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!

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/

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

I was lucky enough to meet the lovely Susan, one of the wonderful artists that is currently showing in our Horse Art Exhibition at Louise Riley Library July 5 to Oct 30 2012. Her passion and enthusiasm for art is pleasantly contagious! Stop by and see her art in person - look for her cleverly detailed work in the children's picture book area!

Why horses?

Horses are so kind to humans, why not paint or draw them!

What's your favourite medium to work in?

My favourite medium is oil paint and canvas.

Which artists do you find inspiring?

Claude Monet inspires me.

What's your favourite section of the library?

The DVD section, I find so many good flicks there!

What's your favourite colour right now?

Purple, yip can't get enought of it.

Do you have any personal stories about horses?

I love to ride with friends, well it is more like a stroll in the woods. They are powerful creatures, I love to watch them run and I find it entertaining to watch them socialize with one another.

How can we find you online?

Please find me at www.thearttree.biz or my personal gallery http://dreamers.marthastewart.com/profile/TheArtTree_SusanFaeHaglund

Leah Johnston is one of the talented and fun artists that is currently showing in our Horse Art Exhibition at Louise Riley Library running July 5 to Oct 30 2012. Stop by to see her colourful work up close!

Why horses?

Because it's Stampede time!

What's your favourite medium to work in?

Acrylic

Which artists do you find inspiring?

Angie Rees

What's your favourite section of the library?

Crafts!

What's your favourite colour right now?

Blue!

Christine Bennett is one of the wonderfully talented artists currently showing in our Horst Art Exhibition at Louise Riley library running July 5 to Oct 30 2012. Stop by to see her detailed work up close!

Why horses?

I don't really have a great answer to this. I simply love horses, and everything about them. I think that it must have something to do with their spirit, grace and fine tradition in art.

What's your favourite medium to work in?

Coloured pencil. Many people think that coloured pencils are for children, but they are a rich medium that can achieve great effect through texture and layering colours. Next to that are pastels, and sometimes I combine the two.

Which artists do you find inspiring?

My two favourite artists are Frederic Remington and Franz Marc. They have such an emotional way of portraying horses, particularly Marc. Outside those two, there are often too many to name - El Greco, Tom Thomson, Emily Carr, David Hockney and Chris Cran are a few more. Usually any artist can offer inspiration in techniques, materials or subject matter. Of course, i have a number of favourite model horse artists, such as Sarah Rose.

What's your favourite section of the library?

Definitely 636.1! And the 740s for crafts.

What's your favourite colour right now?

My favourite colour will always be purple, now and forever!

Do you have any personal stories about horses?

It's unfortunate to say that I have mostly been and observer of horses my whole life, so personal stories are rather lacking!

How can we find you online?

My website is http://www.purple-pony.com and my blog is at http://purple-pony-art.blogspot.com I'm always online somewhere!