Graphic Arts, Communication, et. cetera

Thursday, October 4, 2012

SmugMug Photos

Hello and Good Morning! I am providing you with a link to KG Design's photo gallery on SmugMug. It's a site that houses a variety of photographs and includes everything you need to know if there's something special that catches your eye. And there's a lot more where those came from. Happy viewing!

http://ginzphoto1000.smugmug.com/

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Today's Inspiration (9/6/12)

“Ginny darling, you're a star at sharing your interest in something to get the other person talking. It's a smart way to be with others today as you show a fabulous way of paying interest to the other persons needs. You may find that reaching out more this way brings you the best reactions from them. You may find that you have something in common with someone who may help to improve your imagination, to not be shy, to come out with the way you feel. You have a depth to explore, something exciting to discover!” (wish I could remember who posted this)

Okay. Here’s the deal. It’s my nature to communicate. It’s my nature to be inquisitive. I feel it’s a Gift. I dislike building walls. I dislike secrets, conniving, and deceit. I believe, in my heart, that it is healthy and necessary to share information, regardless of the topic. Knowledge is Power. Don’t get me wrong. If someone confides something in me, I’ll take that confidence to my grave. Some things are meant to be private.

Granted, some issues are more sensitive than others and opening up could possibly lead to a challenging and vibrant discussion at the very least, or a personal disconnect at the max. That’s not what I am about. However, if it means that I have to stifle my opinions and beliefs to make someone else happy or comfortable, that’s not going to happen.

“And I … won’t back down. Yes, I’ll … stand my ground.” (Tom Petty)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Never Give Up, Never Give In!

Never give up, and never give in, because you are designed to win!

-Anita R. Sneed-Carter

Never, Never, Never Give Up!

Not to give up under any circumstances should be the motto of our life: we shall try again and again, and we are bound to succeed. There will be obstacles, but we have to defy them. So do not give up, do not give up! Continue, continue! The goal is ahead of you. If you do not give up, you are bound to reach your destined goal.

-Sri Chinmoy

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Dr. Who/Vincent

There’s so much more to the world than anyone really knows or acknowledges, and that mostly escapes the average eye. The other day there was a Doctor Who marathon on the BBC America channel here on the east coast. One of the shows featured, of all people and much to my delight, the life of Vincent Van Gogh! The entire episode focused on him. It was great! I felt I had envisioned the proverbial pot of gold. Forever a fan of sci-fi and art, this episode really elicited my interest. Van Gogh, or should I say the actor portraying the world-renowned artist, stated he saw, felt, and heard colors. Colors shouted to him! I am super grateful to realize I share those exact feelings with Van Gogh as they relate to art. Definitely, as a highly sensitive visual person, I see and feel colors, shades, shapes (in other words, graphics), and variances thereof in everything I do–daily. I don’t use the word “see” loosely.

In the natural world, “graphics” follow me wherever I go. They’re everywhere in everything, and especially where I live. Since my college days, I have become even more deliberate in my awareness. I suppose, in the scheme of all things universe, it is no coincidence that I live very close to a lake. In the winter once the leaves have fallen off the trees, I can actually see the lake. I absolutely LOVE that. In closer surroundings I hear the sound of every little twig being stomped by chipmunks, deer, birds, and other animals. I notice every shrub whose leaves are being ruffled and downright shaken by overactive, agile squirrels scurrying through them. (And why, Universe, must they move about so quickly all the time?) I have captured photos of those bushy-tailed creatures playfully commiserating in the park. I have also captured the beautiful blue birds that greet my doorstep. They sweep down to grab the nuggets of food I leave on my doorstep for neighborhood cats. Yes, they, um, share (and by “share” I mean birds, deer, and squirrels wind up getting most of the food). Indeed, I look at nature; I look hard.

I know I can discover something new, interesting, and beautiful that I might have missed another day. (Missed something? Did I say that?) Obviously, I find great wonder in, and have much respect for nature; in things that others might merely take for granted or not think about in terms of beauty, to any certain degree. Some things shout out to me visually compelling me to investigate their existence more thoroughly. Under similar circumstances, I’ve noticed other people passing by going about their business. It is from that specific point I become aware of my gripping desire to further investigate those elements is extremely important. Why? Because I want to draw out in others the curiosity and wonder about the world beyond their own little corner of it through my photography.

The universe has given us a tremendous amount in terms of its vast and infinite splendor and wonder. And we, as its inhabitants, need to both enjoy and respect it.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Job Searches

It's amazing how many "DO"s and "DON'T"s advice emails I come cross during my daily research. What makes them amazing is that every advisor, every writer, and every article has differing opinions on the whole job search; what to watch out for, how to behave, how to dress, what TO say, what NOT to say, etc. It's never ending. I'm not saying that one should go into an interview looking disheveled, dirty, careless, or unprepared. I'm saying that every company is different. Each one knows what they want in terms of skills, education, age, level of ambition, and yes --looks. The job search process is and has become increasingly mind boggling! And every viewer has his/her own opinion. Of course. Everyone's experience is different.

I've got enough experience to this end and have been doing this for a sufficient amount of time to know how well an interview is going during the process. I know how comfortable (or uncomfortable) I feel upon leaving the interview. Body language plays an important part and many people do not "read" the interviewer(s) well enough to know when that individual has already made his/her decision about YOU, the candidate, and is just going through the motions to be polite. Indeed, it may be a time-consuming approach to recruit good people for the job at hand, but it is equally as, or significantly more frustrating for the person being interviewed.

I'm putting this out there for many reasons. Among them are to share my experiences in order to help alleviate some of the pressures others might be feeling during the interview process. Another reason is to let others know, at any age, that if they are feeling anxiety building up (we all do). Anxiety is normal. After all, you're pretty much under the spotlight and being judged by a stranger for a position you may feel you're RIGHT for, but you have to prove that to the recuiter. Sell yourself! They don't know you at all.

Our current economy has been difficult on so many. One of my personal biggest frustrations is that, for every ONE position posted, there are 100s of potential candidates, sometimes 1000s, and it's an employers' market. I'm not a mathmetician, but even I can figure out the odds here.

If you have any comments or opinions, please feel free to post. BUT --> keep them G-rated! Off-color or hateful comments or venting will be deleted IMMEDIATELY!

Wishing you an inspired day!