Three Women

Sr. Francetta McCann, OP

I hope to convey a prayerful spirit through nature and people that I photograph. The wonderful aspect about the Art of Photography is that the beauty of nature is before us and we must not only find it, but compose and communicate it through the lens for others to enjoy and ponder the beauty that touches one’s soul. There is a real sense of communing and interdependence between God, humanity, and the earth with allow one to visualize the harmony of our world.

Often when photographing I go to a “sacred space” to ponder, listen to the world around me, pray and let the image before me become my prayer. That image then is connected to the beauty of God’s earth and myself.

The formats that I use are 35 millimeter, 2 ½ by 2 ½ (medium), and 4x5 (large) in the camera and in the darkroom processing. The subject matter determines the format that I use when photographing.

Most of my work is done in black and white. I do a solution with selenium toning of black and white silver gelatin prints I hand color parts of the image using Marshal Oils and pencils. This process is what was used before color film was invented.

From the time of photographing, exposing and developing the film – and to the process the final print to me is breath taking. To think, previsualize and actually see the final image appear before me is the Art of Photography.

The words of Ansel Adams, who was a pianist. He invented the grey scale Zone System. He would compare the white, grey, and black tones in each negative and print to a scale on the piano. In his words:

“The film is the score of the piece of work and the print is the orchestration.”

Judge Sara Smolenski

As a hobby, Judge Smolenski has been doing pottery for over 20 years.  She does slab work and throws pieces on the potter’s wheel.  Judge Smolenski has donated her pottery to charity for many, many years for auctions and fundraising events. This pottery is both dishwasher safe and microwaveable.

Judge Sara Smolenski is a Grand Rapids native.  She earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Grand
Rapids Junior College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan.  In 1982, she earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.  She was elected to the bench in 1990.  She was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court as Chief Judge of the 63^rd District Court in 1996.

Judge Smolenski has not only earned a reputation among her peers as a distinguished judge, but also is a proven strong community leader spending countless hours outside of the courtroom as a legal advocate, contributor and activist for several non-profit groups and organizations.

In addition to her legal work and community service, Judge Smolenski has established herself as a popular local humorist frequently exhibiting her unique “real life” humor for many organizations.

Judge Smolenski is a strong advocate for education.  She believes education improves lives and our
community.

Among many community organizations, she has done work with American Cancer Society, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, Kids Food Basket, YWCA, Hospice of Michigan, Michigan Women’s
Foundation, Senior Neighbors, and many others.

She is a frequent speaker at community events, educational programs, charitable organizations, and civic and community groups.

Evie Carrier

My goal as an artist is to connect with you—to create works that not only catch your eye,  but engage your soul. I want you to feel the crisp morning mist rising from the Seine, sense the gentle breeze blowing across Monmartre at sunset, and become mesmerized by the water flowing through the fountains at Luxembourg Palace. I seek to show you what it would feel like to shake hands with the characters you’ve read about, and to slide in and out of their shadows just as though you were walking in their steps. I hope you find beauty in what I’ve captured and created, but even more than that, I wish for a brief moment to transport your soul to that wondrous Moveable Feast that is the City of Paris.