Brewster - White Whyandott Bantam Rooster

Brewster The Rooster

The world is a wacky place. You run a photography business in one part of Canada, come home and tell people about it and no one beleives you. Fine, I can't control your thoughts, if I could we would have a different government but I digress....

The last several days I have been on a photography spree trying to increase my inventory on sheep. My son, who read yesterday's blog, was rather put out that his sister's lamb featured so prominently and so demanded that his special rooster, Brewster should be immortalized as well.

As you can see, my talents extend beyond horses and sheep. The reason I am blogging this is that several people have seen the previous posts and have commented on how "wonderful " "Beautiful" and "fabulous" the photos are.

First of, thank you for your praise. It makes my world go round. Keep it up!
Second, to the nay sayers: Wow, why did you ever doubt me?

While I may have decided that my days as a professional photographer are over, I love the whole experience of it. I teach 4-H photography and give workshops on how to photograph horses. Just because I don't want to do the business anymore doesn't mean I've lost the knowledge. Actually, I like to pass it on to others so I don't have to look at bad quality photos. It is easy to take good pictures with a few pointers so anyone can do it. Let's be positive folks. It is contagious!

So the next few days of posts may be few and far between. The above mentioned Rooster and previously discussed lamb will be making their showring debut this week. The animals are clean, the kids are excited and I am in need of a good night's sleep. LOL

Bella - Clun Forest Ewe Lamb

Bella- Purebred -Clun Forest Ewe Lamb

Yes, I am still on the Photography kick. My still life pepper is starting to wilt and the canvas is finally dry enough to work on today so with all luck there will be an assortment of art work for your perusal in the future!

I had to show off my daughters 4H lamb. Bella is a Purebred Clun Forest Ewe. That is a relatively rare breed in these parts and truth be told there are less than a dozen breeders in the country as a whole. I presently own 2 part bred Cluns and love how tough they are and resistant to any sort of bug or gunk that comes their way. No hot house flowers here so when Anna wanted to do the sheep project in 4H I figured lets get a purebred.

When she started training Bella it did not look good and I seriously second guessed my judgement in regards to a "showable " animal. Bella pulled moves WWF wrestlers would have been proud of! So when Anna announces she wants to walk her lamb in the exhibition parade I, as a mother immediately began to stress out. A long walk, a hot day and lots of scary things to help fuel a sheep's flight into orbit. Yikes.

To Anna's credit she never gave up. She walked that lamb everywhere and mauled her like a child would a kitten.

Parade day arrives and so do we to the many varied and speculative eyes. One well known shepherd who's grandkids are in the sheep program (and are really good) looked at Bella and said, "She's a Clun." As if that was enough to find her guilty of some unknown sheep law, Anna smiled , hugged her and then proudly trudged of to 4-H float.

It took about 2 seconds for throngs of folks to mob Anna and Bella. I needn't have worried. Anna beamed with pride as her pristine lamb stood still to be rubbed, petted and gushed over. Another sheep member who is from a dairy family decided to walk with Anna during the parade and by the end of it he was in love with Bella saying he thought sheep were "cool".

Anna and Bella and escort stopped many times along the parade route and lots of people both young and old got to touch a sheep. For many of them it was the first time.

I walked along behind with another shepherd and we were both blown away by how well behaved and forward moving Bella was. As we neared the end of the parade route my friend laughed disbelievingly, "I would never have picked a Clun for a 4-H project but wow, she is a bomb proof lamb." No greater praise was given and I didn't have to tell Anna. She was so proud of her little lamb as she announced.

"I knew she could do it Mom."

I now know she can to. As a parent it was one of those new steps in life where you realize your kids are growing up and they don't need your assistance quite as much as you think. It is actually a great feeling.

I would me remiss if I did not include my son here also. He is a big chicken lover. He has been in the poultry project for many years and he was quite pleased to be in the parade (on the float and NOT walking) and showing off his bantam White Whyandott Rooster, Brewster. I was focused on Bella and the catastrophe that didn't happen but I was told that Brewster sat on the edge of the float watching the world go by and occassionally clucked at the crowd.

So all in all it was a great day. All the Fullerton farm animals came- went- saw and returned home in great shape. Lets hope all future journeys fare the same!

Whats up? Angora yearling

Big Bear- Romney Ram

This fellow I had seen last year at the sale where Delia had bought him and WOW did he ever grow in the last 12 months! I saw alot of black babies in the flock all due to his new genetics.

Shetland Romney Ewe

This little critter was as wild as the day is long and she paused long enough for my camera to catch her, but thats all! Even the sunlight never touched her!

Catch me if you can!

Does this hair make me look fat? Angora Goat

Backlit Ewes with Vista

Still no new works but plenty of inspiration and reference photos happening in this neck of the woods.

I spent several hours last evening traipsing throught the back hills of Pictou County with an old friend capturing a flock of elusive sheep on film. While there were no bugs to contend with the sun was stingy in its appearance and it was hard to get those great shots I knew were there.

As usual my photos lean more towards the portrait type as I love the individual aspects as opposed to the "total landscape" because it is the individuals that shape our lives in the end, not the lone tree on the lonely hillock.

I usually dislike goats. ALOT. I haven't forgiven the species since a herd (literally...there were 7) used my brand new, only 24 hours old car to play on. They scampered up the trunk, danced on the roof and skidded down the windsheild and hood. Try explaining why the family pride and joy has road rash and skid marks on it to your flabbergasted hubby.

Anyways, Delia, being a breeder of fleece sheep, also raises Angora goats which produce the luxurious product known as cashmere. I am not talking about the toilet paper. These goats were a hoot and they left my car alone so for that reason alon I am giving these fellows a second chance! I loved the extreme amount of fleece they grew. Did you know that they need to be shorn 2 x a year?? The one yearling I swear had to be blind, there was no way he could see through that mass of curls he was sporting. I am going to use him as an example to my son who is in that "long wool" stage and tell him "Yes dear, I LOVE your long hair...you remind me of that goat at Delias!"

I'll let you know if it has the impact I am hoping for. You know the one, the one where he agrees he needs to be "shorn" twice a year to!!!!

Border Collie

North Country Cheviot ewe

The past couple of days have been crazy around here to say the least and I don't have any new finished works to display. I started a still life of a pepper with a vivid red background and the rotter refuses to dry!! Ugghh. I hate when that happens!

I have a keen interest in sheep and so tonight I ran out to a friends farm to hopefully catch a few shots of her ewes in the failing light. It is supposed to rain for the next three days so I took a chance. Even though the light is not perfect in this shot there was something soft and peaceful about the whole thing that appeals to me. I also took one of the resident Border Collie who decided I wasn't worth the effort and refused to spare me a backward glance. I still think it is a cool shot.

Who knows, maybe they will make a great winters night painting!!

Busch Garden Flamingo 5x7 Oil
$175 +S/H

This little fellow caused me all sorts of consternation when I first decided to attempt to paint him. The photo my husband had taken while we were visiting Busch Gardens in Florida had captivated me, I longed to capture him in oils (the bird not my husband!!).

The issue was my somewhat justified fear of the colour. For someone who specializes in horses and cows and dogs this super cool coloured bird caused me to doubt my abilities more then once.

Then I decided to be like a teenager on a hot summer day and take a great big running leap into that lake. You know the one...the one that instantly freezes your reproductive organs and limits your ability to procreate for what seems like an eternity!

I must say that when I surfaced for air I felt refreshed and glad I took that plunge. Pushing wild coloured paint around the canvas had me smiling from ear to ear and the result is one that I am pleased to call my own.

Now back to the task of painting harness. Yes I am still bumbling with the miles and miles of Standardbred harness that my newest venture seems to be wrapped up in. Just like those racehorses I know the finish line is just around the next bend..it is you know a circular track!!

Hard to Handle #2 Work in progress

How do you dry out your contacts and cross your eyes permanently? Spend hours painting Standardbred harness!!

After my rant a few days back about hating this painting I am now feeling excitment when I work on it. I don't know if it was the vanquishing of inner demons or the feeling of accomplishment that has brought on this feeling of euphoria but I am glad there is a positive change!

I have several new paintings started as well and if I am not careful the studio will be polluted with half finished pieces and nothing to show for all the effort!

Today I have to make the sad journey to a gallery that has been handling my work. They are shutting down that portion of their operation and moving to a new location where she can focus purely on the framing aspect of her business. So I will be picking up my paintings and bringing them home.

Poor Dave, here he thought that once they were out of the house they would be gone for good! It is a good job he doesn't enter the studio often or else he'd really see the stockpile. OMG...I'm a hoarder!!! LOL

No Waiting 16x20 Oil

I love this painting. The light, colour and passion that the horse exudes is so empowering to me. I think that is why I am presently so drawn to the race horse series I am doing. Regardless of the interference/assistance (you choose) from man the horse knows what his purpose is. To win races!

There are people out there like that who want to excell and give their all, not because there is some big prize or monetary gain awaiting them but because it is what they do.

I was reading the Jersey Canada blog today and saw that Russell was proclaiming that he and the other believers in Jersey Canada "Can't stop thinking BIG". This Rush anthem motivated this group of people to stand even prouder and after reading Russell's missive I find myself humming that tune.

It's great to know that when one is reaching for the stars, you're not alone in your quest. For all my fellow positive overacheivers, keep singing. See you at the top!!