It's April. The snow is melting (although our backyard is still depressingly white...soon spring will be here too!) It's time to get your feet wet (insert cute graphic of girl jumping in puddle with umbrella).
So....for everyone who comes to the studio this month to book a session or pick up an order, AND for everyone who comments on this blog, one ballot will be filled out to be entered into our draw for a free pedicure at Tiber River Naturals on Academy. Tiber River Naturals is owned by two amazing women with a vision for products that are good for you and the environment. They are big on personalized, fun service and have a whole range of amazing and yummy natural products that they've created themselves. They also have a fun blog where you can follow their story as well as learn interesting health and product facts (and even be entered to win a free bar of soap!)
So if you've been too shy to comment, or waiting for "the perfect time" to book a session, don't delay another minute. It's time to Get Your Feet Wet!
Monday
Friday
Spring has Sprung!
Spring has sprung!!! As I write this I am looking out the window and it is snowing, how ironic. Spring is one of the neatest feelings; everything is new and fresh (Except in the studio backyard where the snow had nicely covered over the unlandscaped yard and some of the old shingles that the roofer just through on the ground just before the snow fell.) I'm feeling optimistic about the "spring" in my own life, I feel as though maybe I have a new start at becoming a fit and healthy individual or a better father and husband. I'm also looking forward to the chance to get outside and do some landscaping and make the outside of the studio look a little more like the inside.
I am also starting to live a new chapter of life, I have made what could be the last submission of work for my Masters. For the last number of years I have been working hard to become a master of the craft of Photography and am very close to completing the requirements for a Master of Photographic Arts. I realize that that really doesn't matter too much for any of my clients or potential clients; they just know that the work that they get is what they expect, the very best; but there is something nice about having my peers look at me and my work and say "He really is a master artist."
I gotta go, life is just too busy, thanks for reading my musings; here are a few quotes for you:
Love of beauty is taste.
The creation of beauty is art.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
If Rembrandt were alive today he would probably be a photographer. And he would probably be photographing woman. I suspect that his work would be a lot like what we see here.
-Anonymous
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say “He feels deeply, He feels tenderly.”
-Vincent Van Gogh
Have a great day,
Rodney
I am also starting to live a new chapter of life, I have made what could be the last submission of work for my Masters. For the last number of years I have been working hard to become a master of the craft of Photography and am very close to completing the requirements for a Master of Photographic Arts. I realize that that really doesn't matter too much for any of my clients or potential clients; they just know that the work that they get is what they expect, the very best; but there is something nice about having my peers look at me and my work and say "He really is a master artist."
I gotta go, life is just too busy, thanks for reading my musings; here are a few quotes for you:
Love of beauty is taste.
The creation of beauty is art.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
If Rembrandt were alive today he would probably be a photographer. And he would probably be photographing woman. I suspect that his work would be a lot like what we see here.
-Anonymous
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say “He feels deeply, He feels tenderly.”
-Vincent Van Gogh
Have a great day,
Rodney
Wednesday
Wellness for Women
This week-end, there is a Health & Wellness Week-end for Women at the Fort Garry Hotel being put on by Winnipeg Women. It looks like a really cool event (yes, I grew up in the 80's) although I wasn't crazy about the early morning exercise idea. Since I'm not going, I thought I could at least reflect on the topic for a bit. This is some of what I came up with.
What are the unique health & wellness needs for women? What are our challenges? Where do we easily falter in the care of ourselves: our minds, our bodies, our spirits?
How do we build better lives? Healthier relationships? A more positive outlook? Less self-defeating thoughts? A higher level of energy? A greater level of joy? How do we utilize the unique beauty we possess to enrich our lives and those of our loved ones?
I think of the unique demands on women these days. Besides the roles and expectations that are imprinted deeply onto our DNA (to keep a clean house, cook wholesome meals, nurture our children and friendships, support our partners, give something back to the community), we now have other things added: bring in an income and do meaningful work, keep up with busy households and a technology-saturated/fast-paced world, keep current of the latest fashion and decor trends, navigate the latest health-food/fitness ideas, and try to work out because we sit at a computer too much of the day. And through it all, women are bombarded with images on TV, in theatres and magazines, and on billboards telling us what beauty should look like: from our clothing to our hair-style to the shape of our bodies. So, basically, we're surrounded with the message, "You don't measure up". That takes its toll on a person.
The truth is, no woman can possibly measure up to all that. But how does a woman sift through it all and decide who she is, what she can do, and where she wants to go in life? She needs to have a strong identity. She needs confidence. She needs to know that she's enough. She needs to see herself with new eyes and discover the beauty that lies beneath the surface, awakening to her true self, content with who she is and comfortable in her own skin. This can happen in a variety of ways. In fact, someone in Winnipeg has developed a lifestyle pass where women can try out a bunch of things to help build health into their lives, but that's another topic.
At Eve Studios, we're all about women. We believe there is beauty in every woman, just waiting to be revealed. Sometimes that beauty may be masked by low self-esteem, lies from the past, despair, stress, depression, difficult circumstances, and a myriad of other things. Sometimes, a woman's beauty may be apparent to everyone but the one who possesses it. But when that beauty starts to be uncovered, a radiant confidence emerges. And that confidence can transform every part of a woman's life. That's why we believe so strongly in building the self-esteem of women through photography.
There is a saying that "A picture is worth a thousand words". We, as women, can hear others tell us we're beautiful a thousand times and have it bounce off each time. But when we can take an image of our own self, created in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, recalling the positive feelings that came with the experience, and drink in the way we look...suddenly, just maybe, we can believe we're truly beautiful. And that belief will remain long after the photography session.
If something of what I've said today rings true for you, why don't you give Rodney a call at 221-8413. Or you can email him. He's a fabulous guy and easy to talk to (he's my hubby!) But don't put it off. As women, we tend to care about everyone but ourselves. So change all that today, and go pick up the phone or click on the link and set up a time to talk and figure out what you'd like to do. There's no obligation. Even if you think your abs need some work first or you've never done anything like this before, just come in and find out more. You'll be glad you did!
Live well and be good to yourself. And I will try to do the same.
What are the unique health & wellness needs for women? What are our challenges? Where do we easily falter in the care of ourselves: our minds, our bodies, our spirits?
How do we build better lives? Healthier relationships? A more positive outlook? Less self-defeating thoughts? A higher level of energy? A greater level of joy? How do we utilize the unique beauty we possess to enrich our lives and those of our loved ones?
I think of the unique demands on women these days. Besides the roles and expectations that are imprinted deeply onto our DNA (to keep a clean house, cook wholesome meals, nurture our children and friendships, support our partners, give something back to the community), we now have other things added: bring in an income and do meaningful work, keep up with busy households and a technology-saturated/fast-paced world, keep current of the latest fashion and decor trends, navigate the latest health-food/fitness ideas, and try to work out because we sit at a computer too much of the day. And through it all, women are bombarded with images on TV, in theatres and magazines, and on billboards telling us what beauty should look like: from our clothing to our hair-style to the shape of our bodies. So, basically, we're surrounded with the message, "You don't measure up". That takes its toll on a person.
The truth is, no woman can possibly measure up to all that. But how does a woman sift through it all and decide who she is, what she can do, and where she wants to go in life? She needs to have a strong identity. She needs confidence. She needs to know that she's enough. She needs to see herself with new eyes and discover the beauty that lies beneath the surface, awakening to her true self, content with who she is and comfortable in her own skin. This can happen in a variety of ways. In fact, someone in Winnipeg has developed a lifestyle pass where women can try out a bunch of things to help build health into their lives, but that's another topic.
At Eve Studios, we're all about women. We believe there is beauty in every woman, just waiting to be revealed. Sometimes that beauty may be masked by low self-esteem, lies from the past, despair, stress, depression, difficult circumstances, and a myriad of other things. Sometimes, a woman's beauty may be apparent to everyone but the one who possesses it. But when that beauty starts to be uncovered, a radiant confidence emerges. And that confidence can transform every part of a woman's life. That's why we believe so strongly in building the self-esteem of women through photography.
There is a saying that "A picture is worth a thousand words". We, as women, can hear others tell us we're beautiful a thousand times and have it bounce off each time. But when we can take an image of our own self, created in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, recalling the positive feelings that came with the experience, and drink in the way we look...suddenly, just maybe, we can believe we're truly beautiful. And that belief will remain long after the photography session.
If something of what I've said today rings true for you, why don't you give Rodney a call at 221-8413. Or you can email him. He's a fabulous guy and easy to talk to (he's my hubby!) But don't put it off. As women, we tend to care about everyone but ourselves. So change all that today, and go pick up the phone or click on the link and set up a time to talk and figure out what you'd like to do. There's no obligation. Even if you think your abs need some work first or you've never done anything like this before, just come in and find out more. You'll be glad you did!
Live well and be good to yourself. And I will try to do the same.
Thursday
Now that's Service!
Did you know that there's an insurance company in Winnipeg that is so committed to customer service, that if you're stuck somewhere on the day your Autopac is supposed to be renewed, you can call them and they'll take care of everything? They'll even deliver everything to your door the same day if you need it.
Or if you want to charge your insurance to a credit card, you can just phone them up? It's crazy.
The business is Gemstar Insurance. You can reach Ken at 889-1880 or ken@gemstarinsurance.com. We've just been so impressed with the friendly, personal and out-of-the-ordinary service, that we just had to share this with our clients.
Or if you want to charge your insurance to a credit card, you can just phone them up? It's crazy.
The business is Gemstar Insurance. You can reach Ken at 889-1880 or ken@gemstarinsurance.com. We've just been so impressed with the friendly, personal and out-of-the-ordinary service, that we just had to share this with our clients.
the down side of optimism
OK, I admit there is a downside to optimism at times, take the roof I just spent two hours shoveling snow off of, right now it's right back where I started last week. I guess to any negative there is a positive; I now know that my heart can handle doing a lot of work without my life ending in a heart attack, that's good isn't it??? I also now have a little bit better of a body for my wife to admire and I guess if Sonya had her say I'd be out on that roof shovelling snow on a daily basis. Well that's all for tonight, it's getting late and to the worker go the spoils;)
Rodney
Rodney
Monday
Bad, Bad Rodney
Ok, I've been told I'm a "bad" blogger; apparently the frequency with which I blog is unacceptable so I'm going to try to change.
What to say, what to say.
Well I'm sure you will all be very interested in the way I spent the afternoon today. I decided to get out on the roof of my studio and shovel the snow off of the building before the big melt comes (hear great optimism in my voice there) because last year I ended up on the roof because water was in fact running down the wall of my studio (not the nicest feeling in the world.) Spending a few hours up on the roof watching the world below you function is actually quite interesting; but far more interesting by far will be the aches and pains I feel tomorrow when the physical work I've just endured comes to say Hi again!!
On a completely different note the studio was featured in Winnipeg's weekly papers this last week; we were thrilled to have the media attention and they seemed to think that the work we were doing here at the studio was both unique and worth telling the city about. Thank you to Canstar and all of it's community papers for the article, we have to do it again very soon.
Well that's all for today folks, talk to you again soon.
Rodney
What to say, what to say.
Well I'm sure you will all be very interested in the way I spent the afternoon today. I decided to get out on the roof of my studio and shovel the snow off of the building before the big melt comes (hear great optimism in my voice there) because last year I ended up on the roof because water was in fact running down the wall of my studio (not the nicest feeling in the world.) Spending a few hours up on the roof watching the world below you function is actually quite interesting; but far more interesting by far will be the aches and pains I feel tomorrow when the physical work I've just endured comes to say Hi again!!
On a completely different note the studio was featured in Winnipeg's weekly papers this last week; we were thrilled to have the media attention and they seemed to think that the work we were doing here at the studio was both unique and worth telling the city about. Thank you to Canstar and all of it's community papers for the article, we have to do it again very soon.
Well that's all for today folks, talk to you again soon.
Rodney
More on Michelangelo
Hello again, back to Michelangelo; I was really amazed at the depiction of this amazing artist. Michelangelo was arguably the greatest artist in history and yet he was so driven to be better that it just about killed him. Not only was Michelangelo a great sculptor, which was his chosen art, he was also one of the greatest painters to walk the earth, not by choice though, he only painted because the Pope challenged him and his pride was at stake. Can you imagine the Sistine Chapel (I haven't been there yet!) without the artwork in it, it would be just another beautiful church.
Alright where am I going with this, as artists we need to be constantly learning new and wonderful ways of enhancing our craft. Learning to draw made me a better photographer, spending the first weekend of February going to an intense photoshop course has further enhanced my artistic abilities.
Back to Michelangelo, later on in his career he was hired to do a very large project that was cancelled three years after being started. His employer (the city I believe) said that it was costing too much money and that he should bill them for the costs up until then. Michelangelo was so upset he said something like this "How can I bill them enough for what they have stolen from thier citizens and from the whole future of humanity? I was creating the greatest piece of artwork in history, how can I bill them for stealing that from the future?" Wow, if only we as artists saw the impact of our work in the same way as he did his.
Sometimes people ask me why I have such "Big" portraits up on the walls of my studio and home. The question is actually quite an interesting one, and the answer I have is simple: if the Sistine Chapel was a series of 8x10 portraits on the walls and ceiling would they be truly appreciated no matter how good they were?? If Michelangelo were doing a portrait of you would you find it adequate if he pulled out an 8x10 piece of canvas for the image?? I find myself constantly striving to better my art and I am so honoured when my clients appreciate it enough to say we want to have that as a feature piece in our home. Art is meant to be seen and appreciated for generations to come.
Well thanks for looking into my mind and listening to my muses about art and artists, I'll be back soon. Until then, "All the best in Love and Laughter!" Enjoy this family day if you are in the parts of the world that celebrate it and enjoy a beautiful day wherever you are.
Rodney
Alright where am I going with this, as artists we need to be constantly learning new and wonderful ways of enhancing our craft. Learning to draw made me a better photographer, spending the first weekend of February going to an intense photoshop course has further enhanced my artistic abilities.
Back to Michelangelo, later on in his career he was hired to do a very large project that was cancelled three years after being started. His employer (the city I believe) said that it was costing too much money and that he should bill them for the costs up until then. Michelangelo was so upset he said something like this "How can I bill them enough for what they have stolen from thier citizens and from the whole future of humanity? I was creating the greatest piece of artwork in history, how can I bill them for stealing that from the future?" Wow, if only we as artists saw the impact of our work in the same way as he did his.
Sometimes people ask me why I have such "Big" portraits up on the walls of my studio and home. The question is actually quite an interesting one, and the answer I have is simple: if the Sistine Chapel was a series of 8x10 portraits on the walls and ceiling would they be truly appreciated no matter how good they were?? If Michelangelo were doing a portrait of you would you find it adequate if he pulled out an 8x10 piece of canvas for the image?? I find myself constantly striving to better my art and I am so honoured when my clients appreciate it enough to say we want to have that as a feature piece in our home. Art is meant to be seen and appreciated for generations to come.
Well thanks for looking into my mind and listening to my muses about art and artists, I'll be back soon. Until then, "All the best in Love and Laughter!" Enjoy this family day if you are in the parts of the world that celebrate it and enjoy a beautiful day wherever you are.
Rodney
Wednesday
Sweets to the Sweet
Just want to thank all our clients for allowing us to be part of your lives. It is an honour. And if any of you who were at the grand opening were wondering how to recreate those amazing cheesecakes in your own home, here are the secret recipes. Okay, so they won't be a secret any more. They're really quite simple to make.
No-Bake Toblerone Cheesecake
Prep 20 min. Total: 3 hours 20 min. (incl. refrigerating)
1 1/4 cups Oreo Baking Crumbs
2 pkg. (250 g each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup sugar
2 bars (100 g each) Toblerone Swiss Milk Chocolate, divided
1 1/2 cups thawed whipped topping
Mix crumbs and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate 10 min.
Beat cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Chop 1 bar of the chocolate; stir into cream cheese mixture. Gently stir 1 cup of the whipped topping in. Spoon over crust. Refrigerate 3 hours.
Microwave remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping and 1 bar chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on High 1 min. until chocolate is melted and mixture well blended; cool slightly. Pour over cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 12 servings.
How-To: to quickly soften cream cheese, place unwrapped packages of cream cheese in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on High 30 sec.
Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake
Base:
1 c. chocolate crumbs
2 tbsp. sugar
3 tbsp. melted butter
Filling:
500 g cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1/3 c. frozen OJ concentrate, thawed, undiluted
6 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, melted (I use semi)
1/2 c. sour cream (I use Astro plain yogurt 2%, 3% or 6% m.f.)
Icing: (optional)
4 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. sifted icing sugar
1-2 tbsp. frozen OJ concentrate, thawed, undiluted
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Base: Combine crumbs, sugar and butter until moistened. Press into bottom of 8-inch springform pan (or use a bit more for 9-inch). Place in freezer while preparing filling.
Filling: With electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. On low speed, beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in OJ, then chocolate until smooth. Blend in sour cream. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake 50 to 60 minutes or just until centre is barely set. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 min. Carefully run a knife around edge to loosen, let cool on rack (whatever), then cover and refrigerate overnight.
Icing: Melt chocolate. Stir in butter until melted and smooth. Add icing sugar and enough OJ to make spreadable. Place cheesecake on a serving plate with waxed paper strips under bottom (this is the hardest part). Spread glaze over top and sides. Chill until set, remove paper.
Happy Valentine's Day!
No-Bake Toblerone Cheesecake
Prep 20 min. Total: 3 hours 20 min. (incl. refrigerating)
1 1/4 cups Oreo Baking Crumbs
2 pkg. (250 g each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup sugar
2 bars (100 g each) Toblerone Swiss Milk Chocolate, divided
1 1/2 cups thawed whipped topping
Mix crumbs and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate 10 min.
Beat cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Chop 1 bar of the chocolate; stir into cream cheese mixture. Gently stir 1 cup of the whipped topping in. Spoon over crust. Refrigerate 3 hours.
Microwave remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping and 1 bar chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on High 1 min. until chocolate is melted and mixture well blended; cool slightly. Pour over cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Makes 12 servings.
How-To: to quickly soften cream cheese, place unwrapped packages of cream cheese in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on High 30 sec.
Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake
Base:
1 c. chocolate crumbs
2 tbsp. sugar
3 tbsp. melted butter
Filling:
500 g cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1/3 c. frozen OJ concentrate, thawed, undiluted
6 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, melted (I use semi)
1/2 c. sour cream (I use Astro plain yogurt 2%, 3% or 6% m.f.)
Icing: (optional)
4 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. sifted icing sugar
1-2 tbsp. frozen OJ concentrate, thawed, undiluted
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Base: Combine crumbs, sugar and butter until moistened. Press into bottom of 8-inch springform pan (or use a bit more for 9-inch). Place in freezer while preparing filling.
Filling: With electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. On low speed, beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in OJ, then chocolate until smooth. Blend in sour cream. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake 50 to 60 minutes or just until centre is barely set. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 min. Carefully run a knife around edge to loosen, let cool on rack (whatever), then cover and refrigerate overnight.
Icing: Melt chocolate. Stir in butter until melted and smooth. Add icing sugar and enough OJ to make spreadable. Place cheesecake on a serving plate with waxed paper strips under bottom (this is the hardest part). Spread glaze over top and sides. Chill until set, remove paper.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Monday
Well how the time does fly right by eh??(I'm truly Canadian if you didn't know that by now) I was just thinking about art and was reminded of some of the TV specials I have watched in the last few months with family members especially the two on Michelangelo; wow he was amazing and driven. I'm afraid the intro is all you will get today, you will hear more on the subject in my next post.
Have a great night.
Rodney
Have a great night.
Rodney
Wednesday
It is finished!!
Well the time for our grand opening has come and is now gone. In the last few weeks I have spent about 70 hours per week at the studio madly trying to finish our space(to those of you who have not had the pleasure of seeing our space early on in our ownership the transformation really has been amazing). Last night I actually got some sleep and I am finally at a place where my body is beyond total physical exhastion and I am listening and trying to obey my system.
Enough about me, thank you to all who made the time to come and join us for our grand opening, given the weather and all the flu bugs out there we really appreciateyour support and encouragement. The nasty cold and some really nasty flu bugs kept over half of our intended guests away last night, but to the many who made it out the Starbucks coffee and chocolate fountain were quite the hits. If warm chocolate and fruit are not you thing, there were also cheesecakes and hot snacks and who could forget the gummy bears and kettle cooked chips (I love kettle cooked chips!!) The food really was secondary to the people who showed up, It was really wonderful to spend some time catching up with clients and perspective clients as well as friends; my only regret was that I didn't have enough time with all of you who came out last night, I think another evening of food and hanging out is in order and will probably plan it for a time where the chance of -45 with the wind chill is not a probability.
Thanks again to all who joined us and to all who couldn't make it we hope to see you soon.
Rodney
Enough about me, thank you to all who made the time to come and join us for our grand opening, given the weather and all the flu bugs out there we really appreciateyour support and encouragement. The nasty cold and some really nasty flu bugs kept over half of our intended guests away last night, but to the many who made it out the Starbucks coffee and chocolate fountain were quite the hits. If warm chocolate and fruit are not you thing, there were also cheesecakes and hot snacks and who could forget the gummy bears and kettle cooked chips (I love kettle cooked chips!!) The food really was secondary to the people who showed up, It was really wonderful to spend some time catching up with clients and perspective clients as well as friends; my only regret was that I didn't have enough time with all of you who came out last night, I think another evening of food and hanging out is in order and will probably plan it for a time where the chance of -45 with the wind chill is not a probability.
Thanks again to all who joined us and to all who couldn't make it we hope to see you soon.
Rodney
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
