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05-21-2013

{See} The Instagram Artistry of Tracy Lalonde

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Meet Tracy Lalonde – Photographer and Musical Artist

A 25 year-old musician and photographer from Lancaster, Tracy Lalonde is a ruralist from the easternmost fringe of Ontario. Originally from Cornwall, Tracy is a graduate of the Digital Arts for Musicians at St. Lawrence College. After some extended travelling throughout the United Kingdom, and United States, she has returned to her roots where she enjoys spends her free time driving and photographing the back roads of Glengarry County and making music. Tracy’s photography has been part of exhibitions at The Art Gallery of Cornwall and she is currently working on her debut album – a 5-song EP of material.

With the help of Graham Greer, a local musician, and a Popular Music grant from the Ontario Arts Council to help fund the album, Tracy is anxious for it’s  late-June/early-July release. Self-described as “a folky mish-mash of pop and rock flavours, with songs inspired by love, literature, and local history,” The album includes an eclectic mix of instruments such as a banjo, violin, electric guitar, pots and pans, glockenspiel and an organ. To listen to Tracy click here  for a performance of 1829.

I first met Tracy through Instagram, where I quickly fell in love with her photography of eastern rural Ontario. Her carefree spirit and love for her community shines in this emerging artists work. The photographs above are six of my favourites chosen from Tracy’s Instagram profile. I asked Tracy to tell me where the photos were each taken and a bit about what was happening in the shot. I hope you will enjoy these charming images and the delightful artist who creates them. Be sure to follow Tracy on Instagram to also keep up with her budding musical career!

The Photography of Tracy Lalonde

Top Left: This was taken on Street Road, sort of north-east of Cornwall on one of the first nice and green days of Spring this year. I haven’t come across another lane like this during my local travels (yet!). My driveway will look like this someday.

Top Right: Usually, I drive around the backroads on my own, but this was one of the rare times when my younger sister tagged along and insisted on driving. We spent a late afternoon goofing off and roaming the countryside with the windows down, talking in funny voices and being way too silly for our own good. Being in the passenger seat, I took advantage of a free ride, kicked my feet up onto the dashboard, and snapped this as we were driving on County Road 43, west of Alexandria.

Centre Left: There is no shortage of old wooden barns in Glengarry County, and I like sniffing them out. This one is near the intersection of South Branch and Glen Falloch Roads, north-east of Cornwall. South Branch Road is one of my favourite roads to drive down, especially on my way home after a day at work. It’s beautiful during Autumn.

Centre Right: Here, I’m looking east down the railway tracks as they intersect Fraser Road near Lancaster.

Bottom Left: That’s me! I’ve got an incurable case of messy hair and spend a lot of time thinking “Ugh, I need a haircut…”. This was one of those contemplative moments. (Fun Fact: I got a haircut the next day.)

Bottom Right: The chickadees from Cooper March along County Road 2 (Highway 2) near South Lancaster are extremely friendly. I think they might have been expecting food from me, which I didn’t have, but that didn’t stop them from swooping down and resting on my outstretched hand a few days before this past Christmas.

If you’re on Instagram follow Ruralist or introduce yourself by commenting on one of our images, that’s the best way for us to know you’re out there. We are always eager to make new Instagram friends and discover more of the beauty of rural Ontario.

–Erin
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    05-17-2013

    {Meet} Sarah, A Country Girl in the City

    {Meet} A Country Girl in the City

     

    It turns out they’re right: even when you put a country girl in the city, you can’t take the country out of her. Many of the things that I take the most delight in are either made in, are located in, or remind me of my rural roots.

    Here are a few iPhone snaps of things that keep me grounded and allow me to keep dreaming of a someday country house (Left to right, top to bottom):

    Vintage – Upon first glance at our mailbox, it looks a bit rusty and rundown. But when you take a closer look, you see the totally cool vintage knight that guards our front door.

    Gardening – I could spend hours arranging and planting flowers. There’s something about getting dirt under your fingernails that is relaxing. This photo of my niece Salome and I was taken by Sandra Regier at Huron Ridge Acres. More from that day here.

    Spring flowers – Guess who discovered lilacs in their yard this week? Lilacs are one of the reasons I missed Ontario when I lived in southern climes for several years. Their delicacy, their fragrance – ahh.

    Handmade – I could be accused of flaunting my made-in-Ontario goodies. This ring is one of my favourites. It’s by Rosella Resin and has real gold flakes in it (more of Rosella Resin on Ruralist here)!

    Home-grown – After living most of my life in the country, it was only when I moved to the city a year ago that I became the primary caregiver of a vegetable garden.

    Heritage buildings – I’m so curious about old buildings: who built them? What was the town like back then? Who lived in them? I walk past the Woodstock Museum when I take lunchtime strolls at work, and I glimpsed “The Major Store” sign after a tornado-damaged storefront was torn down on The Square in Goderich.

    Country walks – Fresh air, wide open spaces, no people for miles… gosh I miss those! Here’s me enjoying an afternoon in the fields behind Huron Ridge Acres. Photo by Sandra Regier.

    Fresh – To a coffee snob like me, there’s simply nothing better than “crazy fresh,” locally roasted fair trade coffee, and I stock up whenever I can. I have never tasted coffee any fresher than Coastal Coffee Company‘s!

    –Sarah
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      Alesia K - Sarah — I’m not sure I’ve ever commented on one of your Ruralist posts but wanted to let you know that I read them and love them. I love what Ruralist promotes. I, too, am so excited to one day move back to small town life.

      Miss you!

      Alesia

      Sarah Koopmans - Thanks so much, Alesia – it’s great to hear from you! And to know that there are other country girls at heart that share my dream. :)

      Hope to see you soon!

      05-15-2013

      {Get} Naturally Hand Cream from Upper Canada Soap Company

      Although I’m not a hand cream “addict,” like some of my friends say they are, I do relish the pleasure of applying a good hand cream as much as I like having nice, soft hands.

      This particular hand cream is Upper Canada Soap Company’s Whipped Hand Repair Balm and it’s worthy of a try for several reasons.  First, the fact that it is “made in Canada,” and more precisely, made in Ontario, makes me stop and consider it over other imported products.  Next, this hand cream is made with 97% natural ingredients and is free of parabens, mineral oil, SLS and synthetic dyes, which also seems sensible to me.  I like the “Pressed Olive Avocado” scent, it’s light and not overwhelming, which is important as I’m sensitive to strong scents.  Lastly, this product has a lovely package which is just a bonus.

      I purchased my hand cream at The Old Mill in Blyth for $7.99, where they have a huge selection of Canadian made goods. I like that with this purchase not only do that I get a great hand cream, the proceeds support two longstanding Ontario businesses that offer great quality products. Isn’t that really the kind of “repair balm” our local communities could really use?

      Finally, I just have to add Upper Canada’s Soap Company’s ad featuring the Canadian Woman – I love it!

       –Erin
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        05-13-2013

        {Try} Ontario Honey and Apiaries

         

        1. Beeswax Candle from Honey Pie, Prince Edward County

        2. Bee Pollen from Dickey Bee Honey, Innisfil

        3. Beeswax lip Balm from Honey Pie, Prince Edward County

        4. Honey Mineral Foundation from Goods with Story, on-line (Update: our apologies, the Goods With Story page seems to be down at the moment. We’ll update the link when the product page is available again. Sorry!)

        5. First Lessons in Bee Keeping from Munro Honey, Alvinston

        6. Goat Milk and Honey soap from Goods with Story, on-line (See #4)

        7. Clover Honey from Whole Sugars, on-line

         
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          Anonymous - Don’t forget mead!!! ;-)

          Sarah Koopmans - Tell us about the mead that you like, Jennifer! Where do you get it? What do you love about it?

          05-10-2013

          {See} 33 Paintings on Hwy. 33

          Painting a Tribute to Prince Edward County

          On May 25, 2013, fine art painter Milé Murtanovski will be hitting the road – specifically Prince Edward County’s Highway 33, also known as Loyalist Parkway. Beginning in Carrying Place near Trenton and heading east along Highway 33, he’ll make 33 stops, creating one 20” x 20” oil painting on site each day. His painting marathon will conclude June 26 at the Glenora ferry dock.

          Primarily a studio-based painter who works from his own photographic reference, Murtanovski will step outside his comfort zone and paint en plein air every day for just over a month. He chose Highway 33 as it stretches from one end of the County to the other and has a great variety of scenery to depict, including picturesque rural landscapes, sites of historical significance, and the charming architecture of the County’s most prominent towns.

          This painting marathon will culminate in an exhibition at Blizzmax Gallery, opening on June 29 at 7pm and running until July 21. Throughout this painting marathon there will be regular updates on Facebook, Twitter (@smallpondarts) and Milé’s artwork blog.

          Milé has been painting for 25 years and works mainly in watercolours, oils, or inks. In 2010 he left Toronto, relocating to a 160-year old farmhouse in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where he founded Small Pond Arts with his wife, playwright and puppeteer Krista Dalby. Small Pond Arts is an artist residency centre and art gallery, and host to numerous creative community events throughout the year.

          –Erin
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            Dayna McIsaac - What a great idea!
            18993
            A great house to paint:D
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