Three Artists on a Day Trip - High River & Nanton, Alberta - Part Two

If you missed Part One you can read it here....

Self Portrait in antique store, Nanton

After Dea, Millie, and I left High River, we headed to Nanton. Dea is working on an artists book, and the images that inspired it, were from Nanton. She had originally wanted to make collage using the images, but decided there was enough of a story line to warrant a book. And since she now NEEDED more photos for her book, and since one of my hobbies is collecting old images of other peoples' families, I begged to go along.

Ghost from the past.

The hands of time have stopped...

I heart cigar boxes...

Oh yes, another self portrait

Millie & I

Every orphaned typewriter I see, I want to take home...

Dea & Millie at the Tumbleweed Cafe

Oh, I am SURE we will!

Ladybugs were everywhere at Annie's in High River, we ended up with a stow away....

Dea did find her photos and letters. I found some as well. And some more silverware for my spoon assemblages, a few books, some buttons, and a charming little camera, all to be shared another day.... 

 Where is your favourite place to hunt for treasures?

Three Artists on a Day Trip - High River & Nanton, Alberta - Part One

Last Sunday, my wonderful hubby stayed home with our kiddos while I went on a highly anticipated day trip with my dear friend, Dea Fischer, and her amazing daughter, Millie Rose. None of us are morning people, so it is nice that nothing was open at our final destination until noon. We rolled out of Canmore in Dea's jeep, our first stop: High River...

When you get three artists into a car, with nothing to do but look at the scenery and chat, of course we talk about art. Actually, I think we talk about art everywhere... anyway, it was a real treat to get to talk with Dea about our separate and joint ventures. We both always have something on the go, and it is nice to hear about what the other is up to. We just completed joint and single submissions to the 2012 CREATE in California and are working on a book proposal...

After about 2 hours, maybe it was less, we arrived in the beautiful little town of High River. The gorgeous little houses struck me right away. I live in a completely over priced condo/town house in Banff. I get house envy when I go to small towns like this because I know I could have a huge house with a huge yard and garden if I lived anywhere other than Banff. But, of course, not many people have the privilege I do, being able to actually live in a National Park, so I accept and love our little abode in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. But, the artist in me dreams of a more picturesque home, instead of a cookie cutter one... oh well.

Our mission in High River was to visit our friend, artist and owner of Art and Soul Gallery, Annie Froese. I met her while giving artist demonstrations at Canmore's ArtsPeak Arts Festival earlier this year. She and her friend, Larissa Mclean, were sharing a studio in the same area I was, as part of The Edge Gallery's, leg of the art tour. They are both colourful, beautiful women, who make colourful, beautiful art. We traded work and contact info and promised to see each other again. I bumped into Larissa at the Canmore Mountain Market a couple of weeks ago, by surprise. I am glad I did because she was not able to be there to meet us. Annie, invited us to come to her gallery for a little show and tell of our work.

As we were looking for Art & Soul, Dea noticed some beautiful geraniums along the sidewalk, and exclaimed, "That must be it!". She was right. Both Annie & Larissa are synonymous with flowers, in my mind. We parked the car and headed to the back of the gallery where Annie's garden and her studio is. Both are so lovely!!

We spent a couple of hours enjoying the gardens, exploring the gallery, drooling over Annie's studio space, eating lemon meringue pie, photographing one another, show and telling our latest work, and making plans for future visits. Dea & I would love to teach classes at Annie's one weekend, and to play with Annie in art making as well.

Here are some photos of the fun we had... you will notice a couple of photos of ladybugs. They were everywhere and an element of the trip that I will always remember...

Part Two will continue our fun with photos and tales from Nanton...

Prairie Harvest Sale

The Alberta Team on Etsy is having a sale.

"60 shops from the Etsy Alberta Street Team are participating in a team sale from October 3 - 9, 2009. Don't miss out on some amazing deals from some fantastic shops. It's a great time to pick up an item for a loved one, a friend or even yourself. Also a great time to get a head start on your holiday shopping!"

Head on over to our blog to see where to go for what deals. I am having a buy one, get one 50% sale in my photography shop. This is a great way to buy some handmade gifts as well as supplies and vintage items.

PS Thanks to the team for using my grain elevator image to represent the sale....

Handmade in Red Deer Alberta - The Prairie Chick

Polaroid Transfer Prints by Tiffany Teske; available at The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta

I am back from a crazy road trip to Minneapolis for the funeral of my beloved grandfather, Poppa. There were many wonderful things that happened amongst the sadness of the trip. I will be posting about that this week but had wanted to write the following post just before we left so I decided to do it first thing upon our return...


Polaroid Transfer Image Magnet Sets by Tiffany Teske; available at The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta

I love being part of Etsy, the amazing online community where artists, crafters, and artisans come together to sell their work. While it is fun to be able to sell my photography and art online, it is even more fun when non-Etsy opportunities come my way because of my Etsy shop. When I open my email and see I have a convo (like an email) via Etsy, I am always intrigued. Some are people telling me they have put me into a treasury, which is like an online favorites list complete with images and links to the items. Other are people asking questions about my work. And often, it is someone asking me to take part in an exhibit, interview, blog feature, or a print publication. One example of this is the day that Colette Bleakley contacted me to purchase some of my work for her new shop, The Prairie Chick, located in Red Deer, Alberta.


The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta
Image by Colette Bleakley

Colette, bless her heart, was looking for artists and artisans in Alberta because she wants her shop to carry locally made items. We started communicating, and I made some items for her in packaging I have not made for other outlets. It was a nice challenge to come up with and implement some new ideas. Since Colette (isn't that a beautiful name?) was gracious enough to put my work in her shop, I decided that I would like to write a blog feature on her and her shop. The following is an interview with her, some images from her shop, as well as images of my work that she is selling at The Prarie Chick.


Polaroid Transfer Prints by Tiffany Teske; available at The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta

TT: What made you want to open this shop?
CB: I have always wanted to have my own boutique. I studied environmental science and have been working in that field for the past 6 years. I was looking for a change and a way to use my creative streak!



TT: What made you want to represent Alberta artists?
CB: I am a strong believer in shopping local. I noticed that it was hard to find locally made gift items and it was time to open a store that focused on Handmade in Alberta and Canada items.

TT: What kind of items are available in your shop?
CB: Clothing, Accessories, Handbags, Wallets
Bath and Body Products
Jewelry
House wares
Vintage Items
Photography and Stationary
Pottery


Bamboo Pendants featuring Piddix Collage Images made by Tiffany Teske; available at The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta

TT: What has surprised you the most in your journey so far?
CB: I have been amazed by the vast amount and variety of talented artists right here in Alberta.

TT: Are you originally from Red Deer?
CB: I am originally from a small farming community in Saskatchewan. I now live on a farm near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.


Bamboo Pendants featuring Piddix Collage Images made by Tiffany Teske; available at The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta

TT: Are you an artist or craft person?
CB: I don’t consider myself an artist or crafts-person. However I do enjoy photography as a hobby.

TT: What do you plan to add to the shop in the future?
CB: I am constantly looking for new items and vendors. Check back often for new arrivals!

TT: Chocolate or vanilla?
CB: Both

TT: What inspires you?
CB: My Mom and Grandmothers were my inspiration for the boutique. They are all talented, hardworking, creative, strong women.


TT: Would you like to include anything else?
CB: http://theprairiechickboutique.blogspot.com

The Prairie Chick
5018 Ross St., Lower Level (Can-West Travel Company Bldg.)
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 1Y3
403-348-2800
HOURS: Tues-Sat 10:00am-5:00pm


The Prairie Chick Boutique in Red Deer, Alberta

If you are in Red Deer, Alberta, stop by The Prairie Chick and say hello to Colette!


Polaroid Transfer Image Bamboo Necklaces by Tiffany Teske; available at The Prairie Chick in Red Deer, Alberta

The West Edmonton Mall

I come from Minneapolis, Minnesota, the land of the Mall of America, the largest mall in the states. It takes a lot to impress me mall-wise. Southdale, in Edina, Minnesota, was the first indoor mall, and the movie Mallrats was filmed at Eden Prarie Center. I grew up shopping in both of these malls. The mall I hung out in the most was Ridgedale Mall, which was mentioned in the movie Juno. Maybe this mall heritage is the reason I don't really like malls. I prefer to shop in independantly owned and thrift stores. Chain stores and restaurants are not my favorites, unless they are book and art supply stores. But we did have fun at the West Edmonton Mall. Andre had a meeting to go to today, so we made the 4 hour trek yesterday and spent the night. We stayed at the Fantasyland Hotel, which I mistakenly thought had theme rooms. No such luck. It was theme hallways. We were on the seventh floor which has a stable theme, with a horse painted on each door. Bummer. I wanted to stay in a theme room. The room was large and wonderful, very clean and modern. I can't say I dug eating for two days in food courts, but there were many fun things to see. And my two year old is so amazed by everything right now that it was priceless as always to see a whole new world through her eyes. She could have cared less about shopping, she was too busy sitting in coin operated rides (usually without a coin in them), watching fountains, watching people ice skate, having ice cream, and watching other kids.

Funding for Alberta Midwives NOW

Today, Andre, Quin, & I went to Calgary to participate in a protest. Actually I would call it more of a rally. It was an event to protest the lack of funding for midwives in Alberta. I have always secretly wanted to be an activist, and this was my kind of rally, upbeat and positive.



I read about it in the local Banff weekly, The Crag and Canyon. May 6th is the International Day of the Midwife. A local woman, named Ulrike, planned this rally because she had her first child with the help of a midwife, in German, at no cost. Much like us, when she moved to Banff, she found out it would cost $3,250 to work with a midwife. She had her second child in Banff, at the Mineral Springs Hospital, with a doctor.



We had our daughter in Quebec, at a birthing centre, with two lovely midwives, at no cost, and it was the best experience we could ever hope for. Throw in on of my best friends, who was not only our doula but who was our chiropractor, and it was more than we could have ever dreamed. We moved to Alberta, the richest province in Canada, and found out that not only would we have to pay $44 a month, each, for our health care, but that if we wanted a midwife it would cost us over $3,000. Alberta is the only province in Canada that regulates midwives but doesn’t fund their practice. It is ridiculous when it has been proven that midwives save the province money, while providing women and men a safe, nature alternative to what has become the traditional, over medicalized North America way of birth.



These issues are something we are familiar with and are close to our heart. We are willing to pay the out of pocket cost if we have a second child because we believe in midwives. However, we would like to see the government fund this. In order for that to happen, in order to make a change, our voices need to be heard. I was thrilled when Andre read the same article, pointed it out to me, and said we should go to this rally. It is important that we be there. And if Ulrike, can arrange this whole event, while breastfeeding her 1 month old son, then we could certainly be there.



It was well attended by both the media and the public, the weather held out and even got sunny at the end. We marched once around the block, and I got extremely emotional, seeing all these people coming together to make their voices and beliefs heard. I will never forget it. Quin seemed quite happy to be there, she even commendeared someone's sign and held it for a long time. I think it was the flowers ;)