Jumping in but intimidated
 

Hello!

My name is Lisa Ober. I live just outside St. Louis, Missouri. I am married and have two children who make for great portrait practice if you ask me.

Like many others whose posts I have read recently, I have lurked here for quite some time. I have been both impressed an embarrassed. Being impressed with the talent and professionalism here is obvious. The embarrassment for me comes in when I realize how much time I have wasted in my professional life by not pushing myself and not being as dedicated to improvement as I should have been. Over the past few years I have decided that is going to change. I know I have found the right place to learn and grow. I just hope one day to have something to offer in exchange.

In spite of what has been mediocrity I think (especially after looking around here), I have somehow managed to make a living for almost two decades as a full-time portrait artist. I must have very good luck. Because an enormous amount of my work is children's portraiture, I do work primarily from photos. I miss the days of art school when I was able to work form live models but I don't see that happening any time soon for my work. That being said, I am hoping to learn how to take better photos in addition to improving my technical skills. I am a bit nervous about posting but I am looking forward to becoming a better artist.

Thank you for allowing me to join in the fun as I go jump into the ego-busting world of critique. In a few years, let me know if I my work has improved. I know I'll be saying my prayers toward that end.

Hi Lisa and welcome!

I lived out in St. Louis (U. City) from 1991-1996... my kids were both born there. Very family friendly area... can imagine it's a great place for portraiture!

Looking forward to your posts! :)

Welcome Lisa,

I grew up in St. Louis from about 9 thru age 19. Later, I had an apartment there from 1995-1999. I MISS St. Louis terribly!

Isn't there an O'Fallon, IL also? I seem to remember living there as well as Belleville and Lebanon.

And, my compliments on your bravery!

Thank you both! It never ceases to amaze me how many people I meet who have lived here.

Cynthia, you can always come visit! Yes, there is an O'Fallon, IL. I live on the western edge of St. Louis County though, which is an exploding area. As to my bravery, we shall see. I just might end up a sobbing basket case from the critiques. If you see me post again it's probably a good sign.

Terri, I went to school right down the street from where you lived at Washington University. You lived in a wonderful area. St. Louis is certainly family friendly and there is a lot of work to be had here but I have found quite a resistance to pricing that would be considered average in other cities. Normally, I would think that is just me and my work but I have heard the same from quite a few other portrait artists here in spite of the superb quality of many of them.

Well, I look forward to getting to know everyone here. Thanks for your welcoming words.

Hi Lisa,
It is nice to see you here. You will have no choice but grow if you plant yourself in the middle of this crew! Welcome.

Welcome
 

Hello, Lisa and welcome to the fun. As you can see from my information posted here with my picture I am a recent member to SOG. I have picked up a lot from the critiques. Remeber, this group of people have all been here where you and I are now and they benefited from the generosity of their community. Likewise with us.

Regarding photography, see if there is a good photography school in your area. I would think so being so close to St. Louis. A technology school is a good place to look. Good reference material is important and may add perceived value to your product.

I lived in Tulsa, OK for over 30 years and am happy to see someone from that part of the country here.

Have fun and I look forward to seeing your work.

Hi Lisa,
 

Nice to see you here!
Welcome.

Mary, thank you! It's nice to know you are here. I will have to go look at what you have been doing. I do plan to learn as much as I possibly can. I'm not getting any younger.

John, well welcome to you too then. I agree that everyone here is very generous with their time. Believe it or not, I have quite a bit of background in photography but that was years ago before digital. I do need a refresher and there are great schools here. I think my other issue is with quality equipment. Poor equipment can mess up potentially good results. I'm going to read as much as I can on that. Thanks again for the welcome.

Claudemir, it is nice to be here as well. Thank you!

I was actually there last July, but it's not the same as living there. I do thank you for the invite - you never know. I loved having my little flat in St. Louis, just off Grand and a few blocks from where I went to high school. I love the city and if I ever lived there again (unlikely), it would only be in the city.

My husband did his post-doc. at Wash. U, and then worked for a year at the Human Genome Sequencing center there. He used to be able to walk to work. I worked for the BJC hospital system a whopping 2 miles down the road. It was a very nice place to live :cool:

Cynthia,you were in a hot spot in St. Louis. I used to live in the city but I have to say it's tough finding nice spots to raise kids. You weren't far from Terri. Did you know each other? Oh, I guess you lived here at different times. Timing is everything, huh?

Terri, I went to the Wash U School of Fine Arts. No science mind here but the HGS center is quite well known. What did you do for BJC? I was born at Barnes. The Central West End (near there) is a great spot for fine art and antiques. Was it popular when you lived here? There are lots of newly refurbished homes, new condos, and night life. It's a really neat area. Wish I could hang out there more often.

Was 'Director of Strategic Planning' for the BJC Health System... this during the first Clinton term and all of Healthcare was in a tizzy! (Yikes! Wouldn't want to relive that :bewildere ) Was very happy to drop back to part-time and an analytical role in the Heart Services area when my daughter (2nd child within 18 months of 1st) was born. We didn't hang out in the city much at all, mostly restaurants in U.City and Clayton. I worked with a woman who had a beautiful old house in what I think would be called the Central West end. They don't build 'em like that anymore!