Chin up m'girl, dont be looking down there..

I find myself looking to the ground alot when I'm walking.. I think this is due to a few reasons:-

1. I'm just coming out of a Canadian winter, looking to the ground is essential to make sure you're not about to slip on ice.

2. Alot of my artworks (and one I'm doing currently) involve finding random objects people have discarded, which are usually on the ground..

3. The wind tunnels in this city would make any person tuck their chin inside their coat..

4. To make sure i don't step in poo

Barrington st is THE downtown of Halifax, but the thing is that all of the shops along it have been closing, and it has a knock on effect, it had started when i was here last time and I don't really see and end to it as yet, I just really hope that freaks lunchbox and that awesome book store that has shelves made out of books don't succumb to what's happening around them.

So in these kinds of times i can definitely see why it could cause some to have thier chin down, but when i went for a walk recently along Barrington on a lovely day, I realized looking up, seeing all the beautiful architecture is one thing that Barrington st will never loose..

This is the wonderful bookshop

so sad to see this place close down

Looking up towards the citadel

The quote which is the title of this blog was said to me one day by a pan-handler..

Cupcakey's

Or Cupcake-keys for those who pronounciate more than the average bear.. These are all the treasures that my roomate and best friend Chanel brought back from EtotheNtotheGtotheLAND for me. Spoilt me rotten she did.. oh, plus she gave me a couple of pairs of shoes as well from Primark! One of the reasons that I absolutely can't wait to get back to the UK for is Primark :)

I LOVE this bracelet sooo much, but the elastic has snapped so it is now a necklace, which is still cool :)

Cupcakekeys..

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This is the yummiest lipgloss anyone ever tasted (yes that is including the raspberry one I wore for 3 years of high school and I still keep as a permanent fixture in my backpack) This one is not for sharing.. well maybe only if you ask nicely..

Edge of the earth

Edge of the earth photo from January 2008 (sorry about the dirty big copyright over it, I was a silly 20 year old myspace kid in those days..)

Edge of the earth, still untouched March 2010

A pleasant walk

I've had a great week as far as it goes with giving my camera a workout.. (which, if anyone knows how to get a shutter count on a Canon 30D please let me know coz I think that i might be coming up to it, but, touch wood, it hasn't showed any signs of aging right yet) and I'm really excited about some of the photos I've been taking.. But as the song goes, lets start at the very beginning.. a very good place to start..

Last sunday, walk through Point Pleasant Park with a new adventure buddy i've acquired, Cameron. These are pretty run of the mill photos but it was a lovely walk with great company, so here they are..

Shot with my wide angle 10-24mm Tamron lens

I loved this rusty tin can nailed to a board on the beach

Seagulls made to look old..

A random log and a window with a plant growing in it..

An inukshuk..

On the walk back, fun yellow house with a jet stream..

First Exhibition of 2010

So I've been being pretty lazy with my art making as of late, so it's always good to have something to look forward to to put things together for, like an exhibition.. So here are some pics from an exhibition that opened on Sunday at the Trellis cafe that is by a group of NSCAD students (not that I'm there anymore, but I once was..) and Is mainly all wall work.. If you find yourself in Hubbards anytime up until the end of March you should definately stop in, or if you're in Halifax you should make the drive coz it's really pretty there and all the works are for sale, if you see anything of interest let me know and i'll get you in contact with the artists.

My work on display..

Rachelle Chartrand

Rachelle Chartrand

Rachelle Chartrand

The following are my photos that I have on display, the versions where you can actually see them..

To Photoshop, or not to photoshop, that is the question..

I admit, I dont use photoshop too often. I dare say it is for that reason and because I have only Limited knowledge of it that i Dont like to use it, plus i really hate it when images are over-shopped. So tonight I decided to have a bit of a play around with some photos to make them look older (coz thats whats in at the moment, I dont think it will be in for much longer thou)

Original..

Fixing up the colour a bit..

Kickin it crazy-like

Original..

Original with colurs fixed up a bit and cropped..

Taking it to the max.

Chicken Burger

I've been hearing about Chicken Burger, a REAL cute little Diner in Bedford which has been there since the 40's and has a 50's style with jukebox and 50's size meals from my friend Krista and have been wanting to go for some time now, Finally went on Monday, Check out the pics i took on the new Nikon S8000..

Krista Putting money in the Jukebox

Plaid Couple (we thought this would be an awesome place for a first date)

Plaid single guy (we thought that this would be an awesome spot to chill any ol' time)

The Chicken Burger (and Fries) that i had.