I have made a mistake, and for that mistake, I must apologize.
It has been almost a year since my last post. Over the past year, I have allowed my life to get so hectic that I haven’t left any time for myself…in other words, for my photography. But that is going to change. Summer 2012 is here, I’m engaged…and my photography is back! Without my photography, it just feels like a piece of my soul is missing. Updates to come soon!
Welcome to Artprize 2011. This year is the first year that I’ve ever been to Artprize (for those of you who don’t know, Artprize is an annual occurance in downtown Grand Rapids) and it was AMAZING. There were so many people and so much to see!
My “tour guide” if you will, was Dylan. Who lives in the Grand Rapids area and knows how the whole “Art Prize scene” works. We had a great time adventuring throughout the city. We stopped in the museum to see what kind of Artprize entries they had, in one of the furniture store set-ups they had, we took pictures via a mirror. Even though it came out blurry, I was quite happy with the result.
We saw soo many cool things, and I made a goal that someday I am going to enter Artprize for myself. I don’t know how or when, but I will.
The first installation I saw was in the Fountain Street church, pictured above. It was all the little figures bowing to the gun. It was very meaningful to me. It really spoke to me, because it shows the direction in which the world is heading. The meaning was deepened by the fact that it was installed in a church, where people are ususally worshipping god instead of guns.
The church was absolutely beautiful. Dylan and I explored around it and that is what the picture of the seats is from. It had numerous, enormous stained glass windows that shone brilliant colors into the church. It was also eqipped with a giant choir loft and an organ that went all throughout the chapel. It really was one of the more beautiful churches that I have ever seen.
One of the installations was a multitude of shiny metal squares hung from the ceiling. It was a rather large installation and took up at least a 10 foot by 10 foot square. It was beautiful and captivating to look at. I even snapped a picture of Dylan through the hanging squares and was quite happy with how the results turned out.
My attention span is not the greatest..and I made Dylan stop in the middle of the street while we were crossing a crosswalk so that i could take this picture. Luckily, no one was hurt in this act. But LOOK HOW COOL the picture turned out. 🙂 Totally worth it.
Artists were everywhere. Some explaining their art to others, and some finishing up final details of their art. This painter told us that as long as the painting is in his possession, he is never done with it, because there are always more details to add. I loved his shoes. I wish that I had spurs to put on my boots! But he was a really cool and down to earth guy, and I wish him all the best in the competition.
And last, but DEFINETELY not least, was my absolute FAVORITE installation in artprize. It was an automated set that included lightning and old fashioned video along with AWESOME sound effects…all incorperating the theme of “mad science.” The finer details on the piece were steampunk as well! I must have stood and watched it loop through it’s program for over 45 minutes….I was just so enthralled with how awesome it was!
That’s my recap of my ArtPrize adventures for this year. There are still a few days left, so be sure to go down there and check it out for yourself! Good luck to all the contestants!
Love can save the world. Love can save a person. If we spent more time loving each other and less time hating each other….just think about how wonderful the world would be. I have a challenge for you…go up to someone that you don’t like and say something nice about them to them, and just…watch their reaction. It’s never too late to save a relationship. If you’re willing to put the effort in, you could become best friends with your worst enemy.
Love has taught me a lot….and it has saved me more than once. Coming from a difficult family life where my parents love and adore everyone except for me…I wasn’t sure that love was real….Over the past couple of years through relationships with my friends and those who were more than friends…I’ve found that love is not as mystical as the unicorns…it’s real, a feeling, an emotion…and if you want it to be, a lifestyle.
I have so many people in my life that I need to thank, just for loving me….They don’t know it, but their love and acceptance changed my life, and I am eternally grateful. ❤
I love you all, and appreciate your continued support. Have a wonderful day.
Back in July, I did a fun photo shoot with a group of my friends. We met at an old abandoned house around 1 o’clock in the afternoon and we sat around in one of the rooms and did the zombie makeup…before we left, I put them in the bathtub at the old abandoned house. ♥
… We then drove an hour and a half to Mt. Pleasant, MI (yes, with ALL of that itchy makeup on their faces) and did an epic adventuresome photo shoot!
It was an incredibly fun day. I hope to get to hang out with all of them again very soon…but maybe next time without so much rotting flesh…. ♥
Here are some of my favorite images from the shoot:
Take a moment. Just one moment. Breathe in, Breath out.
Some days we lose sight of what we really need. Some days we lose track of ourselves.
Be careful who you trust. Some people can say they’re your friends, all the while holding a knife to stab you in the back with. The important thing is to be thankful for the time you have with others…if things turn out bad and they end up not being who you think they were…just remember the good times. We can’t control what happens in life or how people treat us, all we can control is how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. This is a very hard lesson for me. Being a person who always wants to help others, I find it very difficult when I can’t control a situation, when I can’t “save” someone. Sometimes things happen in our lives that force us to take a step back and look at what is really going on…and sometimes, we don’t like what we see.
On a better note, I’m currently working on logo designs. Options will be posted soon so that you can vote on your favorite!
I love you all, and appreciate your continued support. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Amelia is one of my best friends. I remember “welcoming” her into high school her freshman year…she was my little freshman and now she’s a senior. Life moves so fast, doesn’t it?
Dawn Boertman, age 18. Passion? Photography and antiques!
I’m a freak, yes..but i have a passion for photography unmatched by any other and a drive to give you the best images I possible can. Photography for me is always fun; therefore, I will make sure that the experience is just as fun for you. Call me today: (231) 903.8337
WEEK OF MARCH 13- 19:
Subtle Sparkles [3.14.11]
There are just some days where you can’t find the beauty in yourself…but the beauty in the world around you is highly prevalent.
The beauty on the inside is what really matters. Look around, You have beauty within your grasp this very instant.
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The Calm [3.15.11]
Working at The Geek Group today, it’s a bit quiet around here.
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Pipe Dreams [3.15.11]
Working at The Geek Group today, it’s a bit quiet around here. I love buildings that are under renovation, they have so much….life to them. You can be a part of their history.
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A Different View [3.15.2011]
The best part of hanging out with computer nerds? Getting to play with broken, torn apart pieces of computers.
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The Jitters [3.15.2011]
Somedays you just need a cup of coffee to get you through the day. There’s something special about a cup of coffee from a diner though, just makes it all the better.
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Vacant Dreams [3.15.2011]
Rain makes empty parking lots all the more beautiful at night.
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Oh, That Smile [3.15.2011]
Somedays….all you need is a smile to brighten your day. This guy’s smile always makes my days better. He’s pretty wonderful.
Also, The Grand Coney has the best food ever. Om, nom, nom.
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Take a Second Look [3.15.2011]
Taking a second look at the world. Rediscovering the good and the beautiful – casting out the bad and the painful.
Went to The Grand Coney for some late night noms with Matt – He was driving, so I got to take pictures ^_^
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Burning Past Bridges [3.16.2011]
The last step of breaking up and moving on – closure. I got my last piece of closure today, via fire.
I love how they ended up lying…They were not placed this way, this is just how they fell as they burned. Reminds you to see the beauty through the pain.
HOPE YOU ENJOY! MORE TO COME SOON!!!
A few days ago was National Dinosaur Lovers day, and I went with a fellow photographer, Joey Domina [ Sunshine Photography 49345 ] on a photo adventure throughout Cedar Springs and Rockford, Michigan. This was my favorite dinosaur shot of the day.
Aiming to make you smile, one picture at a time!
Sunday Morning Photography 
