Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My business cards

Many of you have noticed how amazing my business cards look and feel over the years. Yes, it has to do with my graphic design, but the quality of the printer means an awful lot as well. That great fiish is "Satin Matte" Check out Overnight Prints for all kinds of printing: Business Cards, Postcards, Flyers, Brochures, Letterhead , Greeting Cards & Envelopes Overnight




Here's a sneak preview of the newest cards I just ordered.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Condo shopping in Punta Cana, DR

A nice little spot on HGTV about condos for sale and the choice a man makes. Punta Can is a lovely, lovely area - I spent almsot a week there with a very good Domnican friend. They have some good shots of that amazingly, perfect color of turquoise blue ocean - a color unique to DR that takes my breath away.

http://www.hgtv.com/video/dominican-republic-relocation-video/index.html

Enjoy! If anyone wants to go, I can be hired as a personal tour guide or a moving consultant! Heather

Playa Blanca Restaurant Bar Area Punta Cana


















Table and Sea Play at Blanca
Restaurant in Punta Cana
Beach and Vegetation Playa
Blanca Punta Cana Resort


Two Seaweed Mounds on Punta Cana Resort Beach



Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Gardening at Night Artist Reception

Artist Reception, Thursday, April 21, 2011, 7 to 9 pm

Solo show by Heather J. Kirk, Gardening at Night runs concurrently with Shemer “House of Fun” group show.

The Shemer Art Center & Museum
5005 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85018

April 20 – May 25, 2011: Regular Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00AM - 3:00PM, Thursday Evening 6:30 – 8:30PM
602-262-4727

Photographic Artist Heather J. Kirk of Scottsdale surrounds herself with flowers – at least on the walls. In spite of her love for all things botanical, she can’t seem to grow a real garden. In the fertile ground of her mind and assisted by technology, her garden grows, as she photographs flowers, sometimes still attached to the rest of the plant, sometimes cut off, cut apart, rearranged or turned into virtual hybrids; flowers that will not wither, cultivated to perfection in the dark hours of the night. Heather's website is www.HeatherJKirk.com and she can be reached at HJKirk@juno.com.

The Shemer Art Center & Museum is located in a historic home nestled in Arcadia. It’s dedicated to the promotion, education, and growth of Arizona artists and providing the community with a unique and inviting atmosphere to enjoy and learn about visual art through exhibitions, classes and programs.

Confirm on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/heatherjkirk#!/event.php?eid=215287778483307


Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Night Bloomer on Limited Time Promotion

I'm planning to put a piece of art on limited time promotion every week or two. They will always be canvas wraps and a nice size. This one, titled Night Bloomer, is 20 x 24 for $80, and available through April 16, 2011. http://fineartamerica.com/weeklypromotion.html?promotionid=62800 Heather Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books Find her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Misssing Middle Bar (art) Promotion

One of my favorite pieces! Promo from the Colorful Reconstruction series at http://fineartamerica.com/weeklypromotion.html?promotionid=62293 A discount of $215 for this 30 x 40 piece on canvas with a 1.5" wrap. Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Great deal from Constant Contact

This link will get you a free 60-day trial and if you choose to sign up a $30 credit for both you and me. Constant Contact is an e-mail newsletter program that resolves issues of you being labeled or blocked as aspammer, even though you are not!! Click on the title or copy and use the following URL: http://www.constantcontact.com/features/signup.jsp?rc=-1463047066&sru=1102343548262&fc=f&cc=community_purl&pn=ROVING

Heather

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books Find her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Friday, March 4, 2011

bonding through sneakers

Last night I watched the movie (DVD) Children from Heaven. In this Iranian film (English subtitles or choice between Farsi and French languages) a brother and sister are forced to share one pair of sneakers. Through their secret and their stuggles a sweet bond grows, though it stays real - with the same frustrations all siblings cause one another. Though I'm not sure why, I was surprised and reminded that chilren are children, the whole world over. We are not all that different in the end.

From our omnipresent view we begin to see that thier struggles may indeed bring great blessings, even when they themselves connot yet see it.

I think, "I wish my life were like this movie" - not in the plot itself, but that I could get prophetic glimpes of how each trial might make me stronger or bring me amazing opportunities I would otherwise not be prepared to face or prevail over. I wish I could see what was happening on the other side of the city, or the other side of the world, "chance" encounters or a "random gift", like shoes being accidentally thrown out, and know for sure that difficulties could create beauty in life and in relationships. I want to learn how to accept those "misunderstandings" with the eyes and the creativity of a child.

(Children of Heaven is available through Netflix)

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Going to the Place of Your Birth to Vote. Or to bear a child. Or to accept a Christmas gift…





One of many strange details I discovered about the Dominican Republic was that people had to go their hometown to vote! Yet, voter turnout rates tend to be quite high if we look not at the number of registered voters, but the percentage of all people of voting age, registered or not. Since 1974, the lowest turnout during a Presidential election year was 48.78%, highest was 71.63%, the average being about 63.81%. Compare that to the US Presidential races for the same group and period - lowest was 51.28% and highest 62.08% (2004), (interestingly our 2008 "all time high" year for Obama was 58.23% - close to the average of 58.1%).

But we can vote from home! Can you imagine what voter turnout would be if we had to travel to our birthplace to vote?

In DR, this year voting took place on a Sunday, so the fewest number of people would be working - and therefore able to vote. And, what appears to be common but illegal practice, both of the major parties provided buses from Santo Domingo (where 1/3 of the country's population lives) to various locales. Each party hoped that by offering a free trip home - a three-day vacation so to speak - the individual would vote for them.

Seems like instead of being illegal, a bus ticket should be given away to everyone who wants one, if they make you travel anywhere from 1 - 7 hours to cast a vote. How many of us, even if given free bus fare, would go to our birthplace to vote?

Why this system in the Dominican Republic? Who knows: Tradition. Time with family. Buying votes. Hoping fewer people will vote. An arcane governmental computer system. Attempts to keep votes from being bought (an extremely common practice) because in your hometown they will know if you are the person on your Cedula (personal identification card).

Can you imagine having to go to your birthplace to vote or for a census no matter what, even if you were pregnant? I wonder if this would make February, in spite of Valentine's Day, a month of celibacy.

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, City of David, both Joseph's and Mary's birthplace (good thing they could go together), because they had to. We all know the story - but we look at Jesus' birthplace from where we stand today in history—after the fact. We also look BACK on prophecy. Jesus was the Messiah, Emmanuel (God with us). Where was He born? (Bethlehem - House of Bread is the translation. How appropriate for the Bread of Life to be born there.) Is that where the Messiah was supposed to be born? (Yes)

As I read the December 2nd and 4th devotions in The Coming of Peace, written by Dr. Reverend Timothy Smith (my friend and Pastor) of WaterfromRock.org I began to turn this story around, to look at it from the perspective of those living in that time in history.

Before the birth of Jesus, in fact for 1000 years prior, the Jewish people knew of a prophecy, a promise given to King David, that the Messiah would come from his lineage, as told in I Chronicles 17:10+. And from then on, the lineage of David was followed and closely watched, to see who would be born in the City of David, and to discover who would fulfill that promise. The people of Israel were not the only ones to follow the many Judaic prophecies. The wise men studied the stars and found Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They told Herod where they were going, and when they didn’t report back to the efficacy of the story, Herod assumed the King of the Jews had been born and sent soldiers to try to kill that rival King. All boys under the age of two found in Bethlehem were murdered. These prophesies were not taken lightly, as fantasy or stories for the weak-minded needing a spiritual crutch (as some atheists or secular humanists are fond of repeating). Wise men bowed down in homage, kings and soldiers, and later the religious elite and lawyers, did all they could to destroy his ministry and his life.

If everyone was looking forward, could this not have been one of the reasons Rome forced everyone to go to their homelands for a census - to identify and contain the power of this rogue King before he even had a chance to grow up?

But we stand looking back from this side of history, at risk of being bored by the repeated story of a Virgin birth, visiting angels, God living among us, and the choice to accept the Messiah as our personal King.

If we could travel to the place of our birth to find new life, would we bother to "vote" for eternity, or would it be too inconvenient to bother, even if the ticket to life were offered for free.

Heather

Statistic Sources - IDEA: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
DR - http://www.idea.int/vt/country_view.cfm?CountryCode=DO; US - http://www.idea.int/vt/country_view.cfm?id=231

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Hurricane Tomas - Message to US Citizens in Dominican Republic

Because I registered my presence in the Domnican Republic, I receive "Warden Messages" from the US Consulate - this one regarding Tropical Storm/Hurricane Tomas.

On the current forecast track the center will pass near Jamaica or Haiti tonight. At 2:00 p.m. the storm was 270 miles to the southeast of Port-au-Prince. The National Hurricane Center states that the most significant threat from this tropical cyclone is heavy rainfall which could produce flash flooding and life-threatening mud slides over Haiti and the Dominican Republic during the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 to 36 hours and a Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Haiti. Tomas is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over much of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flood and mudslides over mountainous terrain. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center of Tomas, mostly toward the east.

ONAMET, The Dominican National Meteorological Office, continues to warn boaters that abnormally large waves, between 6 to 8 feet, may occur along the country’s Atlantic coast, and waves of 8-10 feet along the Caribbean coast. ONAMET advises that small to medium size vessels along the Caribbean coast from Pedernales to Barahona remain in port. From Barahona to Saona Island vessels should exercise caution and stay close to shore, as should vessels on the Atlantic coast. All recreational aquatic activities should be suspended.

The Dominican Emergency Operations Center (COE) has declared a Red Alert for the the provinces of Pedernales, Barahona, Bahoruco, Independencia, San Juan de la Maguana and Elías Piña, and a Yellow Alert for Azua, Dajabón, Santiago Rodríguez, Montecristi, La Vega Espaillat Hermanas Mirabal, Duarte (particularly lower Yuna), Maria Trinidad Sanchez, and San Cristobal (particularly Villa Altagracia and los Cacaos).

A Green Alert is in effect for the provinces of Santo Domingo, the National District, Monte Plata, Sanchez Ramirez, San Jose Ocoa, Monsenor Nouel, Santiago, and Puerto Plata. Red Alerts are declared when a weather phenomenon or other event has a high probability of impacting a specific zone which could result in damage to property, transportation infrastructure, the environment, and people. Yellow (medium probability) and Green alerts (low probability) have been issued for other areas of the country. For details see the COE website at HYPERLINK "http://www.coe.gov.do a" www.coe.gov.do

U.S. citizens residing and traveling in coastal areas in this region and floodplains near rivers and creeks descending from mountainous areas of western provinces should be alert to flooding and landslides in rural areas. COE has cautioned those who reside in the mostly rural areas close to rivers, streams, and canals to guard against rising waters and possible overflows. Do not attempt to cross rising rivers, canals, and streams. Rainfall and rising waterways in the provinces of La Vega, Espaillat, Duarte and María Trinidad Sánchez could also cause flash flooding and mudslides.

U.S. citizens are advised that U.S. Embassy personnel have been restricted from traveling to the border area for the remainder of the week.

Residents in Santo Domingo and other areas adjacent to the water should remember that storm surge can flood coastal roads quickly. Take appropriate precautions when driving. In the event of local government ordered evacuations, U.S. citizens are advised to follow instructions of civil emergency personnel. Tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Travelers should apprise family and friends in the United States of their whereabouts, and keep in close contact with their tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency. Travelers should also protect their travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to replace lost documentation could hamper or delay return to the United States.

The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens living in and/or visiting the Dominican Republic take certain basic precautions in preparation of a possible hurricane. Supplies and Preparation: If you are living in the Dominican Republic: Ensure you have adequate supplies of food, water, medications and other essential supplies on hand. It is not unusual for stores and shops to close before, during and after a hurricane. Check your generators and make sure you have an adequate supply of fuel; cut down any dead foliage and remove any debris around your home; secure any items that could become dangerous flying objects (patio furniture, umbrellas, barbeques, etc); have the tools and supplies on hand to secure your house (plywood, nails, shutters, etc).

Upper floors in high-rise buildings are at increased risk of windows being blown out, due to the fact that wind speed increases with height.

If you are a tourist, talk to your hotel front desk to learn about the hotel’s emergency plan for a hurricane. Notify your family and friends of your whereabouts and your plans until the storm passes. Be sure to have an adequate supply of necessary prescriptions and medications on hand.

During the Storm:
-Do not go outside, flying debris is lethal;
-Do not watch the storm from beaches as storm surge, rip tides and rogue waves are hazardous.
-Stay inside in an interior room of your residence (bathroom, large closet or pantry). Choose a room with little or no windows that is located away from the exterior wall of the residence;
-Stay off your home/cell phone and radio. Keep all means of communication available for an emergency;
-If a member of your family sustains an injury during the storm, report the injury and degree of severity to the local authorities as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the HYPERLINK "http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml" National Weather Service and local media to stay aware of any weather developments in their area.

For official information from the Dominican Government regarding weather conditions, please visit the HYPERLINK "http://www.onamet.gov.do/" ONAMET website and the HYPERLINK "http://www.coe.gov.do/" COE website. The U.S. Embassy will update this warden message if new information becomes available.

American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department’s travel registration website at HYPERLINK "https://travelregistration.state.gov/. For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy. The Consular Section of the Embassy is located at the corner of Cesar Nicolas Penson Street and Máximo Gómez Avenue, Santo Domingo, D.R.; telephone 809-731-4294; after hours emergency telephone 809-221-2171; ACS unit fax 809-689-6142; e-mail HYPERLINK "mailto:acssantodom@state.gov" acssantodom@state.gov ; web page HYPERLINK "http://www.usemb.gov.do" www.usemb.gov.do


Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer"We...a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" - purchase an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Fine Art Americaand HeatherJKirk.com

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Which is hotter...Dominican Republic or Phoenix?

I was asked in both locations, "Which is hotter?": the Dominican Republic or Phoenix, Arizona? First, the question needs to be asked as if all things were equal, which they are not. In the real world 110 - 118 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer in the desert is WAY cooler than 90 degrees in the DR (does that surprise you?) because you can always go inside where there is air conditioning.

In the Dominican Republic A/C in homes was reserved for the wealthier people and even then typically just in the bedrooms. Windows that open wide and overhead fans provide some cross ventilation that theoretically help, but I sweated inside homes and apartments on a regular basis. When I looked at an apartment without overhead fans, I was told (I think just to get me to rent the place) that Dominicans don't have fans in their homes. While that is true for the poor, I would say it is an exaggeration. Stores and restaurants usually had air conditioning when the electricity was working. Most places I lived in provided only overhead fans. Even the large home I cared for had airconditioning only in the bedroom - and I strove to keep my use of it to a minimum, because electricity was very expensive. The DR was freaking hot. Yet, most Dominicans did not sweat profusely like I did, and wisely carried washclothes to absorb the dampness on thier faces.

That is "real world". But if you go on vacation and stay in a nice hotel or a resort, you can expect A/C and back up generators for electricity all the time, as well as a lovely breeze coming off the ocean. Fantastic!

So to make a true comparison, we'd have to ask if both places were without airconditioning, which is hotter? That's a hard call. My trip back to Arizona in July made it the decision even harder - as it is the hottest time of year for both locations. The answer...both dry and humid heat in these dramatically different locales are experienced such incredibly differentent manners, that there is no comparison - both are pretty much horrible if you are without modern technology. Dry heat wraps itself around your skin like a glove, moist heat drips from every sweat gland in your body into your eyes or plastering hair and clothes to your body. (I must clarify that not even Arizona's July monsoons can count for humid if you've lived long in the DR.)

Normally, Arizona in the fall and spring (desert or mountains) is gorgeous--hands down one of the most gorgeous places on earth. And winter in DR, perfectly lovely, not to be missed. If you don't do it the way I did (low budget, big city),but stay at a resort on the beach, just about any time of year will be a vacation in heaven.

Here's a great example of the heat in Arizona. Okay, just kidding - but very cool what happened here on October 5th, 2010, in spite of damage to cars that were not under cover. Not typical for AZ AT ALL. Don't forget to come back to Blogger after you view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7EduWIGsB4

Right now in the area of Dominican Republic and Haiti - Hurricane Tomas. Please pray for the island to be spared from not only a hurricane but flooding as well. My heart cries out with the people of Haiti who do not need another tragedy or anything that can spread illnesses, such as TB or cholera. DR does not "need" it either, as some of those illnesses are starting to crop up in the major cities also due to illegal immigration (don't take that politically, just as a public health issue - illnesses cross borders with people) and floods will again add to the spread of disease.

The Dominican Republic has begun measuires to control the spread of "new" old diseases, and I am impressed with how quickly the government responds to such crises - in education and prevention programs, and in treatment.

Your prayers for changed weather patterns that keep the hurricane out to sea, mercy, health and safety for the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and DR combined).

Thank you, Heather

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer"We...a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" - purchase an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Fine Art Americaand HeatherJKirk.com

Monday, August 9, 2010

Thanks for your prayers for my new apartment

I thank you, my friends and prayer warriors/protectors, prayers have been answered.

I had a big, long list of things that would be included in my "perfect apartment." Of course that list looked more and more like a Penthouse everyday, and I was frustrating real estate agents with my "list" and my "price requirement." Though I found (and ultimately decided against) a beautiful, new, small apartment with many of those "requirements" at a modest price, it was not a modest price I was looking for. Plus gas, plus internet. Also, since I could not find anyone who actually paid for their electricity, the potential for a huge wildcard electricity bill was looming in my future. Everyone said, "As long as you don't use the air-conditioning." Of course, since there was an air conditioner, I would have used it.

I was looking for, well, cheap! Yet still being a picky American, there were things that were simply unacceptable. I walked for days, following up leads and taking down phone numbers from rental signs. Two different people made numerous phone calls for me because, as we have learned in an early lesson, Dominicans get different prices and different terms than foreigners. Foreigners pay one or two months as a deposit, another month rent as a commission to the agent, and then may also have to pay a month in advance. The place I ultimately decided against wanted another $100 for the lawyer's fee. (A lawyer is always involved, I was told.)

So, when I found a new friend who previously had worked in "Bienes Raices" - or Real Estate rentals and purchases, I received very different terms. But think part of that is because it is a very different place. The owners live on the top floor (the Penthouse), much of which is an open terrace with most rooms opening directly to this terrace - plenty of breeze passing through. I paid one month in advance, negotiated (or my friend negotiated for me) less than a month's commission, and a $100 deposit. Now lawyer’s fee. No contract. No minimum months required. I think this is very rare. I think it is perhaps miraculous.



The room is a studio, yet larger than other studios I saw. It also has a half wall separating the bedroom from the seating and kitchen area. This is a fantastic addition to the studio concept! Guests don't look at my bed. I have a separation between where I sleep and where I work. I have room to walk around (a little). Internet (cable) added for $20. Women, you will notice the closet!! The bathroom is small, but I saw worse - MUCH worse. It has a ceiling fan. Electricity is included - therefore no surprises at the end of the month.

I was told by one person that Dominicans don't have fans in their homes, and I am prone to believe it. Since electricity is rare in many areas, it wouldn't work anyway. And they all love to take a chair out to the street and sit in front to talk, drink or to play dominoes!

What does it not include?

No air-conditioning (and yes, it's awfully hot here.)

No balcony - something I long for desperately. There is one in the owner's building on the second floor, and after asking five times to use it, they finally said I could call up and ask to be let in periodically. But they won't give me a key. A bit uncomfortable. Then one of the chairs was stolen and I am afraid they have become even more insecure about an unknown person having access to thier home.

No hot water - anywhere - even homes, apartments and many hotels that have hot showers don't have hot water in the sinks (not even the kitchen). I felt the lack of hot water in the shower was not a deal breaker. Not because I don't "need" a hot shower, but because I knew a shower head with a heater could be attached to the spout in place of the regular shower head. It costs about thirty dollars at the local hardware store (local meaning on el Conde street where foreigners shop!) It must be battery operated, and my mom and I had one in our aparta-hotel. It created warm water at a low pressure. So I signed rented confidently. Then I tried to buy one on a Saturday night (closed) and a Sunday (when EVERYTHING is closed), and have now learned how to put my hands in the shower first, then slowly my arms, then my face, then my hair. In a short time, I'm in completely and not even shivering.

No guarantee that I won't be killing bugs every day for the rest of my stay, mosquitos included.

And so, I have a new home! Use the Converter Tool on the right side to find out how much I pay per month for rent, internet, electricity, water and gas. Make sure you use the Dominican R. (DOP)(not the Mexican Peso) and US Dollar. I pay RD$ 10,700.



Praises be to God for answered prayers. May God hear all of your prayers and bless you fully! Heather


Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer"We...a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" - purchase an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Fine Art Americaand HeatherJKirk.com

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Urgent Prayer Request and Send me your prayer needs

I sit writing from my laptop on the patio of a small private hotel in the city of Gazcue, about 6 blocks from the Zona Colonial where I want to live - though Gazcue would be fine as well. My hotel room has a mini refrigerator and down the hall I have the use of a poorly equipped kitchen. The youth hostel kind of environment provides interesting people to talk to from all over the world. but of course with a hotel room comes a daily bill, and I'm hoping to save my money for an apartment instead.

In June I saw several units that would have worked for me. They have all been leased out. The agent I liked the best this time had only one unit to show me - it had no doors between rooms. That meant to aircondition one room I would have to aircondition the whole place. And that is out of the question for anyone's budget. Even the large, nice house I "cared for" had A/C in the bedrooms only and were turned on only when you were in there, if necessary.

A very small studio with no closet is available on the 9th of August. (no closet ladies, did you read that? God help me!) Today I will see another unit I found advertised on the Internet. I responded to a very specific price. The agent wanted to know what price I could afford...I told her "The price that was advertised."

You can see why I need your prayers. I want something perfect (for me) and I want location and I want very inexpensive. It looks like that is impossible. But with God all things are possible.

I have been selfish in always wanting your prayers - for which I am very grateful. But I want to offer the same back. Please, if you have a need that I can pray for or a praise that I can join you in, let me know privately at HJKirk@juno.com.

Thank you as always and may God's bounteous blessings be upon you!

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer"We...a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" - purchase an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Fine Art Americaand HeatherJKirk.com

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A Beautiful Family Reunion

Our family trip to Colorado was fantastic. We had three condos plus lock offs - the kids of each family (myself included) slept in those little studios - okay, not that little. Of course with connecting doors open for Scot and Stu's kids. We had three rooms all together in kind of our own wing - no other rooms there and any other rooms down a long hall. No one else even came by and we often left all the doors open and went visiting from room to room. Each family cooked on a different night. I cooked stewed chicken and black beans and rice on my night. Plus a little bit of Dominican rum. I don't drink, but if I did this "columbus Anejo" imported by a company in Mesa, Arizona would be my drink of choice.

Different groups of people did different things, but they included white water rafting (which I did), mountain biking, city biking, gondola rides, alpine slide and general fun park stuff, and a photo contest organized and judged by myself and my neice Bella, a budding photographer.

The whole place, Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge, was wonderful. The town has successfully figured out how to turn a winter destination into a successful summer one as well.

Four Little Children Safe in a Big Beautiful World
We celebrated my mom's 70th birthday, but the real celebration was all of my mom's side of the family being together - parents, grandparent's children/grandchildren and aunt - for the first time EVER! A very nice time overall.

Then mom and Larry went on to the McGregor Family Reunion in Kansas, while I went home to pack up the condo a little better and fly back to Santo Domingo. While in Arizona I got to visit with some freinds, but not all regretably, and not for as long as I had hoped. I guess that means people will have to start planning their trips here in the Dominican Republic to visit me in the city, then take me with you to the beaches!



Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer"We...a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" - purchase an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Fine Art Americaand HeatherJKirk.com

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Heading Home for July

I spent most of Tuesday flying from Santo Domingo to Phoenix, or waiting in Atlanta for the lightening to settle down so flights could resume. I've decided anything more than one stop makes the route too long, and the result was that I was less tired this trip than I've ever been when travelling. The fact that the flight left at 2:40 pm and I got a full night's sleep didn't hurt either!
I'm looking forward to a family reunion in Breckenridge, Colorado to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday! At first I wasn't sure my mom would want me telling her age to everybody - but she is so beautiful and youthful in mind, body and spirit that I think she should brag about her age! I brag about her all the time.

While home I'll be visiting friends and family, as well as taking care of a lot of odds and ends, including doing a better job of getting my condominium prepared for potential renters. I had a very successful estate sale prior to leaving (meaning a lot sold - but I was robbed by the estate sale company owner, Alvin Wood - beware to all, do not hire him!) But after the sale I still had lots of clothes I did not take to the Dominican Republic, and more office files than anyone should hold onto. I put them in filing cabinets and my office closet and my mom simply had a lock put on it. I'll see how much of it I can wade through this visit and toss...ughh.

Mom on the Malecon (coastal road and park)

I'm hoping to have more time to catch up on blog posts I should have written about while in the DR, but as usual I will not make many promises about that.

While in Santo Domingo, I've wanted to approach gallery owners about showing my art there, but it's hard to do without any actual art to show them! So I plan to take some of the larger canvases off of the stretcher bars, roll them up and take them with me when I go back, so if you have had your eye on something in particular that I have in my current inventory, like 4daisies on stems or white orchid on black, now is your chance to get it (and many other pieces) at 50% off - until the end of July. Of course if you want them later, you can always get them at full price.


Take a look at my prior inventory that is framed and now half off: www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/currentlyavailable.html



Getting back to coming home to Arizona. Now that I have been home a full 24 hours, what are my favorite things about being back?


At the top of my list is being able to drop the toilet paper right into the toilet, instead of putting it in a garbage can next to me, for others to see and smell. God bless the U.S. sewage system!

Next is how my mom had the condominium prepared for my homecoming. While gone, the remodel to my bathroom was completed, and my mom had new matching towels laid out the way they are in magazine spreads. Beautiful!

On a calendar on the counter she had written "Welcome Home Heather!"

In the kitchen, mom stocked the refrigerator with my favorite foods (flour tortillas, colby cheese, hot sauce, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, lettuce, a mini pizza and Pepsi). On the counter sat a Hershey's chocolate bar and Ghirardelli chocolate mint squares. On the other counter a few bananas hung, along with a plantain. She asked if I knew how to cook it - the answer is yes, but only maduros, the ripe (sweet) way. I suppose I could learn how to make tostones if I really wanted (fried green plantain slices - smashed and fried again - then salted and sometimes served with garlic infused oil for dipping) - but they take too long, I'm afraid of splashing oil, and it's like cooking your own french fries - for some reason they are always much better in a restaurant.

I love my own bed, my own dark room where I don't have to wear an eye mask to keep out the light while I sleep in until 12 noon, that people drive within the lines on the street and stop at red lights. I loved my home and my city and my country when I left, and I still do. But alas, yes, I bought a round trip ticket and will be going back to my second home, the city of Santo Domingo, which in the last two months have learned to love as well.

I am thankful for the prayers and e-mails of so many people who have supported me on this journey. I am closer to knowing one of the reasons why God may have sent me to the Dominican Republic, but that is someone else's story that I do not have permission to tell. Just know that your prayers and positive thoughts have made a difference in my life, and continued prayers for the reason(s) I was meant to go will perhaps make a huge difference in the lives of many some day.

Thank you and with love and blessings, Heather

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer"We...a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" - purchase an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Fine Art Americaand HeatherJKirk.com

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

"Latina" Artist

I made it onto the "Latin Artists" page of Fine Art America, based on my current home. That's a computer for you. But I don't mind. (Especially if you recall I wrote a story for "Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul".)

http://fineartamerica.com/art/artwork/latino/all?page=2

Heather

www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books