The Disappearing Prairie

Happy Leap Year Everyone!
Hope this message finds you well...

As some of you may already know, I spent the month of February almost exclusively traveling the Great Plains by car in search of abandoned houses and structures. The purpose, of course, was to photograph these forgotten buildings (just as I've been doing for the last year) for my "Rickety Buildings & Their Bones" Collection. And, furthermore - to record, and relay their forgotten stories before there are no stories left to tell. I spent many days trudging up hills, running across prairie, and battling the elements. Most every night I returned to where I was bunking with my body soaked from my waist to my feet from sitting in snow, or walking through various conditions. It was a blast, and when it was over, I did not want to come home. On trips like these I always go out thinking one thing, and upon returning, find I have been changed by the experience. I found myself in such remote, and lonely locations looking through abandoned bedrooms, and inside of houses still providing some shelter to beautiful and ornately carved banisters. Some locations had letters strewn from families across the floors. In one location, even, I found a families clothes still hanging in their closets. By the end of my trip, I had taken about 500 pictures of countless locations that seemed so far off any map, I'm amazed I found my way back.

Though there are so many yet to go through from this expedition, I'd like to share just a few with you that I feel really brought the past to life, and exemplified the reason these structures are so intriguing. They are so full of life, and character, and somehow still forgotten. May I present:

Up In Bijou Hills...




The Pulse of Alice...

The Meaning Behind The Name "Bottle Bell" Photography...

Hello Readers-

Hope this post finds everyone well. :)

I've often been asked where the name "Bottle Bell" Photography came from, what it means, and why I chose it for the name of my business. I get many business emails, Flickr messages, Myspace questions, etc. etc.

So, I thought I'd blog about this mysterious word combination, and answer those questions.

A little background, first: Before I ever decided to venture down the path of Photography, I was a poet and writer. I've been writing since I was about 12 years old, and have always considered poetry my first love. Even as I write this, I'm in the process of writing a book. I have boxes full of notebooks, new and old, and have always used words to express myself. Poetry moves me. Words move me. I would even go as far as to say that during my life, poetry has been a form of therapy.

Anywho... As a poet/writer, I often find myself wandering the world with a paper and a pen, looking at things in different ways, thinking of how I can make those experiences unique for another person to read, and how I can turn the experience, moment, or feeling I've had into a beautiful word combination, most commonly referred to as a poem.

That leads me to the name "Bottle Bell".

One day, back in 2005, I had been out wandering a property, near to my own, and came across a very old broken glass bottle. I love old rickety things, and so I picked it up, dusted it off, and blew across the mouthpiece. Those of you who have ever blown across the mouthpiece of a bottle know that when you do so, it makes a low humming sound, (similar to a bellowing wind).

The poet in me immediately dubbed that sound (the low hum it created) "The Bottle Bellow", and created a poem from those three words later that day. Since then, I shortened the name to "Bottle Bell", not only because I thought it sounded beautiful, but also because I felt it was almost a metaphor for who I was at the time I found the bottle- A low empty hum of past experience, aged and forgotten, hidden away, brought out only when the wind blew across me. I know that sounds a bit melodramatic, but hey, I'm an artist. ;)

I felt it appropriate to name my company, Bottle Bell Photography, after the old vintage bottle I had found, the experience it represented, the poem that came of it, and finally, the Photographer that now takes your photos.

And there you have it. :)

I hope I've explained it in a way that's understandable.

Take care all-

Ash, Bottle Bell Photography

PS. *Of Note: I've decided to leave my old website up while designing my new one. It's a bit outdated, especially in the galleries, at this point. I'm leaving it up during the redesign primarily because the website does still offer current pricing information, and available services. However, If you would like to view my most current work, please visit my Flickr Galleries where you can find the latest portfolios of mine. Thanks!

January Updates...

Hello to everyone! Are you all sticking steadfastly to your New Year's Resolutions?? ;)

Well, now that it's just beyond mid-January, I thought I'd update you all on the latest news and happenings related to myself, and Bottle Bell Photography so far in '08.

So, without further adieu, and in no particular order, here are the updates:

*Gallery News- My first solo gallery show began this last Wednesday, the 16th, at Corazon (boutique & gallery) in Minneapolis, MN. I will be showing at their Lake Street location for 6 weeks, and then I will begin showing at their Washington Avenue location immediately following for another 6 weeks. If you find yourself in Minneapolis, and are interested in checking out the show, I invite you all to do so. In all, I am displaying 32 pieces from six of my collections. It's very rewarding and exciting to finally be able to share some of my artistic vision with the public.

*Private Collection- Now that my gallery show is well under way, I am happy to be able to get back to what I love most - Photography. I will begin working with models again starting this Thursday for my ongoing collection: The Vintage Indigo. Though it's still bitterly cold outside, I have a few great models lined up, and they're ready to shoot some great conceptual pieces with me. Look for more portraiture very soon on here, and in my Flickr galleries.

*Publications- My work is still up for publication in JPG Magazine, and is still open for voting. As mentioned in a previous post, I submitted my piece: "The Falling Chamber" to their "Noir" theme. If you have a moment and have not yet done so, please consider voting. Your support always means a great deal to me, and I am truly humbled by the amount of support I have received thus far. There are still 19 days left to cast your vote.

*Also, I am very pleased to announce that the online magazine: All Things Girl has asked my permission to publish two of my photos: "Plea" and "Is And Always Will Be" for their May/June issue. The pieces will appear, along with a short biography and photo in their arts section under the theme: Sacrifice, on their website.

*Travel News- I am planning a trip through the Midwest from February 14-17th, so I can capture more of the abandoned structures I came across while on my Christmas Vacation late last year. This time, I am dedicating my entire trip to finding these old treasures. I was so bummed when I had to drive past most of these great buildings in December, because of my tight schedule over the holidays.

*Client Sessions- I will begin, again, (now that my gallery obligations have settled down a bit) to take bookings for client sessions. If you are interested in working with me, please email: info@bottlebellphotography.com
or visit my website, Bottle Bell Photography for session details and pricing.

*Website News- And...lastly, my website is a bit outdated due to how busy I've been lately. Please be patient as I upload the latest portfolio pieces in the coming days, and revamp the look and functionality of the site. In the meantime, you can find more updated galleries of my work, here.

Wow, that was a mouthful, and hopefully not too long.

As always, thanks for checking in, and as soon as I get back out into the field, I promise to post my work. It's been a bit long, but it'll be worth the wait. I Promise.

Ashley

First Post of 2008!

Hello everyone :)

Though it's a bit late, I did want to blog today and let everyone know I hope they had a fantastic holiday, as well as a safe and Happy New Year! I wanted to post one for Christmas as well as New Year's eve and day, but my schedule, and computer use was chaotic, and I didn't have the time to compose a proper message to you all while constantly on the road.

I traveled across (what seemed to me) the entire Midwest over the holiday, and returned just short of New Year's. I'm so happy I decided to bring my camera, and new lenses, because the Midwest roads have so much more to offer than truck stops, and gas stations ;)

If I may share with you a few of the photos I 'snapped' on my travels over the last few weeks. Taken in 3 different states... all between Christmas Eve, and New Years...

These, to me, are why roadtrips are far better than flying...

Titles from top to bottom:

1. The Cambry Misfortune
2. Broken Bend Road
3. Weeping Eve
4. Earth's Archway
5. Abby Street

I hope you enjoy!
I'm off to watch Resident Evil: Extinction.

Best to you all until next time :)
-Ash, Bottle Bell Photography

My Opening...

Click on photo above to enlarge.
I hope you all can make it!

Ash, Bottle Bell Photography

2007 review - A year in pictures...

Hello Everyone!

This may be my last post in 2007...

It's been a crazy, busy year! So many wonderful things have happened with Bottle Bell Photography. I wanted to mark the occasion by putting together a year in review with pictures marking each month. (Seen at right)

Please click on the picture thumbnails (at right) to enlarge the year in pictures, and ENJOY!

-----------------------------------

While I have you here, I also wanted to take the opportunity to announce some exciting things...

In January of 2008, I have my first gallery show in Minneapolis for 6 weeks! As I get more information about the exhibition, I'll be posting it here on my blog.

For now, I've got to jet, but please enjoy the year in review, and have a blessed holiday.

And, to everyone who has been a support to me or my company in 2007, a special thank you. Your kindness is so appreciated, and never forgotten.

Best-

Ash, Bottle Bell Photography

EXCITING NEWS!!!

Hello readers-

I had some exciting news that I wanted to post and share with you all. :)

As before, another of my photos (seen below) is up for publication in JPG Magazine under the category: "Noir". It's entitled: "The Falling Chamber", and is part of my Angel Series.

If you have a moment, please consider voting. It always means the world to me, and every vote counts. For the most part, more votes = better chance at publication.

You may click on the thumbnail, and it'll bring you to the voting page...



Best to you all, and I thank you for your time and your endless support-


Ashley | Bottle Bell Photography