Rather than relying on colour, black and white images use lines, shapes, patterns, the contrast between light and dark, and sometimes just the viewers own imagination to tell their story. The colour images in this collection lack bold colours and rely on the same types of features as the truly black and white images to tell their stories.

Update 1: Thank you for all your interest in Kawartha Art Gallery’s second-ever online exhibit, ‘Mostly Monochrome’ by Tim Bellhouse! In appreciation for your interest, more of Tim’s inspiring images will be uploaded here until May 18th.

Update 2: Kawartha Art Gallery extends our sincere appreciation to Tim Bellhouse for the contemplative images of his recent Mostly Monochrome online exhibit. Tim’s work is for sale and purchases can be made by contacting Tim at tbellhouse99@gmail.com

Ice, Frost, and Snow

This 'natural abstract' is the result of a combination of water seepage through cracks in the clear ice on a pond, the falling of snow and then a hoar frost. While this may not seem a very exciting description of the image, I hope that the image sparks your interest and your imagination.

April Snowstorm

The snow was nearly gone and then a Spring snowstorm – heavy snow clinging to fences and the fine twigs and branches of Tamarack trees – all traces of Spring had been erased overnight. Despite this, our hope for Spring persisted and within in just a few days all the snow was gone.

All About Triangles

This image is a perspective on a portion of the mechanism of the lift locks at Kirkfield. Most people see these locks either from a boat as they travel through the locks or from shore when they come to watch the boats and the operation of the locks. I went to see the locks in operation, but also became intrigued by the structures and the shapes. This somewhat abstract image is all about the triangular shapes that can be seen, involving steel girders and railings, concrete and water.

Impenetrable

The sturdy branches and fine twigs of this Spruce tree appear to create a nearly impenetrable screen, hiding what lies beyond. What does lie beyond – you will have to venture forward to find out what creatures and other plants call this place home.

On Watch

This image is a largely black and white scene taken in colour. Fog rolled in while on a ferry crossing from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island and one of the ship’s crew was sent forward to keep a lookout. Almost everything in the image is black, white or gray – can you find the only colour?

Rooflines

Sheet metal and plywood, walls and rooflines, lines this way and that, a truly odd arrangement of lines, angles and shadows. I cannot even imagine the process by which the odd assortment of structures of this mill north of Madoc was actually developed.

Maturity

This image is of aging Poplar trees - the twisted, knobby branches of these particular trees have always intrigued me. Poplars have a lifespan similar to our own. I considered this when searching for a title for this image, and as I am also getting older, I decided that these aging trees are not old, but simply more mature.

Waves on Dark Water

Dark waters run deep – the advancing wave front turns white as the deep, dark waters crash. Is this really as it appears – or is it something else? What do you see? Take the time to let your imagination run free.

Spring Snowstorm

Spring had arrived and Winter was over. While the pond was still frozen, the snow was all gone. Warmer days and Spring flowers were just around the corner, or were they? Ah, Mother Nature just wanted to remind us who really is in charge! Spring will return.

Walnut Silhouette

A late afternoon image of Walnut trees against a late-in-the-day, late Autumn sky. I had searched far and wide for such an image for some time, just to find it close to home. These Walnut trees line a portion of the abandoned railway spur that runs from Bethany to Omemee.

Into the Mist

On a cool Autumn morning, Geese lift off from a pond and disappear into the mist at sunrise. Where are they going? Will they return? Soon there will be morning frosts and the leaves will turn colour and fall.

Oaks in Snowstorm

A late Autumn storm blanketed the trees in a layer of wet, heavy snow. Most of the Autumn leaves had already fallen to the ground, but the oak leaves still clung to the trees – they always do. This is a nearly colourless image – white snow, black trunks and branches of the trees, and the drab brown of the Oak leaves.

A Bit of Green

This image was taken at the Liftlocks in Kirkfield, Ontario. It is a structure of concrete and steel and of lines and angles. While the stairway appears to end in a concrete wall, it in fact leads to another walkway. Notice the small patch of green?

Eroded

The result of thousands of footsteps along a path to view a waterfall - the compaction and erosion of the soil has exposed the roots of a red pine tree.

Springtime Gems

Spring has arrived and rising temperatures have begun the annual melt - the water is flowing and yet this ice persists, providing us with a reminder of what was and what will be again.

The Snowstorm

I had been watching this scene throughout the year and knew there was an image there. Then one day, during a snowstorm, I saw what I had been waiting for - huge snowflakes and blizzard conditions. The snow was pelting down so heavy that I could hardly see to focus on the scene.

The Tennis Ball Tree

Money does not grow on trees and neither do tennis balls! These are walnuts, but unlike most walnut trees, this tree tends to loose it leaves before the walnuts begin to fall.

Walnut In Snow

This image is of a row of walnut trees during a snowstorm. To create the effect in the photograph, I shot the image at a slow shutter speed so that the nearly horizontal snow appears as streaks across the image. I find this gives the image a haunting quality.