Amanda Lynch

Fine artist in a mixture of mediums.

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Blackfoot Crossing, Canada the day was warm and the area was huge. Words can not describe the vast lands that you look out upon with small streams and valleys and rolling hill scapes. In the entrance you are met with a sculpture of Crow foot (see image) the  stunning presence of his face was over whelming scene of proudness, authority and celebration. Me and mum got carried away talking to a few people who worked there and who where on the council this mean't we had to rush round the museum a bit but it was great we didn't realize just how poorly these people had been treated still in the 1960s. The grounds itself was a lovely walk with trails and woodland to walk around. There where displays of ti-pi's and the kind of decoration that goes onto them. I was shocked at how cool and roomy they where inside. We then went for a walk to find the archaeologists however on a windy little trail we sure a massive animal poop and my mum said hell no is it a moose, is it a bear or a bloody cougar and we high tailed it back to safety, needless to say I think it was a moose poo but we didn't hang around to find out.

We sat and on the hill and gazed out onto the surroundings and my mum got tears in her eyes not only was it stunning but you could just picture how the life was once there. Although bison are no longer roaming and animals are limited to the eye, you could imagine how people lived here. After this we walked around the grounds and museum trying not to talk to everyone so we could actually get to see everything on offer. And then it was the gift shop I think we brought one of everything but we are tourists of course...

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On a drive a normal day a bit cloudy, but nothing out of the blue. Until there was a group of cars with flashing lights and all seemed to stop so we slowed down and I saw out of the side of a highway an animal that looked cow like. So slam on the breaks and keep back from the other cars in case there is an accident. Then still looking I thought no it looks like a horse then all of a sudden bloody hell its a bloody moose and her baby!! crossing the road. All the traffic stopped and watched the moose run up the hill and with that as quickly as it came it walked over the hill and disappeared not to be seen again. An amazing sight and what a privilege to see a calf and mummy. But I have to say they are one ugly animal in all there size they are not beautiful at all. 

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A walk in the park... on a walk in blairmore mum spotted these little critters in the children’s park and they were really sweet along with a climbing mound and swing set with also included a disabled swing. So good to see they included everyone :) really made me smile. A bison and a little deer. 

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The Galt Museum in Lethbridge first off what a place to find the sat nav kept taking us in circles (stupid thing) and the museum was tucked away behind a hotel over looking a valley. The museum itself had a temporary exhibit of the fire station and the fire history from what was worn, photo above a smoke helmet 1911, and other smoke and gas masks. It was great to see how far the technology has come along with the equipment.

Other history was on the migration from Pearl Harbor and how the Japanese came to Canada, I was shocked at how these people has been treated in some ways I can understand the harshness of the country, you live her you live by our rules, however as so many came to settle (Pearl Harbor was the Jap’s fault as a way into Canada….) the history stated that as these new people where her they had to wear Western clothes and as for religion had to be the Buddhist Church, which is funny now but then how awful for these new people. New homes, new lives and now a whole new way of life. Again this isn’t very “old” history but it is nice to see that there are parks and gardens with Japanese names, these do have historical value a park in Lethbridge was a place that people of Japanese decent could get married it is now a tourist spot and many go to visit.

I didn’t realise how much migration had taken place in Canada, in Lethbridge there is big Mormon population. There are also different sects which live there to, me and mum have come across some people from these backgrounds and it’s odd how they don’t mix with others, some don’t speak or even look at you. I can understand that if they have had trouble with name calling that they keep a distance but its also sad that this is how some people are.

One exhibit was on Pete Standing Alone who grew up on a reserve and broke away from his native life to go explore the other world of us crazy people. He has done a lot for his community and also getting an honorary degree from Lethbridge University. The Blood reserve must have so many songs, and stories to tell I wish this exhibit had been bigger. There was a video of dancing and songs and celebration clothing that is worn. It was really interesting.

Alot on coal mining and the ways of life, these men had hard lives using horses underground and not much light, not only very very cold but frightening. The mining towns are still active and its good to see the industry do well for itself. Then mum pulls me over to this exhibit before I can blink shes telling me to look straight ahead and next thing I’ve had my picture taken and shes killing herself laughing. It’s a newspaper mock up with the weather and a picture of my big head. Mothers…

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What a day, it’s been raining high winds and freezing but it didn’t stop us having our little adventure. On arriving you are met with a statue of a cowboy on a rared up horse with gun i hand aimed at a wolf, the amount of detail in the sculpture was stunning. It was if it was going to start moving at any moment and run off into the distance.

On walking round the buildings are around 100 years old and have kept the history and way of life within the walls. In each building is a guide dressed in the clothing of the time. We were first met by Lewis a cowboy in real life and had the cowboy look, between cracking jokes and learning the history of the cook house it was amazing as to how much knowledge he had on the area and buildings. Inside the cook house it was laid out as if any moment a group of hungry ranch men would walk in needing a hot meal as the stove was on it felt homely and warm. After this we ate (a must), then met a lovely guy named Dooley who was part Su the native history is mind blowing and you can not believe that it was only 1960s that things have got better for these people. On speaking with him he teared up with the tragic things that he knows and that was heart breaking that within my mother’s life time people have suffered so much. He was in good spirits and gave us a ride on a horse drawn buggy and we had the farting duo which was hilarious I have never heard a horse fart so much I couldn’t stop laughing. Then we met Gizmo a cat who hates everyone until last year we where told. He was climbing and purring and wanted your attention next thing I know I have a bloody cat trying to get into my backpack and I am covered in cat hair. We walked round the stables and other buildings and still talking to Dooley telling us the history of this amazing place, he says “hold on I got something to show you..” and out of a tac box pulls out three new born kittens !! Gizmo has been busy…The teeth on on of the kittens was like the joker was reincarnated into cat form I killed myself laughing as he had a good set of nashers on him.

We could of stayed talking to him all day but time was of the essence as normal we had to rush round to see everything before it closed. On more visits in the barns we met Lewis again who told us they make leather work and he sings, songs like ‘Does this look infected to you’ country ranch boy stuff, bloody brilliant. The place was so inviting and friendly that I could of stayed there weeks let alone days you needed more time to soak up the history and stories the people and buildings have, there is a true passion for the place there.

Walking from bedroom to bedroom there was a huge box of painkillers which is you put in your handbag there would be no room left for anything else. Looking at the wagons we had cowboy brewed coffee over the open fire on a cold day it hit the spot with the taste of well piss but it was good to have something anyway.

Mum also found out things like a certain man is divorced, kids, singer, rancher, horse rider, and very single she always has to ask you married? To anyone who has half a pulse just to get a green card. I think she scares people at times including myself with her marriage proposals…

Bar U Ranch is a must for anyone who loves the wild west including folks like the Sundance Kid as turns out crooks get around, he worked at Bar U. The working horses are stunning animals and the ranch itself is larger than I thought, take the whole  day even a few days and soak up the smells, history and people you will not regret it.

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A great little adventure with mum today and she took some great stones and rock to make these little guys.

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These rocks are found on my travels with mum she spotted some lined rocks from Red Rock Canyon river, we also did a walk near where we are staying and i found these broken glasses with no lenses which then where on the floor. There was also a name card which was laying on the ground along the river bed. The wood is from a river bed in Waterton park that was so light and lined that it really showed the nature of the place we are in. The elements have all the power and these fragments are just small small bits of this grand sculpture around me the natures of the world. I can't even show how the surroundings are reflected within the work. The plastic A was a find by mum in the mud which once cleaned was silver plastic.

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I conquered Bears Hump! The photos above are from my view from the top and on the way up on the hike. I started on the hike and thought it was going to be easy as thats what the sign said, well it lied. A easy hike should be a walk in the park but I got half way I felt half dead. There where high peaks and rocks and ledges to get over. I saw some older people doing it and was surprised that they got to the top I was knackered but the view was worth the hard work. On my way up I heard a odd noise turned out it was a bloody bear and I nearly crapped myself, all I could muster up was to say 'hello'. And soon walked off once my legs decided to work again. I did not intend to walk up on my own but it would of been to hard for my mum so I continued singing to myself (badly) which I hoped would scare the bears off and anything else that was lurking in the woods. It was a great experience and I was really pleased with myself for doing it. once at the top there was snowy peaks and hikers and climbers in the distance, I was asked to take a photo of a family from New Zealand they had a tiny baby with them and I was stunned to see so many mums walking with their children I did feel very unfit at this point. I haven't done anything like that before and I would recommend it to anyone just be willing to work a bit and the results are worth the wait.

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Bison Paddock with the young ones. 

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A few photos of Cameron Falls, a view from the lake, and the ram crossing the road. 

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Wateron National Parks and Lakes

Our second day was a bit of a nightmare to begin with, we had a map (for once) and we had picked the walks and trails we wanted to do which were the easy ones. So we ventured off to the visitor centre, as you do, and asked for help with directions to some of places. There we found out that all of the easy walks where now closed until NEXT YEAR!! for construction I was about to do some major construction on his face we had paid for a few nights stay in a hotel which was lovely but now had the issue of not being able to do anything we had planned. So we headed for the Bison paddock and had a nice drive round and saw… nothing! turns out they only have 14 males so our chances where slim, but we weren't giving up that easy so we went back the next day. After our disappointment we headed out to the shops and walked round then the sun was setting on our day and we walked the lakes with beautiful pink mountain views and green and blue reflections in the water.

We stumbled across Cameron Falls where you could walk up to the top and then walk the bottom of the falls. The way that the rock faces have been broken down by the water was crazy it was all at an angle.

My words are limited to try and describe the view but the size and greatness of the Rockie Mountains is inspiring, I haven't seen anything like it. This landscape is so much bigger than you and is quite intimidating in comparison. Mum made some friends with the horned sheep and they followed us round which was funny, the white tailed deer are HUGE I haven't seen deer like it, they have kind faces with white bunny tails and a brown coat like chocolate. I really could just watch the surroundings go by all day with my mum it was like something out of a film.

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Waterton national park and lakes

A week today we ventured to Waterton National Park and Lakes the drive there was rolling hills of ranch land with lush green views from the car, the weather was hot and bright and the road looked shinny with the heat. On entering the park we saw mountain goats and horned sheep in their packs. We had booked a few nights to stay and didn't have a plan of what or where we were going. Some photos of the first day… These included a very up hill walk to the Prince of Wales hotel which we reached as the sun was setting over the mountains. I could see why the place was the most photographed hotel the landscape is stunning. The hotel itself was a mock swiss cottage with its grandness of stained glass and small stair ways. After walking round we saw another group of horned sheep which thought it would be fun to play stare outs with us I quickly moved on I didn't want a horn up the arse. 

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Project in motion this is the starting of my make shift tipi by only using things i can find and put together I am aiming to make sculpture like I have never made it before by only using found objects natural and man made. I am hoping to show the space that has been lost with the changes in climate with native people. There are stereotypes of what native people are and what they have become and I want to show my interruption  of that. So far I have used three easels two large sheets of canvas, rocks and a collection of maps. Today on a walk down the river I found a pair of broken glasses with no lenses and a name badge. Along with a plastic A letter maybe from a car and a heart necklace that was hanging on the easel. So far so good...

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Today keeping the theme of space I have put together elements i have gathered so far. 

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Artwork- I have been trying to wrap my head around the one common thing that keeps coming back to me while being on this art residency, which is vast space. No words can describe how vast the lands are here and when someone says as far as the eye can see my eyes strain and I can only see land for miles. For example driving past a ranch land it said 66,000 aches of land what the heck will you do with that let alone be able to count it all, coming from a busy town it is very difficult to comprehend such space. On top of this ‘space’ the ranches are also very flat, and a patchwork of colours this surrounded by mountains. 

It is next to impossible to show space and mass in sculpture (for me) and I want to reflect these surroundings as best I can but it is a struggle. I feel overwhelmed of these areas as they are stunning and every new sight out does the first sight. 

By finding this egg I saw space not only does the shell occupy space although a small space, it is the beginnings of a great space. This now empty shell held a bird which now walks the lands of a green centre, open and free. But still surrounded by it’s mother which is in a small but larger than the egg space. Once it becomes old enough and strong enough to fly it will then occupy the greatest space of all, the sky. This sky bird can roam lands and air for much further than the eye can see. By living in these surroundings (Blairmore) I believe that this small egg is the root of vast, vast space. As humans occupy small and contained spaces by blocked off walls these areas of the Rocky Mountains are only occupied by vastness some people and the rest is wild. 

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Birds of prey centre Lethbridge