The Break Up

Dear Blogger;

It was good while it lasted, but our relationship has run its course. I loved you once. I really did. But like so many relationships, this one has run its course. I don't understand why you changed. Oh sure, I've changed to.....but I still treat you the same as when we started. My expectations of you haven't changed. But you have.

You no longer let me speak my mind freely. You are shutting my friends out and won't let them talk to me. It's a form of censorship that I just can't tolerate any longer. It started off with just a rumbling here and there from someone having problems talking to me. But then my world became quieter and quieter as people walked away in frustration. But now, I can't even talk back to the few people who do manage to speak up.

Why? I just don't understand. Perhaps you are tired too. Perhaps you just don't want to do this anymore. You know there are plenty of fish in the sea. Sure you are unique, but so are the other fish.

I haven't decided what direction I'll take now. I need a period of mourning to get over our break up. I've been seeing Facebook for awhile now and have a few fans that can speak freely to me there. Perhaps that's all I need. Or there's also my business blog, but I'm not sure about mixing business with pleasure. Or maybe I'll just remain single and hang out with the other birds at Twitter. Or maybe I'll start something completely new. I just don't want to end up with the break-up Blog. I don't want to start a new relationship too soon only to have it fail before it even gets a chance.

I wish you well dear Blogger. I'll have fond memories of you and the fun we've had together.

Love,
Roberta
xoxo

Winsome Waters

Winsome Waters, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

How many people wear different faces all the time? At once warm and glowing while underneath cold and desolate? An act of different characters depending solely on the audience. A world of make believe and half truths. Parts of themselves hidden under a blanket of disguise. Pretending to be someone they really aren't. Curtains half rising between the acts to reveal glimpses into the other self. Trust swirling in the windswept dust of the stage's floor. Easily lost.

Herman Melville wrote:

For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all the horrors of the half known life.

Round About

Round About, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

We went into the fair last Wednesday night. I had intended to stay until dark and get some long exposure shots, but I ended up not feeling well. Combined with the fact we still had to drive an hour to get home, and my husband had to work the next day we called it quits before dark.

The hour at which it gets dark up here in the summer is a real disadvantage to night photography. Sunset is officially at 9:41 PM right now, but it isn't really dark until at least 11 PM. It's also a disadvantage for early morning shots. Sunrise is 5:30 AM, but as with the sunsets, it starts getting light out much earlier.

Of course, our latitude works for us during winter when you can catch the early morning and evening light on the same outing!

Down In The Valley

Down In The Valley, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

Another image taken on our back country photo shoot. I'd like to go back out again on my own during the week when it's a little quieter, but it's not going to happen for awhile. During the weekends the back country gets crowded with campers, quadding, horseback riders, fishermen, and just about any other outdoor activities you can think of.

The area is vast, so it's not like there are people on top of you every time you turn around, but traffic can, at times, by heavier than a person wants. Especially since you are driving on very narrow gravel roads. Sometimes it gets a little dicey as you go around a corner and suddenly meet a big camper unit pulling a horse trailer. And then there are the macho rednecks who don't slow down for anything. 9 times out of 10 they are the ones with quads. They are driving too fast to begin with and would hit you head on before they'd even think to slow down a little.

A week day visit would certainly reduce a good portion of that traffic, but then you'd probably be more likely to run into logging traffic, which would be worse on some stretches of the road!

Wild Bob

Wild Bob, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

This was one of the two young castaway stallions we saw on our trip to the west country on the 12th. I'm pretty sure there was a larger group of wild horses nearby as I'd seen some small footprints in the mud from a young foal. There were lots of other footprints and the tell-tale droppings. It's the droppings that first alerts you to the presence of the wild horses. The quantity and pattern is different from what a horse and rider, or even a group of horses and riders, would produce.



This guy wouldn't come out of the trees as long as we were nearby. Poor thing was horribly camera shy. I can't really blame him, mind you. There are lots of wild horses shot in the west country every year.

I added this last photo in to show how similar these horses all look. This one was taken in January 2007 and was another young stud that had been kicked out of the herd. I don't know what happens to all the extra males. I suspect many of them end up killed either by humans, predators, or other stallions. They are all beautiful animals though and it is a huge thrill to stumble upon them out in the wilderness.

Cottage Campfire

Cottage Campfire, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

Is there anything better than being a kid at the cottage for the summer? Having a few friends gathered round the campfire while you watch the setting sun?

Sunday Drivers

Sunday Drivers, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend why not take a drive to Rocky Mountain House for the 4th annual artist Studio Tour. I'll be participating at the studios of glass artist Lisa Head Harbidge. Would love to sit and chat a minute or two. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and the scenery along the way is always guaranteed to please.


View Rocky Studio Tour in a larger map

Family Of The Forest

Family Of The Forest, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

One of the interesting things about Bighorn Sheep is that they have fairly small home ranges - at least the ewes do. So once you know a location you can pretty much go there any time and find them. I know of at least 3 different flocks around here - there are probably more. What I don't know is where the rams go in summer. I usually only see the big rams in the fall and winter.



I don't mind seeing the ewes and lambs in summer though. Especially when they are willing to pose so nicely for the camera! What a cutie, hey?

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

Tomorrow I'll be hanging my work in preparation of the weekend studio tour. Then I'll be right back to start getting ready for the show at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies at the end of the month. I'm also starting to print the images for the Bilton Centre for Contemporary Art show in August. Then it's holiday time.

Our weekend photo tour was a very welcomed break from all the work this summer. My photography has certainly suffered as a result of all the shows and the preparation needed.

Semantics

Semantics, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

This is Crimson Lake. The name is so appropriate because this is one location that always produces the best colors during sunset. I have absolutely no explanation for why this location will always yield great colors, while the next lake just a few kilometers down the road or the one by us doesn't. The colors in this image are deepened by under-exposing the image a stop or two.

Falls At Ram River

Falls At Ram River, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

It's probably been about 10 years since we've been out to the falls. They are located just west of us about 50 km. The drive is mostly on a narrow gravel road, which can be pretty treacherous if there's been a lot of rain or snow. But on a nice day you are rewarded with some pretty spectacular scenery.

This is the first time I've seen people at the base of the falls. There were about 5 or 6 people down there fishing. The climb to get down there is pretty steep - not something I'd ever attempt, though I can imagine how great of image a person could get from that perspective.

Litmus Sky

Litmus Sky, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

From Saturday night......

We had a great day out shooting today too. Saw a couple of wild horses. These were young studs that must have been kicked out of the main herd. The one posed pretty good for us. The other was too scared to leave the safety of the trees.

Then we drove out to the falls and were greeted by a flock of Bighorn sheep ewes and lambs. So cute. The lambs also posed briefly for us. Capture some great landscapes, a bit of wildlife, and had enjoyable company. All in all a great day.

Tomorrow I'm off to Calgary to pick up any unsold work from the Stampede. Then it's gearing up for the studio tour. Weeeee.....

Shadow Grazer

Shadow Grazer, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

I went out with my nephew last night to a couple of the local lakes taking pictures. It has been awhile since I've done any shooting past sundown. I kind of forgot how much I love that light. I should have a good selection of images when I get the time to process them. Today we are going out to the west country so I will hopefully have some good shots today as well.

Someone had commented on this image in my Flickr stream, that they wish they were rich so they could afford to buy my prints. So I need to remind people that open edition, unsigned, prints are available on SmugMug where print prices start at just $10.00. You can't get much more affordable than that! If you don't see the particular image you'd like just send me a message and I'll see that it gets added.

Garden Party

Garden Party, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

If they can make paintings look like photographs, why can't we make photographs look like paintings?

When entering dedicated photography shows, this type of work is generally frowned upon. It exists in this grey area, not fully accepted by the traditional art world and not accepted by the photography world either. It is a merging of the two worlds, and just like ethnic people, it is a struggle to fit in sometimes.

There are lots of people that love the work, but where one is wanting artwork to fit into niches or definitions; or where one is technically oriented, it is disliked. People have their prejudices, and for that I feel sorry for thinking of all the wonderful things they'll never allow themselves to embrace or enjoy.

Wilderness Dock

Wilderness Dock, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

A little piece of serenity for a very chaotic life right now!

I went up to Edmonton for the opening of the Photo Show last night. It went okay - lots of people there and the venue, at the Jubilee Auditorium, is very nice.

Wednesday I got a call from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies asking if I'd be able to get 10 prints down by the 28th for a show opening on July 31st. Yikes! That is short noticed, but I'll fit it into my already busy schedule. I've got 7 of the 10 prints done already. I just need to print the other 3 and then get them all framed.

The upside of the last minute call from the Whyte is I'll get a little mini holiday in Banff. We're making it a 3 generation girls vacation. I'll take my mother in law and daughter for an overnight stay at a luxury resort.

Twisted

Twisted, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

"I would have thee gone;
And yet no further than a wanton's bird,
Who lets it hop a little from her hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,
And with a silk thread plucks it back again,
So loving-jealous of his liberty."
- William Shakespeare from Romeo and Juliet

Wagon Wheels

Wagon Wheels, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

The remnants of two wagons at the homestead. I wonder what they used these carts for.....

Family Reunion

Family Reunion, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

A hand colored Infrared of some of my cousins and their kids at the family farm. I used to play in this same yard when I was a kid. The first thing that struck me when I visited the farm as an adult was that the yard really wasn't that big; the ditches weren't that deep, and it wasn't that far to the road. I remember everything as being much bigger than it actually is. Because of that I try to remember how different a child's perspective of the world is from our own.

Memory Lane

Memory Lane, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

We had a small family reunion this weekend. Part of the days activities was a visit to the original homestead, or what's left of it. The original farm land was sold off a few years ago when my uncle passed away, but the home site acreage is still owned by my cousin. If the main farmland hadn't been sold it would have been in the family for a hundred years already.

It is disappointing to a lot of the 4th generation that the land was sold upon my uncle's death. Especially since my cousin would have dearly loved to have purchased it had he been able to afford it; or had it been willed to my two cousins instead of their step-mother.

I photograph and post about abandoned farms and the resulting loss of tradition in small family owned farms a lot. It is a very personal project. This small pocket of our family history will mostly likely be gone soon too, providing no strings to our ancestors past. No visible reminders of where we came from or who we originally were.

There was much laughter and reminiscing about childhood days spent at the farm with grandma and grandpa. We kicked at the cement sticking out of the freshly mowed grass where the original house stood. We peered through the doors and windows of the barns and other buildings. We fought our way through the overgrown brush and trees to find the remnants of the tree house we used to play in. Just a few boards and nails attached to the limbs of a broken tree are all that's left......

Corporate Takeover

Corporate Takeover, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

Daniel Webster wrote: "When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers therefore are the founders of human civilization."

Think about that the next time you are driving through the country and see an abandoned farmhouse. The land no doubt being bought by corporate farms. Or the next time there is a food contamination crisis. Or the next time you are buying your fruits and vegetables at the market, and they don't look or taste as good as you remember when you were a child.

This summer I would like to encourage each of my readers to visit a local farmer's market to buy their produce, meat, and/or grains at least once. To do so helps support the people who are trying to keep the family farm alive.

The English Garden

The English Garden, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

We did the Calgary Stampede opening last night. Things went well. I was surprised to see a lady from my fibre arts life also had photography in the show. Small world sometimes! The Calgary Stampede is the largest western art show in Canada, and the work represented there is truly the best of the best. There are artists there from across North America (and possibly beyond).

Tomorrow I have my first official press interview. My studio is a disaster area after the printing, framing, packing, and moving from the recent run of shows. I've got a busy day today, and we have plans with friends for this evening, so I don't know that I'm going to get the studio cleaned up before the reporter shows up.

Eek! Such is life! Maybe it will be a nice day and I can just host them outside in the garden instead!

Gardens In The Grass

Gardens In The Grass, originally uploaded by Uncommon Depth.

I am back home after a couple of days at Fibre Week. It is always a delight to catch up with old friends, and to meet new ones as well. This year I noticed a theme to many conversations of how things fell into place perfectly for people in key moments in their life.

Several people were recounting significant events in their life and about how easily things had all come together. I always enjoy the people so much that I tend to do the "am I making the right decision" thinking; in regards to which art I should chose priority for. The fibre work or photography.

Then I came home to an inquiry about a commissioned piece for a San Francisco hotel, and news that I'd be getting paid for the Planet Earth exhibition. Serendipity? Makes one think that maybe life does have a grand scheme after all if you listen close enough.