News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Ski photos form a large part of Kevin Blanchard’s portfolio, some of which is on display at Sisters Athletic Club. photo provided
Kevin Blanchard loves outdoor sports. He loves to travel. He loves photography.
Blanchard combines those passions in striking photography, a sample of which is currently on display at Sisters Athletic Club.
"In junior high school I had my first 35 mm camera and started taking pictures," he said.
When it came time to go to college, he entered an art program at the University of Utah, specializing in photography.
Blanchard owns property in Nicaragua and loves to travel in Central America, a setting that is featured in many of his shots.
"The camera's just always there with me," he said.
The passion for photography melded well with the Salt Lake City native's enthusiasm for outdoor sports, especially skiing, which he continues to enjoy on ski patrol at Hoodoo Mountain Resort.
"I grew up skiing, and that is my favorite sport," he said. "I do a lot of rock climbing and kayaking, but ski photography is something I feel I have more control over," Blanchard said.
Many of Blanchard's shots feature remote backcountry, with dark crags contrasting with dazzling snow fields.
"I think snow is the hardest thing to shoot because of all the reflected light, but when you get the shot, it's something special," he said.
The photographer's art was derailed for a time as he focused on real estate, but the lure of the lens drew him back in recent months.
"Within the last six months, I decided to dive back into it," he said. "There was something missing."
Blanchard approached Sisters Athletic Club owner Tate Metcalf about having a display in the lobby at the club, which regularly features the work of local artists.
"I think Tate is doing a great thing with that space," Blanchard said.
He also recently showed at Angeline's Bakery - "that's another great space" - and he is encouraged by the support the arts receive in Sisters.
Blanchard is creating his art for art's sake; he doesn't expect it to pay the bills.
But he has created a way to use his artistic skills in a practical manner that also takes advantage of his real estate background.
Blanchard recently launched "Eye Wire Media," providing virtual tours of properties ranging from homes to golf courses and wineries. The endeavor will be international in scope; Blanchard is working on creating virtual tours of lodges in Nicaragua.
Blanchard discovered the concept in working to market his own properties and he quickly realized there is a need for such services and that his visual acuity made it a natural fit for him.
Blanchard's work will continue to be on display at Sisters Athletic Club for several weeks. For more information about Blanchard or Eye Wire Media, call 350-7357 or visit http://www.eyewiremedia.com.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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