If you missed our last artist Kristen Powell, please check out her website

“Look a Little Closer”

she can also be contacted by email at lookalittlecloserart@gmail.com

Kristen's “In memory of a Book” instillation is being displayed at Southwood Library next, pop over if you didn’t get a chance to see it here!

Visit Louise Riley during May to view paintings by our newest artist Angie Pickering.

A few words and details from our current artist Muditha Askin.

Details only, please visit the library to see full illustrations

1. The Carp fish start to swim upstream the Yellow River

2. Leaping over the Dragon Gate

3. The Dragon

There is a famous Chinese legend about the origin of the Dragon. On the ancient Yellow River in China there are two cliffs that frame the river that locals call “The Dragon Gate”. According to the legend each year three hundred and sixty carp swim upstream this river but only one carp from the three hundred and sixty will swim and rapidly leap high enough to get over The Dragon Gate. It is said that that one carp that is able to leap The Dragon Gate, will be magically transformed into a Dragon.

Symbolic Meaning:

Having the persistence to resist the hardships of swimming upstream, rapidly jumping above the water and achieving success shows the carp to be a tough fish. That they could resist the big currents in China’s ancient Yellow River symbolizes great achievement in ones pursuit or the high ambition of a life time.

On the basis of this legend the carp became cultural tradition a symbol of “courage”. The legend teaches us that only the fittest and strongest can achieve the highest goal. We must strive for our highest goals with patience, believing in yourself and always trying to do your best, this will prove you to be fit and strong enough to conquer any hardships and overcome any obstacles.

~Muditha Askin

Contact at: askinart@gmail.om

Artworks currently on display at Louise Riley Library

An Old Sri Lankan Village Scene: The young women are plucking lotus. At the boat, a young man is looking over at them. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Artist: Muditha Askin

An Old Sri Lankan Village

Artist Muditha Askin was born in Hatton Sri Lanka and has a BFA from the University of Visual & Performing Arts in Sri Lanka. She has worked as a Freelance Artist, as an Artist & Graphic Designer in Dubai U.A.E. and Sri Lanka. She moved to Canada in 2008 and has recently been volunteering at the Artist Discovery House in Calgary. Come see her lovely illustrations at the Louise Riley Library this month!

Muditha can be contacted by email at: askinart@gmail.com

Susan Fae and Cathrine Greene are both currently showing their lovely art at Louise Riley Library until the end of December - you'll want to make sure you pop by to have a peek so you don't miss their beautiful imagery!

Get into the spirit of the season by taking in the soft drawings and seasonal prints of Cathrine and Susan in the children's area, and if the winter white and cold outside is starting to get you down, come into our cozy branch, curl up with a book or magazine and enjoy the bright, summery floral paintings from Susan hanging on the walls!

If you enjoy the linocut prints of Susan’s that you see on our walls, you might want to check out her “Dogs & their Walkers” on display at Thornhill Library for the month of December. If her art has sparked your interest in how it’s made check out her website www.thearttree.biz for more details or look into her classes on Linocut & Printmaking in February, 22, 23 & 24, 2013.

Carole Bondaroff, one of the artists currently showing in our Horse Art Exhibition has a new show opening at ARTPOINT Gallery. Make sure you stop by Louise Riley to get a taste of what a treat you're in for! Her art is only up until the end of October!

"TELL ME TWICE AGAIN"

AN INVITATION to my upcoming Art Exhibition at ARTPOINT GALLERY, Calgary: An Exhibition of Recent Lithographs and Etchings by CAROLE BONDAROFF The Art Opening / Vernissage will be on Friday evening, November 2, 2012: from 5 to 9 pm. (wine and cheese) The exhibition continues until November 24.

Gallery hours:

Thursday/Friday: 1 - 5 pm

Saturdays: 11 am - 5 pm

or by appointment (cabondaroff@gmail.com)

Artpoint Gallery:

1139 11th Ave SE Calgary

phone # 403 265 6867

I look forward to seeing you!

CAROLE

Why horses?

In 2005 on a trail ride into Calgary for the Stampede, 9 out of 200 horses were killed in a freak accident on the bridge. As horse's being the sensitive creatures they are, this tragedy shocked and saddened me greatly. In my grief I created a series of horse drawings and paintings in commemoration of this unfortunate event. Happy to say the Stampede in there infinite wisdom have now stopped these trail rides into the city during Stampede.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

I enjoy painting on canvas, and I also do pen and ink works on paper, I also love hard board and the rough side of masonite board with acrylics and multi-media.

How can we find you online?

moveovermountain@yahoo.ca

Which artists do you find inspiring?

Otto Rogers, Alfred Pellan, Michael Snow, Jock MacDonald, all Canadian artists and Cezanne (if he's seen Canadian Light he probably would have relocated here to Canada and painted our land)

What's your favourite section of the library?

New & Notable. The library staff always seem to select the latest and best authors for my reading pleasure. Sometimes I take advantage of the magazine section and stop for a flip through the art magazines.

What's your favourite colour right now?

I love all colours, and as an artist the colours choose me when painting...

Do you have any personal stories about horses?

Well this aforementioned 2005 experience and the piece I submitted for this show lead to a story I wrote on the legend of this particular horse representing all nine of these wonderful creatures.

Thank you!

Your welcome and thank you for your efforts in making this event possible to bring artists and the library experience as a co-creation for the library clients.

Why horses?

I'm not sure. They were the first things I ever drew and the only ones for many years.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

Pastel, Coloured Pencil, and Paint.

How can we find you online?

www.theflemishmonkey.com or www.flemishmonkey.deviantart.com

Which artists do you find inspiring?

Kinuko Craft, Franz Marc, Emily Carr

What's your favourite colour right now?

Yellow!

What's your favourite section of the library?

I discover a new one every week!

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!

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/

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 :)