is to create a drawing for your favorite art professor’s personal collection. Mr. Houston is an amazing artist so that’s terrifying enough without the fear that you’re going to look like all of his years of training are for not when he sees what you can do a few years out of school! And yet that is what I was faced with as I created the drawing below. :) If you haven’t heard of William C. Houston then you really must check out his work! (www.wchouston.com) In addition to his painting career he also teaches at Carson Newman College and I had the priviledge of studying under him for 3 years. He collects artworks of jazz musicians and he asked me to make something of Frank Sinatra. Below is my conte drawing. Conte is one of the oldest artist’s materials. I actually hated the medium for my first 3 years of art school but fell in love with it in my senior year because it forces you to work in a loose manner and not having complete control of my materials was a good exercise for me. :) What do you think? I’m telling you, I’ve never been so insecure about delivering the final product!

Sean and I have one last free Saturday before the fall rush begins so we’re heading out tomorrow morning for Jefferson City, TN to visit old friends and professors. It should be a fun and relaxing trip – with the exception of the unveiling of this drawing! EEEE! Wish me luck! :)

– Mel

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

The rain held off for us yesterday and it ended up being a beautiful day in Chattanooga! Ashleigh and I both went to Carson Newman. We were in the same English class and had a few mutual friends so I was so excited when she tracked us down for her Atlanta wedding coming up this fall! :) She and Ryan are a blast and you can tell they have an absolutely wonderful time together. Downtown districts are a great place for sessions by the way – any place with lots to do makes for an ideal portrait spot because you’ll have more prompting you to interact rather than just standing together in a pretty place and the interaction is what makes these so great! Anyway, we were all very sad that the carousel was closed but we decided that would just be something to look forward to in the 1 year anniversary session. :) It’s all for the best I think because we got way too many fabulous shots to choose from yesterday without the carousel and here are a few of my absolute favorites!

What a fabulous day in a fabulous city! Thanks for joining us guys – see you soon! :)

– Mel

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Nicki and Jeff’s wedding is just around the corner! Can you believe it’s already fall?? It’s been a whirlwind summer! Over the weekend we went out to Centennial Park to meet Nicki and Jeff for their engagement session. I think Jeff thinks I’m crazy but we had a great time with them just the same! ;) Here are a few from our time in the park –

Thanks guys! See you very soon! :)

– Mel

Original post blogged on b2evolution.