Through the window

Woke up to a beautiful sunny, but really cold, day. The warmest part of the cottage was upstairs. I think we were at least in the mid-teens. Downstairs, despite a fire and electric baseboard heaters, it was a balmy 10C. We may want to insulate the floors sometime in the future if we are going to make this an annual Family Day event! However, the new windows and foam insulation that David worked on this summer was a saver keeping the heat in!

Amazing how quiet the Bay is this time of year. There were a couple of ice fishing huts not far from us and the odd snowmobile went by. Today however it was quiet. So…I decided to bundle up and stepped outside with camera in hand. Forget the tripod…too cold to set it up. My fingers and camera batteries wouldn’t have lasted anyways! And cold it was. I should have covered my face especially since I had previously gotten frostbite on my cheeks a few years ago skiing at Mont Tremblant in -60C (summit with windshield) temps. Yes…that was silly. But I had just gotten new skiis and the lift ticket was already paid for so why waste it? Anyways, the morning sun greeted me with beautifully textured snow and long shadows. 

The picture shown here was taken around mid-day as I was hanging out with the kids upstairs playing with them…and ahem…sneaking in some photography while I could. I loved the blue sky against the white snow and ice of the bay. The window framed the shot perfectly. And the tulips? Well I just loved the irony (juxtaposition?) of them. Spring vs Winter. Colour vs Monochrome. Shadow vs Light. Cold vs Warm.

Winter Cottage Fun

Decided to head up to our cottage for some winter fun this past Family Day Weekend. Of course, we chose a very cold weekend!! But I was rewarded with some cool clouds and bright blue skies. My biggest challenge was keeping the whites white while not blowing out the snow during daytime shots and staying warm. My best pictures were during the early morning however, I didn’t last too long out there as there was a vicious windshield (-35C) and my fingers and face were frozen. That and the ice kept groaning and creaking as it expanded with the cold. That’s got to be the most unnerving sound!!! Needless to say, I kept close to shore although I knew the ice was at least 1.5 – 2 feet thick! I’m such a wimp.

So I’m working on a few pictures which I’m hoping to put up in my website gallery soon. I’m also planning on showing a few at this years Ojibway Art Show. I may also show them also at Ben Navaee Gallery as I have a show coming up sometime in early spring. Of course, I’ll let you konw all about that when the time comes 🙂

My favourite pictures of the weekend though are of my oldest son ‘Ice Fishing’. Priceless!! Gotta love the Mickey Mouse fishing rod that comes with a red plastic fish all ready tied to the line!!

Red Bean Espresso + Market

Putting up a few photographs at Red Bean Espresso + Market (2118 Bloor Street West at High Park).  Come see the art, grab a coffee and some really yummy lunch or yummy baked goods . Better yet, go spin at RPM across the street, than chill with a coffee and a something to eat!! Thanks to the good folks at Red Bean for allowing me to display during the month of February!!

Happy New Year!!!

Ok…figured out the LR problem. Still don’t know why program wouldn’t let me import but it works again so I won’t question it! Thanks to my husband (again) for helping me with this issue. Did I ever mention he’s the BEST photographers assistant EVER?!?

Also, got my new monitor up and running and LOVING it!! The colours are so vivid and I’m loving the wide screen! Been playing around with a picture from the summer. Just love the colours. I’m hoping you can see how vibrant this photo is. It’s going into my Georgian Bay series and is classified as ‘Photo Art’  (digitally painted on original pictures).

Finally, I’ve got a few bugs to work out on my website’s Purchase page (I just found out about them).  I will get the issues sorted out ASAP. If you are thinking about ordering just contact me first via email before purchasing.

That’s all for now. Another late night but life is GOOD!!

New Pictures Coming Soon…

as soon as I figure out why I can no longer upload my pictures into Lightroom???? Ever since I did the HUGE Windows 7  update in December I can no longer upload my pictures! Arggghhhhh….

I’ve got a cool one to show you from my recent trip to Mont Tremblant, Quebec so stay tuned! Time to contact Adobe and get some help!

Christmas Party at RPM

A HUGE thank you for Mike at RPM for putting on their annual Christmas Party. I wasn’t able to get there until later as I also had my son’s nursery school Christmas Party but had a great time when I did get there. And hey…not bad…got to go to two parties in the same night. I’m such a rockin’ mom 🙂

Here are a few pictures of my fellow spinners and instructors. RPMer’s are a great bunch and thanks to all for making the spinning hour go by fast and furious!!

Cecile

One Week Left…

My work will be up for RPM’s Annual Christmas Party (Thursday, Dec. 9) and I will be taking the prints and frames down on Saturday, December 11. I’ve received amazing feedback on my artwork and I appreciate all your comments.  I also realise that we are all busy at this time of the year and I equally appreciate you taking the time to look at my photographs and flip through my two books! Simply said, RPM’ers are an awesome bunch and I love the ‘family’ like atmosphere that has Mike and all his staff have created.

 I hope to see you at the Christams party – I’ll be there around 9pm or so as I happen to have my son’s nursery school Christmas Party that same night and I’m on the Christmas Planning Committee…so I have to stay behind and clean up!

Cecile

PS It’s not too late to order a print or buy one of the ones that are on display. If this is for a Christmas present I can have the photographs printed out before the holidays. Finally, all my work is Giclee printed on museum quality Fine Art Papers and are signed and are available in limited quantities.

RPM Spinning and Gravity Studio…

now also an art studio. HUGE thanks to Mike Peshko for allowing me to show my work in his spinning studio. His walls are great! Large, white and track lighting. I set up my work front and center so as soon as one enters the studio you couldn’t help but see my photos!!

Last nights event was interesting. Lots of people but I don’t think many were expecting to see artwork at their venue. However, having said that I talked to a few really cool people that showed a genuine interest in my work. Thank you…you lifted my spirits!

My art work is currently on display at RPM for the entire week. Drop by and check it out. Better yet…bring your shammies/shorts and sign up for a spin or gravity session!! I hope to see you there and if you are interested in purchasing, have a question or you just want to give me some feedback (good or bad as that’s how I learn) please email me (Contact page of my website).

RPM – 2109 Bloor Street West. www.rpmstudio.ca