Leaders to be followed: Sandra Pearce and Ben Shirk I would like to take a moment and recognize two people who have become very important to me in this amazing industry of ours. Sandra Pearce and Ben Shirk, these two have pushed the limits of creativity and personally pushed me. They have been confidants in my creative process so I am very attached to them and feel compelled to let all who will listen of their accomplishments at IPC this year. Sandra Pearce, who is private about us being best friends, is one of the most talented individuals I have ever known. I feel she has not received the accolades that she truly deserves. She is fearless and big hearted, she will help anyone who needs it but don’t talk back or she will set you straight hahahaha! She is and artist in the truest sense of the word. No one that I know of works or creates likes her in this industry. She does it all herself, does not fake it and will show you just how she does it. She is a force to reckoned with and you should never think you are going to beat her at print comp because she will show you different. She is a leader, an original artist and someone I love very much! She received 8 for 8 this year at IPC and received Gold and Platinum Medallions with 5 loans. Ben Shirk, My gosh what can you say but DYNAMIC! He has become someone I admire a great deal and inspires me to be better as an artist. His talent is indescribable he is a visionary in our photography industry. The word I would use to describe him as a competitor is WARRIOR. He competes to win and anything less is a disappointment. I respect him for that mind set. He has become my friend and the respect we have for one another shows that two Warriors can compete fiercely in Print comp and truly be happy for the other. We both believe second sucks ;) I would like to welcome Ben to a very exclusive club, “Double Diamond”. Which means he went 8 for 8 and went 8 for 8 Loan; The best that you can do At IPC. He is the fourth person in PPA history to achieve this; the club is made of Myself Richard Sturdevant, The Legendary Thom Rouse, Mark Bryant and now Ben Shirk. Truth is, it is long over due. What you may not know is Ben has gone Diamond every year since the first year he has entered…No one has ever done this to my knowledge. I am proud for him to be in this group and I promise you he will be diamond each and every year he continues to compete. He won’t brag about it because he is humble and that’s why he is that guy! I would like to congratulate both Sandra and Ben for being who they are and not compromising their art and staying true to the artist way! Congratulations for this year accomplishments you both so deserve it. If you want be inspired and have a bar you can set your standard to, look no further you have two of the best right here, right now.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 04:52:36 +0000