The online article mentions my photography book for sale. Please click here to order this special book from the project. All profits from the book will go towards the charity for The Stramski Center of Miller Children’s Hospital helping children with special needs.

The exhibit is now appearing at Phantom Galleries LA at 3rd and Elm in Long Beach and will only be up this Wednesday and Thursday, October 21 – 22 from 5-8pm and Saturday October 24 from 6-9pm.

Here are some of the comments from several visitors to the photo project:

“Your work is wonderful. I can feel the love it expresses by parents on each photograph. Great work. God bless you!”

“Beautiful artwork. I told you in person, but I feel that this is an important message that people need to feel, understand and comprehend. It’s personal, unique, enlightening and darn it, it just captivates the meaning. Thank you.”

“Thank you so much for showing the beautiful side of the incredibly beautiful people. . .Thank you for your work.”

“I must admit that your work is very touching.”

“Great work for bringing a sensitivity to these diseases/problems faced by individuals/families.”

“Awesome work and message! Wish the entire world would come! Thank you for bringing this to the forefront and celebrating it!”

“We were very thankful to be here.”

“Magnificent!”

Here are some articles written about the project by some great reporters in Long Beach and Signal Hill.

The Phantom Galleries LA has requested that we extend our stay and remain open on the next two Saturday nights, October 17th and October 24th. Our current exhibit is located at 3rd and Elm in downton Long Beach.

I will make a concerted effort to bring several boxes of tissues as I noted this last time it was needed. I hope you all can make it! See the previous blogs to know details.

This year my three children turned a wonderful corner. They became much more independent and I took a great sigh. I sat back and looked at them proudly one day and realized that my best work was done. I knew then that it was time for the next chapter, to give back, because I am so grateful for having a wonderful husband and three children who are healthy.

I started looking for a project to take on so that I could give back to my community, one that would blend the three great concepts in my life: family, art and charity. When I found the Stramski Center in Long Beach, California I knew that I had found a perfect match, a project that would resonate with me. The Stramski Center is an amazing clinic of Miller’s Children’s Hospital. They are great healers to many children of special needs and their families.

When we showed the portraits that I created to the Long Beach Arts Council, they placed it in the G.L.O.B.A.L. project for October’s art’s initiative with Phantom Galleries LA.

Above is a sample of the photography project that I created. I invite you to come on October 10th at 3rd and Elm in Downtown Long Beach to see the rest of the art project.

The Landscape

I’ve been asked to display my flowers again this Thursday, September 3rd at Gallery 741 in San Pedro (see previous post).

On Friday, September 4th, I will have yet another photo exhibit on First Fridays in Long Beach on Atlantic Ave., where we’ll have several of my favorite flower and female form studies on display at Elise’s Tea Room. You can find us in the Grand Tea Room and French Blue Room where Jean-Luc will set the mood on his classical piano. I will be there and hope that you will join me at this fun Long Beach event.

Septmember 4, 2009
6:30 – 10:00pm

Elise’s Tea Room
3924 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807-3502
(562) 424-2134

I photograph lots of families. And of course, pets are a part of every growing family. For some reason dogs just love me. Maybe it’s because I’m a giant kid. Maybe because the feeling is mutual. And so, pet photography is just a natural extension of family photography. I’m really excited because of a special promotion and fundraiser that we are going to do.

The sounds of barking dogs will be bellowing from our Pasadena studio on August 8th as we hold our first “Dog Days of Summer” fundraising event for the Pasadena Humane Society. Bring in a large bag of dog or cat food and you’ll receive a free 15-minute session and 5×7 portrait of your furry friend. It’s going to be a howling good time!

WHO: Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios, by appointment only so PLEASE CALL

WHAT: Dog Days of Summer

WHERE: 545 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 91105 (corner of California Blvd.)

WHEN: Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHY: To raise donations for the Pasadena Humane Society

By appointment only. Please call 626-744-9104. I hope to see you there!

Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills is located at:
6300 Forest Lawn Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90068

I have been asked to display my military photo project during the program and I am honored to do so. I am very honored to have been in the presence of the military families who I photographed for this project.

We Americans tend to think of Memorial Day as a day off from work, but I do believe that we need to remind ourselves that this is a day of remembrance of those who serve and who have served, and those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom and those who have lost their lives so bravely.

Please read more about my military photo project here.

The children who’ve stood in front of my camera have conditions including autism, Asperbeger’s syndrome, high risk infant development delay, craniofacial deformity and attention deficit disorder. I was simply blown away by the strength, determination, courage and love that these families share. Listening to their stories moved me in a way that is hard to describe, especially as a mother of three healthy children.

The fine art portrait exhibit will be on display at the final destination of the Steel Magnolia’s Home Design Tour from 11am to 4pm on May 17th, 2009. Below is more information about the Home Design Tour.

The Stramski Children’s Developmental Center, under the guidance of the Center’s Medical Director Dr. Gary Feldman, include Behavioral Neurodevelopment Programs, The Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, High-Risk Infant Follow-up, Sleep Disorders and the Stramski International Adoption Program.

I started as a commercial photographer so it’s a hoot to return doing something that’s a challenge combined with something I photograph often. The vision I had when I discussed this with Morry’s team was a combination of my brand of tasteful nudes combined with glamorous “Ava Gardner/Veronica Lake” inspired photography at my Long Beach portrait studio.

The great fun about this contest is that it’s a popular online vote – no judges. So you too could help decide who I’m going to photograph, voting goes until November 7th, 2008 at midnight. The winner will be crowned at the “Morry’s 70th Anniversary Soiree” on November 9th to benefit our local Historical Society of Long Beach. Yes, that’s right, Morry’s is a local wine store and wine and cheese bar that has been here in Long Beach for 70 years.

For more information and to vote on which beauty will be crowned Miss Morry’s see Morry’s website (navigate to the contest on the left).