Look and Listen

Biography

Ms. Heather J. Kirk grew up in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, and as soon as the snow allowed, fled for the warmth of Scottsdale, Arizona, again choosing the convenience of a big city, with the benefits of a family friendly neighborhood.

Takings risks, accepting and even choosing change; and the importance of individuality and self expression, play major roles in Heather Kirk’s personal history. Heather holds a strange conglomeration of degrees, including Business, Spanish, and Social Work. She worked nine months in retail, but 12 years as a drug and violence Prevention Specialist. Her most exciting work involved a summer program called Students With Voice created for high risk students. The children danced, sang, created art, took photographs, learned from guest artists, visited studios, listened to writers, recorded their poetry on tape, then typed into the computer. The program received a Teacher Venture Arizona grant, and based on students’ improved behavior and reading skills, an Honorary Mention.

Using her many artistic talents, Ms. Kirk is a fine art photographer, author, and graphic designer. Her poetry and essays have been published on-line, in journals such as Bibliophilos and The Bible Advocate, and several anthologies, including Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul. Her photography has graced journal covers, and shown in various galleries and venues both in Arizona and nationally. Locations include the Art Institute and Gallery in Salisbury, Maryland, the University of Tucson MBA Office, Gammage Theater, Herberger Theater, @ Central Gallery, and iiMAGE;.

Her strong images, whether in brilliant color or sepia tones, create an impact on viewers through not only beauty, but their ability to invoke memories, a sense of peace, as well as joy. Heather J. Kirk’s book of poetry, and her photography, can be viewed at www.PhotoGraphicArtistry.CityMax.com. She can be reached at HJKirk@juno.com. E-mail there to join her newsletter.

Inspiration

As a writer, Ms. Kirk has the uncanny ability to get inside our souls where the deepest of emotions lie - often dredging up old wounds we would rather let die, buried in the darkness. Yet she knows, through her own pain, years of social work experience, and a deep Christian faith, that only light can heal. "We ... a spirit seeking harmony for a world that's out of sync" carries us with the author, Heather J. Kirk, on a journey of emotional healing, from pain to hope, stocking her first aid kit with poetry and faith. She takes the reader from an array of life's tragedies, and all their hopelessness, then moves well beyond them without dismissing the impact of pain on our spiritual walk.

As you progress through the book, as is true with life and trials, you will begin to see hope and purpose found, without ever ignoring the pain. Perhaps just co-existing along side it, while rising into the light.