.. or, “How to get goosebumps on a very hot, sunny day.”

Until this past summer, I had never been to an airshow. I made up for that oversight in style by attending the Lethbridge International Airshow. The final clincher in my decision to make the 3.5 hour trip was learning that my favourite aircraft of all time, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, would be there.

A-10 Thunderbolt II flown by the A-10 West Demonstration Team

I had never seen one before in person and when it finally flew over, I had goosebumps despite the fact that it was a very hot day.

Unfortunately, the Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet wasn’t at the airshow as scheduled… It was there as a burned out wreckage as it had crashed two days before. It must have been a bit unnerving for the other pilots performing that day as they all had to taxi right past the wreckage.

There were a number of historical aircraft, including a P-51 Mustang, and a FG-1D Corsair. It was a real treat to see these aircraft in action.

As a bonus, the TORA TORA TORA team was there, reenacting the Pearl Harbour attack with Japanese Zero fighters and Nakajima B5N “Kate” bombers. Their show was narrated and had lots of sound effects, plus many large explosions. After a bit, the smoke was so thick it was getting hard to see the aircraft as they kept buzzing the ground in simulated attacks.

We also saw lots of very entertaining stunt flying and tricks, and even the Canadian Army Skyhawks Parachute Team were on hand. I left the kids at home as it was a long drive and was forecasted to be hot (which it was) and figured the explosions would be too much for them right now. Instead, I had a real good time hanging out with my father-in-law and brother-in-law. It was a really great day and I’m looking forward to the 2011 show!

For years I have been told that I should try to sell some of my photography. Well, I’m doing it.

It has been a busy Fall for me in photography. Not in shooting so much, but in showing my work. I have joined a local artist association, had my first art show and sale at which I sold my first print (and was even honoured with the People’s Choice Award). That led to me being invited to display my work at a new art gallery that just opened in town.

My prints on display.

Chair of Bowlies opened on December 1st and the Grand Opening will be on Saturday, December 4, 2010. I currently have 6 large prints on display and will be adding a number of 8×12 and 8×10 prints in the coming days.

Located at 5009 51st St in Olds, Alberta, Chair of Bowlies art gallery and retail outlet features a variety of different works, from photography to woodwork, hand-blown glass, textiles, and much more.  Please stop by and check it out!

click the image for a larger view.

The grand and tall grain elevators of the prairies are iconic icons of a bygone era, with one in each town. This photo is one of the remaining but fast-fading giants of the west…  er…  ?

Ok, on second look, this appears to be a fine example of a themed bus stop along a rural road.

This past weekend was a jury event for membership to the Wellspring Visual ArtNetwork Association. I submitted three prints for review and was accepted!

One of the prints I submitted to the jury

The WVANA is a group of visual artists (sculptors, painters, photographers, etc) who live north of Calgary and south of Red Deer. They have a couple shows each year, and the first is coming up this weekend. This will be my first time exhibiting (and selling) my photography publicly, and I have special ordered some large prints for the show this weekend. If you are around the Olds and Didsbury area, please stop by the Mountain View County Office between 10 AM and 5 PM and check out the artwork by local artists. I will be there on Saturday morning and hope to see you there!