Cathy Simone’s photography celebrates the essence of the horse, the energy and character of these majestic beings, and the spirit within.

 

Born and raised in Calgary, Simone’s passion for the equine began at a very early age, caring for her own horses stabled and safe yet free to roam acres of beautiful land at the Buckhorn and J.O. Ranches in southern Alberta. The summers of her youth are fondly remembered, sharing time with family and those who embraced ranch life with commitment, dedication and respect. As time passed, things changed- the ranches were sold, the horses relocated and the cowboys moved on. Now a young adult, Cathy embarked in the adventure of study at the Alberta College of Art + Design. Her passion became the camera and the balance of light and shadow. A traditional education of film, chemistry and darkroom developed diligence and patience of practice and respect for technique and craftsmanship. Transition is inevitable, and darkroom became digital in profession and education. With dedication and commitment, Simone embraced this challenge, grateful for the experience of both mediums and inspired to creatively unite the tangible aesthetic of film within modern photography.

 

Cathy has been an instructor and mentor from 2006 to present. She teaches at the Alberta University of the Arts and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, sharing over 25 years of experience in photography, process, print and presentation. In the spring of 2018, Simone was published in Applied Arts Magazine, award winner for Limited Edition Gallery Photography Series.

 

Through beauty, movement and form in the balance of light and shadow, Simone visually expresses and creatively explores quintessential nature to engage audience and evoke emotional response. Cathy Simone’s collection of poetic narratives represents her passion and respect for the art of photography and the inspirational equine spirit- unbridled and free.

 

“Personality can be editorialized within a still image. Character, more difficult to render. Emotion is by far the most challenging to portray for it cannot be replicated with any medium except memory, and the unity of self, sense and spirit.”

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