Thursday, May 31, 2012

Checking In

In the rat race of the digital age, there is no irony involved with my last Monica Hoover blog posting, July 2011, ha. Kinda funny. I suppose Facebook keeps the most current updates., but thats no excuse - I should be using this purposeful blog outlet more often to share all the latest happenins...

So lets catch up.. What a year.  What I am most proud of is that my husband Justin & I had a baby December 26 2011. Ovidia Rose. She is our angel. We are blessed.

Everyone really likes her 4 1/2 month "bubbles!" photo, so here is another from that bath sequence:


Before Ovidia was born, actually right about the time we found out we would be having a baby, I started a greeting card company called Rescued Cards (surprise!).  I partnered with long time friend and amazing graphic designer Justin Clark of Clark Studios. Its been a very successful year starting our brand. Petco Foundation chose Rescued Cards to provide their promo holiday cards for their Petco in-store holiday fundraiser. In December 2011, Rescued Cards was in every Petco across the country, including Hawaii. Petco has over 1100 stores so we were very excited.  Now fast forwarding 5 months,  we have been working on our business development which includes expanding our card designs, website and the really important availability of cards to sell!! I promise they will be for sale sooner than later. If you are a fan - THANK YOU and please hang tight,, if you haven't heard of us please check out our WEBSITE and LIKE us on Facebook (click here) and spread the word & love.    Rescued Cards intention is to help rescues get additional exposure, hopefully money and hopefully ADOPTIONS!  All the people I meet and the animals I get to photograph through Rescued Cards is inspiring on many levels and heart wrenching at the same time. Now if only I could get more people to volunteer at rescues. Everyone is busy, I KNOW,,,,, but theres nothing like it - truly, its worth the small sacrifice of your time ;)

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I teach part time at the Art Institute San Diego, various photography courses and most recently a Photoshop course. I really enjoy it,  the students are great.. Its awesome to teach, inspire and influence other creative minds,  and for them to challenge and inspire me as well. Its refreshing to be immersed around the latest trends, technology and the ability to continue education in a creative field. You can never learn to much and you can never know to much.

AI shoot for Fashion Dept


My freelance life still consists of portraits, editorials, interiors, music (shows), fashion, food and product photography. The past year looked busy like this: Redfearn and Associates,  Bay Bird Inc, Petco Foundation, Barney & Barney, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, Valley View Casino, Simpson Strong Tie, JPR, San Diego Private Bank, UCSD, Flank Marketing, Foundation for the Children of the Californias, Westfield, Mixture, Promises to Kids, MAGIC, 2-1-1 San Diego, Sheraton, Starwood Hotels, Seal Fit, Savvy Steals;  So Cal Dining: Cavallion, Red Door, Brooklyn Girl, Stingaree, The SE, Crush, Sprinkles, Tailgate Beer, SIP (Del Mar), Maria Maria, Flavor Del Mar, Sublime Ale House,  etc etc.. I think the highlights for me were getting to photo the Doobie Brothers (ROCKERS!) Dana Carvey (HILARIOUS!) & Betty White (MY FAVORITE)...




On the fine art scene I've stayed pretty busy making photo panels. Justin was the biggest help this past year as pregnancy proved challenging when creating, but we persevered!  I had an art show May 2011 at a salon in North Park called The Lab A Salon. The art work is still up there if you haven't seen it.. We had previously talked about doing another shoot, another show, perhaps this will come together in 2012..  To all see more finished photo panels, art for panes and even animal panels click here to visit my online gallery.. 

Artwork at LAB Salon - North Park SD
I've had my artwork at Mixture in Little Italy, San Diego (high end furniture and art showroom / store) for about 1 1/2 years now.  The 4x6 CALIFORNIA piece has a huge fan base :)   Mixtures finest: Misty, Brumby, Brian, Rebecca & Michelle - you all are awesome ~ Thanks for everything!  Below is from a recent article in Riviera Magazine, written by Anna Maria Stevens..  She quoted me in the article.  You can see the online version of the article here pg 50 RIVIERA San Diego March 2012  (Below the California & HEALTH Pieces are mine).



Save the date for 07.21.2012 for the All Day Art event at Mixture. It is a one day event that will showcase the works of local San Diego artists,  and only select artists have been chosen to participate. Mixture will be offering 20% off of all art in Mixture.  For commissions where deposits are made that day, they will offer 15% off. Food and Drinks will be served! Hope to see you there ~


 All in all a GREAT past year. Heres to 2012 and all the irons in the fire! cheers.