Dear Friend,  
 
I just wanted to reach out and tell you how much I love you.  As you know, I've been struggling with some emotional scars that I’ve been trying to suppress for the past 13 years. 
 
I’ve found that hiking in the mountains has been a great way to help me heal these scars.  When I'm out in nature alone, I feel a sense of peace and perspective that I can't find anywhere else.  I feel that physically carrying all of this weight on my back over long distances is a way for me to process these emotions. It gives me a symbolic sense of confidence and freedom too. 

Life has a funny way of helping you heal, don’t you think?  
 
It isn’t an easy process, but each time I hit the trails, I feel a little more empowered to face the challenges that come my way.  I’m currently on the fifth day of my trek in Peru, and just witnessed one of the most beautiful sights of my life.  

Last night, we left camp at 10pm on a mission to photograph the Mirador Tres Lagunas at night.  As I stepped out of my tent, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nervous excitement.  I had been planning this hike for months, and despite the less than ideal weather conditions, I was determined to see it through.  
 
The trail was slick and muddy under my feet. I could feel the rain running down my face and soaking through my clothes.  But as I made my way up the mountain, the exertion of the climb combined with the darkness of the night helped me disconnect, and I entered a meditative state where no thoughts, nor pain, existed.  
 
A few hours later, we arrived at our destination.  The rain was coming down in sheets and we decided to find shelter under a large rock.  We waited in the fetal position, desperately trying to warm up our bodies. The atmosphere was so cold that we decided to pull the emergency blanket out, regrouping to warm up our bodies.  Eventually, the rain stopped, and a thick fog surrounded us.  The moisture turned into frost, and I experienced one of the coldest moments of my life; unable to warm up, I was petrified.  
 
At 6 am, the night began to give way to dawn.  And just when I thought all hope was lost, I stepped out from underneath the rock to be greeted by the most beautiful scene I have ever witnessed.  Mountains that seemed to stretch on forever, a valley shrouded in a thick blanket of fog below, slowly revealing three pristine blue lakes.  
 
In that moment, I completely forgot about my scars.  And as I stood there, taking it all in, I couldn't help but feel so grateful for the challenges and hardships that brought me to this place. 
 
My friend, I just want to say thank you for being there for me, and for helping me find this source of healing and strength.  I know that I still have a long way to go, but I'm beyond grateful to have you by my side.  

I don’t know when I’ll be home, but I’m on my way.

Sincerely,  
 
Catherine

Le Chemin De Vie

Simple and easily identifiable, each squiggle embodies the soul of the Art Blocks platform. Consider each my personal signature as an artist, developer, and tinkerer. Public minting of the Chromie Squiggle is permanently paused. They are now reserved for manual distribution to collectors and community members over a longer period of time. Please visit OpenSea to explore Squiggles available on the secondary market. 

Chromie Squiggle #9735

What you seek, is seeking you. What you send, comes back. What you think, you become. Body and Spirit, boundless. Pain and pleasure, one. Strengths and weaknesses, united. Light and darkness, indivisible. Opposite forces, in equilibrium. Cycle of birth and death, unbounded. Start and End, indefinite. Past, Present and Future, indissociable. Infinite DNA to infinite Universe. Infinite Metaverse to infinite possibilities. One is All, All is One. We are ∞.

∞ MANTRA

The first NFT to have its usage rights released to the world after its purchase. This project originated from the idea that the virality and widespread use of an image increase the importance of provenance and therefore the value of the NFT. This project is also a statement on fair compensation and gaining back control over the use of our images. // Learn more at www.freehawaiiphoto.com 

#FreeHawaiiPhoto

Trillion Star Hotel

"Les parts du Soi" is a symbolic statement in personal creative freedom.

Breaking the traditional rules of landscape photography while remaining true to myself has always been at the forefront of my creative process.

My first composite image was published in September 2016, only a few months after first photographing landscapes. I have always had a desire to express myself in ways that aren’t necessarily reflective of the natural landscape, even before I could fully understand what I was creating.

I am guided by a perfectionist, idealistic nature, striving to heighten the images of the locations I set out to photograph.  My work is also rooted in a profound obsession to deconstruct reality, which then allows me to create reimagined worlds through the sum of various experiences into the wilderness. 

‘’Les parts du Soi’’ was created and released in 2019. It is composed of twenty-eight photographs, all captured within Patagonia over a three-week period.

The artwork was composed with the intent of rejecting the traditional rules of landscape photography. Neither my style, nor my process in creating this image set out to be subtle or realistic; both are actually intended to be provocative by creating a composite that defies the laws of nature. All of these elements cannot coexist at one time within the same scenery, although in an imagined world, they do so harmoniously and seamlessly.

This is what makes composite photography the ultimate gateway to the ‘’Soi,” where pieces of the Self and memories intertwine with the natural world.

"Créer des composites, pour moi, est une manière d’assembler les parts du Soi."  
"Creating composites, to me, is a way to assemble the pieces of the Self"

Les parts du Soi

Feelings of excitement, fear and uncertainty reside within…

When you’re about to lose all communication with civilization, you don’t exactly know when - or if - you will come back.

There’s an internal battle between the emotional & rational…. Yet tunnel vision never honors risk. You cannot stop. You must go. 

Unexpected snow, frozen boots, frozen socks, frostbite…  
…scrambling over giant boulders & rockfalls…  
…enduring nerve-wracking river crossings…  
…unexpected falls, a broken camera…  
…fighting COVID in the backcountry…  
…a tent destroyed by high winds.

This obsession defies all primal needs, putting one in touch with a raw, candid, and unfiltered side of ourselves that circumvents the rational…  
…and strictly adheres to the emotional.

Survival situations can help us achieve inner peace, make us feel as if we’re more alive than we ever were before, and also help us garner a new perspective.

A perspective where day to day problems dissipate, a sense of invincibility takes over, and we realize the only thing we need is ourselves; alongside those familiar feelings that call us back to the mountains…

…the feelings of excitement, fear, and uncertainty.

See You On The Other Side #4/11

Composite made of different elements taken on multiple trips in Canmore and Kananaskis between 2020 and 2023. An endless journey of finding yourself through life's hardships and trusting The Muse along the way. Inspired by ACK’s artworks The Muse ''Vivid Sky'' and The Broken Keys ''I dreamt of you again last night''.

I Found You

Drifting in a daze, I am neither awake nor asleep.  The crisp, cold air compliments a sleeping bag immersed in frost.

I’m completely alone…isolated…hypnotized. Without a tent, my view of the stars is unobstructed as the glacier calves…

Rocks begin to fall, and the light begins to change; the full moon rises as a deep, bitter cold mass continually flows from the west.

There’s an urgent rush to view the illuminated glacier behind me.  

Cerro Torre stands tall, glowing as it looms overhead…  
… something abnormal is sensed.

Countless days & attempts to capture this mystical mountain have led to now, this moment….the abnormal.

Time seemingly then warps as night becomes blue hour…  
…am I dreaming?  
…or am I awake?

Above a sea of clouds, I feel as if I’m floating; the mountains revealing a character I’ve never seen before.  

A pulsating mist slowly reveals more of the surroundings over time. I have never seen these mountains like this…  
…are they breathing?  
…or am I simply dreaming?

And in this darkness, I can only stare at the lagoon and my surroundings; pondering if I’m awake, or simply dreaming…

And only then, I realize the truth. I’m neither dreaming, sleeping, nor awake…  
…I am actually alive.

Somnambulism #27/44

''Somnambulism'' and '' See You On The Other Side''
Dropped on Nifty Gateway, August 7th 2022.
https://www.niftygateway.com/collections/cath-simard

Blue Patagonia

The Path of Qi is a composite created from different scenes captured around China in November 2023, blending imagination and lived experiences. The artwork immerses the viewer in the quiet energy of a secluded village, nestled within the mist-covered karst mountains.

Captured during blue hour, just before the first light of dawn, the village is still, suspended in the calm between night and day. A solitary figure appears, walking along a quiet stone path, their movement soft yet deliberate as they enter the scene. The bright lanterns that light the way symbolize Qi, the invisible force that sustains and nourishes life, casting a subtle glow in the pre-dawn stillness. The village, too, seems to hold its breath, waiting for the first signs of life.  
 
The jagged mountains, looming over the village, reflect the ruggedness of the human experience; sharp, fractured, yet ever-present, mirroring the complex and interconnected flow of Qi.

The village, with its tightly clustered houses, appears almost as if it were a miniature landscape, mirroring the mountains in their compactness and closeness. Just as the mist encircles the landscape, so too does Qi intertwine with every moment of existence, felt in the air, the land, and the people. 

The figure’s solitary journey becomes a reflection of introspection and purposeful solitude. It is not an act of isolation but one of connection, a quiet search for alignment with the natural world and its energies. The figure’s presence serves as a reminder of the deeply personal yet universal journey of finding balance within oneself amidst the vastness of existence.

The Path of Qi’s medium and story mirror each other. The careful assembly of disparate elements reflects the Taoist principle of balance of how all things, even those that appear separate, are ultimately part of a greater, seamless whole. Just as Qi flows through every aspect of life, the creative process behind this piece mirrors that constant flow of energy, where every photograph plays its part in creating a unified, cohesive journey.

The Path Of Qi

Cath Simard 1/1s

Part of Liminal State, a collaborative artwork between Ryan Koopmans and Cath Simard that explores the transitional phase of wakefulness to sleep.

https://superrare.com/0x1b6745f9a95b9ee195cff963dd6ef03dbf486257/liminal-state-w--cath-simard-1

Liminal State - The Reveal

Cath Simard 1/1s - Collabs

A collection of cinematic stills taken behind the scenes during my 2022 trip to Patagonia. 

Into the Blue #29

Into the Blue #16

Into The Blue - Cath Simard Behind The Scenes

Cath Simard's artworks auctioned at Christie's

Cath Simard - Christies

A reminder to keep climbing and stay above the noise.

//

As I ascend 
I quiet the noise in my mind  
As I walk the world 
The great purge, tears running down my eyes  
 
With each step  
Whispers of the past  
Pulling me down the trail  
Shame and anger, clutter of the mind  
 
And suddenly  
There’s nothing else to think about  
And suddenly  
There’s a whole world to look at

Above the Noise



Above the Noise

Cath Simard Editions

A euphoric rush. Everything feels real yet otherworldly. I am deeply connected to my surroundings. The trees are breathing. The wind is whispering. The mountains are radiating. Lifeless yet so energetic and vivacious. I can feel their souls. I accept this energy. This mysterious state between darkness and light is where I find the most mental clarity. Blue makes me unafraid to feel. I crave desolation and silence, on the edge of reality. I have an insatiable need and desire to live a limitless life. Those mountains are my medicine, my ecstasy.

Xtasis

A visual interpretation of "Gnossienne No.1", a piano piece by the French composer Erik Satie, composed and published in the early 1890’s. The artwork is created from images taken during a 5-day expedition in the coastal mountains of British Columbia, Canada. 

Gnossienne No.1

SuperRare

A perfect drift, losing sight of the shore to discover a world of infinite possibilities. Overcoming the fear of the unknown and letting the current guide you where you are meant to be. Where everything aligns perfectly. 

Drift with Self

A moment in time that never truly begins or ends.

FIN DU DÉBUT

Foundation

2555 hand-picked AI landscape images of a unique collaboration between Cath Simard, Ryan Newburn, Iurie Belegurschi and Artificial Intelligence, bridging the natural and the supernatural.

https://metascapes.sloika.xyz/

Metascapes #1099

2555 hand-picked AI landscape images of a unique collaboration between real-world photographers and Artificial Intelligence, bridging the natural and the supernatural. 

Mirascapes Collection: https://opensea.io/collection/mirascapes

Metascapes #1128

The Metascapes

**Blue Hour Adventures: Australia! is a fictional children’s adventure book based on a true story.**
Cath Simard, a renowned landscape composite photographer, embarked on a solo adventure to capture the magical blue hour over a remote lake in Tasmania. Over eight days, she encountered various challenges and opportunities and faced tough decisions amidst harsh weather and isolation from the world.
This journey triggered profound self-reflection, teaching invaluable life lessons that inspired this book.
The adventure begins when Iris, a young and curious girl, visits her Aunt Blue in her secluded Canadian cabin. A glance at Aunt Blue’s travel photos and a magic coin whisks them away on a quest to capture the elusive blue hour at Sapphire Lake in Tasmania, Australia.
Along the way, Iris and Aunt Blue encounter difficult obstacles, unlocking their perseverance, tenacity, and creativity, but most importantly, learning to embrace challenges and enjoy each moment of the journey.
Will these two intrepid explorers capture the photographs they hope for?
Written and produced by Cath Simard
Co-produced by Dan stern
Illustrated by Cody Muir
Co-written by Lauren Kerstein & Stacia Deutsch

Blue Hour Adventures #20

Blue Hour Adventures: Australia! is a fictional children’s adventure book based on a true story.

Find all information here : www.bluehouradventures.io

Blue Hour Adventures #7

Blue Hour Adventures: Australia!

**Past resonance is a composite created during my last trip in Tasmania, Australia.** 
Back to the year of 2015, I worked as a cherry picker in Tasmania. Photography had not yet found me, but amidst the orchards, I felt the slow rekindling of my appreciation for being outside. My curiosity for the mountains was also undeniable, though my confidence wavered when contemplating embarking on extensive hikes to explore them. 
Several seasons later, whispers reached me of a secluded Tasmanian lake, a haven that demanded days of arduous trekking to unlock its hidden beauty. This revelation stirred a recognition within me&#8212;a knowing that this location would serve as the perfect opportunity to reconnect with a cherished place, equipped now with a new skill set and my camera.
Fast-forward to 2023, a pivotal moment where I resolved to breathe life into this dream and fly to Tasmania.  Over the course of eight days, I trekked the landscape solo and in complete self-sufficiency to reach the remote lake where I had envisioned to create a specific composite. During my quest for perfectly clear skies, I encountered constant rain storms, keeping me stuck inside my tent for a few days. However, towards the end of the trip, the sky cleared up and I was finally able to capture the images of the foreground that I was hoping for. The aurora, however, didn&rsquo;t show up during the trek and was photographed a week later, after many sleepless nights of driving across the state. 
This journey, both mentally and physically demanding, triggered profound self-reflection, teaching me invaluable life lessons. These lessons and reflections, in turn, became the source of inspiration for my inaugural children's book, a tale born of this voyage and titled &quot;Blue Hour Adventure: Australia!&quot;
 Past Resonance honors my inner child&mdash;bold, curious, creative, perseverant and loving of nature.

Past Resonance

Past resonance is a composite created during my last trip in Tasmania, Australia and part of the ''Blue Hour Adventures'' drop. 

More information here : www.bluehouradventures.io

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