NEWS!

Bluffers Park #225

Favourite photo moments ... see after Upcoming Events

Free Spirit #451

Special Announcement!

Recently, I was introduced to a very special group of individuals who share their time, generosity and compassion in caring for rescue horses. It was quite by chance that I even learned about the horses. I feel privileged to know these people, to have the opportunity of photographing these beautiful animals and help out in my own way.

If you purchase any of the horse images, please know that a portion of the proceeds will be donated towards their care.

So … hopefully you’ll enjoy this new series of photographs and also be happy knowing that your purchase will be helping.

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I read this very short story on the Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary's website and would like to share it with you. It is entitled

"You Can Make A Difference."

In Maine, they tell of an old man walking along the beach with his grandson, who picked up each starfish they passed and threw it back into the sea. "If I left them up here," the boy said, "they would dry up and die. I'm saving their lives." "But," protested the old man, "the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish. What you are doing won't make a difference." The boy looked at the starfish in his hand, gently threw it into the ocean, and answered: "It makes a difference to this one."

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Current & Upcoming Events

If you would like to receive notices about upcoming events, please drop me a note - susan@spudsnaps.com

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Spring has arrived in Toronto!

Come out and celebrate the arts!

June 12 & 13, 2010 - Momiji Art Show! Saturday, June 12 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Sunday, June 13, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. 3555 Kingston Rd & Markham Rd., (south-east corner.) Once again, Momiji is hosting a multitude of artists, including yours truly! - from painting to pottery, sumi-e, fabric, jewellery and photography (of course!) and much more.

Come out and enjoy this wonderful event and don't forget to visit The Artists' Cafe on Saturday - always tasty treats and refreshments! I always enjoy participating in the Momiji show - the atmosphere is terrific and the building itself is always a pleasure to visit. This is a golden opportunity to see what your local artists have been creating and you just might find the perfect gift for a friend or yourself!

Cedar Ridge Gallery also has its Celebration of the Arts on this same weekend - unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the outdoor show as I'll be at Momiji. However, I will be exhibiting in the gallery along with other members. Cedar Ridge is located at 225 Confederation Drive, (north of Kingston Rd., south of Lawrence Ave. E. , east off Scarborough Golf Club Rd. in Scarborough - Tel. 416-396-4026. Lots of free parking!

June 10 - July 13 - The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd. (just east of Birchmount) will be hosting another Scarborough Arts Council Members' Group Exhibit, this summer's theme is 'Solstice' and I will be exhibiting here also. Tel. 416-698-7322

Saturday, July 17, 2010 Art in the Park at the Scarborough Arts Council, 1859 Kingston Rd. This year there will again be 50+ artists in the beautiful Harriston Estate Park surrounding the Scarborough Arts Council. I will not be exhibiting in this show, but invite you to come out and enjoy the event. There will be refreshments, entertainment and an amazing array of local artistic talent! Always a great show!

Several shows have come and gone since Sept. 2009 - my apologies for not listing here, however, I have relayed these events through my email list. Will try to be more on top of things in 2010!

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August 27 to Sept. 29, 2009 - Scarborough Arts Council's Group Members' Exhibit "The Heart of the Matter' at The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd., (just east of Birchmount Rd., close to Rosetta McClain Gardens, Scarborough - tel. 416-698-7322.

Friday, Sept. 25 & Saturday, Sept. 26th, 2009: "Creative Visions" art show and sale, presented by the Port Union Seniors at the Port Union Community Centre, 5450 Lawrence Ave. E., Tel. 416-396-4034.

Art will be on display all day and evening on Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. There will be an opening reception at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 6:00 p.m. Be prepared to thoroughly enjoy the evening! The volunteers put on a spread of goodies like you've never experienced - and then of course there's also the art!

This is a wonderful art show and sale, showcasing affordable fine arts and crafts by local artists.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Whitecap Arts & Crafts Sale, 3311 Kingston Rd., apt. bldg. at Whitecap Blvd., rear entrance, ground floor, (south side, just east of Bellamy Rd.) - parking on Whitecap Blvd. or in Visitor Parking.

Local artists bringing you fine art painting, pottery, bags, hats, knitted goods, jewellery, photography, art cards & prints and special non-art products - Avon!

Get a headstart on holiday shopping!

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see new Captioned Cards

in Nature/Wildlife! Enjoy!

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The Journey #409

The Framing Dames hold an artists' reception on the 1st Friday of each month - 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. - come out and enjoy this Open House Show & Sale at the Framing Dames' Meadowvale Gallery and meet some of the artists that exhibit in the Gallery - refreshments are also served! Mark your calendars! Please phone as summer hours may change this schedule.

Word is getting out! This is getting to be a popular and most enjoyable monthly event. Even if you're not looking to purchase art right now, come and browse! It is a nice get-together and you may just spot that perfect gift or piece for your home or workplace.

The Framing Dames, 211 Morrish Road, Scarborough - see you there! Tel. 416-287-2025

(Seasons of the Park, Summer Rain, Bluffers Park, Imagination)

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Favourite Photo Moments

Baltimore (Northern) Oriole

With nature shots, particularly critters, the opportunity for a photo can come up so quickly and be gone just as quickly! To be lucky enough to capture a shot within a short time frame, is quite a thrill. There are times when you may wait many hours, days, weeks even, waiting for that perfect moment!

Some of my favourite photo moments:

The Journey (shown just above): A beautiful yellow tulip caught my eye in Rosetta MacClain Park recently. It almost looked like a painting with red streaks throughout. While I was thoroughly engrossed photographing the tulip, along came a ladybug - walking right along the edge! How perfect! In her eyes, this tulip must seem enormous - her little world - then she spread her wings and flew away - and yes, I was fortunate to get this shot also! Appropriately, and without any imagination on my part, it is called ''Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home" after the nursery rhyme!

King of the Marsh: Recently I discovered my first Caspian Tern! They've been around for eons, I've just never experienced them. This particular tern, I've spent many hours watching, as it searches and captures its dinner - dive-bombing into the water head-on! You will find the King of the Marsh photo in the Nature/Wildlife section.

time for dinner....

Often it's difficult to come up titles for scenes and I often ask others for input. One gentleman thought 'this bird had attitude" -- the marsh was his territory! After some pondering, I decided that 'King of the Marsh' seemed totally appropriate for this Bluffers' resident! The more I look at this photo, the more it rings true! So, thank you Martin for your help on naming this scene!

Swan series: Bluffers Park, one of the world's greatest wonders ... well, at least to me! On this particular late afternoon at Bluffers, I came across two beautiful swans. I stood for almost 2 hours at the water's edge, at times hanging onto a small branch to keep me from falling into the water. It was almost spiritual to watch this pair, as they glided, danced and courted together. With every move they made, they were completely in sync with each other, moving simultaneously as one. In one shot, they formed a perfect heart as they paused in front of me. They were aware of my presence, but I guess they sensed that I would not cause them any harm.

This was definitely one of my most memorable and enjoyable times photographing nature. The pictures in this series are The Dance, In Sync, and Swan Hearts.

Kingfisher with Fish: Last summer, I was on a bird hunting hike along the top of the Bluffs. At one point, I looked down and there on the beach below, was a kingfisher sitting on an old tree limb, complete with a fish in his beak! I was so excited, I almost fell off the edge!

Geese in Flight (or as David, my framer likes to call it,’The Magnificent Seven!’: On September 29th, 2006, the Port Union Waterfront Park was officially opened. This is a great place to walk or bike and such a treat to have this facility within our city. I was standing out on one of the ‘rock pile’ type structures,(levee?), photographing the horizon to the west. All of a sudden, I heard a very loud ‘whirring’ sound. As I turned around, a flock of Canada Geese were flying straight towards me. Their wings sounded  like a giant wind machine and you could feel their strength. I felt so fortunate to capture this moment and will always remember this day.

Flower on Rock: An October afternoon at Bluffers Park , I happened to glance down towards the water. There, growing in a rock, was this lovely purple Ecchinacea plant. The late afternoon sun was shining on it like a spotlight. So pretty, so simple, so unusual.

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SpudSnaps may be purchased online (see Order Form) or at these local Toronto (Scarborough) outlets:

Earthsong World Gifts, Music, Art & Crafts in Cliffside Village - 2436 Kingston Road (north side, just west of Midland Ave. - a great place to find the perfect gift and enjoy the special events that Ilse presents. www.earthsongvillage.com Tel. (416) 266-ARTS (2787)

"The Beauty of Nature" exhibit has finished at Earthsong,

The Bluffs Gallery , 1859 Kingston Rd. , Scarborough - visit the Gallery and enjoy a walk in the beautiful Harrison Estate Park ! Tel. (416) 698-7322

Global Pet Foods, 3110 Kingston Road, Scarborough -  pick up treats for your pet and a card for a friend, all in one store! Tel. (416 ) 265-1047

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It's hard to imagine that autumn has come and gone. As I read 'A Tree's Thoughts' at the bottom of this page, it is a reminder of that wonderful time of year, but winter has its special moments also ... boots, shovels, icescrapers and remembering how to drive in the snow! On the other hand, there are those delicious comfort foods of winter - stews, lasagne, chicken soup, chili ... always a compromise!

Mary Adair, Editor of Pencilstubs.com, (an internet literary magazine), featured the scene 'Imagination' in a special Arts Presentation in the May 2005 issue. www.pencilstubs.com provides a wonderful opportunity for writers to share their work. ('Imagination' can be found in The Unusual section )

Hat Frenzy! A friend of mine, Diane Foote-Taylor, makes amazing hats. While I don't have any experience with commercial photography, I agreed to photograph Diane's products for her website. It was a lot of fun, the pizza was great and all in all, it turned out quite well! Drop by Hat Frenzy's website ... www.hatfrenzy.com You just may find the perfect hat and other accessories ... all ages, all styles ... all seasons ... they're beautifully made and very creative!

Past Events

2009

June 25 - Aug. 4, 2009 - Scarborough Arts Council's Group Members' Exhibit 'Elements ' at The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd. (just east of Birchmount Rd.) near Rosetta McClain Park, Tel. 416-698-7322.

Reception Sunday, January 18th, 2009 - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. I am very happy to be part of the Contemporary Art Exhibit, Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery, along with Carole Edwards, sculptor and Jennifer Smithwell, oil & acrylic painter.

January 30th, 2009 . Cedar Ridge Studio is a beautiful old mansion located at 225 Confederation Drive, (north of Kingston Rd., south of Lawrence Ave. E. , east off Scarborough Golf Club Rd. in Scarborough - Tel. 416-396-4026. Lots of free parking!

2008

November 30, 2008 - January 9, 2009 - The Bluffs Gallery ' Holiday Dreams' SAC members' show and sale! Great opportunity to pick up some unique Christmas gifts! I have several photos on display and regularly exhibit at The Bluffs Gallery also. Scarborough Arts Council/The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Road, Scarborough - Tel. 416-698-7322

Nov. 2008 - Jan. 2009 Christmas Show at The Framing Dames, 215 Morrish Rd. (Highland Creek) (off Old Kingston Rd., east of Military Trail) Scarb. 416-287-2025. I currently have 5 photos on display in their gallery.

Friday, Nov. 7, 2008 - The Framing Dames 'Motion' Juried Art Show. Reception 6 - 9 p.m. 211 Morrish Rd., Scarb., Tel. 416-287-2025

Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 - "Christmas at Cedar Ridge" - Cedar Ridge Studio/Gallery -12 p.m. - 5 p.m. 225 Confederation Drive, Scarb. Tel. 416-396-4026 Small admission fee of $2.00 includes tea, coffee, awesome goodies and door prizes, free parking!

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Once again, the Fairmount Christmas Fair will be held at Fairmount Jr. Public School , 31 Sloley Road

Lions Club Annual Christmas Craft Show, Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount Rd., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008.

Friday, Sept. 19th -& Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2008: 9th annual Creative Visions Art Show & Sale at the Port Union Community Centre, presented by the Port Union Seniors, 5450 Lawrence Ave. East, Scarborough. This is my 3rd year participating in this wonderful and very diverse art show. I hope you can come and enjoy the wide array of fine arts, crafts, paintings, sculpture and of course ... photography

Saturday, Sept. 13th, 2008, Verndecor Interiors Trade & Consumers Home Show at the Toronto Beaches Lions Club, 10 Ashbridges Bay Park Rd. , (just south of Lakeshore Rd. E.)

A quick thank you to the great folks I met at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, the Highland Creek Heritage Festival and The Framing Dames! It was a pleasure meeting you all and seeing a lot of old friends!

July 26, 2008, Art in the Park, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the beautiful Harrison Estate Park, at the Scarborough Arts Council, 1859 Kingston Road, Scarborough, (just east of festivities!

June 21 & 22, 2008: Momiji Centre Art Showcase & Sale, 3555 Kingston Rd & Markham Rd., (south-east corner.) We had a great time at the Momiji Centre Art Show & Sale ! Maxine did a phenomenal job of putting this all together, along with her awesome team of volunteers! The Artists' Cafe was a real treat - lots of goodies and the coffee was amazing! If you missed the show this year, hopefully you can catch it next year. The variety and quality of artwork was second to none. I'm finding it's not hard to get hooked on painting, as well as pottery! So much art! So few walls!

June 12 - July 22nd, 2008, 'As You Like It' SAC Members' Exhibit at The Bluffs Gallery ( Scarborough Arts Council), 1859 Kingston Road , Scarborough , (just east of Birchmount Rd. ) - Tel. 416-698-7322

Saturday, June 14, 2008 , 23^rd Annual Highland Creek Heritage Festival! The village will be alive with activity, entertainment, parade, pipes & drums, pony rides, etc. As part of this wonderful celebration, some of your local artists, (painters, photographers, jewellers, sculpturers, etc.) will be outdoors at the Framing Dames. I will have a variety of new greeting cards, small framed photographs and limited prints.

Sunday, June 8, 2008 – 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Celebration of the Arts, Annual Exhibit and Sale at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre with special guest Mayor David Miller and special unveiling of a commemorative sculpture and garden - live entertainment, tea room and more! 225 Confederation Drive , Scarborough

Friday, June 6, 2008 - 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. , Reception & Awards, Framing Dames 2nd Annual Juried Art Show , 211 Morrish Rd., Scarb . Exhibit runs through to June 28, 2008.

March 4th, 2008 - The Framing Dames featured their First Photography Exhibit. The opening was delayed by one week due to the great bombardment of ice and snow! However, the reception and awards ceremony was held the following week. Don't miss the opportunity to see some very fine photography by many local artists - scenery, nature, architecture, travel.

Feb. 25 to March 21/08 - Rotunda, Scarborough Civic Centre, 'Through the Lens' - a group exhibit with Peter Pomykacz, Allan Westlake and me. This exhibit was very well received. We're glad you enjoyed it and appreciated your positive comments, thank you! It was exciting to exhibit in such a wonderful building, in the hub of our Scarborough ! For your interest, there is a live concert - local and international artists - every Sunday afternoon, 2:00 - 4:00 in the Rotunda at the Scarborough Civic Centre - 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough - even a small dance floor for the ambitious!

2007

Saturday, Nov. 24/07 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Once again, the Fairmount Christmas Fair will be held at Fairmount Jr. Public School , 31 Sloley Road , Scarborough , This is another fun event and I hope you'll be able to drop by and say hello. In addition to a great variety of vendors, Fairmount always has wonderful refreshments, as well as activities for the children. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, Nov. 4/07 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Scarborough Central Lions Club Christmas Craft Sale. This is a wonderful annual community event - great shopping, great refreshments - always enjoyable! There will be over 55 vendors, including SpudSnaps photography! Join us at the Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount Road, just north of Kingston Road, Scarborough.

At the Bluffs Gallery, the 'Savour' exhibit has been held over until October 2nd, 2007, so you still have time! The Bluffs Gallery's members' Savour exhibit celebrated the final weeks of summer. For this exhibit, I chose 'Seasons of the Park'. It is the same scene in the Harrison Estate Park, but photographed in each of the four seasons. The park is located on the south side of Kingston Road, east of Birchmount Road, in Scarborough and enjoyed by residents year-round.

Many stroll through on their way to Rosetta McClain Park; neighbours meet and chat, enjoy their morning coffee, joggers jog, cyclists cycle and some choose this place for quiet and relaxation - to enjoy the simple pleasures of nature - listening to the birds singing or watching the antics of the squirrels! It is a favourite playground for the dogs of the neighbourhood as well! It is a special place for many.

Sept. 10th/07 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. , Scarborough Artists' Showcase, Reception in the Rotunda, Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive . This juried exhibit is being presented by Scarborough Council members of the City of Toronto to showcase a sampling of the art and creativity of Scarborough residents. There is a possibility that the exhibit will travel to several venues around Toronto . Scarborough has been my home for most of my life and I was very proud to be part of this exhibit with 'Summer Rain' (as shown on About Us.) There was a wonderful variety of work from all the artists.

Friday, Sept. 21 & Saturday, Sept. 22/07 - 8th annual Creative Visions Art Show & Sale ! at the Port Union Community Centre, presented by the Port Union Seniors, 5450 Lawrence Ave. East , Scarborough . This is my second year participating in this wonderful and very diverse art show. I hope you can come and enjoy the wide array of fine arts, crafts, paintings, sculpture and of course ... photography

Aug. 24th extended to Oct. 2nd, 2007, at The Bluffs Gallery - 1859 Kingston Road, just east of Birchmount Rd. Monday to Friday 9a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tel. 416-698-7322

Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 258, Canada Day celebrations, Sunday, July 1st, 2007 , 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. There will be many activities, including the parade, games, live band, mini-midway. I will be at the Bazaar portion of the celebration with many new greeting cards and enlarged prints. The Legion is located at . Thank you for supporting these great community events and your support of my work. Enjoy your SpudSnaps!

Momiji Centre, Art Showcase & Sale, Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd and 24th, 2007, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 3555 Kingston Rd. at Markham Rd. (south/east) Tel. 416-261-6683. This is my first year participating at the beautiful Momiji Centre. In addition to SpudSnaps greeting cards, I will also have limited enlargements, including Bluffers Park . There will be something for everyone at Momiji ... paintings, jewelry, pottery, needlework and sumi-e ... plus delicious home baking at the Artists' Cafe.

The Framing Dames First Annual Juried Art Show, featuring artists from Scarborough and Pickering . The opening reception and award ceremony will be held on Friday, June 15th, 2007 , 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

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