Tanya's Weblog

July 28, 2009

It's hard to believe it is the end of July already. The month opened with a solo exhibit of silver prints at city hall in Barrie, Ontario which ends in a few days. I've been pretty occupied with various photo assignments lately, and sadly not been able to concentrate more on landscape or still life this summer as I had planned. I now hope to find more time for that in the fall when things settle down a bit. Perhaps better weather will follow as summer turns to autumn, since we have had much rain in the area this season. Taking a few trips to shoot landscapes and anything else of interest in a few weeks should ensure some quiet darkroom work this winter which is always refreshing.

March 20th, 2009

Along with most Canadians, I have begun to stir from the hibernation of what seems like the longest winter. I must apologize for my negligence in keeping the weblog up to date. Unfortunately, my fingers, were completely frozen, and I was unable to utilize a keyboard properly. In addition to this, I have also been occupied with other projects that are now nearing their completion. On another note, I had been recently studying some interesting site data for journeysintime.ca and thought I would share it with those of you that visit the site frequently.

The top 5 countries that visit here are as follows: United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and France in a pool of about 54 countries that access the site regularly. Our top visiting spiders not surprisingly are Yahoo Slurp, MSNBot, and Googlebot, usually in that order. They, along with many others drop by many times a day. Most of our visitors are running Windows XP, a few Windows Vista, with Mac Os X, coming in third. The top three referring search engines are Google, Windows Live, and Yahoo. Most visits run a duration of about 5 to 15 minutes at a stretch with some going much longer. Friday visits are consistently high on all weekly reports that were generated, which indicate that the stereotype seems to be true, most people are not at their productive best on that day during a work week. The highest amount of visits on average, occur during the hours of 1 pm, 3 pm, and 6 pm throughout the week. In reports viewed, it was notable that on average 65% of new or “unique” visitors each week add the site to their favorites/bookmarks for future visits.

Weekly site reports are not always analyzed, unfortunately, as they are each close to a hundred pages long. But it is worthwhile to view them intermittently as a basis for measurement, future direction and site planning. So all in all, a big thanks to those who visit the site, enjoy the art of black and white photography, and return from time to time.

October 3rd, 2008

New Years Eve 2007/2008 I had the unforgettable experience of travelling down under to "The Land of the Long White Cloud" better known as New Zealand. It is a place of contrasts and raw unspoiled beauty. Because of the time of year the days were long and allowed ample opportunity for photographs. The people were famously friendly and the vistas were endlessly breathtaking. Trekking both the South island and the North Island was a great experience as both are very different from each other. My heavy camera equipment knocked me into shape and the trip was even grueling at times, but the discomforts were worth the views. The former island known for its' rugged mountains and fiords, and the latter, a brimming volcanic landscape, full of mists and mineral pools. I have decided to release some of the photographs, five, from the New Zealand series online before they are released at a live show. New releases of this series can now be found on the site in the following gallery sections "Places to Sit" "Modes of Transport II" "Rural Landscape/Lonely Places" and "Water".

July 9th, 2008

The last few weeks have been quite hectic with new releases scheduled to go out shortly and logistic site changes that I have been working on with Robin.

Some changes that took place are that the smaller 4x6 photographs in all the series which are offered at live shows, are now also available for purchase on the site. Shipping is now being offered free for basic ground transportation on any item ordered and will simplify the order process. This was something that was a bit of a challenge over previous years.

The paypal process has been revamped and runs much smoother as well and now calculates all variations of provincial sales taxes. Paypal is now the preferred method of payment and even those who do not have a paypal account can use a variety of credit cards for purchases through the site. Also, due to a reconsideration of US currency being utilized, Canadian currency will now be used in all site transactions online. For those Canadian clients that have mentioned this in the past, it should be a welcome change. Keep an eye on the site, as there are more adjustments to come in the next couple of months.

May 17, 2008

Spring has a way of warming the heart of every photographer out there. At least in a country like Canada, that just had one of the longest winters in decades. For the art photographer this means a new season brings a new opportunity to venture out into the wild and find the remarkable within the mundane. So what’s so remarkable about the wrappers and various bits of rubbish left lying prone after the snow’s melted you might ask? Well, once that nasty part of spring cleaning has been navigated, the smallest insect to the most sprawling landscape is fair photo game for shutterbugs everywhere. Photographers seem to be in the same league as golfers when it comes to warm weather.

May 7, 2008

You may notice upon entering the site that Tanya Schmidtke no longer exists. This is due to a change in my marital status. I will hereby be known by my maiden name which is Tanya Divjak. The process will take some time to complete, but notification to all business associates and relevant galleries has been given. All clients who have provided me with their emails will also be notified. All certificates of authenticity that were issued are still valid. All newly acquired photographs by collectors from this time forward will be accompanied by certificates bearing the name change.

July 24, 2007

After a little break this summer, it’s time for another show. The annual Kempenfest Arts Festival begins in Barrie at the waterfront on August 4th and runs until August 6th. It’s a great opportunity to get outdoors and see a large variety of work from artists and crafters, and some new ideas they have been developing through the year. If you get the chance to visit this huge three day festival it’s hours run from 10am to 6:00 pm daily.

March 24, 2007

Spring is finally here in the great white north, and very few things are as welcome as that. Ask any Canadian if you have doubts. I have a busy itinerary that kicks off in March, and continues in April and May. All of the exhibits during this time take place in Toronto and will feature other artists as well. The first show begins March 31st at the Arta Gallery in the Historic Distillery District of Toronto along Lake Ontario. The next show begins at the Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome) on April 9th which is also opening day for the Blue Jays who will play the Kansas City Royals. This group exhibit with other selected artists, will be on display in the VIP suites and will run until September 2007. My next exhibition begins May 1st and runs through to May 31st. It will be held at the System 4 Gallery with other art photographers as part of the CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival which is North America’s largest Photography Festival and features exhibits all over Toronto for the month of May from both Canadian and International photographers. For more details check the “News and Shows” schedule on the site dropdown menu. Some further details about these shows may be added at a later date so check back often.

February 2, 2007

Winter has finally settled upon us and the mundane month of February is here. I was invited to be part of a group exhibition in Toronto’s Distillery District at the Arta Gallery. The show is called “Rebirth” and it will be based on the landscape collections of eight artists. The seven with me are Spanish artist Rosa Guasch, Norwegian artist Tore Hogstvedt, Paul Teolis, John Knox, Tania Pernar, Sam Anvari, and Jon Butler.

The show “Rebirth”, will communicate “the vital connections between humanity and nature… to look beyond the rational and the visible, to reveal some essential truth about the world and our place in it.” The show opens February 10th and runs until February 22^nd 2007.

Opening Reception:

Arta Gallery
Distillery District, Toronto
55 Mill St. Suite 102, Bldg. 9
Opening Reception: February 10th 4-6 PM
Show Dates: February 10th – 22nd 2007

For more information call the Arta Gallery at 416-364-ARTA.

October 25th, 2006

I just heard today that one of the artists I met in the Montreal exhibit at Galerie Gora this summer had recently passed away. Dr. Evan Harris Walker was a well know American physicist who was inspired to paint with oils using altered computerized onscreen images of a subject. His images reminded me of MRI scans or some form of heat to colour translation. He seemed to be so young at heart, that it really makes me stop and think, he was about a month away from his death when we shared a glass of wine together. Although not a photographer himself, he told me some stories of photo opportunities he had missed in life and how he still wished he had captured them on film. He was a true character and his overwhelming joie de vivre was immediantly apparent and will no doubt be remembered by many.

August 1, 2006

The Kempenfest Festival (one of the largest arts and crafts shows in Canada with over 350 artists and artisans) is the next stop and should be lots of fun. The weather forecast for the long weekend seems to be optimal for this outdoor event with little chance of rain and less extreme heat of about 26 degrees celcius. This year we have a new location which can be found at booth #53.

July 19th 2006

The opening reception at Galerie Gora on the 12th of July in Montreal was a blast. Galerie Gora was founded in 1994 and continues to be one of the largest commercial galleries in the area. It's wonderful to meet artists from so many places. Montreal is an amazing place full of vibrant eclectic culture. For the few days I was there the Just For Laughs Festival was setting up tents in a park for the beginning of their outdoor events scheduled from July 13th to July 31st. Aside from that there was live music in many places, mimes and clowns along the streets, and of course, many jewellery artists. It was easy to get lost in such a high concentration of theatres, amazing restaurants, and many art galleries. Joseph Gora, the curator/owner of the the Galerie Gora pointed out my stay was not long enough, and he was right. Montreal is truly a city worthy of many visits. One of the interesting artists I met is also well known in other fields. Dr. Evan Harris Walker has been a pioneer in art, astrophysics, psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. One of the things he is noted for is unearthing evidence of Albert Einstein not being the sole discoverer of the theory of relativity, but his wife Mileva Maric Einstein playing a major role. This, of course, created tremendous controversy in the scientific community and drew worldwide attention. He is also an inventor with eleven patents, one in the field of solar energy and another one in the field of environmental protection. He's also the founder of the Walker Cancer Research Institute. Could it be art is after all, a science?

July 10th, 2006

A group exhibition at Galerie Gora in downtown Montreal will commence with an opening evening reception at 5:00 pm on Wednesday July 12th. I'm really looking forward to showing the work in such a rich cultural environment. Some of the other artists in this exhibition are Lee Zasloff (USA), Orhan Alpaslan (Turkey), Lian Golan (Israel), Hakan Bremberg (Sweden), along with other international artists. This exhibit runs from July 12th to July 29th.

Galerie Gora
279 Sherbrooke Ouest, # 205
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2X 1Y2

HORAIRE/HOURS:
Heures d'ouverture d'ete / Summer Hours:
Lun-Vend: 11h00-17h00 / Mon-Fri: 11am-5pm

Telephone: (514) 879-9694
Fax: (514) 879-0164
info: art@gallerygora.com

June 12th, 2006

The first newsletter was sent out a little over a month ago to those that signed up for email news alerts at previous shows over the last couple of years. If you didn’t get one and you want to get an occasional newsletter click here and type into the subject line SUBSCRIBE. Emails are kept confidential and will not be sold to any parties but used exclusively by www.journeysintime.ca.

May 31st, 2006

One of the highlights of going to an opening as an artist, is introducing a new release. The photograph is called "Winter Crossing", and was one of the subjects of interesting conversation that evening at System 4 Gallery in Toronto. I was thrilled that other art lovers and photographers saw the special qualities in the image that prompted me to stop and record it on film. It has been added to “Rural Landscapes/Lonely Places” here on the site.

May 1, 2006

Spring is here, and the igloos in Canada have finally melted. Latest news to impart is the kick-off of the Contact Toronto Photography Festival 10th Anniversary “Imaging a Global Culture”. This festival runs for the entire month of May and includes photography at selected galleries accross the city. It is North Americas largest photography event. Throughout the month CONTACT lectures will be held at Ryerson University, also six programs of films from around the world, May 12-14, can be viewed at the National Film Board of Canada, 150 John Street. Featuring international photographers including Martin Parr, Helmut Newton, Joan Fontcuberta, Nemai Ghosh, Carol Jerrems, Pierre “Fatumbi” Verger, Ian Thullier, Vic Muniz and Sally Mann. A guide booklet called 2006 CONTACT PASSPORT is being featured which is, an expanded anniversary collectors edition, it includes special essays and informative details on feature exhibitions, international lectures, film screenings, public installations, educational programs and details all festival exhibitions. It is available at participating venues as of April 19 and at Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges across Canada and internationally. Tomorrow evening, as part of the CONTACT Photography Festival, my work will be featured in a group exhibition along with John Barker, Nancy Gosset, Markus Hillar, David Johns, Harry Joy, Godfrey Jordan, Elisa Goldlust, Serge Chriqui, Irv Kochman, Alexander Radostin, Johan Sorensen, Kendal Townend and Sandy Trunzer. I will also be introducing a new release at this show which will be posted a few weeks later on the site.

Here are the details for those who will be in Toronto and want to go to the opening:

May 2, 2006

Opening Reception : 5 pm to 9 pm

System 4 Gallery

70 Wingold Ave Suite 2, Toronto M6B 1P5 MapQuest
Gallery, Eglinton & Uptown
Wheelchair access
T 416 741 5542

February 15th, 2006

What’s really great about the site gallery, is the variety of people that visit on any given day. Some of them are students, either grade school, highschool, or in post-secondary photography studies. It must be that time of year again, projects and papers are due and some of you (students) are emailing for more information on the photography found here or bio details. ( I never thought I would be someone’s homework assignment.) So for anyone about to email me or Robin (official web guy) for more info, you’re welcome to do so, but the response you’ll receive will be something like this :

Best advice to you is « check out the site ». Select the menu feature on the right hand side and a pop down menu will appear.

Select "About the Artist" and you will have your choice of three tabs, Bio, Artist Statement, and weblog (personal reflections etc.) Most students find the info in these sections the most helpful for projects.

There isn’t really a whole lot more on me or my work. I am not planning on writing an autobiography anytime soon either. So fill in the blanks with your own insights and good grades may follow. Lastly, remember, plagiarizing is never a good idea as even teachers have internet connections.

January 25th 2006

The new releases have now been added to the site and are as follows : « Horsepost » added to the Fences Gallery, « Impala », and « Charger » added to Modes of Transport II Gallery, « Hope in Darkness » added to the Unusual Perspective Gallery and « Tee Time » « A La Carte » and « On the Green » in our Design and Architechture Gallery for the time being.

January 17th, 2006

It’s hard to believe the year is now 2006. A fresh year ahead, a whole new list of goals, and twelve months to accomplish them. This year began with lots of work, that all too familiar cruch for time, and an interesting insight. Recently, as I was scanning the seven newly released images that will shortly find their way onto the website, I had an epiphany of sorts. One of the biggest enemies in a scan is dust, and this is even more apparent in winter with static being a nuisance as well. The scanning is of course neccessary so that a JPEG is created and can inhabit the website (as I am doggedly and unwaveringly still using film). Once the image is scanned there is dust that mysteriously finds its way into the scan no matter how carefully the scanner and image is scrutinized. So it has to be removed with the aid of software and great magnification of the JPEG, which brings me to that moment of revelation. During an enlargement of one of the JPEGS, I noticed that there are actually many possible images within the actual original image. This may not be with every photograph, but with quite a few nonetheless. As I viewed a dramatically enlarged image, other artistic compositions came into view, microcompositions, with the parameters of my 20 inch monitor acting as a kind of severe crop for lack of a better word. It was like viewing softly blurred compositions that appeared much like sweeping brushstroke paintings. This was intriguing, as in many cases it would amount to only 5% of the actual photograph. I have always cropped within the camera lens, and veered away from cropping a photograph after the fact, although many photographers use this to correct lackluster compositions or defects. But this extreme magnification of an image (possible with todays technology), and what could be found within it was fascinating. This underscored my belief that art really does exist all about us, we just need to tune out distractions to actually see it. Does this mean I will be switching to a digital camera for the purposes of fine art photography? Of course not.

November 22nd, 2005

Two days from now, the Toronto One of a Kind Show begins and kicks off the debut of seven new releases. This arts venue runs from November 24th to December 4th and features 750 Canadian artisans. Our address this year is N12, which is located in the center of the show, just off the main entrance. Afterwards, the new releases will be added to their respective sections, so keep an eye out for them online in the coming weeks. I also want to thank everyone who worked very hard to get me ready for this exhibition, you know who you are!

October 3rd, 2005

After a summer that passed without notice, it’s time to get back into show preparation mode. Darkroom work starts on at least four new releases slated for the end of November at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. The autumn is a beautiful time to be out and about for a colour photographer, but it also presents some wonderful lighting effects for the black and white minded. Hiking and making a day of it, is one of the best ways to stumble accross wonderful landscapes, and the autumn sunlight filtered through trees can make the natural aspects of a forest seem to come alive. It’s a short time now before our first snowfall which could be a month or so away, so procrastination would not be recommended for those of us with aversions to sub-zero temperatures.

July 27th, 2005

The summer is flying past, and like many people, numerous things I planned to do are still on that huge to-do list, that is growing daily. But one of those items is almost here and that is the 35th annual Kempenfest Art Show at the waterfront along Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie this long weekend. Our address this year at the show is #233. The long range forecast for this outdoor show appears quite good with a 26°C-29°C range and no rain thus far. With an annual attendance of 200,000, that should make a lot of people and artisans quite happy. It runs from July 30th to August 1st and is open from 10:00am – 6:00pm each day.

July 1, 2005

Lots of action here in Barrie, Ontario this coming weekend. The city was chosen to host the Canadian leg of Live 8. Top music artists internationally will be participating in this bid to raise awareness about the global issue of poverty in an unjust world. The ten cities that will be participating around the globe are:

United Kingdom - Hyde Park, London
Edinburgh - Edinburgh 50,000 - The Final Push
France - Palais de Versailles, Paris
Germany - Siegessaule, Berlin
Italy -Circus Maximus, Rome
Canada - Park Place, Barrie
USA - Museum of Art, Philidelphia
Japan - Makuhari Messe, Tokyo
South Africa - Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg
The Russian Federation - Red Square, Moscow

June 20, 2005

Well, summer is finally here, and it’s a beautiful thing. As a result, my aversion to cold weather, (namely winter) is no longer keeping me indoors. This, of course, is completely conducive to finding some amazing photographic opportunities while wandering around the countryside.

One of the places recently visited was the Grand Bend Motorplex where the 6th Annual IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals took place. Racing teams from across North America were present. I can honestly say it was a truly memorable experience. From the Jet Dragsters to Bob Motz in his incredible Jet Powered Kenworth truck. I have never seen anything automotive lauch so fast. Some of these cars reach past 300mph and complete a race in well under 10 seconds. The heat from the flames is extremely intense, and the sound and vibration is beyond anything most people have ever experienced. Ear plugs are definitely required.

March 31, 2005

With the "One of a Kind Show" behind me a few days ago, I can settle in, and catch up on all the things left undone. First I want to congratulate our winners of the free tickets to the show. I thought instead of giving away just two, I would make it four sets of two. The winners were Janet Fort of Toronto, Wendy Russell, of Toronto, Martha from Kitchener, and B. Perry from Oshawa.

I also would like to thank the crew at "Merchants of Green Coffee" for the wonderful java. You can check them out at the following link: merchantsofgreencoffee.com. On another note, I want to wish my friend and fellow artisan Shana Salaff the very best, as it was her last show, but we were neighbours once again and had a fun time. Shana will be leaving the shores of Halifax and going to Grad School in sunny California. You can see her site at www.wareshanapottery.com/aboutshana.htm.

March 2, 2005

Although spring tempertures are not yet present, the calendar says it will begin soon! The spring One of a Kind Show is set for March 24th to 28th this year, and it will be the third spring for me as a One of a Kind artist. I look forward to seeing everyone at the show again. It will not be too hard to prepare for it, as much of my work is still packed in crates from the last T.O. show back in Nov-Dec. Half of the certificates have been mailed to collectors, and the other half are still being processed. My apologies for those in the latter group. They will be out shortly. If anyone is interested in attending the show, and would like a discount admission coupon, I still have a few left, so email me with your address and name at admin@journeysintime.ca and I will send a maximum of two out to you. These are first come first serve. If you would like to enter a draw I am having on the site for two FREE tickets to the One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale email me at admin@journeysintime.ca with your mailing address and email of course, and I will do the draw on Monday March 14 with the winner being notified by email. The winners name and city will be posted on the site.

January 19, 2005

I wish I could say I have been working in a creative capacity of late. Unfortunately, paperwork does not qualify as creative, so let's just say I am trying to get organized. (This is not a New Years resolution either, but an ongoing battle.) Temperatures have been dipping to below –20, so staying indoors and being clerically productive, both seem to be a really good idea right now. Robin, is still hammering away at site changes, and I am trying not to IM him to frequently. Restraint, is after all, just a state of mind. He is doing a great job too. If you have any comments on the new site changes, or suggestions, feel free to send them to us. It's great to hear from our visitors and get feedback about their experiences on the site.

December 23, 2004

The new gallery sections that have been integrated are now live! The sections are titled, “Fences”, “Modes of Transport II”, and “Creatures.” The newly released Harley Dreams Series is part of the “Modes of Transport II” gallery as well as the Corvette Roadster prints. These were part of the new releases at the last Toronto show in Nov/Dec.

The notecard section unfortuanately, is not quite ready yet,(but will be up shortly), so keep checking back. Thanks to all our site visitors for a great 2004 as 25% of you return on a weekly basis, which is a remarkable statistic! I also thank you for making Journeys in Time one of the top ranking Canadian fine art sites on the web today and wish everyone the best in 2005!

December 15, 2004

Well, back again from a fantastic show. Couldn't put all of the eight new releases online yet unfortunately, as we are doing some restructuring to the whole site and adding new categories as well. But they had their official live release at the "One of a Kind Show" and created a buzz which was great. If you are looking for the four of eight new releases that were temporarily added to galleries, they are "Snow Circles" and "Self Portrait #1" in the Design and Architecture section, and "Ice Cold" in the water section. In the Rural Landscape/Lonely Places gallery, "Snow Fence" was added. There were also four new prints released at the show that will go into the "Modes of Transport" category about Dec 23rd at the latest, or so I hear, from Robin (my web designer). On a strange note, had a "Bonnie and Clyde" team make away with a print, which was quite bewildering, a few days into the show. As "Clyde" hung a distance away, "Bonnie" flipped through the prints on display at the speed of light, seemed to find what she was after, and BAM!! they were gone before I knew what happened. They must really be into the art of black and white photography to take these risks to possess it. No "Certificate of Authenticity" will accompany the print on that heist guys, sorry.

On another note, I met a Woodturning Artisan who was my neighbour for the length of the show. His name is Don Stinson. Don and his family reside in Tamworth, Ontario. He makes the most amazing bowls you could imagine, in a most artistic and natural fashion. You can check his work out at http://www.makersgallery.com/stinson/gallery.html. He is the only artisan I personally know that uses a chainsaw to create his art pieces.

November 18th 2004

Seven new prints will be released on the 25th of this month at the One of a Kind Show 30th anniversary. It will be great to hear feedback on this new cluster, and they will be added to the site shortly. I much appreciate collectors who have notified me in advance in regards to what they will be looking for at this show, so I could make their prints for them to avert dissappointment. It is quite impossible to forecast which prints will be sought in an eleven day show. Unfortunately, I have a slight case of Photophobia (sensitivity to bright light) after hiding in the darkroom some long hours, but this will no doubt subside. So watch the site for the new titles, I will try to synchronize their appearance online with their official debut at the show.

September 22, 2004

The funny thing about September is that after Labour Day, autumn could instantly arrive with rainy cold weather, or it could be warmer and more pleasant than August. In this case, the latter has occurred. The only notable difference is the shorter daylight allowance and therefore less time for camera work. Still, some wonderful image opportunities have presented themselves, and like many photographers (without digital cameras) I imagine how they will appear after developing the film. There is no instant gratification to that ever present curiosity, but a pause between the time the image was taken and then the actual development. I think that element of uncertainty and anticipation make the whole process that much more fascinating, separating the painter or sculptor, from the photographer.

August 15, 2004

After taking down the exhibit at City Hall, in Barrie, the prints went directly to the waterfront show, Kempenfest. It was a wonderful show, with comfortable temperatures and no rain. Following the show I entered the darkroom to fill orders, and thought, ‘it’s hard to believe summer is almost over. Where does the time go?’ Wherever it does go, someone had better get it on film. Recently, out and about, I have been tracking down more classic cars than usual. This is a seasonal sort of subject here, as many are stored safely away from our harsh Canadian winters and corrosives such as road salt.

June 1, 2004

A few weeks ago I received a good question via email that I would like to respond to for the benefit of everyone who may have had the same thought and not expressed it. Why do I use US currency on my website when I am a photographer based in Canada? When my web designer and I set out to create the site, it became clear that we had to think on an international scale. The sad fact was, that although I was and am a Canadian artist, I needed to use the currency most commonly referred to around the world. The US dollar is most often the currency international clients relate to, as I have also found to be quite true when I go abroad.

Many of our visitors are from the US, but interestingly enough in the research of our site statistics, the United Kingdom draws an even greater percentage. My work is in collections in various parts of the world and I am not specifically wishing to cater to any one country. I apologize if anyone received such an impression. On one last note, Canadian clients that order after a show or exhibit have typically emailed their intent to order, and credit card transactions with delivery instructions have been handled on the telephone to avoid currency conversion, if that should be a concern. For international clients, the secure paypal method is more convenient, with email communication going back and forth to clarify instructions if necessary. I check my email quite regularly. All feedback regarding my work and the online gallery is highly valued, and I am very honoured to share my work and vision with art lovers everywhere.

April 30, 2004

New shows have been added to the "News and Shows Section" so check it out to see if an exhibit will be appearing near you sometime in 2004. Behind the scenes, I have been primarily working on exhibits for 2005-2006. After being bogged in all the paperwork and scheduling it is now time to get behind the lens again. The absolute best part, of course.

April 6th, 2004

Catching a quick breath after the One of a Kind Show in Toronto, I settle down to write my weblog and notice I have been a very forgetful blogger as the commentary for March was missed altogether. Too many last minute preparations for the event are the culprit. It was a fabulous show, and I had an opportunity to meet many interesting art lovers and other photographers visiting the Toronto area, some from as far away as California. It's also a great experience to meet site visitors in person when they attend the live shows. The One of a Kind Show featured "Swing" in one of the public art displays and it is really great to see that many visitors recognized this print. The artisans that became my neighbours and friends for the duration of the show were Simon Trudeau creator of "Anemone", and developer of the most artful and modern bags I have ever laid eyes on. His display was spectacularly lit up to highlight the wonderful colours and textures of his truly unique creations. I hope to direct website visitors to some actual show photos soon that Simon took with his digital cam so stay tuned to the weblog for this. On my other side was Shana Salaff of "Wareshana", a very talented potter from Halifax, Nova Scotia and her congenial assistant Tamara Mabley. You can check out her funky but functional work online at her site wareshanapottery.com.

February 16th, 2004

Finally, the eight new prints are on the site. "Tranquility”, has been added to the water gallery. "Run in the Fog” can be found in the "The Trees” section. The "Unusual Perspective” gallery receives "Sunny Dreams”, and "Smoke With Eyes”, and "Modes of Transport” grows with the addition of "1979 Trans Am” and "61 Thunderbird Grill”. The two last prints would be better suited to the "Modes of Transport” gallery but for lack of space, will be contained in the "Design and Architecture” gallery. These are the "1965 Mustang Fastback GT” and the "’61 Thunderbird Sideview”.

January 7, 2004

A new year begins with the release of seven new prints at the Toronto One of a Kind show in December. The prints will be added to the site very shortly so do stay tuned. In the next months the task of planning and scheduling exhibits for 2004-2005 unwinds, as well as changes to the site itself. A busy year ahead, but never dull.

A few days ago, I was also notified that I am being featured in this months LIVE magazine, (a publication that showcases artists of various media.) Their theme for this month is "Best Artists of 2003." It is a real privilege to be one of the selected artists. You can check out this magazine at http://www.ionone.com/live.htm. One artist from each of the countries of Brazil, Australia, Hungary, Japan, Canada, France, Italy, Portugal, USA, and Spain are highlighted. LIVE had featured me on their cover back in April, which was very beneficial as the magazine reviews artists on an international scale.

November 14th, 2003

Preparations are now underway for the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. It will be the longest show I have been present for thus far, and I am wondering if there is something I could do to get conditioned for it, kind of like an athlete in training. I am not sure how to get into shape on a social level, after spending so much time working in a solitary state. It is an interesting juxtaposition nonetheless. Last year, I was quite ill and had a bad case of laryngitis during the first three days of the show, which can only be described as a huge challenge when hundreds of people are meeting and greeting you. I am hoping to be healthy, at least for the outset of this show. I am planning to introduce at least four new pieces during that time, and later add them to the online gallery. I enjoy releasing most of the work at a live show where I can hear the response first hand. I think one of the most surprising responses I received was when two ladies, unknown to each other, on two different days, began crying in front of one of my larger prints. It seemed one of these ladies was crying because it's meaning was one of loss, while yet the other was crying because she said it brought back many wonderful but powerful memories of her past. I consider it a wonderful thing to be able to see such a strong reaction to some of the prints. I am convinced of art being a universal communicator.

October 20th, 2003

Two new prints are now in the "Places to Sit" gallery. These are both images of a dock and no doubt bring thoughts of vacations to mind. The theme is really nautical in nature, but since I don't have a section titled "Nautical" yet, this category will have to do for now. Some viewers will remember these prints at my last show, so I must clarify that they are not new releases, merely new to the online gallery, and anyone who has not seen them in real life! I have been very busy with darkroom work lately. It is amazing how one loses all track of time when working with nothing but a faint safelight on in the dark! I'd also like to thank all of the surfers out there who have sent email commenting on the site and the prints. It means a great deal to me to get your feedback, and I encourage you to keep it up! And for those of you sending me email in your native language, I have been using translators to decipher them, and hopefully my responses have been understood when I translate them from the english language to your own language. If not, at least know I tried, and I hope you had a chuckle.

September 20th, 2003

Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to attend the last night of a theatrical performance called "Ravenscroft." by Don Nigro. It was a hilarious murder mystery set during the Victorian period riddled with questions and complications of every sort.

The set was unchanged throughout the play and each of the actors was a wonderful talent. Many of these same actors will be playing in the next production titled "A Creature Creeps" by Jack Sharkey from October to November and then "Arsenic and Old Lace" by Joseph Kesselring, throughout December. This theatre troupe has a fantastic chemistry and anyone who enjoys the live stage would no doubt be quite entertained to spend an evening with them.

The Cerridwen Threatre Project Inc. can be found in Barrie, ON and if you would like more information can be reached at 705-728-8934. And no, I didn’t take any photographs at the venue if anyone is wondering...

August 13th, 2003

I am still unpacking the show materials from the August long weekend art festival. Melanie Doane was one of the big acts to kick off the festivals’ weekend but we were to busy setting up for our show to catch hers. We did get to hear it though, while we were working. The first day of the Kempenfest art show was rained out. The second day followed with some wind and an award from the Kempenfest arts commitee for our work which was a pleasant surprise. The last day was much like the second. The weather reports warned of thunderstorm activity for the entire weekend so we know it could have been much worse and are thankful that this prediction was not accurate. Rain must be one of a photographers worst enemies during an outdoor show. Sadly, four pieces were lost due to weather damage that first day, which is a first for us. Surprisingly the attendance was still impressively high, although other events south of us in Toronto, namely Caribana, suffered worse weather, and sparse crowds during the same weekend. It looks like the winds were in our favor that weekend. Now the camera work resumes whether the weather co-operates or not....

July 26, 2003

This website gallery is a very interesting project. The opportunity to hear comment’s from so many corners of the world has been incredible and I would like to say thank you for the many kind words. I have been shooting film now for weeks and it feels good to be back into the location work again. I will be posting some new work soon, so stay tuned. Kempenfest, a waterfront arts and craft show in Barrie, Ontario, is coming up very shortly and I am preparing for another flurry of activity. For those who will be in the Simcoe County region August 2nd, 3rd & 4th, and want to see a live exhibit, the “Journeys in Time” booth is #233. This show draws an attendance of 250,000+ with artists from all across Canada.

June 6, 2003

Two new prints are now in the "Places to Sit" gallery. These are both images of a dock and what better time to think about hanging by the dock than June?

The theme is really nautical in nature, but since I don't have a section titled "Nautical" yet, this category will have to do for now. Some viewers will remember these prints at my last show, so I must clarify that they are not new releases, merely new to the online gallery, and anyone who has not seen them in real life! I have been very busy with darkroom work lately. It is amazing how one loses all track of time when working with nothing but a faint safelight on in the dark! I'd also like to thank all of the surfers out there who have sent email commenting on the site and the prints. It means a great deal to me to get your feedback, and I encourage you to keep it up! And for those of you sending me email in your native language, I have been using translators to decipher them, and hopefully my responses have been understood when I translate them from the English language to your own language. If not, at least know I tried, and I hope you had a chuckle.

May 12, 2003

Limited Editions and Fine Art Photography

Why do people collect my work? What questions do they ask before they purchase a print? What determines the value of photographic art? What is an "original"? What is a limited edition? To better understand the world of Fine Art Photography, I will try to answer these questions from my experience with galleries, curators, and from my vast amount of reading on the subject.

When I began entertaining the idea of selling my work I had a very important decision to make. Would I limit the creation of a print from a negative to a small number and demand a high asking price? Or would I not limit my work, as a result asking less, but in return have the freedom to share my work with more of those that loved a print? After much reading and pondering on the subject, I came to the conclusion I would not limit my work. Let me explain why.

Why do people collect my work? The primary reason is they love a certain piece. It reminds them of something, or symbolizes something, whether consciously or not. In other words, they identify strongly with the image. This is not unusual in the art world, or unique to any one particular medium. When I tell them the print may or may not go up in value, they are quite unconcerned. "That’s not why I want it, I just really like it..." is the frequent reply. This is the response of a true art lover and to me seems quite understandable. When I collect art, I truly do love it. As a result I am moved to display it, so that I see and enjoy the piece often.

What questions do they ask before they purchase a print? Are they digital? No, they are from a negative. Are they enhanced by the computer? No, they are made in a darkroom directly from the negative. Where was this taken? Very rarely do I hear: is it a limited edition?

What determines the value of photographic art? The value of photographic art is similar in some respects to any other art. Who is the artist? Is the artist well-known? Is the artist becoming well known? Many believe the number of prints a photographer creates determines the value of a print. Unfortunately this is not the case. A good example is Ansel Adams. He did not limit editions of his prints. A famous negative, "Moonrise" was printed many times over again by Ansel. He printed to order. In 1948 he charged $50.00US for a 16x20 of this negative. Today they sell for well over $25,000.00US. He made approximately 1,300 prints from this one negative in different sizes, but mostly the 16x20. This did not affect the value of this image. Why? He printed them and signed them. They are all considered "original". The 1,300 buyers were not concerned with a limited edition label. They wanted an original print from the photographer. The likelihood of creating that many prints of the same negative by hand is small indeed, but this is a good example of an unusually popular image and its value in the art world without a limited edition preceding it. A popular print becomes a valuable print. Which prints will become popular? Nobody knows. The people that first purchased "Moonrise" did so because they loved the print and wanted it in their private collections. Only later did it become popular, and valuable.

A photographer can limit an edition to 50 prints but he does not know if 50 buyers will actually purchase that print in the future. A collector could purchase number 3/50. But what if only 12 prints are ever made and sold? The size of the edition is then misrepresented. The value placed on the print becomes artificial.

Just by the nature of my work as a photographer, each piece I produce is an original. No two prints are exactly identical. Many are printed to order. Sometimes, it can take hours to create just one print at a pleasing exposure. All the prints are matted and signed. All come with a certificate of authenticity. I do not criticize artists that choose to sell limited edition prints, simply because that is their choice. Many are friends and acquaintances and no artist works in exactly the same way as another. Opinions on this topic are bound to vary, and everyone is entitled to them.

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The following article is copyright protected and reprinted with direct permission of Richard Blair, May 12, 2003. Richard Blair is a renowned fine art photographer and his work is part of collections around the world. He is represented by the June Bateman Gallery, in Soho, NYC, and The Barry Singer Gallery in California.

Limited Editions

A word about "limited editions": on the advice of my dealer, the Barry Singer Gallery in Petaluma, who is a member of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers, I do not as a general rule intend to make limited editions of my pictures unless I am doing the whole edition at one time and the process of printing is somehow unique for that image.

It has taken me over thirty years of very hard work to be in the position of supporting myself as a fine artist and self-publisher. I don’t do assignments and work for hire now but I became a self-supporting fine artist through working my way up doing thousands of jobs, many for the most prestigious and demanding companies in the bay area. There are only a handful of self-supporting fine art photographers. I say, collect a person’s work based on the individual accomplishment of the artist, and your love of a particular image, not because of a number which is ‘running out’. To me, editions make sense when you are making an etching and the plate wears out after making so many prints. This is not the case with photographs. Ansel Adams and Edward Weston did not edition their prints and I think it is pretentious to do so unless there is a reason based on difficulty of printing or the deterioration of a negative. What makes their work rare is the fact that hardly anyone can do work as good!

It is highly unlikely that I will make over 100 prints of an individual image. Besides, as soon as a photographer runs out of an edition in one size, they can change the size and start another edition. Thus my advice to collectors is that they should judge a work by its content, print quality or "inner glow", the rarity of the event photographed and the skill of the photographer, rather than by an artificial number put on the work to make it rare. The nature of photography is that it is a democratic medium suited to publication and it has the power to be a witness to events and places in the same way that freedom of the press does. Why turn it into a precious poodle?

Richard Blair

April 24th, 2003

It seems as if the spring has finally arrived in this small corner of the world. It would be easy to mistake the time of year for late autumn. Buds are hardly visible on trees, and the grass is just beginning to grow green. The sunlight has a less intense, pleasing quality to it. These are great times of year for photography, as often the atmosphere tends to have less haze than the heat of summer. The fieldwork for me is just beginning again, aside from the very few times I ventured out this past winter.

It was a wonderful day for a drive in the country, and that is just what I did today. The trek to Grand Valley, Ontario, (ten minutes out of Orangeville) was scenic and relaxing. The purpose of my trip was to visit the 100 Acre Studio Gallery, an 1888 stone country house, which is surrounded by some fantastic wildlife and gently rolling hills. Artist Elaine Sills, and I, met with Sarah Carvalho, both an artist and the owner of the gallery, and quickly got to the work of hanging our artwork. After shifting the frames here and there, we were finally content with the presentation of the pieces. We will be joined by five other Canadian Artists: Dianna Lejasisaks, Djordje Sekulic, Agnes Aru, Elizabeth Cooke Carlisle, and Margot Snow. I look forward to meeting these talented artists, whose original works I have had the opportunity to observe today. Many of us have introduced ourselves through the wonderful technology of email.

This show begins April 28th and runs through to May 4th between the hours of 10:00am and 5:00pm.

The address of the show is : 

232218 Dufferin County Rd #24
RR 4 Grand Valley
L0N 1G0 
Ontario, Canada.

Phone: 519-928-9656
Email: 10acre.studio@sympatico.ca

April 8, 2003

Five new prints have just been added. They are "Frozen Moment", "Three Trees", and "Trees to Infinity". All of them can be found in "The Trees" gallery. The other two are "Equine", in the "Unusual Perspective" gallery, and "Footprints on Sand" in the "Water" gallery. "Frozen Moment" and "Footprints on Sand" were released and first seen at the Spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto, and "Three Trees", along with "Trees to Infinity" are being viewed for the first time online! Feel free to email me with comments on the new prints.

March 31, 2003

Although I am trying not to make my weblog a weather report, I will still say that I am surrounded by large white snowflakes once again today. Life on an iceberg I suppose.

On a much brighter note I am home again after the 25th annual One of a Kind Show in Toronto. I met so many great people, and heard so many stories, I don’t believe I will ever tire of my shows. The response to my new releases "Footprints on Sand" and "Frozen Moment" were stronger than I had expected, and so with this fantastic reaction, I now have more energy and confidence to proceed in the direction my work is taking. I would like to thank my neighbours at this years show who became instant comrades, Catherine from Baraka Art and Décor, a very friendly, and talented artisan who specializes in original African soapstone carving; the boys of Bourema Percussions from Montreal who entertained us for five days with African drums and music; and also Christine Philippe, a very gifted jeweller from Quebec City with a fantastic eye for designing artistic pieces of silver, gold and pewter. What a great bunch!

March 4, 2003

So I have been fighting a sore throat and another snow squall warning was just issued. This seems ludicrous considering the month we are in is March. But it is March in Ontario, Canada, during one of the worst winters I can remember without going back into childhood. Have I been doing much shooting you ask? Are you quite mad? I will admit that my fieldwork slows down in this weather. But for all those people who have asked about winter scene prints, I did do some work in this icy season. Some of it in –27C temperatures with accompanying snow squalls. You really have to love your work to do this, or have your sanity questioned, or both. Not to mention camera batteries share a great dislike of ice cold weather as well.

I will be posting some new releases on the site next month, as well as bringing them to the shows. Getting fresh reaction to new works is always quite intriguing. I am now gearing up for the One of a Kind Show in Toronto on the 26th –30th of this month. This show is such a blast! The artisans are a high energy group, social and very team spirited, and the bustle of the city is invigorating.

You may have noticed some changes that were made to the site this month. Yes, this area, my weblog, will be an area I will be updating on a regular basis as far as activities, thoughts, and insights go. There is also a "News and Show Information" area now which is helpful as new shows and exhibits are booked. This is a constantly evolving process, so it’s great to have a section that can be updated easily. "Links of Interest" is also a new compilation of some neat, (mostly photographic) places you can travel to on the web.

I have been very busy these last few months, with the new addition of a Golden Retriever puppy. Of course he has been a real subject for me in these cold months. I figure if I freeze out there doing camera work, he can at least guide the search and rescue team to my frozen form. Dogs are great.

Tanya

February 12 2003

Several updates made in the site design including addition of this Weblog area. Check back soon for new entries.

November 2002

As any photographer will concede, the impression of an image is heavily dependant on the quality and quantity of light present. I enjoy "natural light" illumination first and foremost. As with any art though, many other factors come into play in the creation of a print. My main focus is the composition, and the significance of the image. Although composition is well understood in the arts, significance is entirely dependant upon the one viewing the image. I have found that the more universally appealing the subject(s), the more reaction can be felt. Although a complicated image can be visually stimulating, simplicity is often the most profound. I am often seeking this simplicity, which we overlook in our day to day lives.

Although some of my work contains colour, I almost exclusively work in the black and white medium. The absence of colour, portrays the subject solely in its form and texture. The more apparent these are, the better. This also further enhances the simplification I value. Although most humans have the gift of seeing in colour, most of the animals we share our planet with, see in monochrome. Their world is so different in black and white.

Sepia toning is something I have employed in many of my images. For a while, I produced most of my work with this effect. Some images lend themselves to sepia, while others to a more pronounced black and white. I have also hand painted some prints to create different effects. This was something my grandfather had done, a photographer all his life, when there was no other way of applying colour.

All of my subjects have been "found objects", and I have not moved them into place. This is something of an adventure in most cases. I have not digitally manipulated any of the images you see. They simply go from the negative, onto photo paper. I am not closed to the digital world, which is changing photography as you read this. For now I am just enjoying the art, the moment. Photography is an exciting field, and change is inevitable. If there were ever two words that meant the same thing, "change" and "technology". The invention of the camera brought great change. The camera has continued to change, but the art and thoughts behind the lens largely remain the same.