Made in Montana

Since February, Montana Horse Sanctuary has been preparing for the annual “Made in Montana” trade show. 

“The Made in Montana Program is part of the International Trade & Relations Bureau in the Business Resources Division of the Montana Department of Commerce. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana components, helps build recognition for products that are "authentically" Montana. That means they are grown, created, made, and/or enhanced in the state resulting in 50% or more added-value. The program requires that individuals and businesses meet the program's value-added definition to utilize the trademarked image on their qualifying products.”  http://www.madeinmontanausa.com/About.asp

The sanctuary’s booth was primarily there to get the word out to the public about the turmoil many horses face through out the state. In addition to the message of horses in need, we had a few items to sell too. 

We have beautiful notecards of the sanctuary horses thanks to three artists, John Ashley, Diane Hausmann, and myself, who donated their photography and artwork to the sanctuary to have beautiful notecards made up. 

I introduced another artist, Deb Little, to the sanctuary. Deb is a professional photographer and makes tile pendants with photos into jewelry. Her work is incredible. The pendants were a big hit at the show.

The sanctuary also sells caps, t-shirts, and pins with their stunning logo “Chasing the Sun” by Idaho artist Janene Grende. 

There’s also a license plate dedicated to the sanctuary using Grende’s artwork. In April I will become a Montana resident. I can't wait to get this license plate on my truck!

“Each time a Montana resident purchases or renews a Sanctuary plate for their vehicle, $20 goes directly to the Sanctuary's horse care and expansion fund. This allows us to provide shelter and rehabilitation for more horses.” 

http://www.montanahorsesanctuary.org/licenseplate.html

It was so rewarding to be at the show. Many people approached us in our booth asking how they could help and three people let us know that they are leaving the estate to Montana Horse Sanctuary. We also received endless thanks for the work Montana Horse Sanctuary does for horses.

 

In this picture, Jane Heath (Executive Director of the sanctuary) and Montana artist Diane Hausmann. 

Chasing Rainbows

I spent last summer taking care of Bev Pettit’s five horses in Skull Valley, Arizona, just south of Prescott. Bev is an international award winning photographer from Minnesota with jaw dropping credentials and a body of work I never grow tired of. 

Granite Mountain 

Bev’s ranch was eight miles back into the mountains and her property bordered the Prescott National Forrest, facing Granite Mountain. 

Monsoon cloud over Granite Mountain

Before I went to Skull Valley I had heard about the monsoon season and how much the  Arizonian's looked forward to it. People would talk to me about the monsoon season, their eyes lighting up as if they were watching fireworks or something. I was told the monsoon skies are some of the most beautiful in the world.

This rainbow was so bright that it reflected like neon on my truck window.

One night while I was doing chores, there were monsoons rolling through the sky. I brought my camera with me to the barn. I didn’t want to miss out on any good photo op’s, and I was not disappointed.

This double rainbow was so big I couldn't fit it in my lens

It typically took me an hour to take care of everything with the barn and horses, but that night it took me three hours to get everything done. I kept stopping to watch the skies and ended up chasing three rainbows that night. I had never seen so many vivid rainbows before and all at once! I kept running back and forth on the ranch from one corner to another capturing the ever changing skies. 

Another view of Granite Mountain

 

This rainbow was literally miles long and lastest for just over two hours. 

I chased this rainbow until there was nothing left of it.

It was so surreal, I didn't want it to end.

The rainbows got pushed aside by a huge fuchsia monsoon. The thunder that accompanied it, was a slow rumbling boom that echoed through the mountains of the national forest. It was a pure photographic ecstasy for me to witness. I can still hear the echo in my head.

And of course, my blog entry would not be complete with out an equine image. Miss you girl!