Pretty Bird

For the past half year or so I have been working on these birds which I shot at the Museum of Natural History, thanks to the help of Andrew Hebda. I researched the mythology and folklore surrounding each bird and compiled a sort of wallpaper for the background including images and symbols taken from the stories I read. I then framed them in antique oval frames.

This work is currently up at Argyle Fine Art until the 11th of October. Opening night is this Tuesday, September 22nd at 9pm.

Any feedback on these images would be greatly valued as this is very far out of my normal comfort range.

Miscou, Northern New Brunswick

On vacation this year we decided to explore northern New Brunswick. We found this place. There is little to tell about it except that it was one of those places we thought wouldn't be that interesting based on what it looked like on the outside. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was full of discarded things which make for good exploring and picture taking.

McIntyre's Motel

Well, it's been a busy summer with one show under my belt and another one coming up in a couple of weeks. (stay tuned)

I did manage to explore a bit on my vacation and came across this abandoned motel in New Brunswick. As usual it turns out the owners, Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre, passed away and it would be too expensive for the children to fix it up. It used to be a gas station as well and the cost of digging up the ground to make it safe is too great. Not to mention the damage that has happened to it over the last couple of years. It has only been closed for 5 years, so I was told by the gentleman who owns the campground across the street.

Roy Building

A call came on Monday from a friend who was doing some work inside the old Dolly's location on Barrington Street. He thought I may be interested in taking a few shots, so off I went to investigate. I only had 25 minutes to shoot the place. It turns out it was a Shoppers Drug Mart as well sometime in its past. From what I was told, this building is one of the many slated for demolition. The developer who owns it would have to spend a ton to put in new elevators etc. before even starting the plans for the place. This leaves him thinking it would be cheaper to demolish this old Andrew Cobb building. And this is how things seem to go...

Sisters Of Charity Motherhouse

The Sisiters Of Charity Motherhouse will have to remain a mystery for me. I was not able, with all of my bugging, to gain legal access to photograph the interior. I stop by now and then to see it's slow demolition. It pains me to know it will be gone and I will not have walked its halls.

Some History (Taken from Halifax History)
The Sisters of Charity have made their home in this massive building since 1959. The previous Motherhouse, opened in 1873, was destroyed by fire in 1951. In 2001 the Sisters of Charity announced that the Motherhouse no longer suited its needs. An initial concept to redevelop the Motherhouse building and surrounding lands (Village Park Place) fell through in 2006. "Deconstruction" of the current structure will take place this winter (2008-2009) and a large amount of equipment and infrastructure is either being re-used and incorporated into the new residence, donated to other groups or auctioned off.

Artist's Talk

This Sunday, July 12th, at 2pm I will be giving an Artist's Talk at ViewPoint Gallery (1272 Barrington Street). This will be a fairly informal talk about my exhibition, NO VACANCY: A Disappearing History. Admission is free and so is the coffee.

See my last post for further details about the show or visit the news page on my website to read reviews about this work.

NO VACANCY: A Disappearing History

With my exhibition, No Vacancy, opening this evening I thought I would share the reviews the show has been getting. Tonight should prove to be a lot of fun with KRASNOGORSK & The Moscow Country Club playing for the duration of the evening.

To read more about the show and discover some amazing websites and blogs see the links below.

Things Of Desire blogzine
Halifax History I recommend browsing this site as it is a very interesting look into our history.
View On Canadian Art
The Coast- Hot Summer Guide