Coverage of yesterday's seminar from WSLS

Blue Ridge PRSA Professional Development Seminar

Today I had the privilege of attending a seminar hosted by the Blue Ridge Chapter of the PRSA. A special thanks to my colleagues, Ernest DelBuono and Betsy Parkins, of ND&P for their hard work in organizing the event.

Thanks to them, the other attendees and I shared in the experience of hearing first-hand, the sincere story of Morgan Harrington's disappearance from her parents, Dr. Dan Harrington and his wife, Gil Harrington. It was in their honest effort to reach out through the media—the right way, that Morgan's story was heard and still lives today. Morgan's Story.

Digital Strategist, Valerie Elston was at the core of managing the Harrington's online and social media presence after Levick Strategic Communications volunteered their services to the Harrington family. Valerie shared slides that illustrated strategies and tactics implemented throughout the social media campaign.

Corinne Geller, Public Relations Manager of the Virginia State Police, gave us insight from her unique perspective on the crisis communications involved in this particular case. Her energy and wit shined a light on a side of the VSP, I and many others probably never think much about. It's thanks to hard work by her and others like her that stories are vetted properly so that the public gets the right information (most of the time).

And finally, Amy Morris, News Director of WDBJ, talked about her hand in the case of Morgan's disappearance and the role the local affiliate played in relation to other media outlets, including the national networks.

Never having met in person before, it was evident that these three women shared a unique bond through their experience in working on such a heart-wrenching case. Each, doing their job effectively and knowledgeably.

It's with understanding the importance of the role played by social media in these crisis communications that I can truly appreciate and learn from their efforts.

A special thanks to all of the speakers, the Harringtons, and the Blue Ridge Chapter of the PRSA.

Demolition Day

For a while, everyday was demo day around our house and my husband often walked around with a sledgehammer slung over his shoulder. Here's a little piece of history.

Portrait Painting Process

This is my process for painting a portrait from a photo. I always follow this formula, and it works best for me.

First, make sure you have an excellent photo reference. If your reference is not good, you will struggle and it will show in your painting. It's also important to remember that a photograph is the camera's interpretation of reality and things aren't always what they seem. Your knowledge and understanding of light, shadow and color should compensate for what the photo lacks. When in doubt, ask your model to pose again and do some life studies.

My photo reference was actually a candid shot of my husband, and at the time I didn't think to check it well, so I found myself going back to get better reference and I worked with the sledge hammer in my studio.

Also, please forgive the quality of these images, I took them while I was in the middle of working and i usually had paint all over my hands. Click on the image to view its full size.



Once I get a very accurate drawing on the canvas (I draw very tightly with pencil) I go back and ink the whole drawing. This way, I don't have to worry about losing my original lines if I mess up and have to use a cheese cloth to wipe away some paint.

Then, I cover the canvas in a wash of galkyd and burnt umber. Galkyd is a fast drying painting medium. It works better than liquin for this step because it's more fluid--not as sticky, and I love the smooth surface it leaves upon drying. Once the entire canvas is covered, I go back with a cheese cloth and rub out the highlights and lighter values. You can get as detailed as you want with this step using a paintbrush and more paint. I usually just like to get the rough values down. The painting may need a full day to dry at this point.



When adding color, the most important thing is to first establish your true lights and darks. Work on the painting as a whole, in layers, always thinking about how one area relates to the next. Finally, I block in large areas of color before I add the more refined details.



Here is a close up of the first stage of the face. Again, it's important to block in lights and darks and get the flesh tones right before developing final details.

I hope you find this information helpful. Feel free to email me with any questions at monicakjf@yahoo.com

See my next post for the final painting.

Dishing It Out Contest

I had so much fun shooting these foodie photos with ND&P for our Dishing It Out Contest. The contest took place from April 28 to May 10 and was posted on Downtown Roanoke Inc's facebook page.

The photos featured here are from Downtown Roanoke's On the Rise Bakery. See more from other restaurants on my flickr page.

Financial Team Portraits

I've been really bad at updating my blog lately, but that's only because I've been so fantastically busy. It's time to play a little catch up.

Here are a few portraits I took for National Financial Services. See more on my flickr page.

Leadership Roanoke Valley Event

I recently had the privilege of attending the Leadership Roanoke Valley (LRV), Economic Development Group event at Greenfield Education & Training Center, located in Botetourt County, Virginia.

LRV, a program under the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, was founded in 1983. The group is dedicated to raising community awareness and applying leadership skills to help organizations thrive in the Roanoke Valley. The group seeks to understand the infrastructure that makes our region work and the ways in which they can improve it.

Pictured above is speaker, Jim Barney, founder of Click & Pledge. See more photos of the event.

Oakey's Funeral Home

President Sammy Oakey, fifth generation in the family business. Read Sammy's Blog here.


Writing this Work Space story for Valley Business Front Magazine allowed me to go places most people don't get to — or even think to, for that matter. For me, touring behind the scenes of a funeral home was fascinating. I hope you enjoy the story on page 34 of this month's issue. Visit Oakey's Funeral Service & Crematory's website.

Valentine's Day

View on Flickr




View on Flickr

Novozymes Biologicals Inc.

Check out my latest Work Space story in Valley Business Front Magazine, by following this link and turning to page 34 in the Development Front section. I truly enjoyed touring these facilities and meeting so many wonderful scientists.

Twitter is all a buzz after the #RRWC

My experience at the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference was inspiring, energetic, and moving. Moving because it made me want to move my pencil. Move my life forward. Move stories and lives, like those around me.

It was in Janet Jaquith's class, The Personal Essay, that I thought: I LOVE being an artist. How lucky are we, to be among one another? To learn from one another?

And although Janet's class was about radio, and I am not a radio journalist, it spoke to me in so many ways. I love radio. I've always found it to be this fantastically raw form of media. Media at its finest. I just don't think I truly understood why I loved radio until Janet's class. It was as if I discovered it all over again; through the personal essay.

Roanoke Regional Writers Conference

Tonight I am going to the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

The event is hosted by Dan Smith of Valley Business Front Magazine and it features workshops from several area writers and editors. It takes place tonight and tomorrow. See the schedule. You can still register (pay $50 at the door) or contact Dan Smith at editrdan@msn.com

For more information visit:http://www.hollins.edu/news-events/writers/writers.htm

I hope to see you there!

Monica