I know, it's been forever...

I know, it's been a long time since I posted here. My life has changed dramatically but I believe it's for the better.

I'm currently in an apartment going through a divorce. It's a very serious, dramatic time in my life but I do believe things will be better for my son and I.

I have not worked much on tack. Due partially to some depression and partially to some space constraints, but I have a big enough area to do braidwork so I'm going to try to focus on that.

I've been doing really with photography though.  I'll leave you with some of the photos that I took while at http://www.ourmims.org which is probably one of the most wonderful, positive and beautiful equine rescues I've ever been to.  If you like these photos there is a calendar featuring some of them for sale on the ourmims.org website.  The funds go to the horses, I've seen it with my own eyes.

I'd like to take a moment to say something about Jim West, because although I didn't know him very well, I really, really liked him.  He was an absolute asset to our hobby and he will always be missed.

Last Photos I've taken of American Pharoah.

These were taken June 1st at Churchill Downs.  it was an unseasonably cold, rainy day but I really wanted a few more photos.  I swear one of these days (hopefully) I'll get photos of this horse in the bright sunlight.  I've been to Churchill to take photos of him four times and none of them had bright sunlight.. what are the odds!?

American Pharoah Mania

Yeah, I am taking a lot of photos these days.. I have access to the Backside of Churchill Downs This year and I'm taking full advantage of it.  These are photos of American Pharoah taken yesterday morning.

Kentucky Derby Contender Photos

American PHaroah

Firing Line

Materiality

American Pharoah Getting a Bath

Dortmund Getting a Bath

Bob Baffert Taking a look at DOrtumund

Since I live in Louisville, KY and I LOVE all things Kentucky Derby time, I thought I'd share some of the photos I took while I was lucky enough to gain access to the Backside of Churchill downs.

I'll probably share more photos as time goes on because I'm doing a lot more photography.  I hope thats ok with you guys!

Almost done!

Yes, I am still alive and kicking..

I have been doing a lot of photography and a little bit of model Horse tack here and there.  I have added two more plates to the "Opus" saddle and I intend to work on that more often.

I post more frequently on both of my facebook pages:

http://www.facebook.com/desertnightcreations

http://www.facebook.com/abounaderphoto

but I'll still update this page from time to time.  I've just been very busy and very tired  but I'm still creating!

Bit collection and other stuff..

From Left to right: Sue Rowe Bit, Silver Carol Williams Bit (on a braided bridle I'm working on), Heart bit made out of plated silver; key chain bit; pistol bit where I've painted the handles white, another hand made carol williams bit, another silver plated bit (Robin..clark maybe), last row are both robin clark bits (I think).

 

 

 

I made this bit myself out of sheet silver and a dremel.

Made this bit myself using sheet silver and a dremel

Made by Me out of sheet silver and a dremel. This was a prototype and I Only made one shank.

Again, I made this bit myself as well.  Unfortunately one side broke and I never made another.

Made this bit myself for the Mother Hubbard I set.

Firstly, Alicia Vogel has a bridle and matching Breastcollar of  mine available on the Model Horse Sales Pages. These colors are unique to my work. I normally hang out in "Traditional" colors "land" of browns, darker blues and reds. Anything that could've been made from naturally ocuring dyes.  (This is part of the reason that I enjoy Danielle Hart's work so much... she doesn't have those dumb limitiations that I do!):

http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/view.asp?id=1138707

It occurs to me that I have been "officially" making tack since 1997. Yes.. 1997. So... I've been making miniature tack for 18 years. Gawd I'm old.. lol!!  I have gained considerable knowledge and skill in that time, albeit slowly.

I am a firm believer in dispelling myths about myself and showing people that my earlier work wasn't all that great.  I'm hoping by doing this that I'll inspire more tackmakers to keep at it.  I'm finding as time moves on there aren't a lot of us in the hobby who have been around "FOREVER" in the tackmaking biz.  (Insert crotchety comment here about the A.D.D. generation) I want to change that.

Here are some of my older works:

2003

2001

2000

2000

2001

2001

I know that I had some photos of some really old stuff but apparently my Subconscious has deleted those. LOL!!  Actually I've had at least 5 or 6 computers since then so those photos are probably on some "lost" hard drive somewhere.

Well, happy February!

Another Catch Up post!

 

So much has happened and I am having a really hard time right now with focus.

I post a lot on my Facebook Page so you can keep up there if you are on facebook..

http://www.facebook.com/desertnightcreations

http://www.facebook.com/abounaderphoto

I lost my friend, Mark (above) in December and that dredged up a lot of feelings from my dad's death on top of mourning the loss of such a kind, genuine, authentic human soul.  

I'm having a really difficult time focusing right now and it's effecting my pool game during league play and work.  I work now whenever I can get myself to focus which isn't always at the time when I should work. Luckily my company can accomodate that and I'm still employed:)

I am working on a braided bridle that I'm going to try to keep for myself, so that eventually I'll have several examples of my own work. Wish me luck on that!