Michelle East, Award Winning Artist, Begins Ballet Class after 25 year absence?

Hi All-

Yes, you read the title correctly, I started ballet class today after 25 years off!  Ballet Memphis located off of Germantown Parkway and Trinity Road in Cordova, TN has a fabulous ballet program for professional dancers and the rest of us, young or old!   http://www.BalletMemphis.org

Most of you do not know that I danced through out high school, taking ballet, jazz and even a couple of tap classes.  I even had a ballet bar and a mirrored wall in my bedroom! You could say I was serious.  But then I graduated high school, started working and going to college & dance just faded into the distance.

So why now, 25 years later do I feel the desire to start dancing again?

Good question!

The answer is because I think it will make me a better artist.

A new project that I am currently working on involves the expression of dance & music on canvas.  I've been using auditory and visual means to immerse myself into the world of dance in order to translate my feelings of ballet using paint.  In order to feel what the dancers are feeling and to represent authentically and organically via paint & canvas, taking a ballet class was the only option for me.

More to come on this exciting project as it develops! I can't wait to share with you.

But for today, what a wonderful morning it was donning my new black leotard, pink tights and ballet slippers, after 25 years!

Cover of the new Ballet Memphis Program.  Love it!

Till next time,

Photography Tips Mom to Mom, Michelle East, Award Winning Photographer and Artist, Memphis TN

Thank you for your wonderful feedback on the first of my new series, Photography Tips Mom to Mom!
I am so pleased that so many of you were able to find the first tip on natural light photography helpful. If you missed it, please scroll down to the previous post and you will be all caught up!

Today I want to share some tips on where to position your camera when taking pictures of you children.

The very best place to be when you photograph kids is eye level with them. This sounds easy enough but how many times do you stand at your full 5 ft to 6 ft height and aim your camera down at them?
For a change try getting down on your knees or kneeling. It all depends on the height of the child. For those of you who have seen me in action photographing a child, you know I wear old clothes and sometimes end up on my belly, leaning on my elbows holding the camera!  Whatever works!!

Why do I need to be on eye level with my child?

A

B

We need to be on eye level with our children when photographing because we want to have the best view possible of those gorgeous eyes!  The eyes are the focal point.   Too high and you get the forehead or top of the head, too low and you end up looking up into their noses..... not a pleasant sight even on their best day!

While we are on the subject of eyes, I want to tell you about a little thing called catchlights. Little but powerful in a portrait!

What is a catchlight?

A catchlight is a tiny reflection in the child's eye of a light source. Catchlights add vitality and sparkle to a portrait and keep the eyes from looking dark and flat. (See above example.)


How do I get one?

If you are photographing inside use a window as your light source and position your child so that you can see the catchlight in his/her eyes. (See top example A.)  When outside, use the sun to create the catch light. (See top example B.)  Just be careful and do not have your child look into the sun. The sun catchlight should be coming from sun at the side, not directly above.  You have to look and work for it! This will set your photography apart. I promise!

Have a great week of photographing your sweet, sweet babies!
Please leave me your feedback, I would love to see what you are working on.  Email me a small sample
at michelleeastfineart@live.com. Check out more of my work at http://www.MichelleEastStudio.com & you can also go to my Gallery section here on the blog - see top of the side bar.

Till next time,

Photography Tips Mom to Mom, Michelle East, Award Winning Photographer and Artist, Memphis TN

Hi to all the Moms out there who love to take pictures of their babies - no matter what their age!

I get a lot of questions these days about digital cameras, taking pictures, computer
software, etc..... you get my drift!  It seems like we all have to be photographers
even if we just want to be moms! So I thought it would be fun to post once a week
or so, a tip to help you as moms take better pictures of your children.

So check back often and get your camera ready because you will become a better photographer
if you follow my tips.  :)

To kick off the Photography Tips Mom to Mom blog I want to start with a natural light tip. I am assuming 99% of you do your photography with natural light or with a pop up flash on your camera, which I want you to stop using immediately!

A flash makes the skin look over exposed and blotchy.  The best and most natural look for your pictures will always be natural light.  Please, please, please turn the camera's automatic flash off if you can. You may even go so far as to borrow your husbands duct tape and tape that sucker down!!!!

Head outside into an area out of the direct sun, i.e. shady spot.  Remember not to get into too dark of an area. We in professional photography call it open shade. It is where once you have the child set up, there is open sky on both sides of the child when you look thru the camera. Another option is to use tree shade or a porch.  Try to get the light on your child from the sides rather that straight above which causes shadows on their sweet little eyes.

If you are inside, go to a window to get the natural light falling on your children. Surround them in a warm glow keeping the shadows off their faces. Watch what the light does. You are training your eye to see as a professional photographer sees! Once you get the lighting right, act fast because sunlight changes quickly and so do kids!

A great set up inside it to have the window on the right or left of the child and them facing you forward.

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|  Window         X  Child
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                        X  You








Here is your photography cheat sheet!
Enjoy!
If you like this idea of tips from me on photography, please let me know. I would love to hear from you. Also, I will take questions and try to answer them on the blog if I feel they would be good for everyone to hear.

Happy Photographing!

Michelle East, Memphis Artist, Germantown Artist

Hope everyone is enjoying a lovely weekend!
Just wanted to share some fun. :)
Till next time,

Michelle East, Fountain Art Gallery, Commercial Appeal Article on Tresvant Manor Show

Thank you to the Commercial Appeal for covering the art show Fountain Art Gallery had at Trezevant last month.  


Here is a copy of the article-

A reception for a collection of works by local artists from the Fountain Art Gallery was held at Trezevant on July 17. Residents enjoyed nearly 100 pieces varying in style and medium by a variety of the group's 19 artists.

The Fountain Art Gallery is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The group's works are on display year round at Chickasaw Oaks Village, 3092 Poplar, with pieces ranging from paintings and photography to textiles, pottery and jewelry. Its current roster of artists includes Marie Babb, Connie Balton, Lisa Balton, Claire Barnett, Lauren Beyer, Phyllis Boger, Gail Buckman, Michelle East, Peggy Felsenthal, Jean Handley, Flo Hays, Emaline Holleman, Terry Kenney, Antzee Magruder, Zoe Nadel, Marty Parker, Sandy Scruggs, Mike Taylor and Terry Woodard.

The works of Fountain Art Gallery will remain on display through Labor Day. To view the artwork at Trezevant, call (901)325-4000 for an appointment.

For information about the artists and their works, visit FountainArtGallery.com.

Jamie Elkington is a communications specialist for ABO Marketing & Communications.

Marie Babb

Sandy Scruggs

Lauren Beyer

Here is the link to the article-

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/aug/12/focus-art-25-years-of-beauty/

I am so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of artists!  Fountain Art Gallery is a great place to be! Come see us any time 10-5 Monday - Sat.
3092 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tn 
Chickasaw Oaks Plaza 
next door to La Baguette and Hallmark.

Till tomorrow,

Michelle East, Visual Artist Living with Glaucoma

Thank you to all of my dear sweet friends, family and clients. The out pouring of support and love you have given me during this time of learning how to live with glaucoma has been overwhelming. I can't thank you enough for your phone calls, emails and texts.


Continued prayer is always appreciated. 


I will try to keep everyone posted through this blog and maybe an occasional newsletter update.  


For an update - today has been hard on my eyes. I've had problems with my vision which I think has to do with the drops that I am taking not the actual glaucoma itself.  


My eyes could barely focus today and I had dizziness.  Tried wearing my glasses and not wearing my glasses.  Neither way helped so I had to stop everything and lay down with my eyes closed for a while.  Did I mention that I don't have time to lay down with my eyes closed during the middle of the day!  :) There's so much that I want to do with my art during the precious few hours that my children are at school. Sorry for the venting, I am feeling a bit frustrated today!


In researching the drug Lumigan that I am taking, I found out that side effects include increased eyelash growth and pigment changes in the iris and surrounding eye area. Then I read the following-

Additional ocular adverse events (reported in 1 to 10% of patients) with bimatoprost ophthalmic solutions included ocular dryness, visual disturbance, ocular burning, foreign body sensation, eye pain, pigmentation of the periocular skin, blepharitis, cataract, superficial punctate keratitis, eyelid erythema, ocular irritation, eyelash darkening, eye discharge, tearing, photophobia, allergic conjunctivitis, asthenopia, increases in iris pigmentation, conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, and abnormal hair growth. Intraocular inflammation, reported as iritis was reported in less than 1% of patients.

Systemic adverse events reported in approximately 10% of patients with bimatoprost ophthalmic solutions were infections (primarily colds and upper respiratory tract infections). Other systemic adverse events (reported in 1 to 5% of patients) included headaches, abnormal liver function tests, and asthenia.

Take time to see the roses & look closely at your loved ones.
Memorize their sweet faces. 


Till next time,

Michelle East Studio Fine Art at Fountain Art Gallery in Memphis, TN

Fabulous evening at Fountain Art Gallery last night!  Around 250 people showed up for an evening of fine wine tasting and art show.  I was blown away by the turnout. Thank you so much to everyone who came!

"Red Stilettos" was my featured painting!

Here I am in front of it before the event started.

Me and fellow artist Zoe Nadel http://www.galleryzoe.com.

My Dad came in from Florida for the art show!

Kirby Wines and Liquors did a topnotch job of arranging the wines, serving the wines and educating the guests about the wine menu.  http://www.kirbywines.com 

I enjoyed all of the 6 wines they featured!  :)  

Here are 5 of the 6 new Fountain Art Gallery Artists at the Kirby Wines and Liquors wine tasting event last weekend!

Till next time,

Michelle East, Visual Artist Diagnosed with Glaucoma at age 42

Today I sent out a newsletter to my friends, family and clients letting everyone know that I have been diagnosed with glaucoma.  I am 42 years old and never thought that I would be facing glaucoma at this age. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. It comes on gradually and is sometimes called "Silent Thief of Sight".

The damage that glaucoma does to the optic nerve is related to increased pressure from the watery fluid that is naturally present in your eyeball.

Congenital glaucoma often runs in families (is hereditary).

• It is present at birth
• It results from the abnormal development of the fluid outflow channels in the eye

The goal of treatment is to reduce eye pressure. Depending on the type of glaucoma, this is done using medications or surgery. I am using drops LUMIGAN to reduce the fluid pressure in my eyes. It makes my eyes bloodshot and feel funny. Glaucoma is something that I will have to manage for the rest of my life.

I am a visual artist and the diagnosis of Glaucoma has been a shock. Today I have had an outpouring of emails and phone calls from friends and family showering me with positive thoughts and prayers.  Thank you my dear ones.

My new motto is
"Take time to "see" the roses."
because you never know when things you take for granted may not be there anymore.

In the coming months I'll update everyone on my progress and what glaucoma means.  It is all new to me and I am happy to share what I am learning. Our eyesight is so precious and I don't want to loose mine.  I have 3 beautiful children that I have to keep my eyes on!

Till tomorrow,

Memphis Business Journal, Michelle East, Fountain Art Gallery

Big thank you to Memphis Business Journal www.memphisbusinessjournal.com 

for publishing one of my infrared images in the July 29- Aug. 4 2011 issue.

Above is a picture of the newspaper page with my picture on it!  

Fountain Art Gallery has a 6 & 6 exhibit August 5th at 6 p.m. The evening will feature six new artists and six fine wines for tasting, compliments of Kirby Wines and Liquors.  

The gallery is located at 3092 Poplar Ave Memphis, Tn.

I will be there from 6:00 - 8:00 and my featured wine is Silver Palms Chardonnay. 

Come out and see if it is a good match to me and my artwork!

Till next time,