Way Out West Fest

If you are new to my blog you might not know I grew up a town kid. I didn’t want to be one. My heart longed to be in the country and I satisfied that desire by staying with my grandparents on their farm every chance I got. Grandpa was a mixed farmer with Hereford cattle and his crops were mostly wheat or barley. I feel especially thankful that he choose to have cattle and grow crops. Because of having experienced both I love calving season, can’t wait to smell the fresh dirt as the farmers work the fields in the spring and there really is nothing more beautiful than seeing combines working at dusk in the fall when the colours of the season have exploded into rich and vibrant oranges and yellows. I am proud of my western heritage, even if I do choose to sit in a Dressage saddle.

Frequenting websites, Instagram and Facebook accounts that are rich in Western Culture is something that my eyes like to feast on while relaxing at home. One of my favourite artists is Wilson Capron of Capron Bits & Spurs.  (I often wonder what would happen if I showed up in the Dressage ring all blinged out by Wilson!) You could imagine my excitement when a post came across my Facebook feed by the Way Out West Fest co-founder, Ingrid Schulz that included a day with Wilson Capron, Mike Nicola from the  National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum AND master silversmith Scott Hardy.  The workshop was to be held at Scott’s workshop. I immediately started a mental list of friends who would be just as excited as I was to make the 5 hour trip. I didn’t have to look far, in fact I only needed to look to fellow photographer Kaylie Franklin. We packed our bags and hit the trail early Saturday morning to arrive on time. (which construction on numerous occasions reared it’s ugly head and tried to deter us. Thank goodness for good company and the heavy footed, dually driving Dean!)

Scott spent some time talking to us about his process as a Silversmith and what a privileged it was to watch him engrave a small piece. My mind was whirling so fast that I could barely put words together to talk. Scott’s workshop was amazing. Everywhere you looked you could see pieces of who Scott is as an artist. I honestly don’t think my eyes could take in all the details. Could you imagine the tales that accompany his tools and what they could tell if they could speak? All the pieces they have worked on, the stories behind why those pieces were made, where they went and who has them? Not to mention the hours and hours Scott spent making them!

Perhaps the thing that resonated the most with me was that both Wilson and Scott talked about sketching every morning, not only to keep themselves practiced as artists but also to nourish the artist outside of their commissioned work. While looking through Wilson’s sketch book I felt like I was looking inside his artists heart. I felt deeply moved to be able to experience that. Any artist, no matter what medium they choose to foster their creativity, will tell you that their art is a part of who they are. If someone doesn’t particularly love something they have created, it is hard not to take it personal. Putting a little bit of themselves into every piece they produce is part of the creative process. It was so humbling to see where it all starts in their sketch books!

Wilson at work, demonstrating the steps it takes to make a rowel.

Using the microscope to inlay silver was another skill Wilson demonstrated. When you see the end product your mind can barely fathom the concept behind the “how” it became so beautiful! It truly is a master craftsman that can accomplish such skill.

Kaylie taking a turn admiring the skill involved, using the microscope.

The start of the whole process.

A close up of one of the finished products.

 

 

I would highly recommend if you have the opportunity to attend the Way Out West Fest next year that you do not hesitate in going. Anyone with an interest in the history and culture of our western heritage will thoroughly enjoy themselves. I know I will be there!