...to a New Day Dawning

         Fast forward one year from when I captured “Find Your Way” and “Let Your Light Shine”... 

         I was delving deeper into my passion for the natural world than ever before and found myself on my second backpacking adventure. My brother had taken me out for my first experience that April, and boy did I fall in love with everything about it! Itching to get out again, I planned an itinerary in the Autumn for the two of us in Shenandoah National Park. Shenandoah was my first National Park, as I had driven through it on the way to his place that April. I chose it for this backpacking excursion because I really wanted to get out on the trails and into the Wilderness of the Park.

         Looking back on those four days, it is hard to put into words the spectrum of emotions I experienced, both physically and mentally. The diversity of Autumnal beauty we were immersed in as we hiked down and up and down and up in elevation was nothing short of spectacular!

         To say our third day was grueling is putting it mildly. I had planned a hike taking us approximately 8-9 miles while gaining over 2,000 feet of elevation change. As a fairly experienced backpacker now, I have since trekked more daunting tasks. But back then,  it almost broke me. I recall at one point, as we were hiking up the last leg of decent elevation gain on the Appalachian Trail en route to Hawksbill Mt., I was (in my head) yelling at myself to “enjoy this man, you are on the AT for the first time!” My body, dehydrated (as I had sucked through my water early) and exhausted, just wanted to fall over down the cliff side. By the time we got to the spring and then chose our camping area for the night, I was nearly in tears of joy for having made it. 

         I awoke pre-dawn as planned and continued the half-mile to Hawksbill Summit to catch the sunrise. All the aches and pains and struggles were, at the moment of the Sun breaking the horizon, justified into something more grand than I could have imagined. I told my brother, who had met me up there for the moment, that if this photograph came out right I was going to title it “Appreciation”. Appreciation, for what it takes to be out here, for the trials endured and embraced to witness such beauty, for the journey we travel to a new day dawning.

(part 3 of 3) 

 “Appreciation”   -   Brandon Kline

Rapid Progression

         Hey everyone, I just wanted to throw this out there before my next installment... My previous post (A Light in the Dark, part 2 of 3) featuring my photograph “Let Your Light Shine” showed up in my emails junk folder. So, I thought I’d write this in the event that anyone who sees this and perhaps missed one of the two previous, or both, to be sure to check your spam/junk folder! 

          That being said, look for part 3 in another day or two! But in the meantime, since you’re here after all, check this out... if you think things can’t happen fast when it comes to Autumn’s color charge, think again! These are taken 5 days in a row, from this past Thursday(Novemeber 1st) to today(Monday, November 5th). This big, beautiful Norway Maple sits right across the street from my childhood home and has provided many a wonderful memory in all seasons throughout my life :-)

Thursday, November 1st

Friday, November 2nd

Saturday, November 3rd

Sunday, November 4th

Monday, November 5th(wide scene) 

Monday, November 5th(close up) 

A Light in the Dark

         I won’t lie to you. Originally I was going to make part 2 of this idea largely about the historical aspect of my experience in New England this October. But, after realizing I have way to much I’d like to share from those weeks to condense it nicely into one blog, I have decided to save that for a separate idea. And, after reading over my last post, this all plays nicely into spotlighting a seldom featured photograph from my available collection.

         I exposed “Let Your Light Shine” just about two weeks after “Find Your Way”  and wouldn’t you know it, I was beginning to see the light... getting back into nature and what I love to do proved to be precisely what my mental state of mind needed. This scene was not a far drive from my house back then, and I used to love driving over the mountain and back (still do to be honest :-)) during peak Autumn foliage as this area can certainly light it up! 

         On this particular late afternoon, I found myself enjoying this little stretch on the mountainside as a gentle rain was letting up and although the Sun was not shining upon the scene, nature itself provided all the light I could have asked for. The utter brilliance of that Sugar Maple’s inner glow standing out proud amongst a lovely pallete of Autumnal hues in “gloomy” weather struck me so completely with everything else I was working through. 

         It is the light from within that is an iridescent beacon that needs no other source to highlight it. Be yourself, “let your light shine,” and it will guide your way...

(part 2 of 3, to be continued...) 

“Let Your Light Shine”   -   Brandon Kline

The Journey...

         Greetings everyone. Let me preface this by stating that if you are receiving this email it is because you have either signed up for my mailing list via online, at an art festival, or I have obtained it through a purchase or conversation at a festival. If you would like to be removed or compartmentalized into only updates about new image releases/upcoming festivals please just let me know. It is not my intention to bombard you with unwanted mail. It is my intention to share my thoughts on the beauty of the natural world and to keep all interested folks in the loop.  :-)

         That being said, welcome, and I hope this sees everyone enjoying the bounties of Autumn! I am currently trying to settle back into daily life after a beautiful, challenging, and thought-provoking three plus weeks in New England. The experience is reminding me of the deeper meaning behind one of my favorite Autumn photographs - “Find Your Way”.

         I think we can all relate to the fact, that sometimes, and sometimes more often than not, things don’t always go the way we envision or hope that they will play out. But it is in this simple unknowingness that life is so wonderfully exciting. Isn’t it, after all, the journey and not the destination that we ultimately recall with adventurous regale?... 

         When I captured this image years ago, I was “finding my way” through a tumultuous mental time in my life. As I sit here now, despite the seeming clarity of my chosen path combined with the happiness and love surrounding me, there is a realization that striving to grow in any manner will undoubtedly see us continually “finding our way.” Isn’t it these moments though, albeit at times uncomfortable or even eerie, that shape our most defining and beautiful stories?...

 (part 1 of 3, to be continued...)

“Find Your Way”   -   Brandon Kline

Greetings/one more test

         So, for the handful of you who I hope receive this who signed up quite some time ago, I do apologize... Besides being guilty of neglecting this for too long, I recently realized that I had not properly linked my email lists with my campaigns so that you would actually receive my blog posts🤦‍♂️ 

         I think I have figured out the problem and I am sending this test out to a lucky 7 of you whom I know before I add a bunch of people who have been signing up during festivals. All I ask is that if you receive this and can take a second to reply/let me know you have, I will enormously appreciate it!

         I hope this sees everyone well and to get this ship ‘a’ sailing! For your troubles, please enjoy this magnificent, big old Oak tree that stopped me in my tracks this past week while in Mammoth Cave National Park, KY :-)

My best,

Brandon

Testing new list setup

Trying this again... Hello, just sending this out to a few of you to make sure blog and email list are properly linked. If you receive this, please feel free to message me that you have. I appreciate it! :-)

email List test

Hey everyone, just sending out a quick test post to see if my contacts are properly receiving emails. If you see this, a quick note back to let me know would be great appreciated. Thank you and I hope everyone is well!

Brandon

Has it really been a year?!

         My how time flies... here I am at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts again, my first repeat festival. Yep, it's been a year since I left my life as I knew it for the festival road, my backpack, and the Nation's Park System!

         I've re-imagined my booth once again this season after some feedback from my past couple shows with what is in my means to currently do to create a simpler, less messy, and more elegant look.

         If you find yourself near State College, PA over the next 4 days, stop by and breathe in Mother Nature, I'd love to see you! 

                                         Brandon Kline

Back to business!

          Greetings from Muggy Massachusetts this fine 4th of July weekend folks! If you find yourself near Great Barrington, MA come on out to the Berkshires Arts Festival! And no matter what you are doing, please be safe and have a wonderful weekend!

         And I can't help but share this... a young lady just told me my makes her think of Ansel Adams... Ummmm, WOW!!! I can't think of a much finer compliment than that.

:-) 

                                          Brandon Kline

Tidings from Kansas...

Hello friends,

         It feels it has been quite some time, and  well it has been a couple weeks or so since I last wrote here... for this moment, suffice it to say a lot has happened since I hit the road for Denver in early June! I will post more about the adventures and mishaps on the road next week when I have more down time. Currently I am getting ready to leave a lovely campground at Clinton State Park, Kansas near Kansas City as I make my way back to Pennsylvania.

         But, I just wanted to take a moment to say hi to everyone and a belated Happy Summer Solstice! I say it every year, and I don't plan on ever not, but I absolutely love this time of year, the energy and bounty of life is wonderful for the soul. I hope you all had, and are having, a great beginning to Summer!  

         As for me... I kicked off this plentiful season with my first visit to Rocky Mountain National Park! Camping the night before in Roosevelt National Forest and awaking pre-dawn to the alpenglow on Long's Peak, I made my way into the Park and to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead for roughly 7.5 miles throughout the morning, being caught in a Rocky Mountain daydream...

Three Rivers Art Festival...

Hey everybody! 

         I hope you'be all had a good past week. I was extremely busy preparing for the kickoff to my Summer Festival Season here in Pittsburgh, PA at Three Rivers Arts Festival! 

         It's been such a fun weekend and cool experience! It's been quite some time since I've spent any time in a city and I must say I've been having some nostalgic moments of my younger years living in Philadelphia and being a city person. Here are some pics of my new booth presentation (still a work in progress) and of the festival and area itself. Next weekend, Denver, CO... 

The other side...

         As a boy from the Northeast, when I was younger I always dreamed of seeing California and the Pacific Coast by the city lights of Los Angeles and the Santa Monica mountains as the ideal way to see "the other side" for the first time.  Well a lot changed over the years in terms of the man I have become and what my idea of ideal is.  The mountains, forests, and the call of wilderness has replaced city lights and hustle bustle.  

         This past Summer, at the age of 39, I finally saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, far away from any lights other than those of the campfires on the beach and the endless sea of stars in the night sky, along the coastline of Olympic National Park... And I wouldn't trade that experience for any other I could have had!  For this boy from the Northeast, here is my first look at "the other side." :-)

         Happy Memorial Day friends, enjoy the kick off to Summertime fun and adventures!!!

                                                                                                        Brandon Kline

View fullsize

When it hits you...

         This past Summer, in early July, I left my job and my place of living of ten years to pursue my Artwork full-time.  I made my second cross-country adventure in as many years on a leap of faith that I could support myself from the festivals I was going to be doing.  By mid-August, I had two shows under my belt, had just spent 10 days in Glacier National Park and found myself perched on a jagged rock crop outpost in the section of Mount Rainier National Park's backcountry aptly called Sunrise, and yep I was watching the first rays of the morning sun splash the Northeastern face of this noble giant.

         Slowly, it all began to sink in and overcome me.  The craziness of what I was doing, the grandeur of the scene before me, and the overall epic scale of pretty much everything at that moment.  We all take things in differently and it is hard to say how certain situations will affect one person over another.  But when something of such gigantic proportions looms in front of you in the midst of an enormous life upheaval, when it hits you, you'll know!  I took it in for a long while on this morning... And for a long time since. :-)

                                                                                                       Brandon Kline

View fullsize

What is remembered...

         "Far Away in Montana, hidden from view by clustering mountain-peaks, lies an unmapped northwestern corner - the Crown of the Continent." - George Bird Grinnell, 1901

         Glacier National Park has had my heart from the moment I first laid my eyes upon it's majesty in the Summer of 2013.  I have been there on e separate occasions now and I can't imagine not going every year.  There are many places of indescribable beauty on this Planet, and of those I have been fortunate enough to gaze at with my own eyes, Glacier is special.  There is a spirit here that is undeniable.  Just go there and feel it for yourself.

         I have not put finishing touches on my story with this image just yet, but I'll say this right now - My hike/timing to capture this photograph without doubt put me in a potentially dangerous situation over the most grueling day of mileage I have yet to rack up as a backpacker.  But in the end, it was one of the most spiritual and peaceful experiences on the trail I have had.  I believe that, in the end, what is remembered is the accomplishments and experiences we have had and the obstacles we have overcome.  These will shape our finest memories.

         Here is the first of 3 new images I'll be sharing from my adventures this past year, leading you into the Memorial Day weekend, so keep your eyes open the next few days because you're seeing them here first!  This is just a small section of what you will be standing before if someday you make the hike up to Grinnell Glacier... :-)

                                                                                                                Brandon Kline

View fullsize

Because the Mountains are Calling...

         I have of late been daydreaming of last Summer's adventures, of the grandeurs of the West, and the spectacles of the East.  Soon, I will be embarking on this years' adventure trail and the nostalgic moments I have of recent memories have been flooding me daily and tingling my spine...  Because of the Spring season, that has been the focused theme of my image posts the past month or so, but next week I will be unveiling 3 new photographs from my time out West last Summer, without doubt some of my proudest work yet.  And so in that spirit, get lost in some Glacier National Park glory...

("First Impressions", "The Rush of Life", "The Mountains Have Called")

         "As we rounded the bend, the soaring mountain peaks and lush green valleys opened up before me.  For the rest of the winding Going-to-the-Sun Road, heading from West Glacier on the way to Logan Pass and the continental divide, I sat speechless in utter awe of the scale of what lay before me… A glorious light glistened throughout the mountains whose peaks seemed to reach into the heavens.  Cascading waterfalls plummeted down from the melting snow of the high elevations where the trees no longer grow, carving their way down through the forests and into the valleys.  As if angels were singing, my first impressions of the West, of our previous five days spent backpacking in Glacier National Park’s wilderness were truly brought into light in the face of this view.

         The hike to Akokola Lake would be my initiation into the Park… Up and down the ridge line through open meadows caused by burns and wildfire giving way to new growth which filled my nose with the delightful scent of fresh pine.  Into deep forest and to the edge of Akokola, the peaks rising to the north, reflected perfectly in its waters, stole my breath.  This was remote wilderness.  The next morning as I walked down to the lake to capture first light kissing the peaks of those mountains, I half expected to see a scene of all of nature’s creatures harmoniously drinking from its shores.

View fullsize

"First Impressions"

         Over the next four days, my brother, his wife, and I hiked and camped through this wonderland of dense temperate rain forest, soaring mountain peaks, open meadows and pristine lakes, an experience I’ll never forget.  On our last night of backcountry camping, at the head of Bowman Lake, I had perhaps my most beautiful backpacking experience to date… The hike along the water’s edge, peering through thick jungle-like forest to the Caribbean Sea of Bowman’s waters, all in the face of towering Rainbow Peak, Mt. Carter, and Thunderbird Mountain on the opposite side was an enlightenment in itself.  Add to our scenery that we were abruptly caught in a thunder and hail storm, exhilarating the adventure, and only to arrive at the most amazing campsite I have yet to experience at Bowman’s head.  Roaring through the site is a creek of the most milky white water I’ve ever seen.  Flowing to the lake, it meets a bed of magnificent colored stones which all but stop it dead in its tracks, sending the milky creek trickling over rainbow rock into turquoise blue.  The sun began to set as storm clouds cleared and under the moon and stars of big sky country, I lay in my hammock gazing out unto this unbelievable view down the valley before me.  Rocking gently, I listened to the lap of gentle waves hit the shore, lulling me to sleep.

         Naturalist John Muir once wrote that Glacier National Park has “the best care-killing scenery in our continent.”  I thought of these words as well as many others of natural inspiration during this week of escaping the hustle-bustle and cares of daily life to come out into the wilderness and experience the true “rush” of life.

View fullsize

"The Rush of Life"

            Out here in the high-country, it is Winter, Spring, and Summer all at once.  We hike through snow in July with perfect 80 degree temperatures and mountain goats as friends, meadows bloom and burst with wildflowers, and the mountains which separate our country’s weather carry glaciers feeding into lakes of the most unbelievable turquoise Caribbean blues.  Humbled beyond words on the return hike from the magnificence of Hidden Lake, the culmination of our journey, I knew in my soul that the mountains have called."

View fullsize

"The Mountains Have Called"

Want to find me at an Arts Festival near you???

         Wow, I can't believe it's almost that time again, but in just about 3 weeks, I'll be back out on the road traveling the Festival circuit!  And I'll probably make a stop or two along the way over the next several months to do what I love to do ;-)  Needless to say, I'm starting to get pretty excited!

         I've just added a new page to the website which will list my lineup for the season...

www.brandonklinewnp/art-festvial-lineup-2017

         Right now, I have 5 lined up and a couple more possibilities to be called off of waitlist as well as several more that I won't know about until notifications come out.  But as soon as I add a show to the list, I'll be updating the page, so keep an eye out!

         Here's the list so far...

Three Rivers Arts Festival - Pittsburgh, PA

Saturday & Sunday June 3rd - 4th from 12:00pm - 8:00pm

Denver Berkeley Park Art & Music Festival - Denver, CO

Saturday June 10th from 9:30am - 7:00pm

Sunday June 11th from 9:30am - 4:00pm

American Art Marketing Berkshires Arts Festival - Great Barrington, MA

Saturday July 1st from 10:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday July 2nd from 10:00am - 6:00pm

Monday July 3rd from 10:00am - 5:00pm

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts - State College, PA

Thursday through Sunday July 13th - 16th (specific times to come)

Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts - Bozeman, MT

Friday August 4th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Saturday August 5th from 10:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday August 6th from 11:00am - 5:00pm

My views during the Sweet Pea Festival last Summer in beautiful Bozeman, MT!

Spring Delights...

         Good morning friends,

         I know that depending where you are in the country, or at what elevation, the progression of Spring may not quite be the same as what I'm describing.  You could be looking more at Summer greens or still at Winter snows for that matter!  Here in central Pennsylvania ranging anywhere from a couple hundred feet in the valleys to approximately 2,000 feet on mountain tops, Spring is greening up!  In fact, when you look upon the valleys, hills, and mountains, you can probably see just about every shade and variation of the color green you can imagine.  It is such a lush and wonderful scene!  Most of the early season flowers have past peak bloom and are leafing, but you can still see surprises here and there and every now and then when you turn a corner, such as I did a few years ago in Shenandoah National Park, you are stopped in your tracks with the delight of a Dogwood, gleaming white against the vibrant shades of green in the Spring Sun and you are mesmerized by it's showy glow!

         Yes, it is early May now and the lush, fresh forests grow more verdant everyday, but delights such as the Dogwood are still out there for you to admire.  And even when this icon of Spring drops it's pure white flowers for the greens of Summer, there are plenty more delights for your senses to come... The show is far from over, throughout the next month, see what mid to late season bloomers you can spot as the forest fills in and the heavy musk of lilac gives way to honeysuckle in the ever growing days and the warming evening air that is to come...

                                                                                                           Brandon Kline

View fullsize

"The Delight of a Dogwood"

Getting back out on the Trail!...

         Hello friends,

         Well, I am pretty happy to say I had a very successful and amazing time getting back out for a few days in the backcountry of Shenandoah National Park this past week!  It felt great to get back there this Spring as I was unable to make it there last year during this time.  And as always, Shenandoah did not disappoint in the least!  

         I arrived on a very wet, foggy day to find the true freshness of Spring revealed in the cleansing rain.  It was magnificent!  The Park is so alive right now with bright green, beautiful white Dogwood blooms, early season wildflowers such as violets and wild geraniums, gushing waterfalls thundering in Spring flood, and although a great many were beginning to leaf, there was still a lot of purple between 1,000-2,000 feet elevation from the Redbuds!  I spent both of my nights in different parts of Shenandoah's Federally Designated Wilderness areas - the first, off of the Mount Marshall Trail, which was a new trail for me, and the second... Yep, I couldn't resist the calling of my home away from home off of the Tuscarora/Overall Run Trail.  Both hikes also included short stints on The Appalachian Trail, always a cool feeling to set foot on :-)

         After a damp, but glorious first night, the remaining day and a half I spent there was wonderfully warm and sunny with cool breezes carrying wafts of wild Lilac through the air.  Talk about bliss!  All in all, I covered roughly 12 miles, taking in the delights of the Spring mountains.  I caught my first glimpse of a Shenandoah Salamander(a species only found here), making friends with him in the rain on my first night.  I heard a pair of Barred Owls hooting "Who Cooks For You, Who Cooks For You All" across the forest at each other in the night.  The morning and evening chorus of birdsongs added extra serenity to spending time with the Dogwoods and Wildflowers.  And the rushing flow of the waterfalls was a welcome refreshment to the spirit.

         I wrote in my journal on my second morning, something profound, yet so true in relation to my thoughts of what I may hope to see and photograph while here... "You can plan for this, you can plan for that, but you can never prepare for what Nature will show you."  She is full of surprises and wonder and challenges, all of which are good for the soul.  Until next time, my beauty...

                                                                                                            Brandon Kline  

Time to "Rise Up"...

         A few posts ago, I had mentioned how informative and inspirational a recent Sierra Club event I had attended was.  Two weekends ago, I also attended another Sierra Club sponsored event, the Banff Mountain Film Festival.  For those of you who love outdoor adventure of any sort and have never seen any of these films on tour, I HIGHLY recommend it! They are full of humor, inspiration, courageousness, and all around awesomeness!!!  And again this coming weekend, Saturday April 29th, is a BIG one folks.  The People's Climate March!

         I am not going to get all political, at least at this moment, but if you value anything on God's Green Earth, I strongly feel this is one of the most important assemblies of our current times.  It's no secret that their are some climate change deniers and anti-environmentalists in Washington D.C. right now.  And I feel it is EXTREMELY important to get involved in this if at all humanly possible.  Aside from the main march in Washington, there are sister marches all over the country that you can attend to help make your voice heard for the Planet.  For instance, I will be attending the gathering here in State College, PA.  You can find any information you need through the Sierra Club's website, www.sierraclub.org.

         Despite many uncertainties in our country and around the world right now, I have seen and been involved in several instances over the past few months that have given me tremendous hope!  There are people, not just "highly influential," but "ordinary, everyday" people, if you will, who are out there getting involved and making a difference!  Sometimes, it can be hard to see in the beginning, but things play out for certain reasons.  And perhaps all that is happening right now is exactly what we needed to "Rise Up" for the Planet, like the Spring rises from the Earth, and make a stand for this beautiful place we call home.

                                                                                                           Brandon Kline

View fullsize

"Rise Up"

Hiking to "A Home Away from Home"...

         In correlation with yesterday's blog pertaining to Earth Day and National Parks Week, guess where I'll be while you're reading these posts Monday April 24th-Wednesday April 26th this week??!

         Well, if you guessed Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, you are correct!  Yep, I'll be dusting off the backpack and getting back out on the trail for a few days as I make my annual Spring migration to Shenandoah to soak in some of the best Mother Nature has to offer in honor of Earth Day!  As I write this, I am still in debate as to where exactly I'll be hiking these few days, but if I am lucky I may just catch the magnificent display of Redbuds and Dogwoods in the Park's Northern District before the blooms are over.  And who knows, I may just have to go visit my "home away from home"...

         "This backcountry locale in my "backyard" National Park, Shenandoah, has become a home away from home for me.  Since the first time I camped near this serene waterfall I have returned more than half a dozen times to date (and only planning on adding to that over the years to come).  Right here, I have enjoyed some of my most profound and intimate moments of experiencing immaculate Mother Nature.  And the fact that it lies within a section of Shenandoah's Federally designated Wilderness, makes it even more special.  Hiking 3.5 miles in darkness the night before, I awoke on my first morning here and rolled out of my hammock, slid down the carved out hollow right next to me and photographed this magical moment at dawn.  The most amazing black bear encounter of my life has taken place right here, as a young juvenile played and foraged for nuts in late Autumn not more than 20 yards from me for a good 10 minutes or so!  I have been here in early Spring to celebrate Earth Day and seen these Falls booming at 2-3 times the volume you see here.  At the perfect time in October, this forest is ablaze with Maples, Hickories and Oaks.  And, every time, whether it be amidst the intoxicating smell of fresh Spring rain, or Autumn leaves in the cool air, and the deafening sound of the falls as I hear nothing but them aside from an occasional owl hooting, I can lean back and lose myself in dreams under the stars and the moonlight... This place soothes my soul, this is living folks, this is real magic!"

                                                                                                        Brandon Kline

View fullsize

"A Home Away from Home"