February 8, 2015
Toronto, ON

I'm so excited to announce the launch of "Adventures In Sweetland" my first book of photography coming February 28, 2015. The book launch party and gallery opening will take place on said date at the Fleishman Gallery in Toronto, ON. Books will also also be available online. Check back for links to buy coming soon... And visit my tour page for more event info.

Adventures In Sweetland the book ... Coming soon.

Design by A Man Called Wrycraft

December 13, 2014
Toronto, ON

I'm home at last from my epic journey, and what an adventure it was. I seem to be she of little words these days, but many photographs. For all the details of my trip have a peek at the latest photos from my eternal Adventures In Sweetland as well as my Instagram series. You can follow me all the way across Canada to the top of Vancouver Island, onto the ferry up the Inside Passage, along the Stewart-Cassiar highway to the Yukon wilderness, then far North of the Arctic Circle -  and all the way home.

For those of you in Toronto hope to see you at Hugh's Room this Thursday, December 18th for the Ladies In Waiting "Jingle Ma Belle" album release show.

Happy holidays!

xo
Kristin

On the Road ... more photos here

March 21, 2013
Farm Heaven, ON

Springtime salutations from sparkling Snowland. I am once again in Farm Heaven visiting my dear Captain Dirt at her famous farmhouse. It blizzarded with a passion on the day I arrived, but I rocked the long drive like an Ice Road Truckers superstar. Today I'm safe and warm by the fire, and quite focused on all my artistic endeavours.

The Captain and I are working out the final arrangements for our last two new album tunes (to be recorded next week) and they sound so good. I'm madly in love with the gorgeous 1978 Larrivée classical guitar my dad gave to me recently. He bought it on a trip out to Victoria, back in the days when Jean Larrivée still worked out of his tiny shop in Market Square. It has brought me new songs. And I am grateful.

Today I've been working on the lead guitar part for my newest instrumental piece "Soul Captain." It was inspired by the William E. Henley poem Invictus - the subject of my latest experiment in the Aristotelian art of mnemotechnics. Piece of cake. And so worthy. I shall repeat it over and over again ... And remember.

I've also been busy with my magical camera in the name of my eternal self-portrait series. From the Great Northern Railroad to the Lake of the Bloody Ice Hole, you'll find photographic evidence of all my recent Adventures in Sweetland here. My latest photography project is my daily Instagram photo, courtesy of my brand new iPhone. I'll be uploading one photo each day with a wee Sweetlandish vignette. Photos will be posted on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. So stay tuned.

And although the land around me is still in deep freeze, I can feel the melt beginning on the inside. It is magical and torturous - but we must incinerate the old to make way for the new. My friends and I have a tradition of making corn dolls on Autumn Equinox. We lovingly call them "The Hag" after the Cailleach, mythological Irish creatrix and Queen of Winter. We care for our Hags though the dark half of the year, and they are said to protect us from winter's wrath. We burn them come Spring - a sometimes bittersweet moment, as one often gets attached. My hag has thoroughly gone up in smoke and I am rising from her ashes. Ready for the next magnificent chapter.

Now it's time to strap on some snowshoes and make a journey into the deep dark woods. There is a cedar forest, a snowy churchyard, and a shimmering snow field with my name on it.

xo

Snow Woods

Perhaps the deep dark woods aren't so dark after all...

More photos here

August 19, 2012
Sweetland, ON

Gentle readers,

Now that I'm back in the blogosphere at last, you shall not be able to get rid of me. Today, I'm taking a load off at the Sweetland family ranch, after an epic excavation down in the basement. An incredibly successful excavation it was, enough to make Indiana Jones and Sydney Fox proud! Up to the point where a framed photograph I took at the Burning Man Festival thirteen years ago, fell from the top of a cardboard box tower right onto my toe ... Ouchy.

However, it did not diminish the joy I felt upon finding everything I had been searching for! Missing photographs from the early days of my self-portrait series, old journals, and a pair of pink sparkly running shoe roller skates. The purpose of retrieving said articles -sparkly roller skates excepted- is for the glory of my new "Adventures in Sweetland" book of  photography and magical road stories! In moments like this, I am deeply grateful I have been a record-keeper all my life. Right now I'm focusing on researching myself during the early days of my portrait series, and endeavouring to determine at what moment I evolved from "photographer" into "self-portraiteuse." Although I discovered two very early photographs of "my feet and the scenery" -One in 1994, atop a mountain in Idaho, and one in 1996, enjoying the midnight summer solstice sun in Arctic Norway- I reckon the "first self-portrait ever" award goes to me in a red dress on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, October 1996.

I remember it well... More old self-portraits here!

So now that the Captain Dirt & The Skirt new album project is well under way (and almost appears to be recording itself...) I have some creative time and space to finish putting the book together, hopefully in time for Santa! It's a plan. And I will definitely keep you posted.


Besides the aforesaid excavations, I spent much of the weekend with Ursa the family beast. We like to go out and wander gaiely through the sun-speckled woods of my youth. We venture down under the bridge, along the river, through the forest, and all the way to the secret clearing behind the old Sanatorium. This route has been a tradition with me, and every Sweetland family beast in history. A long winding path lined with wild carrots, creeping jenny, and stinging nettle opens up into a old willow grove... There, in the middle, stands a prehistoric basketball court that has been completely reclaimed by nature. This is where we sit, and I throw the little dog ball, over, and over, and over again...

Ursa and I in the secret clearing... More new photos here!

It's quite the forgotten world down there, and at times I've wondered if I'm actually the only one who can see it. But yesterday, for the first time ever, I came upon someone else in the secret clearing! I saw her from a distance ... A small, round, older woman picking little yellow flowers from a shrubby bush. (St. John's Wort, I soon learned.) Then she, a herbalist with a mysterious accent, then proceed to clear up all my questions about the local vegetation, and its medicinal properties. Thank you stranger! But now that I think about it, I'm not convinced she was entirely human, or even really there at all. Fae perhaps? I did go home with a handful of St. John's Wort, but not to consume for its medicine. Instead, I pressed the little petals in my journal so that in 20 years, when I'm writing the next book, I shall remember that day well. And fondly.

This afternoon it's back to the big city once more! And just in time for my True Blood date tonight. (Fang face.)

More new album info, gig announcements, photos, and other exciting news coming soon!

Stay tuned,

x
K

April 6, 2012
Toronto, ON

I'm home at last after my epic tour down to Texas, and subsequent artistic hibernation in the land I call "Farm Heaven"... I have so many stories to tell, I'm not even sure where to begin. So I reckon, at least for now, I'll let the photographs I took speak for themselves. Sweelandish tales to follow shortly, I promise. Not to mention NEW ALBUM UPDATES! But I can tell you this much ... We start in the studio next week! Woooot!

More very very soon,

x
K

You'll have to guess where I am, and what I'm doing there.
I'll never tell.

January 19, 2012 
Dalkeith, ON

Well it sure is winter here in Farm Heaven. The winter we, in the big city, thought might never come... I found it. It was at the end of a long road, down a dirt road, all along. And I was pleased to find it quite happy to see me. With that particular brand of bitter cold that freezes your nosehairs, seizes your lungs, and illuminates a sky bursting with stars. Crystal clear. Like no other time of year.

That being said, I have not strayed far from the wood stove. Just perhaps to turn on my amp and put the kettle on. Cup of tea, and kitten on loan from Captain Dirt complete the picture. All with a rock 'n' roll soundtrack. Like seriously. The Captain and I have have been plugging in, and turning way up. Good thing we have no neighbours here in Farm Heaven.

It's actually good it's been far too cold to frolic out of doors for long. Or I'd go out on Operation Snowshoe, taking strange photos, and chasing strange animals, all the livelong day. This way I stay home and focused on all the things I want to create before I leave. There are new tunes and grand plans in spades! And not just musical, also photographic. I've been playing with my brand new studio lights. I know, très fancy. For Ms. camera in the back pocket climbing a tree, it's a whole new world, baby.  Give me a little time to figure it out, then call me if you want your Sweetlandish portrait taken...

Time to throw another log on the fire!

xo
Svetlana Ice Princess

P.S. I saw a wolf.

More wintry wonderland... here.

October 18, 2011
Toronto, ON

I'm Home Sweetland Home after an epic weekend at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference in Niagara Falls. I've been to tons of these kinds of events in the past, but I confess, this was one of the best. It was so good to see so many of the people I dearly love in one place! It's always overwhelming in the most cathartic and heart-warming of ways. Highlights included Thursday night dinner with James Keelaghan, one of my favourite people on the planet, big hugs from the beautiful Tannis Slimmon, mysterious moments with Mr. Mystery himself, Bill Bourne, and finally getting to meet the newest addition to the Trevor Mills/Selena Burgess family, baby Abigail! Not to mention, the glorious gala dinner and awards ceremony to honour Trevor's papa Paul Mills for all he has given to our community over the years. The highlight of said ceremony for me (besides being flanked at my table on either side by a handsome man-sandwich) was the brilliant film by another of my favourite gentlemen, Monsieur Andy Frank. I don't think I ever leave the gala dinner with a dry eye, good thing my mascara is badass waterproof.

On the first night, I initiated myself with a big adventure down to the falls (which are not a Wonder of the World for no good reason.)  It took me ages to get there, street after street, kitchy hotel after hotel, over a bridge, down a hill and straight into the mist. By the time I pointed homeward I was soaking head-to-toe, wind-blown and seriously high on negative ions. I decided to take a shortcut back, which somehow led me to me scale a muddy cliff (in my Sweetlandish heels!) right up onto some train tracks, over a fence and into a churchyard cemetery. I definitely earned the new photo I took for my eternal Adventures in Sweetland series... so perfectly Halloween.

Then, the universe saw fit to deliver me a strange challenge, as I woke up on Friday morning with absolutely no voice!  I guess the soggy evening's adventure the night before was a bit much for my currently delicate constitution. So I whispered, mimed, smiled and nodded my way through the rest of the conference. I was trooper and still played two of my three showcases. Good thing I have an arsenal of instrumentals, and am pretty effing entertaining... even when I can't sing.

Musically, I enjoyed hearing the lovely Ann Vriend for the first time, as well as new pals Cindy Doire and Andrea Ramolo. Attended a great showcase by dear friend (and newlywed) David Newland, and so wished I could have sung along to the sweet sounds of Jessie Dee and Jacquie B... On the last night of the conference we gave'r till dawn with an all-night jam in the Tunesmith Room hosted by David Ross Macdonald. Somehow it all degenerated into an early morning dance party on the balcony. We drank bourbon out of the bottle and a trumpet played the 2001 Space Odyssey theme as the sun rose over Niagara Falls...

Sigh.

So I'm back at Casa Sweetlandia resting up until further notice. My folks just came by and dropped off Ursa the Sweetland family beast while they're off vacationing somewhere warm. Puppy snuggles are very healing, and the good news is, I just opened my mouth and sound came out! Hallelujah.

Love, honey, and high notes,

x
K

Boo! More photos from my recent adventures here.

October 10, 2011
Toronto, ON

Happy Thanksgiving! It's yet another incredibly glorious day in the big city. I'm relaxing by the metaphorical pool after last night's fantastic Thanksgiving dinner chez moi.  Our meal was delicious and surprisingly vegan, featuring all the traditional fixings à la Sweetland. (And a live concert by the one and only Darlene while I cooked!) Tonight I will also be quite chefly, preparing a vat of saffron risotto for my dear pal Andy White who's in town for a visit.

Besides all the cooking and lounging about in my rose garden, I have been such a busy woman. Making tour plans for coming year, working on the new album, attending strange and adventurous auditions, dancing flamenco in the kitchen, and performing various impressive feats of housework. I've also been working at the Gladstone Hotel lately as an event photographer, shooting some of their amazing music and art soirées. I had a blast there last weekend for Nuit Blanche! You can have a peek at some of my photos from the evening here.

And for new shots from my eternal Adventures in Sweetland...

New concert dates are also now posted on my tour page. Even more coming soon... Stay tuned!

Love,

Sweetland

P.S.  I'm so excited to see all my friends at the OCFF conference in Niagara Falls this weekend! Meet you in a dark stairwell.

At the Gladstone...

May 10, 2011 

Toronto, ON

Happy birthday to me! I'm home at quite a reasonable hour for a birthday girl after a fantastic day and night of celebrating. My ladies and I went out for an amazing dinner at my favourite Toronto restaurant, Julie's Cuban! It's romantic and delicious, and the corn fritters are simply to die for. Afterwards we headed over to the TRANZAC for brilliant pal Jonathan Byrd's CD release show. Incredible performance. Beautiful people. Two subways and a streetcar later, I'm home on my magnificent couch snuggling up with tonight's new episode of Glee. And just for the record, Jesse St. James is a babe. I know I always like the bad boys ... but I think Rachel should really give him another chance.

And sadly, no new birthday photos from my eternal Adventures in Sweetland to share with you! My camera fell to its tragic death from a spiral squash tower in Captain Dirt's Dirty Garden. However, we did plant carrots, beans, tomatoes, cucumber, squash and calendula! And I got very familiar with a shovel, a rake and a hoe. It's a long row to hoe, baby. But somebody's gotta do it.

Two more days back in the big city and then I'm outta here! America, I hope you're ready. Because here I come...

xo

Sweetypie

October 26, 2010 
London, ON

I'm home at last from my grand adventures! Now it's time for serious sleep, major laundry and dog kisses at the end of the rainbow. It was the busiest tour in Sweetlandish touring history and I'm sorry I didn't have more time to write. Tour tales and blog updates coming soon, I promise! Until then, have a peek at the two new Fall Tour photo albums I posted in the Adventures in Sweetland gallery.

Talk soon...

x

K

 Captain Dirt & The Skirt ... More Fall Tour photos here!

May 1, 2010
Toronto, ON

Happy May Day from grey and lovely Torontonia! Woke up at a reasonable hour ce matin and enjoyed a delicious Beltane champagne brunch at Eddie Levesque's. Mmmmmm. Fontina cheese and truffle oil scramble ... 4ever! Tonight, I'll be celebrating my very favourite ancient pagan holiday with a special concert in the Fleishman Gallery @ Wonderworks. Come early for a screening of my newest "Adventures in Sweetland" video. Wine, cheese and fairy cake reception to follow. Obviously. And perhaps we can even scrounge up a Maypole ....

Love & honey,

MayQueen

 Mayday Mayday ... With Bill Bourne in lovely Leslieville

April 20, 2010 

Mysteryville, ON

Mes Petit Choux, 

I've been hard at work with Mr. Laptop all the livelong day, updating, uploading and overwriting ... Just posted a new album in my "Adventures in Sweetland" gallery of some sweet shots from the cold season!  It's called "Winterspring" and you can peruse it ici.

Is it beer o'clock yet?

Sunshine,

x
K

There's always a mystery to solve . . .
More from the eternal self-portrait series here

April 19, 2010 
Sweetland, ON

Spring is in full force here at the Sweetland family ranch.  Puppies are pouncing, pansies are pushing and I'm packing my boxes! Have a couple weeks off before my next show and will likely spend it plotting the decor for my new apartment ... Sooo exciting. I'll be liberating many things I've left in my parents' basement over the years, much to their pleasure. My pink sparkly roller skates thought I'd forgotten them forever. As if.

In other news, my "401 Tour '10" with Devon Sproule and Mantler was a glorious success. Thanks so much to all who came out to the shows! We might need to make it a yearly adventure. I miss those guys already. My mom snapped some shots of Devon and I the other night at the London Music Club ... Three delicious words: New blue dress! Visit the Live Photo Gallery for said photos, and more.

Now I'm off to gallivant though green fields with happy poodles. And put a little work into my side-arm fastball.

Later skaters,

X

 With Devon Sproule at the London Music Club.
More live photos here.