Friday, March 30, 2012

Desert Botanical Gardens and Scottsdale Artists League "Paint Out"

Desert Botanical Gardens and Scottsdale Artists League "Paint Out"



The Scottsdale Artist League and Desert Botanical Garden 'Paint Out," has been going on all month, and special events are planned for the conclusion, at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008.



I've been at the gardens every Saturday, and as a photographer I've wandered not only to shoot but to preview the art being painted. Lots of beautiful paintings - including small sizes so you can buy several. My photography will also be available (of course). Buy early - three matted prints sold last Saturday!



Show and Sale March 31 and April 1
Location: Stardust Foundation Plaza at the Garden (near the cactus and succulent pavilions)
Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m
Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Artist Meet and Greet
Saturday March 31 4 - 6 p.m. But the open bar begins at 2 pm!




Bounty of Barrels by Heather J. Kirk

Throughout Garden - artists will continue to paint this Saturday and Sunday
The Desert Botanical Garden and Scottsdale Artists League will co-sponsor their 17th annual Spring Paintout. As visitors walk through the trails, they will come across 50 of Scottsdale Artists League's best landscape painters capturing Garden scenes. All the artwork from the Paintout will be on display and for sale for the final weekend. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Desert Botanical Garden and the Scottsdale Artists League's Scholarship Fund. For more information visit http://www.scottsdaleartistsleague.org/?utm_source=Desert+Botanical+Gardens+SAL+%22Paint+Out%22+Sale+-+Heather%27s+Arts+Newsletter&utm_campaign=DBG+Paintout+%231&utm_medium=socialshare

Heather J. Kirk

Decay in the Foundation

A friend who works in a dental office had told her son he needed to brush very careful all around his braces, so he didn't end up with decay under the metal bands. He took the advice very seriously, and paid special attention to keeping his braces extremely clean. When he got his braces off after two painful years, the dentist did not find a single cavity...near the bands. Instead he found several small cavities on the chewing surface. You see, he had paid so much attention to the braces, he forgot about the most obvious part of his teeth - where he chewed his food.


This is such a profound metaphor in our day to day lives. How many of us spend an inordinate amount of time focused on things like our jobs, being there for our friends, even serving in church - none of which are bad things - only to find we have completely neglected the foundations of our lives - family and God. And the result is that our lives begin to decay at the core.


Maybe it's time to brush up on the basics!







Heather J. Kirk

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Coolest Mom in the World is Going to Romeo Santos Concert With Me

Wednesday Night I asked my mom to go to the Romeo Santos concert with me this Friday, March 23rd, in Phoenix. (Romeo is the lead singer of the band Aventura - gone solo). Bachata music is from Bronx, NY / Dominican Republic. Bachata is the hottest Latin music and dance trend since Salsa.

Don't know who Romeo (or Aventura) is? Get with it Arizona!




"The Formula Vol.1 album by Romeo Santos is the #1 Latin Album in the country for 16 weeks now! (source: neilson soundscan)" and "Congrats to Romeo Santos for winning 'Latin Songwriter of the year' for the 2nd year in a row at the ASCAP Latin Music Awards."

Still don't know who he is? Okay, he does the duet with Usher called Promise - he's the one who sings in Spanish. Hot video here - (parental advisory suggested ... I'm only partially kidding!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XyWhrZnqE Now do you know who he is?

My mom asked, "Can't find anyone else to go with you?" "Nope." She wheeled and dealed with me. I had to agree to go to the American Idol concert with her in order for her to join me at the Romeo Santos concert. I don't mind, I went with her last year and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it!

My mom asked, "Will there be very many old, blond ladies there?" "Nope, it's possible there will be only two blond women there - you and me." How do I know this? Because I've been going Latin dancing lately, and I'm often the only blond in the house. I've also seen pictures of the HUGE lines of women who line up to meet Romeo (and Henry), get their CDs signed, and take a picture with them at various events around the country. ALL young Latina women. If guys want to meet women, their odds would be incredibly good at one of these CD signings or concerts.






Mom getting her daily cappuccino in Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, DR.

Anyway, did the likelihood that we would stand out like two American tourists on the inland-side of Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, scare off the coolest mother in the world? No way. She spent the first two weeks with me on my 8 month stint in the Dominican Republic - being exactly like that!

I love you mom! Heather
Heather J. Kirk










Me and friend Kilvio at the inland (non-tourist) Adrian Tropical location.