Studio Tour Weekend is here!

A final flurry of activity these past few days-all is set for the tour Sat. May 19-Mon. May 21. There are photographs everywhere, in places never before considered as hanging space. Eleanor Brownridge, glass artist, will be here with me, so creative display was needed. It will all come together tomorrow when she brings her pieces. 

Weekend forecast is great. Unfortunately, neither of us will have our work outside because of the glass, but we will find a few minutes to sit out and enjoy the first long weekend. I am looking forward to sharing space with an artist whose work is such a contrast from mine. It will be an unique arrangement. Photos to follow once we have set up.

Hope you are able to visit during the tour!

BLISS!

How could a day be any better than today?

Perfect weather for a hike in the woods behind Baldy, the 4 x 5 can be backpacked easily even on rugged terrain such as this.  The Bruce Trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment here, ancient cedars clinging to the cliffs. Limestone boulders form part of the path, the uphill climb is steep but the rewards were many.  

Trilliums in bloom, everywhere! You cannot imagine how magnificent the woods were.The sun shone, the leaves are barely unfurled so the light in the woods was amazing. I could easily have shot another 20 sheets of film but the light changed and by 4 pm, I had to admit I was tired.  With still 2 km to hike back to the car, I found myself anxious to get into the darkroom.

But Stacie at the Kimberley General Store has the BEST butter tarts and coffee, a real treat after a long day. The darkroom beckons tomorrow.

I really do have a lot of work to do before the Studio Tour on May 19!

Trees in Black and White

Today was phenomenal!  Despite strong winds, the sun shone and my destination was sheltered. I spent the day with 3 trees-the largest maples I have ever seen. Still dendritic before the leaves unfurl,  they were at their most beautiful in the late morning. The 8 x 10 camera captured all their detail.

At the end of the shoot, I got out the 4 x 5 camera and had a blast. So much fun! Lots of work to do in the darkroom tomorrow.

Seasons have changed since I last posted. The Studio Tour preparations are well underway. Check out the new info on our website  www.tourofthearts.ca Maybe today's tree shots will be part of the show!

It made my day!

Cold January winds were blowing in off Georgian Bay. It was a day for staying inside and sorting photographs, planning darkroom time, taking inventory of the chemistry.

I was expecting a phone call from an artist who was considering applying for the studio tour and had a few questions. All I knew was that she is a painter who used to photograph using a 4 x 5 camera. That was enough to pique my curiosity.

At the end of our phone call, I realized how exhilarating it is to speak with other artists about art. Not about what pieces we are putting into a show, or the details of the craft, but about our own philosophy that drives our creativity.

And even better was the chance to speak to another large format photographer, one who had used black and white film, printed her own stunning photographs and was serious about her art-not only passionate, but dedicated to growing as an artist.

It made my day and gave me lots to think about as I prepare for time in the darkroom.

Studio Tour wrap up!

The Studio Tour was a lot of fun. It is also a great deal of work to prepare for the tours. 3 days of chatting is hard work for me...I love meeting everyone and talking about my art but at the end of it, cannot wait to put my feet up!

The tours are over for this year and it has been an interesting experience. If the tours take place next year or whether or not I participate remains to be seen. Each year, there is a greater number of events taking place on the weekends, especially in the fall. Just in our area alone, there were apple festivals, silent auctions, and also all the activities that great weather allows such as visiting the orchards, hiking the Bruce Trail, biking and other sports.

One visitor was surprised when I mentioned that  the outdoors was calling me on the weekend. There is always that conflict for me as well. Nice weather and I also want to be outside-in the garden, the woods, at the shore, in the backyard. Anywhere other than inside!

So I do truly appreciate that my visitors this weekend were able to combine many activities and also visit me on the studio tour.

Thank you so much.

Have a great winter. Please check back next spring to see what my plans are for the next season. I know there will be changes. And for now, I intend to be out photographing till the snow flies and even after that:)

Cheers!

Cory

Last minute prep for studio tour!

Of course, it wouldn't be  a studio tour without last minute preparation :)

I hadn't planned on new work but was in the darkroom this past week, working on film from Quebec City. I started printing and just couldn't stop....so I have a limited number of photographs from this work for the studio tour. They will be mounted but unframed 8 x 10 enlargements from my 35mm film.  Several will be framed for display purposes only. Not sure if there will be 2 or 3 or more.

I discovered why I had a sore neck when I was shooting in Quebec! I was enthralled with custom signs and rooftops-all of which meant I had to look up!

Hope to see you at the Studio tour this Thanksgiving weekend, 11-5 daily.

Changes at the Studio

It is fall and the most wonderful time for taking photographs! I love this time of year.

The studio is closed. There is much to do right now.....photograph, be in the darkroom, prepare for the Thanksgiving studio tour, travel.   Most of the film from my trip to Quebec City has been processed and I am enjoying the negatives as I decide what to print. Perhaps there will be some photographs ready for the studio tour, or at least some proofs.

The show at the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts was very successful and such a lovely venue. It has been a busy summer!

So, the next time I will see you is October 8-10 for the Studio Tour of the Arts. For further info you can check the website.  And of course, the familiar blue brochures are in many of the stores around the area.  I will be writing again before the tour.

 Have a great month.

Here is the new 4 x 5!

New camera!

It is my favourite time to be out photographing now that the studio is closed.  The weather has cooled, there are great clouds in the sky and the light is fabulous.

No matter where I look, there is so much to capture. Yesterday, huge white capped waves rolled into the beach at Wasaga. The escarpment was back dropped by a bank of puffy clouds like cotton balls and the crops in the fields are being harvested. So much opportunity.

I have a new 4 x 5 camera that is just waiting to be taken out! The film holders, all 22 of them are loaded and in the bag. The lenses are clean, new batteries in the light meter-all is ready. Loading up the car with the 4x5, 8 x 10, 4 x 10, Hasselblad and the 35mm, one never knows.....

The studio will be open for the Thanksgiving studio tour..  www.tourofthearts.ca  

August 6 and 7 Open Studio

Artmap has organized some open studios for the weekend of Aug. 6. All the studio are in Bruce and Grey counties. You can check locations of the open studios on the map.

I love the flyer and am attaching it, just for your enjoyment. The glass on the front is gorgeous and Tanya's studio is only about 10 minutes from the Corner House Studio. You could easily visit us both!

Click here to download:

Aug6.7_poster.pdf (388 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

Aug6.7_poster.pdf (388 KB)