As most of you know, Better Homes & Gardens came to visit my studio on Monday to do a photo shoot for their next 'Santa Book'. I told you all how scared I was about it - now I'll tell you about it from the other side of the fence :-)

It was a flurry of activity, from 9 in the morning til just after 4 in the afternoon. [I'm just beginning to get my breath back a little. 'Terrified' isn't strong enough to describe my own demeanor that morning. My 'hero of the day' was without a doubt Bill - my dear friend, whose basement has become my new studio/home for now. Bill met them at the door, talked with them a bit (WARNING them of the nutcase with knives inside, no doubt!), and ran a beautiful interference from beginning to end.]

Most of the day was a nervous blur at the time – but a day later, I’m beginning to relax enough to think back on the experience and realize what it really held.

The cast of characters included a photographer, his assistant, and two 'writer/set coordinators'. They brought along a past copy of the BH&G Santa Claus book to give me a feel for how the book is done. They were all quite gracious and gentle, actually – and as the day wore on, some very positive connections happened. I love it when souls collide in spite of (or along with) the work at hand, and you get to glimpse inside and look around a bit. That was a very cool bonus for me.

I was able to get a few new fellows finished by then - and borrowed some of my carvings back from private collectors and the RTB gallery - so there was a decent number for them to choose from/use. The whole day was spent “staging� various shots – choosing and arranging props and carvings, testing for “feel� and proper lighting, fixing, re-testing, shooting. As nervous as I was to be in this situation, they were equally skillful at keeping the “focus� on the shots, all the while weaving comfortable questions and conversation about my work and art in general around it.

I learned as much about them as they did me….and certainly learned a great deal FROM them. They used some of my own favorite things – my collection of old wooden trunks, old books, etc. – as backgrounds and props. It made me smile when one of them mentioned the natural flow it seemed to show between what I do and what I am. What better affirmation can an artist be given, really? Wow. How lucky am I?

I can’t say I’d want to face this sort of thing very often – I’m just not that good around people to bear it well. But I am without a doubt honored to have had the experience.

I haven’t any real details about how the story will be written, or when the book is due out. I assume I’ll hear more as it progresses, but then again, I may not :-)

Teri

[Nancy_G]

Teri - that's INCREDIBLE. I'm so happy it went well and was a positive experience. (I think I would have been too terrified to speak). What a POWERFUL thing to have happen!!!
Please do let us know when you have a publish date. I'm on the auto ship list but it hits the store before that and I want to see it asap. And somebody on the Santa Collector's Board is asking the same question.
CONGRATULATIONS !!!

[stevefrfla]

Congratulations Teri, What an honor, but after looking at your carvings you certainly deserve it. I can't wait to see the issue.

[squbrigg]

Well done Teri, congratulations! That sounds like a day to remember, so savor the experience. Can't wait for the book to come out, so we can have a peek.

Regards

Bob

[Callynne]

Congratulations Teri, that's just awesome!! I can't wait either to see the article, you must be very, very proud of yourself....you certainly should be....we're all very proud of you!! Callynne

Hey Teri,
I am so pleased that it went well for you I know it can be an overwhelming experience but as you said it they are very good at what they do and make you feel really at ease. My experience is the amount of time and how many different shots they take just for one article. If you think that is bad try doing a half hour TV segment take's about two whole days to shoot for maybe 18 minutes show time. At any rate I am sure that the article will be great sounds like you are settling in to you new life on the west coast. Congratutations again and dont forget to give me a heads up on the magazine release so I can order it from the states it will take another three months before it is released in Canada.
Take care my friend
Colin

[masker001]

I can,t think of anyone more deserving of tribute than you Terry.Congrats and am looking forward to reading the article.
All the best to you.
Mark

[Kenny_S]

We knew you could do it.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Congratulations Teri. A well deserved kudo for you.

Thanks so much, all of you. The friendship and support here are so important to me - seems like it was through this board that I found my 'union card' in the carving family.

Teri