To ever underestimate any simple road trip would be my first mistake! After jumping in the car with my close friend Aimee, my photographic mind started to visualize the day ahead. With camera in lap, I was excited to know that we were heading to the town of Bayfield for the day. Shopping of course was first on our minds, though our bright yellow NIKON strap on each of our shoulders would be a dead give away that we are on a mission, veiled in a nonchalant stroll through the quiet town. It is always a treat to travel with someone else who has a passion for the lens!
One stop we made was to a studio that wasn't even open...the magnetic bright colours drew us in, we couldn't help but take photos of this unexpected vision of stimulating hues! We were then met by the artist herself, a cheerful young woman who threw the doors open wide so we could experience her work inside. Her exuberance was matched by her obvious talent that was evident in each of the creations on the easels within. She spoke of her personal visions for the projects she is working on, also of her successes so far. We thanked her for sharing her passion with us, as we walked out of there quite speechless actually. I am always so humbled by those who are gifted with a paintbrush and palette of colours! Kristyn Watterworth of Kryart Studio (http://www.kryartstudio.ca/) in Bayfield, Ontario - YOU are an inspiration with your masterful talents, willingness to assist children expand past the daily boundaries they deal with and your wisdom of the art in which you have so wonderfully submersed yourself in!
After meeting such a gifted artist, Aimee and I were definitely enthusiastic to continue on with our own paintbrush of sorts - our cameras! What a day this was so far!
Having left Bayfield, we took a bit of a detour to explore more of the countryside. Aimee pulled the car over to show me an old abandoned house that slept at the roadside. I couldn't help myself and knew that I was going to wrestle the high reeds to get through to the property that held so much history. Little did we know at that point HOW many historical treasures we would find!
The countless old tractors seemed to be succumb to the fact that the trees, bushes and weeds were growing up around them, that soon they would disappear forever in the forgotten woods. The massive barn that once would have stood tall and proud by the house was now brought to ruin by time and neglect. Seeing wooden wheels on one of the contraptions made me realize just how long ago this collection of farming ghosts had started to convene at this locale. The old GMC truck was just filled with unspoken memories that I longed to uncover.
What timely opposites we experienced in our road trip! From lively, young, talented artists selling their wares in an eclectic town to a forgotten farming graveyard complete with an abandoned home right out of a spine-tingling horror film.As I picked the endless supply of burrs off my clothes, I smiled knowing that I had forever captured some of those hidden stories with my lens. A big thanks to you Aimee for being a wonderful friend! Until the next road trip! KMB
