Warmth

Since the beginning of time man as had a love/hate relationship with fire. Fire cooks our food and heats our houses, it can also  destroy our homes and even take our lives. I am not exempt from this relationship. I lost my grandfather to a fire. Yet, right now, I'd light the biggest bonfire in the middle of my studio if that meant I could open it up. Cold stops, it stops everything, and right now it seems we have reached a stand still at the studio till we can figure out a way to heat that cursed thing. So far we've tried different heaters, the tall and the small, and I've come to the conclusion that this bloody shack out back is about as energy efficient as a wet cardboard box.

I forewent special Christmas treats of smell goods and frilly things, and instead braved WalMart to get myself a heater. I found a nice little twenty-eight dollar one which specifically said for drafty rooms. In addition to putting this under my tree, I also procured, as a stocking stuffer, a can of crack sealant. The look of polite dismay as I told the checkout lady this was Christmas was something worthy of a sketch comedy. I'm truly sad this woman missed her called as a comedic actress, because I haven't seen a look like that since the great Lucille Ball graced my television screen.

So I practically skipped home and plopped the heater down inside the studio and waited...nothing maybe I should have waited longer than ten minutes, I don't know. Still this is beginning to be disheartening, the studio is eating into money we don't have and my stress level through the roof. However I can't give up,  so tomorrow I attack the room with crack sealant, and the go off to price insulation, maybe I can get that as a early or late birthday. I just have to keep reminding myself, winter won't last forever and spring will be here soon. *sighs* Just hoping for a early thaw.

Of updates and contemplations...

   So the studio is finally finished save for getting that heating unit and possibly some insulation. I'm so excites about it! I already set up the lighting and got the backdrops set up; so it's going along nicely. The studio itself has a got an attic feel to it, and I like that, for now. I got some new backgrounds yesterday, and I'm happy to say I think they are going to look good. All is going right with the world and if I can keep the Studio warm then I'll have it made! Looking into beginning to make some new props, as well as buy a few. It's going to be a slow process, but I know that over time Heart and Soul will be the best studio around! 


    Well it's that time of year again; time for turkey, thank fullness, relatives we don't like, some we do, and eating so much that we make decadent Rome look puritanical. I'm talking about Thanksgiving! Yeah, I know as far as holidays go this one isn't the greatest. It's that lull between the candy overdose of Halloween, and the child like bliss (not to mention presenty goodness) of Christmas. I was talking with an associate of mine yesterday, and he mentioned that he was already listening to Christmas music, because well, "Christmas is more fun".


    The fact is whether you are Christian or not, there is something magical about that time of the year. Thanksgiving just really can't compete (especially with all the commercialism Christmas gets nowadays, but that's a rant for another time). When we are younger we look forward to making turkey's out of our hands and putting on school productions about Pocahontas and the pilgrims. We don our little construction paper black hats and write reports about the Native Americans. In general what was the beginning of a very long and bloody struggle of western expansion, is prettied up to look like a story about some hungry people, a fat turkey, and lesson in sharing. Ever notice how you never made the connection that these same people that fed our Anglo Saxon ancestors are the same ones we forced onto small reservations after a lot of heartache and bloodshed. To me that is the real magic of Thanksgiving, the fact that we can pretty up and dumb down the beginning of a massacre ( and like all good massacres that have come after and before it; it began with a meal.)


   Christmas (unless you take into account that we're going to painfully kill that baby we are singing about in the Spring) is much more light hearted, there is merriment, candy, songs, parties to go to, and lest I forget the presents. I don't know about you but I generally use Christmas to buy all those things I want but can't afford to get during the year. All over there is general feel of good will and happiness, it's like they put ecstasy in those candy canes and chocolate covered cherries.Not to mention, if you're religious, the absolute holiness about this time of year, birth, light, love; such blessings in the darkest time of the year. There's something wondrous about it.


   So yeah, how can Thanksgiving compete with that? Especially if you take into account it's just a local grown holiday; people outside of the US of A don't celebrate it, kinda kills that whole since of unity, you know. Still, we should give Thanksgiving it's dues, cause as cheesy as it is looking back on it; your grade school teacher is right; you do have a lot to be thankful for (even if you are just thankful this blog is drawing to a close). After all the year is coming to a close, and you can begin to make a fresh start, and alright alright Christmas is just around the corner. So yeah, as you are digging into that fiftieth helping of dressing, and the bird has all but been demolished; pause and take a moment, to just be thankful, if nothing else but for the fact that you get a holiday were you can eat like a pig and not feel bad about it. Take care and I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

On thoughts of holidays, and getting the studio up and working...

Greetings and Merry Meet,


I hope everyone had a spectacular Halloween, I've already seen some awesome photos of the costumes that there were. Ape and I went down to Jessie's (another very talented photographer) house, with Lousia and we had a big old time with a bonfire and hayride. It was a blast, and Lousia (from Germany) roasted her first hot dog. We have pictures that Jess's aunt took. We also had the Writer's Guild party, and I'll post some pics up of that in a little bit. So, yeah I had lots of fun and hope you all did.


Well it's official, we've finally closed up the windows, and the heat has been turned on, here at Chez' Tolar it's winter time. We are still looking for a way to heat/insulate the studio, they have bubble wrap up at Wal Mart in good sized rolls that I'm favoring. Just got to get the funds up. Of course now that we are entering November comes talk of turkey and Thanksgiving, already Ape's family is making preparations. We at the Tolar house are waiting for the cash to get the big old gobble gobble. Lousia will be spending Thanksgiving with April and I, and we're looking forward giving the girl her first Thanksgiving. I'd love to hear what you are doing for Thanksgiving or even see pictures of past Thanksgivings, so yeah, just drop me a line, you know the address, and I'll make a special Turkey Day post!


 There is a sort of insane chaotic organization to the opening of the studio. I have just about everything I need, and have the space, but as mentioned the studio doesn't have a viable heat source or insulation yet. So we are going to need to fix that. We have to get a cable for Wolfgang too, cause he's going to be cabled when I work. It's just for the best. As time goes on and the money comes in, we will be able to make the studio better, but for right now the studio may move in the house for a little bit, :P. It's supposed to be nice this weekend so that means bombing the studio and getting it cleaned up some more...Huzzah! I'll see if I can get some before and after pics so you can see how far we've come and how far we need to go .  For now, I take a deep breath and get prepared for a day of editing photos and role playing when I get the time .


I've done a couple of photo-walks and I'll put up those photos later as well. So much to put up! Anyways, my coffee has gone cold and the father person just returned with chocolate, so this is my cue to go ask for some, and get to work. Hope you all have a good day.


Take Care and Merry Part,
    Sandy

Welcome All!

So hey this is the blog for Sandy Tolar of Heart and Soul Portrait Studios. This is where you can get information about the studio, about the photographer, and even see some of her work. This blog will be updated at least once a week, maybe more if there is interesting stuff to talk about! 

So I shall begin by introducing myself, my name is Sandy, and I am a professional photographer in West Tennessee. I've just started my studio, and am in the process of making it the best one possible! My camera is a sweet little digital Polaroid that I've named Lucy, and she's the family camera. I have over ten years experience in photography, and around five years in digital work. I use Photoshop to digitally fix, edit, or enhance my photographs. I work with "green screen technology" to add in some of my backdrops, my other ones are basic muslin. I like to think of myself as a wonderful blend of traditional and modern. 

Other than photography, I also write, draw,dance, play bass, and read. I am an avid music lover, and enjoy talking with and discussing books, movies, music, and in general life with people. I love to cook, and that's one thing you will always be able to find in my studio is some form of baked goods. I'm all southern, and so I believe that strangers are just family I haven't met yet! 

I hope you will enjoy this blog, I want to hear your opinions, and yes, I want to photograph you. So yes, welcome to my family, and I hope you all have a great day!