Why horses?

This drawing is part of a series and when horses first appeared I had no idea why they were showing up. Eventually I saw they probably had some symbolic significance as personal power emblems.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

The mixture of drawings media I use in these drawings i.e. graphite, color pencil, watercolour, graphite dust, stencils and stamps give a range of language I really enjoy.

How can we find you online?

I have a blog at http://cathrinegreene.wordpress.com

Which artists do you find inspiring?

Those who have found an authentic voice and an articulate use of visual language.

What's your favourite section of the library?

Maybe the stacks-- they bring back memories of my first library experiences where the shelves were so much taller than myself and full of potential stories.

What's your favourite colour right now?

Indigo blue-- the colour of the night sky.

Do you have any personal stories about horses?

Well, I worked on a dude ranch in Wyoming as a summer job during university years. They horse they gave me to ride in my off hours was named 'Suddenly"-- the implication of which I never clued into until I found out that summer he had been part of the bucking string. However, maybe because of my naivety he was always the perfect gentleman with me!

By Jackie

It can be hard to stay up-to-date with new book releases and even harder to pick your “next read”. Luckily, CPL has just launched a new book recommendation service that can help:

When you register for the NextRead service, you will be asked to indicate your genre preferences from the 16 available categories. Provide is your name, email address and a password, and you'll start receiving regular NextReads newsletters by email.

The newsletters will offer quick book summaries and let you easily connect to the CPL catalogue to place a hold. You can cancel or change your subscription preferences at any time.

For more suggestions on what to read, visit the Riley blog or stop by our branch and speak with someone from our book-savvy staff team.

Courtney Townsend is one of the talented artists currently showing in our Horse Art Exhibition which runs July 5 to Oct 30 2012. Her photographs capture your heart and you fall in love with her subjects instantly, I did! Stop by to appreciate them in person!

Why horses?

For quite some time I have been drawn to horses and their history, their mysticism, the relationship they have had with humans and particularly their relationship with each other. They are also incredible photogenic creatures; there is something so fascinating about them, maybe it's their intuitive nature, or their fierceness and gentleness all at once.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

Analogue film.

Which artists do you find inspiring?

Francesca Woodman, Sally Mann, Joel Peter Witkin, Sarah Moon, Shelby Lee Adams, Jock Sturges and Tony Stromberg to name a few.

What's your favourite section of the library?

The kids section because of my son, I also like looking through art books.

What's your favourite colour right now?

Earth tones like browns and greens.

Do you have any personal stories about horses?

I do, although they are all quite personal. All I can say is that they never fail to inspire me and make something come alive inside me. I am very grateful that I am able to work with them the way I do.

How can we find you online?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/courtneynicoletownsend/

RILEY LIBRARY TEEN

Book of the Month

Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi
Winner of the 2011 Printz Award

Near a drowned New Orleans ravaged by hurricanes and
global warming, Nailer and his young crew eke out a meager
existence by scavenging materials on the
ship-littered coast.

"This taut, suspenseful novel is a relentless adventure story
featuring nuanced characters in thought-provoking conflicts.
Bacigalupi artfully intertwines themes of loyalty, family, friendship,
trust and love."
-Printz Award Committee Chair Erin Downey.

RILEY LIBRARY ADULT

Book of the Month

Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson

Denis Johnson, winner of the National Book Award, is
capable of such powefully concentrated writing that
this slim novella contains as many unforgettable scenes
as many books five times the length. The story of Robert
Grainier, day laborer, is nothing short of the story of the
development of the American West itself.

A masterpiece in miniature.

Lee Mayne is one of the lovely artists I was lucky enough to meet at our opening reception for our Horse Art Exhibition which runs July 5 to Oct 30 2012. Lee was busy in the month of July as she also exhibited in the 2012 Calgary Stampede Western Showcase Art Gallery. So, if you missed seeing her work there - come enjoy the soft flow of colour and exquisite line used in her art here!

Why horses?

Horses have been a passion for as long as I can remember. I was a "pony crazy" child, always begging to go on trail rides, take riding lessons (which grew into begging for an actual pony!), reading every horse novel ever written of asking Santa for a new Breyer for Christmas to add to my collection. I was a professional horsewoman in the sport of showjumping for many years but now am just a horse fan trying to express the beauty in all types of horses as I think they are the perfect artistic subject.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

I work in charcoal and coloured pencil on paper. I like the softness that charcoal and soft pencil provides and the easy blending of colours.

Which artists do you find inspiring?

I am partial to modernists such as Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, Auguste Rodin, Piet Mondrian and Edgar Degas. I also enjoy more classical painters such as William Turner, Edourd Manet and George Stubbs.

What's your favourite section of the library?

Definitely Fiction (particularly Science Fiction and Fantasy)

What's your favourite colour right now?

Blue - Any blue will do!

How can we find you online?

http://www.leemayneimages.com/

Do you have any personal stories about horses?

The best horse I ever had was a big horse named "Take Notice" who had a white face and four knee high socks, was blind in one eye and could jump the moon if you asked him too. I had brought some gingersnaps to the barn as a treat for the girls and he ate the entire box while I wasn't looking! As he also had a penchant for Root Beer (A & W only please), I made these his new after horse show treat :)

Karthikeyan is one of the intriguing artists we are lucky enough to have showing in our Horse Art Exhibition running July 5 to Oct 30 2012. Come examine the details up close!

Why horses?

Because it is a symbol of power.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

Chocolate.(<--- click on the link to watch a chocolate carving video that will tantalize your tastebuds and eyes!)

Which artists do you find inspiring?

My father Mr. Sengottaian.

What's your favourite section of the library?

Art, cooking.

What's your favourite colour right now?

Aqua-greenish-blue.

How can we find you online?

Karthiartist @ Facebook & YouTube. (<--- click on the YouTube link to see Karthikeyan's art in action)

Here's a special sneak peek for you of the works of two artists currently showing in our Horse Art Exhibition running July 5 to Oct 30 2012. We hope you'll be enticed to come and see them up close, the details are phenomenal!

"Cavalia"

Find more art by Carole Bondaroff here: https://sites.google.com/site/cbondaroff/

"Urania-Night Sky"

Find more art by Stan Phelps here: https://sites.google.com/site/stanphelpsart/home

We're very excited about Historic Calgary Week, even more since one of the walks will start on our very doorstep! David Peyto is leading a walk from Louise Riley Library to Sunnyside C-Train station passing by the many Century Homes (circa 1912) in the area as well as other areas of interest.

Monday, July 30th at 9:30 a.m. at the Louise Riley Library Program Building (walk ends at 11:30 a.m.)

Where: 1904 14th Ave NW (across from Lion's Park C-train station)

Free! No registration.

Historic Calgary Week runs July 27-August 6, and is sponsored by Calgary 2012 and the Cultural Capital of Canada Program, City of Calgary and Canadian Heritage. Volunteers from the Chinook Country Historical Society are leading walks throughout the city.

Check out these links:

The organizers of Historic Calgary Week have information about events on their site:
http://www.chinookcountry.org/

An interactive map shows century homes in your area. Create your own tour!
http://www.centuryhomes.org

Meet like-minded Calgarians:
http://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/wordpress/

Our website's Community Heritage and Family History blog with great resources:
http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/blogs/community-heritage-and-family-history?p=2591

CBC Eyeeopener eposide interviewing one homeowner about her historical home and its original owner (Tappy Frost, CPL's first registered cardholder!)
http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/episode/2012/07/19/century-homes---hillhurst/