Most companies are composed of employees that start as strangers, with every person focusing on their specific jobs within the business. Air Conditioning Experts Inc. defies the stereotypical company. Founded in 1995 by Bill and Heather Preston, the Christian-based business began as a desire to start a small business and give their customers quality service and display the values that so many other organizations seem to lack as well as a satisfying and progressive work environment for their employees. Their first employee was brother-in-law Chris Allen, who started in 1996 and later became a partner in 2000.
Air Conditioning Experts provides heating, ventilation, and air condition (HVAC) services and installations for residential homes as well as commercial properties. They specialize in working with real estate investors. ACE’s goal is to continue to serve homeowners, businesses and investors in all of their markets with the personal service they deserve and always providing superior products, exemplary customer service and supreme workmanship in an unmatched cost effective manner. The company expanded to Orlando and Charlotte after recognizing that the level of service they provided to their customers in Atlanta would do well in the other markets. The owners felt that those particular cities were a great fit for their type of customer service.
Owner Heather Preston said, “As our customer, you should always rest easy knowing we will be here for you for your comfort needs for years to come.”
The business is truly the definition of a family affair. Allen is a partner with his sister and brother-in-law. Other members of his family like his mom and stepfather, Nancy and Remo Loyal, work manage another company owned by Allen and the Prestons, Steelworks Inc., which is a security cage business. Allen’s son Chris Jr., stepbrother Remeno Loyal, and nephew Keith Hodges also work for Steelworks. Hillary Preston, who is Allen’s niece, works as an administrative assistant for Air Conditioning Experts and Bill’s mom, Ella McCrater, helps around the office part time. Even as it has grown, the company has made maintaining the family atmosphere a priority.
ACE has even employed multiple long time family friends to be part of the company’s team. Some of these people have even been with the business since the 1990s and continue to work there today.
Allen said, “[Working with family} is great! You know that your partners truly have your best interest at heart.”
The air conditioning company has made it a goal to be a big part of their community. Everyone at Air Conditioning Experts is very involved at their churches. Allen and his family are members of Mountain West Church of God located in Stone Mountain. They work with the outreach program among other ministries that are all focused on giving back to the Tucker, Lilburn, and Stone Mountain areas. The Preston family is members at the Dacula Church of God and is involved in similar organizations and ministries as Allen. Bill Preston and Eric Medina, who serves as the comfort advisor, speak on a local gospel radio program twice each month.
Air Conditioning Experts company brings Gwinnett County help with their homes, a family environment that is hard to find anywhere else, and community outreach that touches hundreds of lives. The business continues to grow and expand, providing unique customer service that our society is desperate to have.

Article by: Allie Gardner

Posted on May 3, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Cover Stories Comments Off

Randy Huffman, Pebblestone Landscape Group

Randy Huffman moved to the Lawrenceville area in 1985 from DeKalb County, and Gwinnett has never been the same. Huffman is the founder of Pebblestone Landscape Group based in Lawrenceville, which operates both commercially and privately in the Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. He also co-founded the English Bulldog Rescue of Georgia. This organization allows Huffman to serve the community in a unique way and show his devotion to the English Bulldog breed. He and his wife live in Lawrenceville with their two English Bulldogs, Butterbean and Biscuit.
Huffman was originally drawn to this area because “[the] Gwinnett and Lawrenceville area has that perfect balance of location, location, location, central access to major transportation and that hometown feeling combined.” Throughout the twenty-eight years he has lived here, Huffman enjoy’s local eatery Mexican Pie and shopping at the Avenues at Webb Ginn. However his favorite locations are the Gwinnett County Parks “The parks and recreation areas that Gwinnett provides are second to none,” said Huffman.
This love of nature can be seen through Huffman’s company, Pebblestone Landscape Group. Randy describes his passion when he said, “I started out when I was young, just helping my neighbors take care of their yards. My love of caring for our natural resources sprang from a need to maintain a certain standard of living in my own community. The growth of the urban areas and commercial construction boom of the 80’s and 90’s created a real need for a company to build and maintain our green spaces.” Although Pebblestone Landscape Group is a multi-faceted landscaping company, Huffman’s favorite projects are Landscape Installations. Landscape Installation allows Pebblestone Landscape Group to take a bland, forgetful area and turn it into a place Gwinnett can enjoy.
Huffman’s personal motto “Do right by those I serve” has transcended from his personal life into his business philosophy which has remained service oriented for 25 years and will continue into the future. Huffman explains, “This is a customer driven business. There are a lot landscapers out there, and what brings the customers back is service. We provide service tailored to their needs.”
Huffman also co-founded the English Bulldog Rescue of Georgia after he and his wife adopteda rescue out of Miami in 2007. This dog suffered great hardship but has returned to health in the Huffman household. Randy said of the adoption, “She changed the way I look at all living things, and she is the inspiration behind the rescue. There is such a need for good rescues in Georgia.” Huffman was more than willing to fill this need.
Today, the English Bulldog Rescue of Georgia takes bulldogs in from anywhere and cares for their multiple rescues through a group of wonderful foster families. These families willingly donate their time and resources to help out the lovable dogs. If you want to learn more about the English Bulldog breed or adoptions you can visit their website, www.englishbulldogrescueofga.com.
Above all, Huffman wants Gwinnett to know, “I live, work, and play in Gwinnett. It is my home, and my company is dedicated to making a difference in Gwinnett County. Keeping my community looking its best is a priority. I drive these streets every day, and I want to be proud of the place I call home. From Ronald Reagan Parkway to Evermore CID, this is my way of giving back to the place that has given so much to me.” Huffman has displayed incessant love and dedication to the community he calls home. Indubitably, Huffman’s love and skills have made Gwinnett a masterpiece.

By Lauren Taylor

Posted on April 3, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Cover Stories Comments Off

Welcome to the April 2013 Our Town Magazine Audio

April Our Town Podcast

Posted on March 31, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in OurTown Comments Off

Meet Dr. Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS

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Gwinnett never seems to fail in terms of the diversity of its citizens that has grown in the last decade or so, and with the different kinds of ethnicity combined with different occupations make for a county endlessly vibrant with variety.
Dr. Earl Stephenson, a well renowned plastic surgeon, is an example of Snellville’s variety.
His job, which consists of enhancement, cosmetics and reconstruction, was not always on his mind since he was young.
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Dr. Stephenson knew from early in his life that he liked the concept of hands-on activities. “Originally I wanted to become a dentist,” said the doctor when asked about his early interests. He recalled a time during his high school years, when he played baseball and experienced an incident where the baseball hit his mouth which cost him a visit to his dentist.
“I remember being in the dentist’s office and being fascinated by it, as well as the tools and materials used.”
He decided he wanted to pursue dentistry. During his years in schooling, however, he turned his attention towards oral surgery due to its aspect of taking care of people on a more medical level. Later, Dr. Stephenson decided plastic surgery would be his practice.
In all, he spent about 17 years of school, he said.
Dr. Stephenson explained how much he enjoyed his job. When asked to specify his favorite parts, he responded with “the diversity; I love [treating] all kinds of patients’ problems.”
He described some kinds of cases with previous patients including reconstruction for cancer patients, taking in burn victims, and patients that have had severe weight loss.
Dr. Stephenson also elaborated how there was basic training for all plastic surgeons, but because of his background with oral surgery, he likes to focus on and around the face.
Business-wise, he states that his practice, which markets mostly to individuals that would like to enhance their personal appearance and deal with medical issues that hinder daily activities, is currently growing and thriving.
However, Dr. Stephenson is not a man that is all work.
Married with two kids, he describes his family life as constantly “busy”, as is wife is an attorney and his two girls, 14 and 12, participate in basketball in their school.
The doctor admitted there is a challenge in the balance between work life and personal life, but he enjoys spending time with his family very much.
He also has hobbies of his own that he likes to partake in. He likes to remain active, loves sports, and likes to play basketball from time to time. He also collects fountain pens, and says he loves their uniqueness from pen to pen.
The doctor also state that when he was younger, he had always wanted to be an artist, but in a way, he believes his current work as a plastic surgeon is his best way of expressing art. His inspiration came from his family and the many people he met along the way through schooling that kept him moving forward and motivated with his passion.

Posted on February 28, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Cover Stories Comments Off

College Costs What??

The cost of a college education has been, and continues to be, very much in the news today. And following closely behind are stories about college student loan debt. Obviously the two are related and both present major challenges to the majority of families with children currently in college or children who will in the next several years plan to go to college.

Why are college costs so high?
There are two principal reasons college costs are so high. First, less money is being provided by state governments. Tighter state budgets have resulted in a lower percentage of today’s college and university budgets being funded by states than a generation ago. Second, many schools have higher administrative and personnel costs on top of less state funding. So, a significant part of the shortfall is made up by raising tuition and other student-borne costs.

What to do about affording college?
Start by determining what you can afford. While doing that, factor in cost increases that are likely during the 4 year period. Oh, and are you going to have more than one child in college at the same time?
Many kids and parents may have a “first choice” school (based on the parent’s alma mater, favorite college, specific program offering). In the current cost environment “first choice” may have to give way to comparable choices that are affordable. In many cases other schools provide as good an education and as valuable a degree. Or, maybe the first year or two of college can take place at a secondary choice school before moving to the “first choice” after core work is complete or after qualifying for needed scholarships or aid at the desired school. Maybe spending big dollars or taking on significant education debt gets reserved for graduate school.
Of course, a “hard to find” degree program or attending a specialized school can make it difficult to manage college costs. But if not, consider what schools offer the best package. The costs to you, scholarships available and financial aid should be at, or near, the top of your primary considerations list.

A Wall Street Journal article (Dec. 22-23, 2012) notes that students and parents should work hard at getting scholarships and grants since those will not have to be paid back. Many schools are making more merit aid, grants and need-based scholarships available.
Pam Hart, mother of a current college student and a high school senior, points out that the combination of great grades and great need can result in great aid or even a free ride from top colleges with large endowments. She notes that many private schools have more aid and scholarships available than do public schools.

Consider cooperative education programs. These programs are specifically set up to allow students to work at jobs in their field of study during alternate semesters. This often means an extra year to graduate (in the same number of semesters) but provides the benefit of work experience and income.

While saving for college, maximize your 529 plan contributions. In Georgia contributions will, in most cases, qualify for a state tax deduction. Extended family members can also contribute to 529 accounts for your children. For someone that wants to help your child (or just needs to move money out of their estate) funding a 529 on your child’s behalf could fill two needs at once.

Talk to other parents who are traveling down, or have recently traveled, the “affording college” road. They can be a great resource on the ins and outs and pitfalls of trying to fund college.

So, be realistic about what you can afford and encourage your child to work hard at school on both their grades and activities.

See my on-line version of this article for some web sites that may be helpful.

Next month: What to do about college loan debt.

by Glenton Ashby
Feedback and topic suggestions are welcome – email HalcyonTimes@HalcyonFP.com, or comment at www.HalcyonFP.com/halcyon-times. Tweet @halcyonplanning.

Glenton Ashby is the founder and owner of Halcyon Financial Planning, LLC, a fee-only financial planning and Registered Investment Advisor firm. Visit HalcyonFP.com.

Posted on February 12, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Finance Comments Off

What is Credit Recovery?

A new buzz phrase in education today is “credit recovery”. And, no, it has nothing to do with finances and the recovery of money! J Credit recovery courses are for students who have taken a high school course previously, however, did not successfully complete it. This incompletion caused them to not earn credit hours towards graduation. It is an option offered to students by many public and private schools as a way for them to retake a course, and upon successful completion, “recover” the hours not earned the first time through. Credit recovery courses are typically shorter in duration than the traditional course since the student has sat through the course already and needs to prove mastery of topics not previously learned. A student must take a final exam at the end of the credit recovery course, and if an End of Course Test is required by the State of Georgia Department of Education in that subject, the student must take the applicable EOCT even if he/she passed it previously.

There are many options for students regarding how and where they can “recover” the course hours not yet earned. Online courses are available through various schools, school systems, and the Georgia Department of Education, however, the online environment for learning is not ideal for some students. Other options include students enrolling in an accredited private school or educational center to be re-taught the material not mastered during the regular course of study. Some of these private educational schools and centers teach students in-person with an instructor and in a structured setting, while others provide students with a packet of work to be completed by the student at home with associated deadlines for completion for each assignment. A final exam is administered at the end of all credit recovery courses.

For parents who are looking at a credit recovery course for their student, they need to consider their student’s previous course grade, style of learning, level of discipline, best mode of instruction for their student, and the time frame in which the student must recover the course credit hours. If the student has earned less than 60% the first time through a course, his/her school will likely not allow the student to take a credit recovery course, rather require an entire course be taken again after school hours, during the summer, or in an evening course. If a student learns best in a traditional class setting or lacks good study habits, educational priority, or personal discipline, an in-person credit recovery course is best. If a student cannot learn at a rapid rate, it is best to select a credit recovery course that allows for more time than not for the student to master the topics presented. I do not recommend online math and math related science course for students for credit recovery or for an accredited course of study since math is a skill subject and sequentially learned. These courses are best taken in a traditional educational setting with teacher and student working together.

The fees for credit recovery courses vary and are typically based on the amount of instruction time, length of the course, and fees for technology use and/or textbooks. For more information on credit recovery courses in your community, search for accredited private schools, public schools or educational centers. Be certain to check with your student’s school before registering for any credit recovery course to gain prior approval for the accredited school or center you have selected for your student. Most students’ schools have a form for you to complete and for the counselor’s signature which you will present to your choice provider of credit recovery course work.

By Carol C. Wood
Total Learning Concepts, Inc.
www.totallearningconcepts.com

Posted on February 12, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Education Comments Off

credits

Do you walk your dog or does your dog walk you?

Now many of you would say “my dog definitely walks me!” But is that a good thing? In a word, NO! Why you ask? Many reasons…You’d like to keep your shoulder in its socket, you don’t like your hands being sore, and you definitely don’t want road rash! But seriously many times when a dog is walking out in front of you pulling, excited and especially if it has tendencies to be anxious, nervous or fearful, this can be a recipe for disaster.
When a dog is in the lead it can think it is the leader! What does a leader of a pack do? They are on guard, watching for danger at every turn and in their mind they must protect the pack. Most dogs are happiest as a follower with you being the leader. This allows them to relax, enjoy the walk and just be a dog. No worries, no barking madly at strangers or strange dogs. No pulling, charging or drooling, just walking along getting their heart rate up, releasing the feel good chemicals into their bodies which by the way causes relaxation. Ahhhhhhh, can you feel it?
There are many reasons why a dog pulls its owner while on leash but mainly it is because they have never been taught not to. Dogs are not born knowing how to walk on a leash they must be taught, preferably from a young age. Don’t worry if you’ve rescued an adult dog because it is never too late, it may take longer but patience, practice and consistency are your friend.
Now for the big question, standard issue leash or retractable? If you ask me? Standard issue. Preferably 4 feet long, medium width. It gives you the most control and it is not too much to hold in one hand. So you can use the other hand for say, talking on the phone, holding your honey’s hand or for walking your other dog! Sweeet!
Bear with me while I rant about retractable leashes…These things are dangerous! I’ve seen people with burns on their legs, arms and hands from those things. I’ve seen people walking their dogs that couldn’t put the brakes on those things fast enough to keep their dog from charging & biting other people’s dogs. And they give all the control to the dog! The dog is going where ever it wants, zigging and zagging, in front, to the side and in back of you, making all the decisions and guess who he thinks is the leader? You guessed it, him! Your dog can be taught to walk quietly beside you on a loose leash.
So if you have problems walking your dog, check your leash, check your leadership and teach him to walk calmly beside you. If your dog is out of control call a trained professional to help you. Don’t be embarrassed as this is a common behavior and you can be coached on how to better communicate with your dog so that he responds to you. You’ll be happier and your dog will be happier too. But hey if you are trying to build your upper body strength keep on keepin on!

Article by: Terie Hansen
www.gooddogcoaching.com

Posted on February 12, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Love my pet Comments Off

Meet Carol Wood of Total Learning Concepts

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” Unknown

Teaching requires patience, creativity and enthusiasm to spark a young mind. It’s not just academics, it involves thinking outside of the box to inspire and challenge a student. The ability to captivate a mind and feed it with knowledge is an art that unfortunately is usually under appreciated; however, in light of recent events teachers have taken the national spotlight and have now become our children’s protectors…heroes. They are beacon of lights for our future generation. One of those shining the way is Veteran educator Carol Chandler Wood, a woman on a mission not only to assist but stir drive and direction into her unique students.

They say when you are passionate about what you do it doesn’t feel like work. Carol agrees, “I am passionate about young people and assisting them in reaching the academic goals they have set. Working with students is not stressful for me and does not seem like work, rather a blessing”. As a young child growing up in Georgia, Carol recalls wanting to be a teacher, “I often played school with the other children in our neighborhood and was always pretending to write on the chalkboard. I loved going to school and would wake up at 5:00am in the morning due to the excitement!” It’s an excitement that has led her to achieve a Masters degree in Counseling Studies and attain over 30 years of educational experience. She is now the C.E.O of Total Learning Concepts, a private professional tutorial service, which has centers located in Lilburn, Loganville and Dacula. This center empowers students to reach their full academic potential by developing skills that foster self-esteem, motivation, sound study habits, and self direction.

Carol has honed her ability to spark a young person’s capacity by dedicating her life to assisting students through tutoring and helping parents determine when a child needs help. When asked if public schools are doing enough, she responded, “Public school systems are designed to meet the needs of the majority of students (50th percentile) who reside in their community. This means that there are some students who would benefit with additional outside assistance in their education in order reach their full academic potential and goals. It is important for parents to recognize this and applaud the instruction their school provides, yet recognize if and when outside assistance is warranted and then be willing to act upon this.” Carol recommends tutorial sessions for students who display the following:
a) Are below grade level in their skills
b) Are earning poor grades or grades lower than they are capable
c) Are attempting to reach a certain score on a standardized test or grade in a particular course
d) Are overly stressed at school and need a professional to help them develop the skills, organization, strategies and confidence to do well.
e) When parents have difficulty teaching their child or if the child is not receptive to his/her parents instruction or intervention.

Helping students is Carol’s passion, her mission in life. Her goal is to not only educate the students but to also involve the parent in the process. She believes it’s an essential partnership to enable your children into reaching their potential in life. She urges parents to invest into their children’s education progress, “your children are worth it”.

Check out: www.totallearningconcepts.com for more info.

Posted on January 22, 2013 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Cover Stories Comments Off

GWINNETT BALLET THEATRE CELEBRATES A BANNER YEAR WITH THE NUTCRACKER DECEMBER 1-16

The year 2012 will go down as one of the most significant in Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s history, with new studios in Lawrenceville and new Artistic Director Wade Walthall at the organization’s helm. GBT is Gwinnett’s oldest performing arts non-profit, established in 1977, although with the events of this year, everything seems fresh and new to the students, parents and teachers.

Since its founding, GBT’s company and school have enriched the lives of thousands of young students and produced dancers who continued their careers in major ballet companies around the world. Each student has been prepared for their futures with excellent training, and each one enjoyed their Nutcracker experience which has been presented annually in Gwinnett since 1981.

GBT’s Nutcracker is also one of the largest productions of the well-loved holiday classic in the metro Atlanta area. Each year, approximately 9,000 patrons attend 16 performances held at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth, GA, a part of Gwinnett Center. 11 public performances during the first 3 weekends of December are a yearly pilgrimage for many families who often proudly announce to ushers just how many years they have been attending the show. In many cases, GBT alumni have continued the Nutcracker tradition by bringing their own children to enjoy this Christmas Classic.

The ballet is a familiar story about a young girl, Clara, who is given a Nutcracker doll by the mysterious Herr Drosselmeyer at a holiday party. Later that night, Clara is transported by the Nutcracker, who has been transformed into a handsome live soldier, through adventures such as battling the evil Mouse King, traveling through a beautiful snowfall, and arriving at the magical Land of Sweets where the Sugarplum Fairy and her court entertain them with dances by wonderful and exotic characters.

It is the dancing, of course, that ticket holders want to see. GBT’s pre-professional dancers are often mistaken for older artists by those who leave the theatre with the impression that they have seen professionals perform. Many comments have been heard over the years, exclamations that the dancer portraying Sugarplum was surely not still a high school student! It is the attention to excellence in classical ballet technique that develops dancers who can easily give this impression.

This year will be Wade Walthall’s first Nutcracker with GBT. He is definitely no stranger to this ballet, having danced as the Nutcracker Prince in the famous Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “Nutcracker: The Motion Picture.” Mr. Walthall’s resume is rich in experience all over the world as a principal male dancer in such companies as the National Ballet of Holland, the National Ballet of Spain, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and many others. He has performed in 17 countries and toured twice with Rudolph Nureyev in “Nureyev and Friends.” He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Dance from the University of Washington and a Masters Degree in Dance from the University of Arizona.

Regarding his first Nutcracker with his new company, Mr. Walthall says, “I love ‘The Nutcracker,’ and I am looking forward to producing it again with a new group of people. Audiences can expect some changes. Some things have been refreshed and are new. Yet much will remain the same as in years past.”

To create Nutcracker magic, GBT utilizes the talents of approximately 120 performers in three casts over the course of the Nutcracker’s run. Of course, the lush and familiar score by Tchaikovsky is an important part of the production, and GBT is proud to dance for 8 public performances to the accompaniment of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra. This 35 piece orchestra consists of professional musicians from around the southeast. They are led by Predrag Gosta, an internationally celebrated musician and conductor who has performed all over the world, most recently conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in November.

Preparing for the Nutcracker has been made easier this year by virtue of the beautiful new studios at 1800 Macleod Drive in Lawrenceville. At 20,000 square feet, the new facility can accommodate expanded class and rehearsal schedules.

There is certainly plenty of room for new students! After experiencing the Nutcracker, many young people will be inspired to begin dancing themselves and hopefully become a part of the Nutcracker 2013. GBT will be accepting new students in January, and will in fact have a special open house for new students on January 10th at the studios. Everyone is welcomed to come watch classes, have some refreshments, and find out how to sign up for GBT’s special dance instruction.

Tickets for the production of The Nutcracker are available through all Ticketmaster locations, by calling 404-249-6400, and at the Gwinnett Center Box Office. Ticket prices range from $13.50-$29.50 depending on date. There are discounts for students and seniors, and for groups of 10 or more.
Find out more about GBT by visiting their web site at gwinnettballet.org, or call the studios at 770-237-0046.

Open publication – Free publishing – More grayson

Posted on December 13, 2012 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Cover Stories 1 Comment

Meet Jessie Parks

Every artist has a certain “niche” in the world of creation – some are caught up in the film industry, others are involved in architecture, and so on. Jessie Parks, a local artist born and raised in Lilburn, has found her niche in the form of photography, but more specifically what is known as journalistic photography. However, behind her work lies several strong motivations to create and “to make”, as Parks herself coined the term.
Graduated from Brookwood High School in 2004, Parks attended college at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. Ever since high school, Parks had always been involved in creatives and the fine arts programs. Shortly after, she decided to further pursue her interest in the arts and attended the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts in Greece.
During this time in Greece, Parks decided to take advantage of the beauty of the Mediterranean coast and expand her portfolio by capturing as much as she could around her. She spent a lot of her time traveling which eventually accounted for most of her personal work.
“It’s just the things that are going on around me,” Parks said when asked about her influences. “My professor always called it environmental photography.” Parks goes on to explain that she would also describe it as a style of journalism and documentary work.

She notes a specific influence she’s had over her work by Robert and Shana Parkharrison, “particularly their series called Architect’s Brother”. She comments that their use of colors, textures, and an unnatural composition in their photographs in which were described by Parks as “dreamlike” and “surreal”, have inspired her in her photography. “Their work is also a strong emotional impact….some might say “deep.” I am similar in that sense, I also want my work to be powerful in not only a visual sense, but a visceral sense as well, tugging at the viewers’ very being…their soul.”
When talking about photographing people, she takes on an interesting perspective about the experience.
“It’s all about the interaction between you and the person [that you are taking the picture of].” Parks said. “I want to share the person in front of my lens with other people. People are my motivation, whether they are the person of the lens or the viewer [of the final picture].” She describes it as a moment of “documenting their lives” to “share with the world; to reveal them”.
“I love what I do. I love creating,” Parks gleefully says.
Now, Parks is gearing up for an opening reception at Framing Artistry on the 30th this month and the 1st of December to showcase some of her work. She is looking forward to it as a great chance for her to generate business and create professional opportunities for herself. Parks considers the show as mostly exposure, and that the opportunities would come from the people that would see her work.
“A lot of the work I’ve done is freelance like weddings and illustrations. It’s as-I’m-hired,” Parks remarked.
One of her strongest influences comes from her mother, Linda Parks.
In 1999, Linda was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor and was given only six months to live. However, doctors performed brain surgery and she was treated with intense radiation which resulted in her to live in a stable condition for about five years. Unfortunately in 2005, the tumor experienced re-growth, which called for more intense chemotherapy and radiation. Linda’s brain suffered necrosis, or death of brain tissue, which caused major physical handicaps.
“She wasn’t the same woman after that,” Parks says.
Linda passed away in January of 2012.
“A lot of my work had dealt with the illness of my mother. [It] was in response to her life. She was certainly an influence of what I’ve done. Loads of my work over the years has centered around her as my subject matter, since her story dominated so many years of my life. I am typically making art based on the people and events unfolding around me.” ⋄

Open publication – Free publishing – More grayson

Posted on November 29, 2012 by End Resultz dba Our Town Magazine in Cover Stories Comments Off

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