For the love of horses

Some of my earliest memories are of going to the racetrack in the morning with my dad. Growing up, my brother and I happily spent a lot of time at the Inverness Raceway. It didn't hurt that our house was just down the street. Horses are my dad's passion. He has owned 16 race horses in his lifetime. Because it was his birthday, I used the names of the horses he has owned in a typographical way to create an illustration of a horse. I based my design on samples I found online. The horses names are repeated twice.

West River Dublin was my dad's first horse. Minor Bill is the first one I remember and when he finished racing, he retired to the country where an older gentleman cared for him. Pine Bud Viking was the horse that raced Old Home Week in PEI, won and got set back. We listened on the radio. It was so emotional ... jumping up and down in pure delight only to find out he didn't win because of interference (or something like that). Burnin' Down the House was a fan favourite. People loved his name!

Horses have always been a part of my life. In my neighbourhood the kids "raced" around in duos – one of us the "horse" and the other as a "driver" holding a skipping rope wrapped behind the "horse's" neck and under their shoulders. My brother and I played a horse naming game. We'd go through the entire alphabet, each come up with a horse name for each letter of the alphabet, to which our babysitter would choose which name was the best. We'd keep score. Our poor babysitter! My brother, who is just as passionate about horses as my dad, finally named his own colt in the last year, Constant Hustle. Pretty great name if you ask me! Finally, the bread winner of all my dad's horses, 2-year-old colt, Drachan Hanover. A crew of us made a trip to Toronto in October to watch him race. It was so much fun. That's the thing with harness racing, it's always been fun. I had my first 2 summer jobs at Inverness Raceway. I can read a harness racing program, understand the lingo and now, in the summer, I take my daughter Lucinda to the horse races. At one year old, I was surprised by how much she enjoyed watching the horses run. She truly loves it. But not as much as her 2-year-old cousin Ryder.

My brother, in green & white (#8), won this race during the Inverness Gathering.

Lucinda's first Sunday at the Inverness Raceway in June 2014. First time having cheesies too : )

Inverness Raceway at sunrise.

Ryder keeping a close eye on his dad getting ready to take over the lead on the back stretch.

for anyone who has ever fallen in love with Cape Breton

There's something about Cape Breton Island that always stays with you. For me, I have been influenced by the rugged western coast of Cape Breton Island – dramatic sunsets, the pounding ocean surf, untouched forests, narrow dirt roads winding past century-old farmhouses, spending summers at the beach with family and friends. My childhood home of Cape Breton Island inspires me – always. Cape Breton is an unforgettable place. It is beauty, simplified. The collection I've created is for anyone who loves Cape Breton.
 
Let me tell you about some of my printed designs.

Cape Breton photography – mainly the west coast. My photos are printed on giclee archival paper. This gives the image a watercolour look. I've tried every kind of photo paper and this is by far, my favourite. I often have my photos printed as a standard 5x7 or 8x10 or I design the Island style image (below).









 

People who know and love Cape Breton Island, know and love the shape of the island. It's immediately apparent" to those in the know" where the image was taken. I illustrated this outline of Cape Breton Island. It can be seen in all of my Cape Breton designs.   





  

Small town love print – Inverness

   





Small town love prints – my hometown, Inverness. This print is 5x7 in an 8x10 matte, ready to be framed. I recently designed one as a wedding gift - the couple was from Cape Breton (Cape Bretoners in love). The image included a heart in each of their hometowns with their wedding date. Customers have ordered their hometown plus current home, a place they visited & loved and special locations for loved ones. Some people have requested the lakes be included and although I may do this in the future, for now, I simply want to show the outline of Cape Breton Island (I love how it almost looks like a heart).

The Cape Breton Calendar, along with greeting cards, were the first pieces in my 2011/2012 Cape Breton collection. They are 4"x9", a sweet size that takes up minimal wall space. The images are unique every year with the 2015 year featuring Margaree, Broad Cove, Inverness, Magic Cove and Mabou. 

 









A very small sampling of the 2014 Holiday Greeting Card collection. I had so much fun creating these cards. Last year I designed a few typographic cards. This year, over 40! Plus, winter scenes like the Red Barn in Black River at the bottom left. I will start selling my cards online in 2015. I mostly sell the cards in person at the markets I attend or through places like the Inverness County Centre for the Arts or the Inverness Bearpaw.  My cards have come a long way... The first cards I created, in 2000, were photos glued to card stock and personally signed.

 

I'll have my entire collection (including tshirts, onesies, aprons & toques) with me at:

The Mabou Christmas Market
Dalbrae Academy 
Sunday, December 7, 11 - 3

Last Minute Christmas Craft Show
Maritime Hall, Halifax Forum
Saturday, December 13, 11 - 6
Sunday, December 14, 10 - 5

Online: 
missbrenna.bigcartel.com
Free pickup or drop off locally. Just message me. 

etsy.com/ca/shop/missbrenna

Have a great day...

12 reasons to visit Cape Breton

National Geographic has named Cape Breton Island one of its 2013 places to visit in the world. I couldn't agree more. Here are my 12 reasons to visit Cape Breton Island.

1. January can be icy and cold, but as a kid I always loved that winter and snowstorms in Cape Breton were (and still are) kind of epic. I remember leaving the Inverness Arena after figure skating practice when I was 11 years old. It was so windy outside that my glasses flew off my face underneath a parked car. Can you imagine! I couldn't see a thing. The wind that comes off the water howls which always made me very happy to be cozy inside with piles of blankets watching good tv. January's photo is Lake Ainslie from the front deck of my mother's home.
2. Cape Breton fields and hills covered with snow. If I'm going to be completely honest, this photo was taken while driving along Route 19 through the car window (there was no time to stop...we were late for a family gathering). I love how the scenic shapes fit the island.
3. The ever changing colours. Lake Ainslie is so pretty any season but there's something about the shades of blue in this photo that I love.
4. The smell of spring. It's still chilly and cool in April but the ocean can be vibrant. This photo was taken so many years ago (with my film camera), before the new Cabot Links golf course was built. This photo was taken near the old Walker's Beach.
5. Backroad tours. My first time in many years driving around Cape Mabou was with my husband, brother-in-law and 2 friends from Halifax. All 5 of us squished into our VW Jetta. The dirt road narrows and becomes twisty and steep after the community pasture on the way to Sight Point. So much so that none of us spoke for 10 minutes during the scariest part of the drive. Has this ever happened to you? I don't think I can ever do the entire drive again. Now, we only drive as far as the community pasture where my dad keeps two of his retired horses in the summer months and we turn around to drive back to Glenora Falls. This photo was taken before the horses or cattle were in the fields to eat up all of the gorgeous buttercups.
6. Inverness Raceway is a fun summer activity. As a kid it was the funnest thing to do on a Wednesday evening or Sunday afternoon (unless it was hot enough for the beach). The photo was taken at sunrise after an evening celebrating a couple's engagement.





Cape Breton Calendar 2013 – January to December



7. Broad Cove is so pretty. I always make a point of driving around Broad Cove Marsh - it's like a mini Cabot Trail. This photo was taken about 8 years ago after a hot summer day spent on the beach.
8. West Mabou Trail offers incredible scenic views. Amazing walking and hiking trails that I didn't take advantage of until just this year! It was SO windy on this day as it was the tail end of a hurricane. A strong undertow but the water was surprisingly warm. 
9. I can't get enough of the pretty hay fields in Cape Breton. Making hay seemed to be the main way to make some extra cash as a kid/teen and usually on the hottest day of the summer. Ask my brother, he'll agree! I admit, I only loaded the square bales of hay onto a truck once or twice. This photo was taken as part of my 12 | 28 project along the Colindale Road. This is my new favourite coastal drive between West Mabou and Port Hood.
10. The sunsets. Growing up on the west side of Cape Breton - the sunset side - and having the chance to see the sunset over the ocean has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. That may sound cheesy but I don't care. There's nothing I'd rather than to see the sunset over the ocean every night and one of the many reasons I'd love to live in Cape Breton. This dramatic sunset is from the bridge in Mabou.
11. The palette of colours in November is often quite impressive. I hadn't been home to Cape Breton in early November in years. I usually go home for Thanksgiving and again at Christmas. But November – it was beautiful. The smell in the air and the colours still changing blew me away. The fall colours were extended this year, but I realized again that every month in Cape Breton is dramatic in some form. Old Ferry Road, West Mabou.
12. December – the most wonderful time of the year...especially when it snows. The red barn and snow – looks like home to me.

For those who can't visit Cape Breton in 2013, or those who want to experience its beauty year round, I've designed a limited edition 2013 calendar. See BLOG post here...

email: missbrenna23@gmail.com 
online shop: http://missbrenna.bigcartel.com 
facebook: missbrenna

http://missbrenna23.blogspot.ca/2012/12/cape-breton-collection.html

Cape Breton Collection

I started selling Cape Breton photo cards and framed photos in the year 2000. I can't believe it has been that long! I used to print photos at the Superstore and glue the photos to blank cards. It was quite tedious. Since that time, I've studied photography & graphic design and now use a digital camera, Photoshop and InDesign to create my missbrenna designs.

I'm truly excited about my newest collection – the Cape Breton collection. There is no place on the planet that inspires me to take photos the way Cape Breton does. This summer I fell in love with West Mabou. What a gorgeous piece of heaven! 

West Mabou on the best beach day of the summer the third week of August.

West Mabou trail the long weekend in September at the tail end of a hurricane.

I'm always amazed at the way the colour, sky and seasons intermingle. It often means that the photos captured are rarely the same. This is true of most places but there's something special about the Cape Breton sky. Last weekend (Nov 24, 2012), for example, I took a walk along the Inverness beach and boardwalk without my camera. I knew I'd regret it! The beach grass was a vibrant yellow, while the ocean was grey and rolling and the sky was moody but bright. It was freezing cold, but I couldn't let the beauty last as just a memory. I walked back to my car to get my camera and walked the windy boardwalk again. The dog was definitely confused.

Inverness Boardwalk late November - windy and cold but beautiful.

 

My newest collection features Mabou, Inverness, Broad Cove and Lake Ainslie in the 2013 Cape Breton calendar. The calendar measures 4.25" x 8" - a nice size that doesn't take up much precious wall space and are available for $15 or 2 for $25 in my online store or by sending me an email. This is a limited edition run - only 50 are available this year (25 of each design). I can mail the calendars (free shipping) or deliver them in person in Halifax (or my mom can in Cape Breton...hope she doesn't mind ; ). Images from each calendar are below.

 

 

 

Version 2 includes different photography for the months of April through October.

 

Some of the Cape Breton Island images featured in the calendars and as photographic art cards.

Cape Breton Island cards for greetings or simply framed as a gift or for yourself. I often frame greeting cards or place them as is on a bookshelf. Cards are $4 or 4 for $15.

If you have a request, please let me know. For example, any of my photos can be printed as metallic prints or giclee (framed or unframed).

Lots of ways to get in touch.

email: missbrenna23@gmail.com 
online shop: http://missbrenna.bigcartel.com
facebook: missbrenna

 

12 | 28 photo project at Lumiere 2012

For the past year I've been doing a monthly photo project called 12 | 28. I was inspired by an exhibit I saw at Pier 21 at last year's Nocturne. So, I started taking photos October 28,  2011 and finished September 28,  2012. During that time, the 28th happened on 2 Mondays, 2 Tuesdays, 2 Wednesdays, 1 Thursday, 2 Fridays, 3 Saturdays, 0 Sundays. The Tuesday and Wednesday "photo days" were tough because I work 2 jobs on those days. I often went for walks on my lunch break or took a different route to work to capture something different.

I started this project to give myself a creative challenge - to take photos one day, the same day, every month. On the 28th of every month I photograph the day. Why 12 - 28? My birthday is December 28. I make a wish when the clock says 12:28. I know, strange. My husband and close friend have the same September 28 birthday. My brother has a 28 birthday. It's often the most special day of the month. 12-28 motivates me to be creative, get inspired, to get out and photograph my surroundings. 

On September 29, 2012, I participated in Lumiere: A Nighttime Celebration of the Arts in Sydney, Cape Breton. Included are some photos from the night and a closer look at the photos from each month. Click on the dates to read more about the photos from that day on my blog.

Everything ready to go - 12 months of photography!

My venue was a vintage clothing store, Gala. 

Played a lot of R.L. Burnside and other blues artists.

Rick was so accommodating and I have to admit, it was fun to be able to shop 

during the evening : ) Well over 300 people dropped by. I love chatting with people 
and finding out more about their lives and hearing what they have to say. 
It's so invigorating!

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October 28, 2011

The October poster on site. 

What do you think of the Mr. Furley (Three's Company) suit? 

Good Halloween costume.

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November 28, 2011

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December 28, 2011

...my birthday!

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January 28, 2012

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February 28, 2012

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March 28, 2012

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April 28, 2012

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May 28, 2012

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June 28, 2012

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July 28, 2012

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August 28, 2012

With Brandon...the behind the scenes guy who always answers my 

"how does this look?", "what do you think of this?" questions. 

Oh and he drove to Sydney and hung the entire show...

he's taller than me ; ) What a guy!

**Which photos or months appealed to you the most?**

Nocturne 2012

Nocturne is an annual event held in October in Halifax. 2012 marked the 5th anniversary. For many people, it's their favourite Halifax festival. Personally, I LOVE it. I've gone every year. It's exciting to see so many people fill the streets of Halifax. The vibe is electric. There's dancing, music, paintings, mobile art, interactive displays, installations. There were 5 zones this year. My friend Amber and I made it to 2 zones - downtown Halifax and the waterfront. I would have loved to get to more. These are some of my photos from Nocturne 2012!

Dance at Night: I've tried to see this type of performance the last few years but the indoor space was always too full. What a great way for everyone to enjoy the dancing. Serpentine Studios this was beautiful to watch. I could have stayed all evening.

Below Serpentine Studios was Boutique Hair & Makeup for FREE! What a fun idea. 

Girls on the left, guys on the right. Inside there were televisions & video cameras set up to view what the opposite sex was doing on the other side. We went early in the night but I'm sure as it got busier it got interesting.

I loved the Khyber artwork, laughing bar and Nocturne lager. The paintings above are so huge. Posters from Khyber's past.

A laughing bar at the Khyber. Here's the menu. Order what you want and the the laughtenders laugh it up! The sounds of laughter emptied out onto Barrington Street. Crazy awesome.

I had a chance to try the Nocturne Dark Lager - yum - just before it sold out : ) I hope I can buy more at Propellor.

Lots of letterpress keepsakes at Dawson Print and Inkwell. I really should try to take a class. 

Food trucks are becoming pretty popular in Halifax. Downtown, near Grand Parade on Argyle Street is Nomad Gourmet. Nick Horne is the owner and honestly, he's as nice as the food is good. Try it. Support him if you're downtown. In addition, Food Wolf is another delicious and healthy food truck in town. 

This is such an incredible piece. It's called "Pound" and was on display at Seeds Gallery near the Seaport Market. Sadly it fell over and the right side broke into a number of pieces about 10 minutes after I took this photo.

One of my favourite parts of the night was Move! Halifax Circus in St. Mathew's Church.

Retro Robots, Rockets and Ray Guns Shoppe. Amber and me at the robot photo booth. Guns beat scissors I think.

A Barrington Street Dance Party! Amber and I were craving a dance party and what do you know, a cart carrying speakers and music appeared across the street from us. SOOOO awesome! Best way to end the night...just before some wine at Obladee : )