any time anything hit my stomach, I didn't realize how good it was to have a cool glass of H2O refresh my throat....one sip at a time, for now.

Sadness

Late last night, I got an email from one of my mom's cousins letting us know that my cousin's brother, Jeff, died of esophagal cancer on October 4, 2006. This was sad news to my entire family. Especially since he has a loving wife and two children.

This brought to mind a song I have been listening to by Sam & Ruby...

Life's hard
I've always known that
Never been handed no welcome mat
When I die, please don't cry
'Cause Heaven's my home anyhow

Thank goodness he's home.

Bub

Yes, he hates it...the nickname I gave my brother. After I was aptly nicknamed "Sputley" (aka Sputs) I tried to come up with something original and they only thing that came to mind was "Bub." Yet it kinda has that Ren & Stimpy feel to it!

Anyway, it always amazes me that my brother and I (he is five years my senior) always manage to have fun and act goofy at the expensive of our dignity. Our latest adventure included doing the "Hey, hey we're the Monkees" walk through Walmart followed up with a long-stride walk while swinging our arms and turning our heads. We got so into it, in fact, that we almost ran over a lady...

So I have to say that despite the fact that we are adults, I always appreciate the fact that we can still have fun, play and act like kids. The same is true with my sister. It may be because we had so much fun all together as kids that we can't help but want to revert back to those good times.

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." Tom Stoppard

Characters

My brother recently told me a story about my four-year-old nephew and his fear of larger-than-life characters, such as the mascot for the Timber Rattlers minor league baseball team and Mickey Mouse at Disney World.

This year, however, on their recent trip to Disney World, he seemed less afraid of the large-headed characters. During a discussion about him overcoming his fears, he was so proud of the fact that he had now met two characters of whom he is no longer afraid. That would include Mickey Mouse and Denver of Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (www.denvermho.com).



How funny...my friend Denver has the status of Mickey Mouse. Ah kids....

Africa

I just finished the book "Season of Blood - A Rwandan Journey" by Fergal Keane, an Irish journalist. This is his account of travels in Rwanda in 1994 during the genocide. It was a deeply moving book and often had to pause reading due to the tears evoked.

Here are some quotes from the book:

How people view Africa:
We are fed a diet of starving children, of stacked corpses and battalions of refugees, and in the end we find ourselves despising the continent because it haunts and shames us.

When people ask why we should care about Africa:
that we should care because we belong to the same brotherhood of man as the citizens of seemingly remote African countries.

Regarding the genocide:
For me, however, the conclusion is unavoidable: genocidal killing in Africa diminishes all of us.

Don't forget about Africa.

Headshots

Today I took some photos for Greg & Walisa, friends & recording artists. Here are some from the shoot. Hopefully they will be up on their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/gregandwalisa

Autumn!

I love this time of year...autumn. The leaves are starting to turn lovely colors, the air is crisp. The sounds of high school football games resonates over the wind. Today I went out and grabbed some shots with the digital camera I am borrowing. The sky was crystal clear and I managed to get some good ones! Enjoy the cool weather and the changing of the seasons!

This blog entry is dedicated to my mom, Carol Uhri, who also loved autumn.

Why?

I was watching a bit of Oprah today as she spoke with a writer for the New York Times about the truth in America. An interesting point was brought up about people in general asking the question "why?". Do we often feel that if we ask why things are happening the way we are, then we are not in support of what is going on around us? For example, if I am asking "why" there is war in Iraq, does that automatically put me in the position of not supporting our government and/or our troops?

I have always wondered this. My entire life, I have been a very curious person about a variety of things. If I don't know and want to know, I ask (or read, research...whatever). Does that mean that I'm not on any side of any issue? Why or why not?

The Digital Debate

I discovered some great comments from my faithful readers about going digital. Today and I did some headshots for a friend's company and realized the ease of going in, shooting, dumping the photos on my computer and sending them. It took less than 2 hours to do all that, including travel time.

I love the artistic value of shooting with film and will continue to do so, especially because it is the medium with which I am most familar. Yet the ease of my first official digital experience really helped me to see the value in both. I know that when I get a digital camera, it's not going to be cheap...but I realized long ago that I picked a profession/artistic method that is definitely not inexpensive, especially at first.

Thanks to everyone who commented...thanks for the advice!

Signage

Sign seen on the side of a busy road:

"Chid Care. Call -------"

If you're gonna promote your business, at least make sure you use a dictionary.

Go Digital???

I'm trapped...do I finally cross over to the other side??

A friend of mine leant me her Sony digital camera for a few weeks. So last night I started to play with it so I could get a quick pic for my profile (check it out). How easy it was to shoot the photos, dump them on my computer and post them. No waiting to develop, no printing issues...a technological "piece of cake."

Yet I have a dilemma. I LOVE the art of photography, which to me, includes the entire process. At this point, since I've only had one photography class, I feel like my skills are limited. It would be so easy to buy a great digital and just go from there. But will that diminish the quality of my photographs? Will I feel more technologically capable and more artistically incapable?

The good news is that I don't have to make a decision right now...until I have to take Digital Imaging in school. So I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

Don't Judge a Book....

Last year, in Estes Park, Colorado, at GMA's Music in the Rockies, I decided at long last to sponsor a child through Compassion International. It had been years since I did this...when I was in middle school I sponsored a child through World Vision. I was the worst sponsor because I didn't keep in touch with my child.

As the packets of information were handed out, I told my friend Nikki that I was hoping for a girl (I even said a little prayer). But when I got the packet, I was slightly disappointed to find a picture of what appeared to be a boy. A small, Rwandan child with short hair. In spite of my disappointment, I thanked God that He put me with the right child.

I began reading the child's profile...born in 1996 (the year I graduated high school--that gave me some perspective)...was the child of a farmer...then...she helps her parents to carry water from the well. I was SO excited! I was going to sponsor a little girl!

The reason that it was on my heart to sponsor a little girl is because girls have a special place in my heart...mostly because I am one. I know somewhat about what they deal with, the pressures, the feelings...everything. I want her to find value in who she is and to never let anyone ever tell her that she is less than precious. I have such a loving earthly father and my mother was so influential in my life--I just want young girls to have that kind of encouragement.

So now my heart belongs to Rwanda. I watched "Hotel Rwanda" and rented a movie called "Ghosts of Rwanda" on the genocide that occurred in 1994. My heart ached for her people--although it was before her time, her neighbors, family friends, perhaps family, all were affected by such tragedy. I am trying to understand how 800,000 people were slaughtered because of their class system. I recently got two books from the library to understand more what happened.

In her letters, my Compassion child has been sweet to pray for my future husband and to encourage me through her simple 10-year-old words. I thought I would be the one to give the encouragement and found I have received it in return.

A huge lesson was learned through her already--don't judge a girl by her hairstyle...and don't judge a person's willingness to give when it appears that they have nothing.

29!!

One more year until the best years of my life!!

The Art of Letter Writing

Whatever happened to old fashioned letter-writing? I believe it is a dying art.

I admit that I do enjoy the speed and convenience of email, but at the same time, I enjoy writing a hand-written letter. My goal is to always write at least one note or letter per week to someone, so that this fine art does not fade away.

I guess it might be because my mom always emphasized a thank you note or letter to me as a child. No matter what someone did for you, even if it was a small, yet kind, gesture, I believe it deserves taking time to write a hand-written note. To me, it shows that person that their gesture meant enough to you that you took the time to write.

So off I go to write a little letter....do you still hand-write letters?

I'm an Artist!

Last week, the New Seed of Hope (www.newseedofhope.com) had an art fundraiser to help raise funds for the organization. The mission is to help the people of Central and Eastern Africa recognize that despite their hardships, God has not abandoned them. One of my friends asked me if I wanted to donate some artwork to the cause--without hesitation, I agreed. I worked for several weeks on the two pieces. One was "J'adore Paris", a mixed media piece with photographs I took while in Paris in 2001. The other was "Between the Lines" an acrylic on canvas painting that was inspired by Leigh Nash's song.

What got me excited was the fact that both pieces auctioned for $40 each. I was really excited! I was just hoping they would actually sell.

But the best part of all of this, it was for a good cause.