Upcoming Events and Classes

As April (and Spring...yay!) approaches, I thought I would update what is happening over here at Nine Acres Designs, LLC for the rest of the month and for April...it's a lot!

First, on Saturday, March 23, we will have the second meeting of Harford Photography Field Trip group. Join us for this free, laid-back event open to all people interested in photography. The type of camera or your level of experience does not matter. We accept everyone from beginners to pro...and any camera from iPhone to DSLR. This month we are meeting at Kilgore Falls, Falling Branch Area of Rocks State Park located at 1026 Falling Branch Road, Pylesville, MD 21132. Come along with us to photograph the second largest waterfall in Maryland! There is a short hike to get to the waterfall which involves crossing a stream, so be sure to dress appropriately. Footwear that is waterproof and slip proof is highly recommended and you might want to bring a hiking stick to help steady you across the water. We will meet in the parking lot at the beginning of the trail to the waterfall at 8AM. I want to get the early morning light before the sun is too high, so this one is early! We had a blast last month at Eden Mill Nature Center, so come join the fun! Here is the link to the Facebook Event page.

Then, on Saturday, March 30 from 1:00-4:00PM I will be participating again in the Human Library Event at Havre de Grace Library. I will be a book that you can check out for 10-15 minute time spans to ask me questions about Lyme or my experience with Lyme Disease.  I had a blast last month doing this at Abingdon Library and every time slot was taken, so be sure to come early and sign up!

On April 2, I will be a guest on the Podcast Harford County Living and speaking about my art along with the other guest, Sheldon Bair, the music director of the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra. I am looking forward to meeting the podcast host, Rich Bennett and talking with these two great men who have done so much in Harford County!

Also, on Tuesday, April 2, I am offering a class through Harford Community College called Digital Photography 1. I have had so many people ask me to do an evening class to accommodate those who work during the day, so I have! Classes are on Tuesday evenings from 6PM-9PM for four weeks starting 4/2 and going to 4/23. The class is already half full so if you are interested, please register soon, either in person at Edgewood Hall at HCC or online. This hands-on class focuses on teaching you about your DSLR camera and all the basics of digital photography so you can stop taking all your photos on AUTO and start making creative decisions in your photography! I hope to see you there!

If you'd rather take pictures on your iPhone instead of lugging around a large, heavy DSLR camera, I have a class for you too!  Also beginning in April, on Mondays from 4/15-4/29 from 9:30-12:30, I am offering Secrets to Amazing iPhone Pictures! Learn to make the most out of your iPhone's camera app and also learn about two other photography apps, Hipstamatic, and CameraPlus2. I will teach you all the secrets and tricks to grabbing stellar images on your iPhone. (Only iPhones in this class...no androids or other type of smart phones!) You can register in person at Edgewood Hall at HCC or online.


 UPCOMING EVENTS:

Also in April the television segment I taped in February will be released but I don't have a date just yet.

Also, I am teaching night classes this summer at Harford Community College, so I will let you know when that schedule is finalized.  Keep a look out for this!

I am excited to say that more is in the works behind the scenes for this spring, but because dates are not finalized yet, I can't share them just yet! Some opportunities may include showing my art in the Big Apple, a possible publication opportunity, and other things! I hope everyone has a fantastic spring and I encourage you to keep being creative!

Hi Myrtle- Digital Art Created with Collaging Techniques

About this image: It was a heat wave in the middle February. The temperatures were approaching 70 degrees and the outdoors was calling. I had to go. I couldn't be stuck inside a moment longer with my aching jaw and tired body. So, my husband took me on a ride near our home to get me out.  We started talking about this barn even before we got there. We both had seen it many times and it is one of our favorites, but I had never photographed it. So, with my trusty iPhone 6S Plus in hand, I grabbed this image from the passenger side window. There is something about the double decker barn with the star on it that captures my heart. Something about the rolling green hills, spooning the barn red buildings in its folds.  Something about the silo standing tall and alert, guarding its yard. Truly, farming is the backbone of this country from its beginnings to now and it is also the lifeblood of my ancestral history, so I get it honest. Both sides of my family are farmers or miners from West Virginia and Kentucky. As far back as I have traced they have been farmers. The soil, it seems, is in my blood.

The title for this piece comes from a scanned letter I used as a texture that my great uncle wrote to his sister, my grandmother Myrtle, to tell her he was being deployed to go to Europe for WWII. I love the handwriting and the personal connection it has in my history. I often use old letters or documents I have from my ancestors in my art work. His letter began in a cheerful, "Hi, Myrtle!" and so I used it as the title. Can you find it in the piece?  There is also music notes and a face hiding in the piece as well.

Hey, y'all, I have added an event calendar to the Upcoming Events page because it was just more tidy to keep track of art shows, events, workshops, and appearances that way. So, go ahead over and check it out! Over the weekend I have confirmed two more dates and places for showing my work. I am excited to announce my work will be displayed at the last two upcoming Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra regular season performances at Bel Air High School. So, on March 4th and May 20th, I will be there before the show starts and during intermission to display my art and to answer questions.  My art will be on sale at this event as well (check or exact cash only for these two events) so head out, check out some great art and stay to listen to the SSO perform! It is going to be a great night of fun!

Please SAVE THE DATE May 5, 2017 6PM-9Pm for a special Lyme Disease Awareness Event that I am hosting at Arts By the Bay in Havre de Grace! I will be the featured artist and have three walls of my art displayed. In addition I will be talking about my journey through Chronic Lyme Disease and how it had affected my art. Also, Harford Lyme Advocates will have an informational table set up to help spread the word about the dangers of tick borne illnesses and how to keep yourself safe. It is also First Friday in Havre de Grace, so the streets will be shut down and tons of businesses and restaurants will be having special events and deals! I sincerely hope to see you all there...stop in and say hello!

Also, keep your eyes open for some workshop dates to come out this week. One will be a Mini-Composition Workshop and Guided Photo Walk in Havre de Grace, MD in May (I am shooting for May 20th in the morning, but haven't confirmed that date yet) and the other will be an Introduction to Mobile Art (I've received a ton of requests for this) sometime in April!

Have a fabulous day!
xo

Arts By the Bay Gallery Winter Blitz Opening Reception

Join me this Friday, February 3, from 7PM-9PM for Arts By the Bay Gallery opening reception of the Winter Blitz Art Show! I will have 5 pieces hanging this show, including The Wheel, which will be featured on the cover and in the pages of the upcoming publication of Somerset Digital Studio in newsstands March 1!

The Wheel

Beautiful Beyond Description- Artist Self Portrait

Zen

Caution In the Wind

Wrightsville Bridge

I am also very honored and excited to have my work included in this week's Flickr Showcase over at TheAppWhisperer.com! Click through to see the video of all the beautiful artwork curated for this video. My image is "Long Shadows of Empirical Knowledge" at 3:27. Thank you, Joanne Carter, of choosing my work!