Little Mr. M – Michigan Commercial Photographer

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.  ~e.e. cummings

According to that quote, there is never a wasted day for Mr. M and his family, because this little boy is so full of life, and personality that it would be impossible not to laugh right along with him.

I knew the moment that he stepped out of the car that we were going to get along perfectly, and since he wanted to come home with me after the session I must have been right

 

Thank you Mr. M for being so much fun to work with, I can’t wait to work with you again when we update your comp cards! 

And until then, keep filling the world with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love

Interview With The Fabulous Erika Jessop – Michigan Photographer

As promised, here is my interview with Erika.

Me: Hello amazingly talented lady, I am so glad that you allowed me to interview you!  (And that you wanted to hold hands, and eat ice cream, and talk girl talk with me.  Now if only you weren’t so far away…)

Erika: Well, thank YOU for inviting me to talk for a while!

Me: So first off, I have to know, did your Mom and Dad keep any of your drawings/paintings from when you were little?  If so, can I see one?

Erika: My sweet parents kept everything.

My snowman drawing is from Kindergarten. Do you love the glitter snowflakes? If I had my way, I would still glitter-fy everything.

Me: I totally love the glitter snowflakes, and I can picture you making something all fabulously glitter-fyed.  You should try it the next time you feel like you’re in a rut.  I’d love to see it :)

The crayon drawing on the girl in striped socks is also circa Kindergarten : )

Me:  Okay, seriously?  If that was done in kindergarten your parents must have been really impressed.  I would have guessed 2nd or 3rd grade.

I did the third drawing (my Picasso period) in 6th grade. How funny!

Me: How cute, I love the little faces!

Me: What did you think the first time that someone wanted to buy one of your works of art?

Erika: When I started my business, I knew I would need a portfolio. So I would look around flickr and get inspired by the beautiful photographs. So many photos became my muse and I contacted a few photographers to ask if I could paint my version of what they had captured. The abundance of visual talent on flickr is still an inspiration to me. My flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikajones/

I remember the first time someone contacted me to buy one of those early pieces. I was literally beaming. I couldn’t sleep all night, just thinking about packaging it up and sending it to someone who loved it. I still get that excited feeling when I book custom paintings.

Me: What was your first commissioned piece, and how nervous were you about showing it to the client?  

Erika: My first commissioned painting was in 2007 for Erin Vey, http://www.erinvey.com/bark/ a wonderful photographer from Seattle who takes visionary photos of dogs. Her photos of her Great Dane, Gracie mesmerized me. We decided on a photo of Gracie for me to emulate in watercolor. To date, Gracie’s portrait has been one of my most famous paintings. Everyone seems to remember it. 

I was nervous for the entire process of painting gorgeous Gracie. I remember calling my parents one evening in tears because there were parts that I just couldn’t seem to get right. My dad calmed me down by reminding me of how special our family dog is to us. I knew I had to take my time and get it exactly right. When I was finished, I was over-the-moon happy and Erin was too. I learned something new and enriching with each new painting. 

Me: You did a wonderful job on Gracie, and I have to agree, Erin does great work.  I think it’s awesome that she took her love of dogs, and turned it into a fantastic career! 

Me: Do you still get nervous showing clients their paintings?

Erika: I’m not as timid about that now, but I guess I always worry that someone will be like, “Umm…what were you thinking?”   I know that my clients commission me because they enjoy my unique style and I’m confident that I can create a piece that’s meaningful to them.

Me: If I were you, my home would be filled with paintings.  Or murals all over my walls…  How many paintings grace your walls?

Erika: We live in a little apartment, so we’re somewhat limited when it comes to display space. In our bedroom, we just hung a big painting I did on wood panel for a local show. It has rabbits and teacups. What else could you ask for in bedroom painting? It has inspired a few funny dreams  

Me: Oh yes,  I can see how this darling photo could inspire some funny dreams, LOL!

Erika: I have an inspiration wire in my office. I try to update it with the latest images, articles, and scraps that inspire me.

My husband, Brandon’s work is also proudly displayed. My favorite is this whimsical birdhouse he made for me (I use it as a key hanger).

Me: Well, it looks like you are not the only talented one in your house!  That is a very sweet, and unique bird house/ key holder

Erika: There are a couple more paintings I did in college too. Just colorful, happy memories.

Me: What does your dream home look like, and where would it be located?

Erika: There’s a floor plan sketch of it hanging on our fridge. It’s tiny and modern and designed by Brandon. It has a yard on all four sides with a fence and most importantly, a dog doing laps around it We even have a parcel of land selected, but we’re saving money and praying for it to be ours someday.

Me: It sounds perfect.

Me: Which type of painting do you love to do more, canvas or water color, and why?

Erika: That’s impossible to answer. Ok, here’s my best try…I love watercolor the most because I feel free when I paint with it. I love canvas the most because it has an understated, earthy, tactile feel. So both!

Me: Do you listen to music while you paint, and if so, what do you listen to?

Erika: I listen to sound. Sometimes I play music; other times I binge on talk radio. When the music’s playing, it’s usually something melodic like Jason Mraz, The Shins, or Mae. When it’s raining, I love to turn everything OFF and let that sound soak in.

Me: How long does a painting typically take?

Erika: A medium-sized painting (16 x 20) usually takes me two full workdays. I do almost everything in steps. For example, when I’m creating a watercolor; I sketch one day, then paint the next, then finish with colored pencil the day after that.

Me: Did you know that I am so in love with your crazy creature photos, that if I could I would own them all?  Especially the ones from your Melt Series, like these ones for instance -

Me: How do you come up with these adorable little guys?!

Erika: Those characters are actually just what comes to mind when I allow it to run freely. I enjoy stacking items on top of one another in paintings, creating arrangements that aren’t physically possible

Me: What is your favorite painting that you have ever created?

Erika: I especially love creating paintings for my family. For my dad’s birthday last year, I painted a canvas of him as a kid in hunting gear with our family dog Emma (as a pup) by his side. It makes me so happy to see it in mom and dad’s kitchen when I visit home.

Me: And I bet they’re happy to have them!

Me: Have you ever had a painting that you loved and thought would sell in an instant, that didn’t?

Erika: Yes, it’s always difficult to gauge what the reaction will be. Some original paintings fly out of my etsy shop as soon as they’re posted. Others don’t. But that’s ok, because I hang them up here until they do. They are being enjoyed one way or another.

Me: Do tell, what are 3 things that you couldn’t live without?

Erika:  LOVE – Knowing that God loves me and gives me a purpose is the most important piece. Knowing that my family and friends love me is such a wonderful gift.

MY PHONE - I talk to my mom and dad almost every night. Our chats always lift my spirits and inspire me.

SUNSHINE - I am so lucky to have a big window to work in front of. I love to feel the sun on my skin when I’m painting. If we had a porch, I’d probably be out there

Me:  Love, phones, and sunshine are great things to have.  Your parents sound pretty wonderful

Me: Name three of your favorite artists?

Erika: Brandi Milne - www.brandimilne.com

             Tim Burton – Need I say more?

             Kurt Halsey - www.kurthalsey.com 

Me: What do you love about them?

Erika: Each of these artists seems to capture the intangible essence of childhood. Perhaps it’s just that childhood is fleeting and impossible to treasure when we’re in it. It’s only when we look back on it that we behold its beauty.

Me: I’m sure that a lot of things inspire you, but what would you say is your biggest source of inspiration?

Erika: I have the most random inspiration attacks! I’ll see a young girl with her dog as I’m driving to the supermarket and envision a painting of them. So I guess it’s just life. I’m motivated to create art when I feel things. The pure emotion of living inspires me.

Me: I can completely relate to that.  You recently finished illistrating a children’s book, do you have the finished book yet, and if so, how much do you love it?!

Erika: Yes, this is the third children’s book I’ve illustrated. The title of this work is I Have Dyslexia. What Does That Mean?. It’s written by the mom of a Dyslexic girl. I met their wonderful family when I lived in Cincinnati. I’m very happy with how the book turned out. It will be available this summer. The author is Shelley Ball-Dannenburg.

Me: As the wife of a dyslexic man, and a fan of your work, that book will most likely be sitting on my bookshelf once it’s released…

Me: And last but not least, if you could only paint one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Erika: This is probably cheating, but my answer is “the imaginary.” I never run out of things to imagine, so I would never run out of things to paint.

Me: Cheat all you want, if someone asked me what I would photograph if I could only photograph one thing for the rest of my life I would probably say children, as in children in general, LOL! 

Me: Thank you so much for your interview, and just in case I haven’t told you in the last 5 minutes…  I think you are fabulous! 

Erika: It’s been so lovely, Sarah. I hope you’re really enjoying your watercolor painting.

Me: We ceratinly are

Thank you Miss Erika for spreading sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love to the world through your art

You can view, and purchase Erika’s work at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5122442

Little Miss K – Michigan Commercial Photographer

Little Miss K happily braved the cold sprinkling rain during our session,

and I loved her adorable, colorful outfit.

She had cute ponytails, and an adorable smile,

and she was too cute standing with her mama

Thank you for modeling for me Little Miss K, it was so nice to meet you!

Wishing everyone a week filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love

The Lovely Miss L – Michigan Maternity Photographer

So, remember that play-date that I had with Miss J?  Well, that was where I met the lovely Miss L. 

She was just as sweet as she was pretty, and that is a wonderful combination! 

This lovely lady will be welcoming her second little girl into her family in a few short months, and Little Miss A will have a new playmate   

May the rest of your pregnancy be filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

My Kids Through The Eyes Of Erika Jessop – Michigan Photographer

“I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it…. If you were here I would sing that to you in my best Pointer Sisters voice, and show you my happy dance, and hug you, and kiss you, and hook our arms together so that we could go skipping down the sidewalk into the sunset, and feed you ice cream, and talk girl talk…   This is fabulous Erika, I love it!!! xoxo”

That was my exact response to seeing my beautiful painting done by the amazingly talented Erika Jessop.  I commissioned her to paint a picture for me that depicted my children in their future careers.  I knew exactly what I wanted, but I didn’t know just how fabulous it was going to be until my wonderfully talented friend Miss Erika sent me the finished photos.  At which point I began happy dancing, and floating on cloud 9   

I decided to interview her to find out just what makes her so fabulous, so be sure to stay tuned…

And until then, may your life be filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

The Lovely Miss J – Michigan Maternity Photographer

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting up with a wonderful photographer friend of mine Miss J. 

This lovely lady is due in a few months with baby #4, and while I wish that I could tell you what she’s having, it’s a surprise.  

Miss J already has 3 boys, and as wonderful as another boy would be, I’m secretly hoping that the stork delivers her something pink this time around

Thank you for the wonderful afternoon, it most certainly was filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Modeling Spots Filled – Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

Thank you so much to everyone that responded to my model request.  All 24 spots have been filled. 

For those of you that responded after the spots were filled, I will keep you in mind for future shoots!

And, since I wouldn’t want to blog without a photo, here is one of my oldest son from this weekend.  Apparently the colored hair brought out his inner rock-star, and apparently his inner rock-star loves me

 I hope that your day has been filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

Baby S – Michigan Commercial Photographer

Baby S is another darling girl that modeled leg warmers for me for www.crawlercovers.com

I thought that she was too cute holding onto her sweet little feet.

And those chubby legs are beyond adorable!

Happy Earth Day everyone, may you fill the earth with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!

Little Miss L – Michigan Commercial Photographer

This weekend I got to meet Little Miss L. 

I thought that her hair was adorable.

And I loved her pink shoes.

I hope that your trip to the park was filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love Little Miss L, you earned it!

Michigan Lifestyle Photographer

I hope that everyone’s weekend was filled with sunshine, lollipops, happiness, and love!